ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Kearns Public School would like to acknowledge that we meet, learn, and play on the homelands of the Dharawal people who are the Ongoing Custodians of this land. We pay respect to Elders past and present as ongoing teachers of knowledge, songlines and stories. We take pride in our cultural connectedness and walk hand in hand to share Aboriginal heritage, culture, and history.
A MESSAGE FROM MS PHILLIPS
As we come to the end of a busy and exciting Term 1, I want to take a moment to thank our students, staff, and families for their hard work, enthusiasm, and support. It has been wonderful to see our students settling into routines, embracing new learning opportunities, and building strong friendships.
With Term 2 ahead, we look forward to continuing this momentum, with exciting learning experiences, new challenges, and opportunities for growth. Over the break, I encourage everyone to take time to rest, recharge, and enjoy family time.
Thank you for your ongoing support in making Kearns such a wonderful place to learn and grow. Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable holiday. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in Term 2!
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL ADDRESS - K-2
This term has been a wonderful journey of growth, collaboration, and success for our K-2 students as they continue to develop their skills across key learning areas. Here is a glimpse into what we have been exploring and achieving.
Our literacy block has been abuzz with excitement as students dive into phonics, storytelling, and writing adventures. Our kindergarteners are discovering the joy of letters and sounds, while our Year 1 and 2 students are enhancing their skills in crafting stories and expressing their ideas. We are thrilled to see their confidence grow as they read and write with enthusiasm! Math is coming to life in our classrooms as we explore numbers, patterns, length, and shapes through hands-on activities and games. From sorting and counting objects to solving real-world problems, our students are building a strong foundation in numeracy while developing a love for math.
Teaching fundamental movement skills in sport supports physical literacy and encourages teamwork. During sport, our K-2 students have been building upon their fundamental skills by working on their mobility skills with skipping, running, and jumping, their object control skills with kicking, throwing, and catching and their stability skills with stretching, balancing, and twisting. Students are building their confidence and ability to do a wide range of physical activities by learning these basic moves. Our K-2 students have also been enjoying practicing their skipping skills for Jump Rope for Heart.
Mrs Mann - Assistant Principal
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL ADDRESS - YEARS 3-6
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we move through this term, I am pleased to share some of the exciting and enriching activities our students have been involved in. From educational programs to hands-on learning experiences, it has been a busy and rewarding time for all. I look forward to keeping you updated on the continued growth and achievements of our students.
Gala Days
This term, students from years 3 to 6 had the opportunity to try out for The Fields PSSA Gala Day events in the following sports, Newcombe ball, AFL, and cricket. Successful students have had the opportunity to attend 1 day of competition.
During these events, students demonstrate positive sportsmanship by playing for fun, following the rules, encouraging their teammates, and showing respect to others.
Be an eSafe Kid!
Years 3 to 6 students participated in a webinar on being a safe kid online. The session was designed to help them recognise fake information and fake friendships in the digital world.
Through the webinar, students developed critical thinking skills to identify misinformation, disinformation, and deceptive online identities, such as impersonator and catfish accounts. The session also helped students navigate online friendships using the skills of respect, responsibility, and knowing when to seek help and support.
Every Step Counts Respectful Relationships
Stage 3 students participated in the Department of Education’s Every Step Counts Respectful Relationships program. This initiative supports schools in starting and continuing essential conversations with students around challenging topics.
The Every Step Counts program is designed to ensure that every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and feel a sense of belonging within an equitable and high-quality education system. The program aim’s include helping students develop a positive and confident self-image, promoting supportive attitudes and behaviours that reduce violence, improving student behaviour, and encouraging good decision making.
Campbelltown Bike Education Centre
On Monday, 3 March, Year 6 students attended the Campbelltown Bike Education Centre, where they participated in a bicycle education program focussed on current road rules.
Students experienced riding on a road circuit, which helped enhance their cycling skills both individually and within a group. They also learned about road safety, proper helmet use, and pedestrian safety, equipping them with valuable knowledge for responsible and safe riding.
A big thank you to our P&C for generously covering the cost of this valuable experience for our students. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Jersey Day - Year 6 Fundraiser - Gold Coin Donation Mufti Day
A huge thank you to our school community for your support of our Year 6 students first fundraising event of the year. All students were invited to come to school dressed in their favourite footy colours or jersey. Students were asked to bring in a gold coin donation to participate, with all money raised going towards the costs of the Year 6 farewell. An amazing result! Just under $200 was raised on the day!
