A Positive Start!

I am pleased to report on the remarkable way our students, Kindergarten to Year 6, have managed the challenges that come with the beginning of a new stage in their learning journey. It is heartening to see how quickly they have settled into their new classes, demonstrating enthusiasm and a positive outlook. I know their teachers too have noticed and been impressed with how the children have embraced this fresh start, showing an eager readiness to engage with new routines and learning opportunities. 

Additionally, I would like to extend congratulations to the recently elected Captains and Vice Captains of our sporting houses, as well as to our band and strings captains. Their leadership roles are vital to our school spirit and community, and we look forward to seeing their contributions throughout the year.

The badging ceremony for these leaders will take place at this Friday's Stage 3 assembly. It will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their achievements and the responsibilities they have undertaken.

Our first book award for this year has been presented to Manny for his achievement in collecting six Respect, Responsibility and Success certificates. Luca was on hand to offer his congratulations as well today. 

As we move forward into the year, I encourage you to continue to support your children in their studies and to promote their active engagement in school activities. To assist with this, every Stage Team has today published a Term One Newsletter with an overview of the teaching/learning programs, events and routines. Please see the Schoolzine feed to access the relevant newsletters. 

As a result of community feedback, we have introduced a new format in the weekly newsletter. We hope that the quick reference topic headings will improve ease of access to important information. 

Thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child/ren's education.

Warm regards,

Gillian Tegg

This Term at KHPS

New Families Welcome Pack

A special welcome to the new families joining FANS and KHPS!
Find all the answers to your questions in the FANS Welcome Pack

FANS Staff 2025

The FANS team wishes you all an excellent start to the new school year, and we look forward to working with your children in their French learning journey.

This year’s Executive Teachers are:
Early Stage 1 (Kindy) & Stage 1 (Years 1 – 2): Sabrina Angaru
Stage 2 & 3 (years 3 - 6): Geoffrey Gautier

Welcome back Mme Maurin, who’s returning to our school teaching Year 4 in Holywell after a year away. We are very glad to have her back on the teaching team!

Our teachers kicked off the first day back at school with a delicious Galette des Rois and shared the French tradition with the entire school staff.

FANS contact info

If you have any questions about the FANS bilingual program or would like to discuss your child, please don't hesitate to contact your child's Teacher of French or the staff at the FANS Office, located adjacent to the KHPS office on Tralee Avenue. 

Email: info@fanssydney.org
Phone: 02 9975 5038

www.fanssydney.org 
FANS member Facebook group
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
WhatsApp FANS Community

Sip & Chat | Welcome Event: Friday 21 February

You’re invited!

Where: Forestville Community Hall, behind the RSL
When: Friday 21 February, 5:30pm – 7:30pm

FANS staff and committee members will be on hand to chat and answer your questions.

Meet the FANS team

Wishing you a wonderful week!  

Anne Bentley
FANS General Manager

Our Meet the Teacher evenings are scheduled for the week of 17th February to 21st February. Days and times of these presentations (all are expected to last 30 - 45 minutes): 

Kindy Classes - Thursday 20th February 6pm

Grade 1 & 2 Classes - Monday 17th February 6pm

Grade 3 & 4 Classes - Wednesday 19th February 5:15pm 

Grade 5 & 6 Classes - Wednesday 19th February 6pm 

Please note, presentations are planned to be half-an-hour long, however we appreciate your understanding in that some class presentations, including time for parent questions, may extend slightly longer.  

These evenings are an opportunity for staff to meet you and share their teaching and learning expectations, important class/school routines and suggest ways that you can assist your child/ren in their learning journey. 

This year, our meet the teacher evenings will be held face-to-face in your child’s classroom. These sessions are not for students, nor are they a time for individual meetings with the teacher. 

Individual teachers’ presentation slides will be made available via Schoolzine, following the Meet the Teacher evenings.  

This year we have formed stage-based (composite) classes in Stages 2 and 3. There are six 5/6 classes as well as two 3/4 class groups (Youghal & Shannon). After careful, thorough, experienced and extensive consideration and modelling, the school decided that this arrangement was the best way to meet the educational needs of our current students. Advice on class formation processes and considerations for 2025 was provided to parents and carers at the last P&C meeting in November 2024. While community consultation is valued, class formation and staffing decisions lie solely with the school.

Composite classes are a very regular occurrence in Australian public schools, and in many schools are the only option. Sometimes they are formed as a necessary response to uneven grade enrolments and associated staffing allocations; for example, when there are too many students to form one "straight" grade but not enough to form two.

