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No. 6 – Term 2: 13 May 2015
Kinross College: 9306 6000
www.kinrosscollege.wa.edu.au
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY – 2015
May
12 - 15
26
June
1
2
3
8
12
15 - 19
16
17
18
19
19
24
29
July
3
3
20
NAPLAN testing Years 7 and 9
Yr 9 Lightning Winter Sport Carnival
Public Holiday
Pupil Free day – Staff professional development
ICAS Science testing
Yr 8 Immunisations
Yr 10 Eng/Maths exams at Mindarie Senior College
ICAS Writing and spelling testing
World Vision Leadership Conference
MSC Orientation Day
Yr 8 Lightning Winter sport carnival
Yr 10 River Cruise
Yr 10 - Home Economics TAFE excursion
Arts Showcase
NZ Ranger ski trip departure
Whacky Hair Day – Fundraiser
Last day Term 2
First day Term 3
Dear Parents and Caregivers
I am really happy to formally reveal to the Kinross College community, that the Minister for Education, Mr
Peter Collier, has announced a $4.5 million upgrade to our College.
The announcement made last Friday, reported both on radio and television, means an enormous amount
to Kinross College.
There will be several areas of building and renovations included in this upgrade, the most important aspect
will be to improve and add to the existing classroom areas. These same areas were originally designed for a
very different style of teaching and learning, existing open-plan areas will become discrete teaching rooms
more in-keeping with curriculum needs for secondary students.
A new food studio and purpose built staffroom will be major new builds. There will also be an expansion of
the administration block which will add a purpose-built Student Services facility. Student Services is now an
integral part of all high schools today as they deal with the many and varied issues that students come to
our school with. This need is a simple reflection of society today and requires all schools to devote time and
resources to the well- being of all students. These improvements will enable the College to offer the
possibility of music returning to the curriculum at Kinross College, these rooms having been occupied by
the Student Services team.
This funding is a significant positive for our College and we thank the government for their recognition of
the fact that Kinross College was a priority and considering the number of high schools within our state we
are extremely excited by this announcement.
The next aim will be to lobby for an extension of our school to incorporate years 11 and 12.
I can also announce some new additions and minor changes to the school uniform; girls now have the
option of their own designated long pants as part of the uniform and are available from the uniform shop
now. Boys have long cargo pants that will eventually be the expected uniform. The track pants that have
been part of the uniform will be phased out by the end of 2016. These track pants in reality were only ever
meant to be worn during sport lessons, however became part of the everyday wear. For this year and next,
the track pants will be sold at a reduced price to clear the existing stock. As such students will be able to
purchase these and wear them until the end of next year only.
I have begun a process of exploring the idea of having formal exams at the end of each semester for all
years. I believe this will add a new dimension of academic rigour to our students and their education. I
would like to gain the opinions of parents regarding this proposal and will in the next week send parents a
survey to ascertain their thoughts. I will include some detail of this proposal so you can make an informed
comment.
Thank you to our staff, student and parent community for their support this week during the NAPLAN
testing. Testing is running smoothly with, so far, an excellent student attendance rate. Results will be with
us in later in the year.
Lastly, the Student Council have written their own “Student Creed”. This statement is simply an articulated
belief that the students would like one another to adhere to, as members of our school community. The
creed endeavours to voice what type of school the students wish to belong to, it is student generated and I
believe, whilst only a group of words on a page, provides a powerful statement and expectation to one
another. A copy of the student creed is included below, please take a moment to read and discuss with
your son or daughter.
Rod Buckenara
Principal
OLNA STUDENT REPORTS
Yr 10 students will receive their OLNA student reports later this week. These reports indicate student
achievement and components, if any, that will require testing in September.
‘STUDENT CREED’
Whether you are a student, a teacher or staff member at Kinross College, we are a community together.
As students we believe that everyone has the right to a positive, happy and engaging educational
experience at our College.