Ms Maros - Assistant Principal
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL ADDRESS - APCI
An important focus area for the school is to look at student data around reading. Executive staff spend time each week looking at data to determine professional learning needs for teachers and ways in which to best support students. Teachers have been supported to identify where each student is working against a series of learning progressions. This has helped when planning for the needs of individual students and the whole class. Some of the current areas of focus are on comprehension strategies, finding directly stated information in a text and making inferences.
Next term, we will be looking at how to build engagement in reading in order to improve learning outcomes. A range of strategies will be employed to connect students with books and other reading materials. We will be running parent workshops on how reading can be supported at home. We hope to see many of our families there.
Ms Woods - Assistant Principal
LIBRARY LEARNING HIGHLIGHTS
This term has been a fantastic time of learning and discovery in our school library! Each stage has been busy exploring exciting topics and developing important skills.
Kindergarten
Our youngest learners have been discovering the wonders of the library. They have explored how to borrow books, where to find their favourite stories, and the differences between fiction and non-fiction texts. It's been wonderful to see their excitement as they build these important foundation skills.
Stage 1
Stage 1 students have delved deeply into fictional texts. A highlight was our book study on Puffling, where students learned all about the early life of puffins. They made meaningful connections to their classroom activities, which made the story even more memorable.
Stage 2
Stage 2 students have been investigating the impact of development on nature. They worked on informative reports using computers, focusing on native Australian species and the challenges they face. Additionally, students explored the qualities of heroes and villains, using the story of Ned Kelly to spark thoughtful debates about his legacy.
Stage 3
Stage 3 students have been mastering the Dewey Decimal System, learning how it helps to organise non-fiction books. They've also been channelling their creativity into artwork inspired by their favourite Dewey categories. We can't wait to see their amazing creations!
The library has been buzzing with curiosity and creativity this term. Well done to all our students for their fantastic efforts!
Mr James - Librarian
GREEN TEAM NEWS
The Green Team is off to a fantastic start this term, with our enthusiastic students already making a difference! They’ve been busy supporting our school’s recycling efforts and keeping the playground clean and tidy. Looking ahead, the team is excited to relaunch the vegetable gardens and take care of our school’s worm farm—helping to promote sustainability and environmental awareness. Best of all, the Green Team is open to all students throughout the year! If your child is interested in making our school greener, they’re welcome to join at any time.
Miss Watson & Mrs Duffy - Green Team Coordinators
REMINDER - RETURN HIGH SCHOOL EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORMS
A gentle reminder to all parents of students in Year 6 to please return the High School Expression of Interest forms as soon as possible. These forms are essential for planning your child’s transition to high school and ensuring that their enrolment process goes smoothly.
If you have any questions or need assistance with the form, please don't hesitate to contact the school office. We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to supporting your child in this exciting next step of their education.
THANK YOU FOR ATTENDING PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEWS
A big thank you to all our parents and families who took the time to attend our recent parent-teacher interviews. Your partnership in your child’s education is invaluable, and these conversations play a vital role in supporting their learning and wellbeing.
We appreciate the opportunity to share your child’s progress, celebrate their achievements, and discuss ways to continue fostering their growth. If you have any further questions or would like to follow up on anything discussed, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Thank you for your ongoing support, we truly value working together to help every student thrive.
HELP US RETURN LOST PROPERTY - PLEASE LABEL BELONGINGS
We have accumulated a large number of lost items without names in our lost property collection. To help us return belongings to their rightful owners, we kindly ask all parents to ensure that school items, such as hats, jumpers, drink bottles, and lunch boxes, are clearly labelled with your child’s name.
Labelling items makes it much easier for staff and students to identify and return lost belongings. We also encourage families to regularly check the lost property box for any missing items.
Any items not collected will be donated at the end of the term.
Thank you for your support in keeping our school belongings organised and accounted for.
VIOLENCE IS NEVER OK
At Kearns Public School, we are committed to creating a safe and respectful learning environment for every child. Physical violence, in any form, is unacceptable and goes against our school values.
We understand that children may sometimes struggle with big emotions but using violence to solve problems is never the answer. Our staff actively support students in developing positive ways to manage conflicts, such as using their words, seeking help from an adult, and practicing self-regulation strategies.
We ask for your partnership in reinforcing this message at home. Please talk to your child about the importance of kindness and respect and encourage them to speak to a teacher if they ever feel unsafe or need help managing a conflict.
Together, we can ensure that Kearns Public School remains a place where every student feels safe, valued, and ready to learn.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
COMMUNITY CHARTER
The NSW Department of Education’s Community Charter outlines expectations for respectful behaviour and collaboration between the school community.
We ask that all members of our community:
- Respect the rights and dignity of others, including students, staff, and parents.