However, irrespective of this necessity, many schools regard composite classes as the optimal environment for student learning and social wellbeing. And therefore, incorporate them as an educational choice, rather than a purely administrative one.

At KHPS, all classes are carefully formed with these variables in mind: gender balance, balance of ability in English and Maths, a balance of individual special needs and personalities/social interactions, language program balance and to accommodate the many exceptional considerations requested by parents. In some cases, independent learners are specifically considered for composite classes. Social and emotional maturity of students is also a consideration. Contrary to widely held perceptions, composite classes are not formed with the older students needing support nor the younger cohort needing extension.

The New South Wales syllabus documents are designed to allow the flexible progression of students through a curriculum organised in stages and associated learning outcomes. Beyond Kindergarten (Early Stage 1), learning is organised in Stages, not grades in the following way:

• Stage 1-Years 1 & 2
• Stage 2 -Years 3 & 4
• Stage 3 - Years 5 & 6

Therefore, all KHPS students will be working towards the achievement of the relevant stage-based outcomes and content knowledge that is appropriately differentiated whether they are in a single year class or a composite class. Differentiation is key with any class, whether it be a straight grade class or a composite class. Teachers at KHPS are experienced with assessing individual student knowledge and understanding and then adapting lessons and activities to suit individual stages of learning. Grouping is one example of differentiation where students are learning at their level, not too difficult or too easy.

Additionally, there are social and emotional benefits that can be gained from multi-age class groupings. Students in composite classes have a greater opportunity to make friends across age groups and to develop confidence and resilience. Student well-being was also considered as a priority when forming classes for this year. Cross-class interactions will be maintained for grade specific programs and special events. Specific details will be discussed at 'Meet the Teacher' sessions in week 4 (communications regarding dates and times to come).

KHPS students in composite classes will continue to have many opportunities to work and socialise with students in other classes. Lunch and recess continue to be the primary time for students to socialise with friends from other classes. Throughout the year, classes combine for activities such as Literacy, Maths, sport, and other lessons like intensive French.

School Hours

We wanted to remind parents of our standard school hours of supervision. 

DoE KHPS staff only maintain duty of care (and as such are 'on duty') between 8:30am and 3pm Monday - Friday each week. As such, no students should be dropped at school earlier than 8:30am unless they are in a designated extra-curricular program. 

In the mornings, this could include programs run by DoE staff (like PSSA training), in which case, children specific to that team are supervised by the team coach (also a multi-talented teacher!) for the advertised additional time (usually an 8am or 8:15am start). 

Any other program run by 'external' providers, which includes P&C music program staff (band/strings) or FANS staff (Intensive French Before School), mean that you are signing up for their staff members to supervise your child outside of school hours. This is the same for external Chess coaching, Coding, Portuguese, Spanish etc. even though all of these activities occur on school grounds. 

In all such cases, please be fully aware of the accurate start and finish times so that children are dropped and picked up accordingly, which will ensure they are supervised and safe on school ground. 

As a special mention, with IFBS starting at 8am, students should not be dropped before 7:50am (and closer to 8am is preferable). FANS staff are on duty from this time only. 

Any student who needs to be dropped outside of these advertised hours for any activity or for regular school attendance should be enrolled in KHOOSH. 

If you have an un-expected pick-up difficulty (i.e. car troubles or terrible traffic), please call the office ahead of time (it is near impossible to track down individual students at 3pm for example!) so that plans can be made and messages given. Should the pick-up be delayed more than 5-10 minutes, we may need to call on the services of KHOOSH. Similarly, if the disruption becomes regular, KHOOSH is the best solution. 

Office Hours

While we are on the topic, we want to remind the community that our official office opening hours are 8:30am - 3:30pm Monday - Friday. Whilst our awesome admin team and teaching staff are very often here well outside of these hours, and are often able to assist, please do not assume someone will be available to answer your admin enquiry outside of these hours. 

We fully understand that many children are being dropped or picked up outside of these hours on some days, and we would suggest that, unless the query is urgent, you leave your office visit to a 'standard' drop-off or pick-up day. 

Drop-offs and Pick-ups

This week we understand that the pick-up and drop-off arrangements will still be in the teething stage, especially for our new Kindy students and families. As families begin to settle in to school routines this week we would like to remind the parent community about the 'standard operating' procedures that we aim to have back in full swing by the end of this week: 

• There is supervision on our concrete playground areas from 8:30am. We encourage students to arrive at school around 8:45-8:50am to keep overcrowded playgrounds to a minimum, yet still ensuring students are able to meet with friends and use the bathroom before going to class. Students cannot attend school before 8:30am as previously mentioned (unless attending before school French).

