PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Greetings, my name is Rosemary Cosentino and I have been the Principal of Kingswood Primary School for the last six years. We are a small boutique school (314 students) that offers everything that a big school offers; the only difference is that we can provide a more individualised program to cater for the diversity of students needs.

Kingswood Primary prides itself as being the ‘best’ school in Dingley Village, our gardens are well maintained, we have a fabulous multipurpose hall, up to date computer technology, a multi media centre, academic standards are high and teachers are supportive and highly capable. Visitors to the school often comment on how well behaved and mannered our students are. Students, staff and parents uphold the school values of Teamwork, Respect, Integrity, and Commitment.

We have some exciting projects taking place in 2010 such as the RACV Breakthrough Challenge. The students in Year 5 & 6 will once again build two human power vehicles and compete at Maryborough. The program is part of our ‘Success for Boys’ strategy; all staff are trained in Success For Boys strategies. Our school grounds have been outfitted with synthetic grass, the junior playground has soft fall grass under the equipment, and there are two large sandpits for the students, a new long jump track and two new synthetic volleyball courts. Our biggest project for 2010 is the two million dollar refurbishment of the main permanent teaching spaces and the addition of a purpose built kitchen classroom and a virtual classroom equipped with innovative technology.

We are fast being recognised as leaders in Information and Communications Technology. Kingswood is a lead school introducing the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) Ultranet. At Kingswood, we have both PC’s and iMAC computers; all computers are less than 3 years old. Students have access to computers in the classroom including portable net book computers, hand held devices and the multimedia learning centre. All classrooms have interactive white boards. Kingswood Primary School is the first school in Australia to implement SuperclubsPLUS. SuperclubsPLUS is a safe social networking environment for primary age students. It is endorsed by the Department of Education & Early Childhood Development. We were the first school in Australia to go on line with the Digital Excellence Program. Digital Excellence program allows students to track levels of ICT competencies. We strongly believe that in order to best prepare students for the future they need to have access to this technology. If you are looking for a school that is well resourced in technology, Kingswood has it all!

Kingswood Primary School is committed to identifying gifted students through the Targeting Talent Program, so that their individual needs may be appropriately met. A range of learning and teaching strategies are utilized in the provision of extension and enrichment programs. The school has adopted a 'Success for All' approach in learning and has a strong focus on student engagement and providing for the 'whole' child.

For students to be successful in their adult lives it is important to offer a range of programs. Children are given opportunities to participate in extracurricular programs including: Targeting Talent Program (Gifted & Talented Program), keyboarding, guitar, Chess Club, Choir, recorder, dance, tennis, karate, sporting clinics, running club and gymnastics program.

Finally on a healthy note, the school promotes healthy eating by providing a healthy canteen menu. To support our healthy eating practices the school received a ‘fresh fruit’ grant for students in Prep – 2. This is a 3 year grant enabling the school to supply free of charge, fresh fruit to our young students. We have established a community garden so that students can learn to grow vegetables. Once the refurbishments are completed the school will have a ‘state-of-art’ kitchen classroom and dining room facility.

As you can see Kingswood Primary School is a very happening place! Let me leave this with message.

"The future is not someplace we are going to, but one we are creating. The paths to it are made, not found, and the making of the changes both the maker and the destination" Adams

ROSEMARY COSENTINO
PRINCIPAL