Karingal News 27/03/26

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Principal News - 27 March 2026

Dear KPS Families

As we move through the final weeks of Term 1, it has been wonderful to see the strong sense of engagement, connection and learning across our school. Classrooms are settled, routines are well established, and students are demonstrating increasing confidence in their learning.

NAPLAN
Our Year 3 and Year 5 students have approached NAPLAN with a calm and focused mindset. I would like to commend them on the way they have represented our school - showing persistence and a willingness to do their best. Thank you to Mrs Schneider and our staff for their organisation and support in ensuring a smooth testing period.

Harmony & Friendship Day
Last week, we proudly celebrated Harmony and Friendship Day across the school. It was fantastic to see students engaging in buddy activities, building connections and celebrating inclusivity. The sense of belonging and respect shown by our students reflected the values we continue to prioritise at Karingal.

Community Working Bee
Thank you to all families and staff who contributed to our recent working bee. Your efforts have made a noticeable difference to our grounds, particularly in our garden spaces. We are fortunate to have such a supportive and engaged community.

Statewide Industrial Action
On Tuesday 24th March, 90% of our staff participated in the statewide industrial action. Thank you to families for your understanding and support as we work within Department guidelines.

Attendance Matters
Regular school attendance continues to be a key focus. Every day at school supports learning, social connection and wellbeing. We encourage all families to prioritise attendance and reach out if support is needed.

Looking Ahead
As we approach the end of term, we look forward to finishing strongly, celebrating student progress and continuing to build on the positive start to the year.

Term 1 ends Thursday 2nd April at 2.30pm.

Term 2 commences Monday 20th April at 9am.

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support of our school.

Take care and stay safe,

Samantha Cooke
Principal



School Awards - 27 March 2026

CONGRATULATIONS to the following students who received a classroom award in assembly last week:

  • PA: Baylin; Charlotte
  • P1A: Maddie; Trey; Reggie
  • 1A: Caleb; Omar
  • 2A: Margaret; Zayne
  • 34A: Payton
  • 34B: Tristan; Phoenix
  • 34C: Noah; Lachi
  • 56A: Millie; Olivia
  • 56B: Sophie; Nathan



Attendance Class CHAMPIONS - 27/03/26

At Karingal Primary School, every day at school counts.

We appreciate the efforts of families who support their children to attend school every day possible. Your support makes a real difference to your child’s learning and wellbeing.

Fortnight Winner: 56B

Congratulations to our Attendance Champions for setting a fantastic example of commitment to learning!

6th March - 26th March 
% of POSITIVE ATTENDANCE
1st56B76%
2nd1A73%
3rd34C58%
4th2A52%
5th34B41%
6thP1A/M3A38%
7th34A35%
8thM2A33%
9thM1A/M2B29%
10th56A25%
11thPA13%


Each fortnight we celebrate the class with the highest attendance across the school. This class receives the 'Icy Pole Treat' and earns recognition at assembly.

We look forward to seeing which class will take out the award next fortnight.



Garden Update from Marilyn - 27 March 2026

Our Garden Path 

Well, our garden is bursting at the seams in every direction, looking more like a little nursery, as we plant and pot up all our beautiful seedlings from Oasis Horticulture for which we are so grateful!  Our veggies and herbs are thriving promising a bountiful harvest to share over the coming months…

Working Bee

What an amazing team we had on Sunday all working together to transform our school grounds with boundless energy, enthusiasm and laughter rewarded with a delicious morning tea!

From the front gates to beyond the playground/sandpit area, the gardens were left pretty as a picture following leaf blowing, sweeping, weeding, raking, filling countless wheelbarrows with soil and compost then forming a procession to fill the apple crates in the paved area between the Montessori classrooms and big playground. To finish off (the fun part for students and siblings), the apple crates were finally planted up with a variety of colourful, fragrant and sensory plants for students as well as butterflies and bees to enjoy!

Special thanks to Peninsula Kingston Country Golf Club/PK Foundation for the grant made to KPS in 2025, allowing us to pursue Our Vision for students to Sow, Grow, Nurture and Harvest (while having fun!)

Before and After Photos!   Students love to explore the Community Garden before school and on their breaks, some always on the lookout for caterpillars, snails and slugs (we even saw a grasshopper for the first time today!) while others are happy to plant and water or simply to sit and chat with their friends on the Buddy Bench…

Marilyn, Julie, Jo and Emily – The Garden Girls

BEFORE...JUNE 2025...


AFTER...MARCH 2026...