• We encourage children to say goodbye to parents at the gates to allow for students to prepare for their day independently and play with their peers. Kindy parents are welcome to come into the Kindy Canyon with their child, say farewell and encourage student ownership of daily routine tasks such as placing lunchbox in tubs etc., encouraging independence early. Where possible, parents are encouraged to extract themselves from the immediate vicinity to allow for and encourage peer socialisation and creative play before the bell.

• We ask that verandahs are kept clear, solely for teachers and students to access their classrooms and belongings. If parents need to meet with the classroom teacher or ask questions, please phone or email the school. In many cases our lovely administration staff will be able to help and if a teacher still needs to be contacted, they will get back to you as soon as they have time. Please note this may be a few days. 

• At 3:00pm Kindergarten parents can pick up Kindy students and siblings from the Kindy Canyon and Year 1 and 2 students will be waiting to be picked up from their classroom verandahs. Please keep in mind the teachers' primary responsibility at this time is to ensure all students are picked up safely. Teachers have frequent meetings after school that they need to attend by 3:15pm. Year 2 can also meet parents at a pre-arranged meeting spot on school grounds. 

• At 3:10pm if no-one has picked up your child, the class teacher will accompany the student to the office where the primary, and sometimes the secondary, contact person will be called. For a child to attend our Primary Out Of School Hours Care, the child must be registered (Primary OSH Care: https://www.primaryoshcare.com.au/nsw/killarney-heights-public-school/) 

We appreciate your support in these points to help ensure safety and develop responsibility and independence in students, and to allow teachers the vital administration and preparation time required at the start and end of the busy school day. 

Kiss and Drop

Parents dropping off their children between 8:30am and 9:00am are asked to 'kiss and drop' for all years. 

We appreciate that the new school year can require a short period of additional parent support in the mornings, particularly for Kindergarten and Year 1 students. Now that we are settled in, however, we will be asking and reminding parents that children learn and play best when given the room and independence to do so, including for that short, supervised period before school. 

You will find that your child is more than capable of independently walking to their classroom to hang their bag and follow morning routines before playing with friends under the supervision of duty teachers. We know that the extra space and visibility in the playgrounds without the addition of parents, prams and toddlers promotes free, imaginative play, allows access and movement and assists visibility for staff on duty. 

Should you still be experiencing difficulty with separation in the mornings, please let your teacher know so that suitable arrangements can be made to support you in this process. Of course it is likely your teacher is already aware! 

At the other end of the day, we invite and encourage parents to enter the school and wait in the playground near their child's classroom, or at a pre-arranged open space meeting area in one of our many courtyards. The children love seeing Mum, Dad, Granny and Grandpa waiting as they step off their verandahs, and teachers of Kindergarten and Year 1 students will be looking to dismiss each child to a responsible adult. 

We do ask, however, that parents respect the constraints of the verandahs and stairs and leave these free for the large numbers of students and staff exiting classrooms at that time. Please wait in the playground and not on the stairs or on verandahs. 

During inclement weather, use the outdoor shelter areas where possible and bring a brolly! 

School Gates

The cleaners at our school are obviously essential for classroom, toilets and playground cleaning, but Bee and Abdul, due to their hours, are also relied upon to open and close gates in many instances. Mr Rasmussen also manages this task. 

During the school day, the Blue Gate (Tralee) remains open with the 'pool fencing' gate beside the admin block closed to direct all visitors via the office to sign in. Both the Yellow (Melwood) and Red (Tramore) gates are closed and locked between 9:05am and 2:45pm. This is an important safety measure to ensure we know who is visiting and who is leaving our site during the school day. 

Out of school hours: 

As a rule, Yellow Gate (Melwood) is the preferred gate for before and after school access for KHOOSH. It is opened by KHOOSH Staff before the start of KHOOSH in the mornings and closed after the last pick-up in the evening. 

Our Blue Gate (Tralee) is opened at 7:30am and is closed at 5:45pm. 

Our Red Gate (Tramore) is opened at 7:30am and is closed at 5:45pm.

It is natural that children can feel a sense of fear about separation from parents at different times, and this separation anxiety is a normal part of many children's development at some time or other. Sometimes it is a relatively minor worry that they exhibit or disclose, and at other times it is more substantial. 

The following information flyer produced by NSW Health is very informative and a useful guide and resource for parents if and when needed.

