Dear Families
As another school year ends, I hope that our students are able to celebrate how much they have learned and how much they have grown as young people living in a busy, rapidly changing world.
Smooth roads rarely lead to personal growth. It is the times in which we experience challenge and discomfort that offer us the greatest opportunity for growth and learning. If we can help children weather the storms of disappointment and frustration; of changing friendships; and the anxiety that often accompanies change and new experiences; if we can help them emerge with even one new skill or strategy, we are supporting their development and sense of self. Our instinctive response as adults is to leap in to save children from struggle and disappointment, but we need to consider that we might be denying them an opportunity to learn and grow. It was wonderful to listen to the Year 6 students speak at their graduation this week. Their speeches reflected a quiet confidence, self-efficacy, gratitude and care for others. They have much to be proud of.
To those joining us for the first time in 2024
We look forward to welcoming you and your children at the end of January.
To those who are leaving
Staff Leaving
The following teachers have been with us on fixed-term contracts this year. I’d like to acknowledge their contribution and commitment to the learning and development of our students and convey our heartfelt thanks.
Mrs Kym Szwedzicki (Kindergarten); Mrs Kate Scott (Physical Education); Mrs Abigail Fenwick (Visual Arts); Ms Anja Cirkovic (Music); Mrs Skye Cannon (Year 3) and Mr Clint Degebrodt (Year 6).
Students Leaving
Year 6s
On Tuesday we held a graduation ceremony for our Year 6 students. We were joined by Ms Kate Chaney MP, Member for Curtin; Ms Christine Tonkin MLA, Member for Churchlands and Mr Gary Mack, Mayor, Town of Cambridge. An afternoon of reflection and celebration, we thoroughly enjoyed listening to each of the graduating students share memorable moments, what being at Kapinara meant to them, how much they valued their relationships with their peers and teachers and their aspirations for the future. On behalf of the Kapinara Primary School community, I wish them every happiness and success for the future.
All students
To all students who will be commencing at other schools next year, our best wishes for a smooth transition to your new learning environment. We wish you well.
Families Leaving
For some families, this year is their final year at Kapinara. Thank you for your individual and collective contributions to the Kapinara community. You have been part of the fabric of this special community.
School Board
We say farewell to the Chair of our School Board, Mr Steve Hendry and extend our thanks to him for his tenure as a Board member and more recently as Board Chair. Thank you for guiding the Board through the 2023 school year, including our School Review on Monday 11 December. The Board is grateful for your time, effort and leadership.
Feedback
Thank you to families who have provided feedback throughout the year. It’s been helpful for our forward planning. One of the key things that will be a focus from the beginning of next year is the development and implementation of a whole school communication strategy. We were hoping to trial our Department’s new information management tool from the beginning of next year (Kaartdijin), however the Department received expressions of interest from several hundred schools, with only a small number selected. We will therefore focus on improving our existing channels of communication in the first instance. Priorities include reducing the variance among classes and year levels in terms of communication with families and responses to emails. We are also scheduling individual parent-teacher meetings towards the end of Term 1.
Out of School Hours Care
Our current provider ‘TheirCare’ has continued to go above and beyond to respond quickly and positively to any feedback received, and the program appears to be going from strength to strength. Thank you to families who responded to the recent survey questions about OSHC. We are delighted to advise that ‘TheirCare’ will continue to provide this valuable service to our families in 2024. They will also continue to offer programs during the vacation periods and on School Development Days.
‘Service for Others’
Thank you for supporting the St Vinnie’s Christmas hamper appeal and the ‘Give Write’ initiative. If you remember, on Christmas Day please remind your child/children that another family will be enjoying the food your family donated. Similarly, at the beginning of next year when you are labelling stationery, you might mention that other children will have similar items thanks to donations made at the end of this year.
What’s New
I’m pleased to advise that next year there will be several user-pays extra curricula programs available on site before/after school. They include a chess club, Code Camp, and Kidz n Sport. If your child attends Out of School Hours Care, the team at ‘Their Care’ will support children to move to and from these programs.
‘Save the Date’ Years 5 and 6
In-term swimming for Years 5 and 6 starts on the first day of school. Information will be emailed to families of students in Years 5 and 6 in the week before school.
That’s a lot of information, and I’m aware that for some of you, particularly those with children at two or three different schools, it’s too much! If there’s one takeaway to note it’s ‘warm wishes for a safe, happy and relaxing break’.
Elizabeth Blackwell
Principal