- Communicate openly and respectfully when discussing school matters.
- Support a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
- Work together to provide the best possible learning experiences for all students.
By following these principles, we help ensure that our school remains a supportive and inclusive space where all individuals can thrive.
POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR FOR LEARNING
We are dedicated to fostering a positive learning environment where students are encouraged to take responsibility for their behaviour, embrace challenges, and strive for their best. Our Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) ethos focuses on recognising and rewarding the positive behaviours that contribute to a respectful and supportive school community.
We believe that intrinsic motivation, the desire to do well for personal satisfaction, is key to long-term success. Rather than relying solely on external rewards, we aim to nurture a love for learning, self-discipline, and the internal drive to make positive choices.
To support this, we provide: Acknowledgment of positive behaviours – through verbal praise, certificates, and class rewards. Opportunities for student leadership – empowering students to take on roles and responsibilities. Celebrations of effort – recognising persistence, hard work, and improvement.
We encourage families to support this approach at home by celebrating effort and progress, and helping children set personal goals. Together, we can support our students to develop a growth mindset and a passion for learning.
ATTENDANCE MATTERS
We know that regular attendance is essential for every child’s learning, wellbeing, and future success. Attending school every day helps students build strong foundations in literacy and numeracy, develop social skills, and form positive learning habits.
Missing just one day a fortnight adds up to four weeks of lost learning each year. Even arriving late or leaving early can add up, just 10 minutes late each day equates to nearly a week of lost learning over a year. Partial absences can disrupt a child’s routine and affect their confidence and progress in the classroom.
While we understand that illness and unexpected events happen, we encourage families to prioritise full-day attendance and establish routines that support on-time arrival and staying for the whole school day.
If your child is experiencing any challenges attending school, please reach out to us. We’re here to support every student in achieving their best.
Let’s work together to make every school day count!
ENCOURAGING STUDENT INDEPENDENCE AT DROP-OFF
Developing independence helps build confidence and responsibility, and it also ensures a smooth start to the school day. Please say goodbye to your child at the gate and encourage them to walk into school on their own.
A reminder that all parents should exit the school grounds promptly. This helps us maintain a safe and organised environment for everyone.
Thank you for working with us to support your child’s independence and ensure a safe and efficient start to the school day.
GOOD HYGIENE
As we head toward the cooler months, we are committed to keeping our school community healthy, and good hygiene plays a big role in preventing the spread of germs. We kindly ask for your support in reminding your child about the importance of:
- Washing hands regularly with soap and water, especially before eating and after using the toilet.
- Covering coughs and sneezes with their elbow or a tissue.
- Avoiding sharing food, drinks, and personal items like water bottles.
By working together, we can help keep everyone safe and minimise the spread of illnesses at school. Thank you for reinforcing these healthy habits at home.
KEEPING KIDS SAFE ONLINE
As children spend more time online for learning and entertainment, it’s important for parents to actively monitor their internet use, the content they access, and their social media activity. Many social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, have age restrictions to help protect young users.
To support your child’s online safety, we encourage families to:
- Monitor internet use and know what your child is watching and playing.
- Set parental controls on devices and apps.
- Limit screen time to ensure a healthy balance of activities.
- Discuss online safety and remind your child not to share personal information.
- Encourage open conversations so they feel comfortable talking about their online experiences.
By working together, we can help our children develop safe and responsible digital habits.
ROAD SAFETY IN THE HOLIDAYS
As we head into the school holidays, we encourage all families to remind their children about the importance of road safety. Whether walking, riding, or travelling as a passenger, staying alert, and following the rules helps keep everyone safe.
- Always use pedestrian crossings and look both ways before crossing the road.
- Wear a helmet when riding bikes, scooters, or skateboards.
- Buckle up every trip. Always wear a seatbelt in the car.
- Avoid distractions like mobile phones when crossing roads.
- Stay visible by wearing bright clothing and be aware of traffic.
We want all our students to have a fun and safe holiday. Thank you for reinforcing these important road safety messages at home. See you all refreshed and ready for Term 2.
CHANGE OF STUDENT DETAILS
Please update our admin team if any of the details below have changed:
Change of address
Change of email address
Change of phone number(s) – home, work or mobile
Change of emergency contacts
Change of medical circumstance or an added medical circumstance
Change of parental care – are there any new court orders/are there any updated court orders or legal documentation that we should be aware of.
ALLERGY AWARE
Please be aware that there are students in our school with allergies to nuts. We ask that you avoid packing nut products, in particular peanuts and peanut butter in your child’s lunch.