Every year we are required to obtain permission for all students in K-6 to walk locally, publish student photos and to share basic data with internal and external online providers and services. We would like to point out these important points: 

• If parents do not give permission to share data, students will not be able to log on to school iPads or computers using their Department of Education log-in credentials. Also, not allowing data sharing means students will not have access to educational websites/apps such as Reading Eggs, Mathletics, Maths Online, Phonics Hero, Mathsseeds and See Saw etc.  

• We never publish childrens' full names or other details alongside their photo. The majority of instances of publication are in our weekly Bulletin (like this one) and social media shares - both being publications aimed at our current community. In these instances the school aims to promote student success and achievement. Should parents not give permission to publish photos of students taken at school, you child cannot be included in group photos or will need their face obscured.  

With such a large community, we are sure you can appreciate the difficult logistics in balancing the respect of varying permissions whilst also showing pride in our school and the students and publishing their successes. 

Please keep an eye out on School Bytes for these permission notes in the coming week.

Each year the National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is undertaken by students in Years 3, 5 (as well as Years 7 and 9). Students will participate in tests for writing, reading, conventions of language (spelling, grammar and punctuation) and numeracy.

NAPLAN 2025 will take place from Wednesday 13 March to Monday 25 March.

NAPLAN is just one part of our school learning assessment program. The tests assess literacy and numeracy skills your child is already learning at school.

In preparation for NAPLAN, our school will undertake activities to help students become familiar with the format and functionality of the online tests. These activities are not an assessment of student ability and will not be marked. Excessive preparation for NAPLAN is not required nor recommended.

The public demonstration site (https://www.nap.edu.au/online-assessment/public-demonstration-site) is available to see the types of questions, tools and functions used in the NAPLAN tests.

It should be noted that Adjustments are available for students with a disability. The adjustments aim to reflect the normal support a student receives in classroom assessments. As such, our classroom teachers along with the Learning Support team are currently detrmining which students may require possible adjustments and you will be contacted to sign a parent/carer consent form if your child is identified.

Further information about NAPLAN is available on the NESA website (https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/k-10/understanding-the-curriculum/naplan/parent-information).

If you have any questions about NAPLAN, please contact us via email.

John Williams,

Deputy Principal

The Killarney Heights Public School’s High Potential and Gifted Students (HPGE) Drama program has been developed to broaden the curriculum and develop knowledge and skills in movement, improvisation, mime, speech, script writing and creative problem solving through the exploration of issues, people and texts.

Selection in this HPGE group is available to students in Years 5 – 6 through audition. Auditions are being held on Monday 17^th February 1:00 pm – 1:45 pm in the Hall.

Interested students may collect an audition script this week from Mrs Keys in Portmarnock classroom. Students are to select one of the short scripts provided and practise it at home, ready for their audition in Week 4.

If your child is selected, the group will be rehearsing each week. This will involve students being taken out of their regular classes to participate. Additional rehearsals will take place Monday lunchtime in Term 1 & 2, until the Drama Festival season finishes.

Successful students will be notified by Wednesday 18^th February, and a permission note will be sent via School Bytes. HPGE Stage 3 Drama classes commence early Term 1 2025.

Please be aware that this program attracts a lot of interest, however, a limited number of places are available. With such a busy school offering a diverse range of opportunities, overlapping with other programs cannot be avoided. The selection process requires that students demonstrate their high potential and gifted drama capabilities and be able to commit to the program for the duration.

If you have any questions, please see Mrs Casey or Mrs Keys.

Miss Elysha Casey                                   Mrs Keys                        
HPGE Co-Coordinator                       HPGE S3 Drama Teacher                

Teachers are busily in the process of finalising days, times and rooms for the amazing list of Extra-Curricular activities teachers host during the week. 

As soon as the extra-curricular timetables are finalised, we will share them with the community via School Zine. 

Until then, please keep an eye out for any mention of any possible auditions in our Monday Bulletins or School Zine communications during the week.

• Year 4: Monday recess
• Year 5: Tuesday recess
• Year 6: Thursday recess
• Call-backs (all years): Friday recess

Primary Proms Choir Auditions

If your child is in Year 3 or Year 4, they are welcome to come along to the audition for Primary Proms Choir. We will be performing at the Town Hall in September as well as many other assemblies and events throughout the year.

Audition -
When: Wednesday, Week 3, 1pm - bring lunch
Where: The PAS
With: Ms Willow and Mrs O'Keefe

The Festival of Choral Music Choir

This choir is for students in Year 5 and Year 6, and they are invited to come to the Festival of Choral Music Choir. We will be performing at the Opera House in August, as well as performances throughout the year.

