PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Hello, my name is Rosemary Cosentino and I have been the Principal of Kingswood Primary School for the last five years. I feel privileged to be the Principal of this school because of the positive relationships enjoyed by staff, students and parents. A feature of the school is the strong home-school partnership, which contributes to high levels of student achievement. We are a small boutique school (292 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 ‘state-of-art’ multipurpose hall, up to date computer technology, a new 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 2009. We will participate in the RACV Breakthrough Challenge. The students in Year 5 & 6 are building a human power vehicle and are getting ready to compete at Maryborough. Last year, the students won the Best Design & Construction (Safety) Award. We plan to enter two teams giving more students access to this fabulous program. The program is part of our Success for Boys strategy; all staff are trained in Success For Boys strategies. Our school grounds will soon be outfitted with synthetic grass, the junior playground will have soft fall grass under the equipment, and we are building an additional sandpit for the students and two new volleyball courts. Our school will also receive funding from the Federal Government to completely outfit the buildings and make them look brand new. All this will happen in 2009 so that is 2010 the school will look magnificent. A well cared for environment inside helps to stimulate learning and creates a positive atmosphere.
We are fast being recognised as leaders in Information and Communications Technology. 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 the Technology Learning room and 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 then Kingswood is well worth the visit.
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 program, Instrumental Music, Chess Club, Choir, recorder, Boys Only Singing Group, 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.
As you can see Kingswood Primary School is a very happening place!
ROSEMARY COSENTINO
PRINCIPAL