Every member of this community should be able to learn, teach, work and belong, free from any negativity
that may impact this time in our lives.
As a collective group of students we would like to voice our opinions and have them heard.
We all believe that students who consistently display acts of aggression, negativity, anti-social behaviour or
disrupt the education and enjoyment of others are not, by their own behaviours, part of our community.
As students here we ask all students to either accept this creed, or find an alternative place to be educated,
as our education here is important to us as it affects our well-being now, and our future opportunities.
The image we wish to portray to the community isn’t decided by the teachers, or our parents, it is created by
all of us, the students, who wear our uniform. As a student at Kinross College, we must all strive to promote
a positive image at school and within the community.
This means taking pride in your school, your education and within yourself at all times.
Students who cannot, or will not comply with these basic rights for all, need to be dealt with accordingly by
the staff at Kinross College. They have the complete support of the wider student body. We also ask the
school board consisting of teachers, administration and parents to fully support the Creed.
By signing this creed you are agreeing to these ideals and will support this with positive action/s.
Signed: _________________________________ Date: _____________________
Print name: _____________________________ Year level: _________________
Witness: ________________________________ Date: _____________________
Teacher
ADVICE FROM THE NURSE: Coughs & colds are upon us!!!
Upper respiratory tract infections, or colds, are everywhere - especially in autumn/winter season. This
means it is almost impossible to stop students from catching them. Here are some points that may help:
 Encourage your child to cover his/her nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, and to wash hands
straight afterwards.
 Hands should be washed after blowing noses and before eating.
 Use tissues once and then throw them in the bin. (Avoid using handkerchiefs.)
 Keep your child home from school if he/she has a cold/cough/fever/pain.
 Make sure that your child eats a balanced diet with plenty of healthy foods.
 Keep children away from smoke – it irritates their eyes and nasal passages, making it more likely that
they will catch a cold.
Colds & the flu are not the same thing!
What to do if your child gets a cold
No treatment will cure a cold or make it go away more quickly, but you can help your
child feel more comfortable:
 Rest: This need not be in bed.
 Provide extra drinks – extra fluid (water preferably) will increase recovery time and
prevent headaches and lethargy.
 Encourage healthy foods – increase vegetable & fruit intake.
Influenza
Influenza, or the ‘flu’, is caused by an influenza virus. It is spread through the air when someone coughs,
sneezes or talks. It is also spread by touching something that has the virus on it and then touching your
nose, eyes or mouth. Common symptoms include:
 Sore throat
 Chills
 Cough
 Tiredness
 Fever
 Muscle aches
 Headache
What to do if your child gets the flu
 People with the flu should rest and drink plenty of fluid.
 Use Paracetamol in recommended doses if necessary - but do not give children any medication
containing aspirin.
 Be sure to keep your child home from school while he or she is sick. If you require school work for your
child contact the school to prepare some for you to collect.
 The best way to prevent flu from spreading is by washing your hands regularly.
Why should I consider having my child vaccinated against the flu?
The National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia's peak body for health advice, recommends
annual vaccination for anyone six months of age or older who wants to reduce their chances of becoming ill
with the flu, or for anyone with a medical condition that places them at higher risk of severe illness from
flu. Children and adults with heart, lung or kidney disease or a weakened immune system, are eligible for
free flu vaccine through the National Immunisation Program.
Children without underlying medical conditions who become infected with flu can also develop serious
illnesses. Flu can cause high fever and pneumonia, and make existing medical conditions worse. Flu can also
cause convulsions and diarrhoea.
Influenza viruses are always changing. Each year scientists try to match the strains of influenza viruses in
the vaccine to those most likely to cause flu illnesses that year. It takes up to two weeks for protection to
develop after vaccination against flu and protection lasts about a year.
The seasonal flu vaccine is available on prescription or via GP and Immunisation clinics and is provided free
for certain groups. Flu vaccines are available prior to winter starting.
For more information, www.health.wa.gov.au or contact your GP or Immunisation Clinic.
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