Karingal News 15/08/25

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Principal News - 15th August, 2025

Dear KPS Families,

It has been another exciting fortnight at our school, filled with events that have brought our community together and created wonderful learning opportunities for our students.

Bogan Bingo
Last Saturday night’s Bogan Bingo was nothing short of hilarious! Families and friends came together in their finest bogan attire for a night of laughs, prizes, and great company. A huge thank you to Breigh and Karen for their organisation and everyone who joined in the fun — your support makes a real difference.

2026 First Prep Transition Afternoon
Last week we welcomed our 2026 Prep families for the very first transition afternoon. It was a warm and positive start to the journey for our newest learners and their families. Children enjoyed getting to know their future classmates, exploring the Prep learning spaces, and engaging in fun, hands-on activities. Our staff were thrilled to meet everyone and begin building those all-important connections that make for a smooth and confident start to school life.

Chess Tournament
Monday saw our keen chess players take on the challenge of the inter-school chess tournament. There were 18 schools represented and 155 students took part. It was a day filled with strategic thinking, concentration, and friendly competition. Our students demonstrated sportsmanship and perseverance, often thinking several moves ahead while also encouraging their peers. We are proud of the way they represented our school and look forward to seeing their skills continue to grow.
Karingal PS came in 4th place overall...a FANTASTIC team effort.

Tree Works
Over the past fortnight, important tree works have been carried out around our grounds to ensure the safety and health of our environment. These works not only address safety concerns but also help maintain the beauty of our school grounds. Thank you to our community for their understanding while areas were temporarily out of bounds.

School Concert
The BIGGEST event of the year is nearly here. Please make sure costumes are organised and tickets have been bought.

As we move further into the term, it’s inspiring to see our students, staff, and families embracing every opportunity to learn, connect, and celebrate together.



Stay safe and take care


Samantha Cooke
Principal

School Awards - 15th August, 2025

CONGRATULATIONS to the following students who received a classroom award at assembly:
  • P1B - Luna, Elliot, Margaret
  • 12A - Henry
  • 12B - Aaron, Hina
  • 34A - Sebastian
  • 34B - Cooper
  • 56A - Ollie, Aylah, Will




CONGRATULATIONS to Hazel for demonstrating our RIPRR Values and receiving an award.




CONGRATULATIONS
 to Maddie, Tindra and Atticus for being selected from the 'Good Deed' box and helping out around the school.



Garden Update 150825 from Marilyn






Bogan Bingo Wrap Up

Our Bogan Bingo night was an absolute hit! The school community came together for an evening filled with laughter, music, and plenty of flannelette. From mullets and ugg boots to leopard print and double denim, the creative costumes set the scene for a night of light-hearted fun.

The bingo games kept everyone on their toes, with enthusiastic calls, cheeky banter, and plenty of friendly competition. The dance floor was just as busy as the bingo tables, with classic tunes getting the crowd up and moving.

A huge thank you to our amazing Breigh and Kazza who worked hard behind the scenes to decorate the venue and run the games. Special thanks also to everyone who donated prizes and supported the event.

Bogan Bingo proved once again that when Karingal Primary comes together, we do it in style – bogan style!



100 Days of Prep

Our Prep students just celebrated a huge milestone - 100 days of school! 

They had a blast dressing up as older versions of themselves or in ways that represent the number 100.

After a special performance for their families, they paraded around the school before enjoying a range of activities to mark this exciting day.

They’ve learned and grown a lot already! Here’s to many more milestones ahead! 



Transition Program for 2026 Preps

Our Prep Transition Program has started.

We know that starting school is a big step – for children and families. That’s why we offer an extensive Prep Transition Program designed to support and prepare our upcoming learners for a confident and successful start to school life.

As part of this program, we also hold regular Parent Information Sessions covering a range of topics to help you feel informed and supported during this important time.

We’d love to see you there!



WORKING BEE: Sunday 17th August

Join Us for the Upcoming Working Bee 

We are excited to announce a Working Bee, scheduled for:

  • Date: Sunday 17th August

  • Time: 9.30am

What to Expect

The Working Bee is a fantastic opportunity for our school community to come together and contribute to the beautification and maintenance of our school grounds.

We will be focusing on preparing for the new Montessori garden space.
Tasks will include:

  • Painting
  • Cleaning
  • Gardening
  • Digging
  • Sweeping

Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a first-time volunteer, there's a task for everyone.