Audition -When: Tuesday, Week 4, 1pm - bring lunch
Where: The PAS
With: Ms Willow and Ms Heron

We are so looking forward to a wonderful year of singing!

Melissa Willow 
Performing Arts Coordinator

• Ability and strong skill level;
• Sportsmanship;
• Cooperation and attitude; and
• Commitment to training sessions.

• If necessary, team selections will be held over more than one session
• Children do not have to participate in this sport out of school to be eligible to try out for the team;
• The selections will be made according to performance in selection sessions;
• Where students are deemed to be of equal eligibility for selection, students in the older year will automatically be selected over the younger.
• Children who are absent due to illness, holidays or school sanctioned event on all selection days may not be considered unless additional players are required to form the team;
• All teams will be selected by at least two teachers/selectors;
• All children to be selected will have equal time on the field/court during the selection;
• Parents are requested not to discuss the selection process with selectors unless specifically referring to the trial dates; and
• Once selections have been made, decisions are final and must be respected.

Parents of students currently in Year 3 have the opportunity to apply for their child to set a selection test while they are in Year 4 next year. Based on their results, they could be offered a place in an Opportunity Class for Years 5 & 6 (in 2026 and 2027 respectively). Applications close 21 February 2025.

Similarly, Parents of current Year 5 students have the opportunity to apply for their child to sit the Selective Hight School selection test when they are in Year 6 next year. Based on their performance, they may be offered a place in a Selective High School from Year 7 (in 2026). Applications close 21 February 2025.

The information you need to consider these options is available in the below PDF. Please read it carefully and use embedded links for further information.

P&C Update – Welcome to 2025!

A warm welcome back to all returning students, and a special greeting to those joining KHPS for the first time! The KHPS Parents & Citizens Association (P&C) is at the heart of our school community, working to enhance student experiences beyond what government funding provides. From supporting healthy food options in the canteen to funding music programs and sustainability initiatives, the P&C plays a crucial role in enriching school life and strengthening community connections.

New to KHPS in 2025?

If you’re new to KHPS this year, welcome! Our WhatsApp groups are a great way to connect with other families, ask questions, and stay informed. To join, simply click the link below to access the KHPS P&C WhatsApp community, where you can select the group relevant to your child:

? Join the KHPS P&C WhatsApp Community

None of this would be possible without the generosity of our volunteers. If you’re keen to get involved or have any questions, we’d love to hear from you! Reach out at president@khps-pc.com.au.

We also have dedicated WhatsApp group for volunteers.

Canteen volunteers Whatsapp group:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/CkFMSQGbgSVCpO34CR6wRu

Enclosed is the link to the roster form. Please pop your name on it and come help where you can. The students absolutely love seeing you at the canteen!
https://signup.zone/pc-canteen-volunteer

Uniform shop volunteers Whatsapp group:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/F01T07ZcVPR4hZV0vqoo1q

We look forward to another fantastic year together!

KHPS P&C Team

Strings Lessons Begin This Week! Band Lessons Begin Next Week!

We’re excited to kick off another fantastic season of music! Just a friendly reminder that all Strings rehearsals will commence this week and all Band rehearsals will start next week.

Please ensure your child is prepared and ready to begin their lessons. We look forward to seeing everyone in action.


Rehearsal Timetable:

You can find the full rehearsal timetable https://www.khps-pc.com.au/music/rehearsal-timetable/ Band Orientation – Monday, 10th February Performing Arts Space (PAS)  5:00 PM – 6:30 PM. Our Band Orientation Evening is a must-attend event for all new Training Band students and their families. This session will:

• Introduce parents to the band program, including expectations, key dates, and how to support your child at home.
• Allow students to collect their hire instruments and band books.
• Give students and parents a chance to meet our conductors and tutors.
• Provide breakout sessions where tutors will teach students how to set up their instruments, make their first sounds, and learn about essential accessories and instrument care.

We are aware that some families may experience a sports clash, and we completely understand if you arrive a bit later than usual. Please see the session timetable below:

• 5:00 - 5:30 pm: Families arrive and collect hire instruments.
• 5:30 - 6:30 pm: Session with tutors and conductors begins.

For families NOT hiring an instrument, please arrive around 5:25 pm for the 5:30 pm start.For families hiring an instrument, please arrive as close to 5pm as you can to collect the instrument and join the session.We look forward to a wonderful start to the season!If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to khpsband@gmail.com

KHPS Band and Strings Committee