March Birthdays

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to all our students born in the month of MARCH...
Nathanael1st March34C
Cody1st March34B
Freddy1st MarchPA
Osman2nd March56B
Edith3rd March2A
Lucy4th March56B
Jaaziah6th March2A
Summer7th MarchPA
Zayne8th March2A
Lincoln10th March34A
Audrey11th March2A
Ava12th March1A
Kobe12th MarchM2B
Maddie14th MarchP1A
Charlie14th March34A
Isaac15th March34C
Sophie16th March56B
Lilah18th March1A
Zanen19th MarchM2B
Pippa20th March56A
Carter24th March1A
Hazel24th MarchM2B
Bjorn26th MarchM2A
Paityn28th March34A
Edmund30th MarchPA
Tristan30th March34B


Harmony and Friendship Day Recap

Our school came together beautifully to celebrate Harmony and Friendship Day, with a strong sense of connection, inclusion and joy evident across the day.

It was fantastic to see a vibrant splash of orange throughout the school, along with many students proudly wearing odd socks—a simple but powerful way to celebrate diversity and individuality. These small touches created a big impact and reflected the inclusive culture we continue to build at Karingal.

A highlight of the day was our whole-school lunch on the basketball court, where students and staff gathered together in a shared space to connect and enjoy each other’s company. A sincere thank you to our Parents & Friends Committee for organising the delicious pizza lunch—it was thoroughly enjoyed by all and added to the sense of community on the day.

Students also participated in buddy activities across the school, strengthening relationships between year levels and promoting kindness, respect and teamwork.

Harmony and Friendship Day provided a wonderful opportunity to reinforce the importance of belonging, celebrating differences and building positive relationships—values we see reflected in our students every day.

 


Working Bee Recap

Our recent Community Working Bee was a wonderful example of our school community coming together to make a difference.

With the support and guidance of Marilyn, a dedicated group of families, students and staff rolled up their sleeves and got to work—moving soil, sweeping pathways, planting flowers and new plants, and enhancing our beautiful garden spaces. The transformation was immediate, and the pride in the work completed was clear to see.

It was especially pleasing to see so many students involved—getting their hands dirty, working alongside others and taking ownership of our environment. (There were certainly some very dirty but very happy children by the end of the morning!)

Everyone came together chatting and laughing whilst enjoying a delicious morning tea in their well-earned break; another reminder of the strong sense of community we are so fortunate to have at Karingal.

We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of our families and for Marilyn’s passion and leadership in continuing to grow and enhance our school grounds.



REMINDER: Easter Bonnet Parade and Raffle

Our Easter Bonnet Parade is fast approaching, and we’re looking forward to seeing all the creative designs our students have been working on!

The parade will be held on Thursday morning, April 2nd on the basketball court. Families are warmly invited to attend and enjoy this fun and festive event with us.

Following the parade, our Easter Raffle will be drawn, so make sure you’ve got your tickets in!

Reminder:

We kindly ask that all raffle tickets are returned by end of school on Wednesday, April 1st to assist with preparations for the draw.

We can’t wait to celebrate with you all and see the wonderful bonnets on display!



Early Dismissal to Close Term 1 | Term 2 Ahead

As we approach the end of a busy and successful Term 1, we would like to remind families that the final day of term will be an early dismissal.

Students will finish at 2:30pm on Thursday April 2nd.

We encourage all families to make appropriate arrangements for pick up at this earlier time.

Following the conclusion of Term 1, students will enjoy a well earned Easter holiday break. We hope this provides an opportunity for rest, family time, and recharging ahead of the new term.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back for the start of Term 2 at 9:00am on Monday April 20th.

Thank you for your ongoing support throughout Term 1. We wish all of our students and families a safe and happy holiday break.
Easter Bunny Animation


Annual School Trivia Night – Saturday 23 May

Get ready for one of the most anticipated events on our school calendar ... our Annual Trivia Night is happening on Saturday 23 May!

This much-loved community event is a fantastic opportunity for parents, carers and friends of the school to come together for a night of laughs, friendly competition and great company – all while supporting our school.

This is an adults-only event, so organise a babysitter, gather your smartest (or most competitive!) friends and book a table. Whether you’re a trivia expert or just in it for the fun, there will be something for everyone.

Expect:

✨ Exciting trivia rounds

✨ Fun games and bonus challenges

✨ Prizes and raffles

✨ Plenty of laughs

Events like this play an important role in strengthening our school community and raising valuable funds to support student programs and initiatives.

More details about bookings, table numbers and themes will be shared soon ... SO keep an eye out!

We can’t wait to see you there for a fantastic night out.



SAVE THE DATE



Mentone Girls Secondary College Information Night