Refreshments Provided

To keep our volunteers energized, snacks will be provided. It's a great chance to enjoy some tasty food and connect with fellow community members.

How to Get Involved

We encourage all families to participate. Your involvement, no matter how big or small, makes a significant difference.

Let's work together to create a welcoming and well-maintained environment for our students.

Please keep an eye out for further information!



Peer-to-Peer Learning

Peer-to-Peer Learning in Action! 

We had some older students visit a junior class to read aloud a favourite book today — but they didn’t stop there! They took the lead in organising a series of engaging activities based on the story, turning the reading into a full learning experience.

The younger students were absolutely captivated — listening, laughing, creating and connecting. It was a beautiful example of peer-to-peer teaching, with learning, leadership and confidence shining through on both sides.

SCHOOL CONCERT - Wednesday 27th August 2025

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS NOW...



Book Week and Superhero Parade

Tuesday 19th August @ 9.15am

Get ready for one of the most colourful parades of the year – our 2025 Book Week and Superhero Parade. We combine our love of reading with the fun of Superhero Day, honouring both fictional and real-life superheroes who inspire us with their courage, strength, and dedication.

On Tuesday 19th August, students are invited to come to school dressed as:

  • A character from your favourite book – from magical wizards to adventurous detectives, curious animals to inspiring heroes of history.

  • Your favourite superhero – whether they fly, run at super speed, or have super kindness; we want to see them all!

Students will proudly showcase their costumes to classmates, teachers, and families. Parents and carers are warmly invited to join us in the Karingal Place gym at 9.15am to enjoy the fun.

This year’s Book Week theme is "Book an Adventure!". This theme encourages young readers to explore new worlds and embark on literary journeys through the power of stories. It also celebrates the 80th anniversary of Children's Book Week. 

We can’t wait to see the creativity, colour, and joy that our Karingal Primary students bring to this special celebration of reading and fun.



2025 Parent Survey

WE WANT OUR PARENTS / CAREGIVERS / GUARDIANS TO TELL US WHAT THEY THINK!


Our school is conducting the annual Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey offered by the Department of Education and is seeking your feedback. The survey is designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of families’ perceptions of school climate, student behavior, and student engagement. The survey is optional, but we encourage and appreciate your participation.

Our school will use the survey results to assist in identifying areas for improvement and professional development needs in the school, to target school planning and improvement strategies.

The Parent / Caregiver / Guardian Opinion Survey will be open online from Monday 18 August to Friday 19 September 2025.

All families are invited to participate in the survey.

The survey will be conducted online, only takes 20 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time on desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones.

The online survey will be available in English and 10 other languages including Arabic, Greek, Hakha Chin, Hindi, Japanese, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Turkish, and Vietnamese. Resources are also available in additional languages to assist parents / caregivers / guardians who speak a language other than English at home. Please reach out to your child’s teacher, or the school directly for survey guides in your language.

A COMPASS notification will be sent out next week with further information and instructions.



Technology Use at Home – Finding the Right Balance

One growing concern for schools is the impact on sleep. Many primary-aged children are arriving at school tired, and one of the main reasons is screen use too close to bedtime.

Studies show that using devices—especially for games or videos—within an hour of sleep can delay bedtime, reduce sleep quality, and make it harder for children to focus and learn the next day.

In today’s world, technology is a big part of our children’s lives. Laptops, tablets, and smartphones can be great learning tools, and they help students research, practise skills, and even connect with their teachers. But research is showing that how and when technology is used at home can make a big difference to children’s health and learning.

What helps?

  • Keep recreational screen time to under 2 hours a day (for ages 5–12).

  • Avoid devices in the hour before bed—swap for reading, quiet play, or conversation.

  • Create “device-free” zones, like the dinner table and bedrooms.

  • Model balanced technology use so children see healthy habits in action.

When children get enough sleep and use technology in balanced, purposeful ways, they’re more alert, focused, and ready to learn. A well-rested child is a happier, more successful learner.



August Birthdays

AUGUSTSTUDENTS
1stLenore N
2ndAubrey W; Henry R
4thLouis W
9thScarlet B
10thRiver P
12th Natalie W; Indigo C
14thSebastian P
17th Zen F
20thRonnie B
21stBaylee LC
22ndElliot W; Bentleigh RC
24thLily P
26thAlice W
27thCaleb W; William E
31stAmelia P