Welcome
to
Thornleigh West
Public School
Kindergarten Orientation 2013  2014
Transition to Kinder Program
Parent Orientation Program
Welcome by Principal
 Welcome by P&C President
 School Banking
 Canteen
 After School Care Director
 Kindergarten Assistant Principal - Transition
program + Start to school February 2014 +
Ensuring school success
 Goodies folder
 Uniforms + Fashion Parade
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Transition to Kinder Program
1st Visit 25th October
10:00 – 11:15
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To become familiar with the
classroom setting & working
with a teacher
Colour groups – refer to class
lists
(NOT CLASS 2014)
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Introductions
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Classroom activities
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Visiting areas of the school –
toilets, canteen, K-1 playground
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Story
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Craft Activity
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Morning tea (Please pack a
small healthy snack)
Transition to Kinder Program
2nd Visit – 1st November
10:00 – 11:15
Classroom involvement
and build on
friendships
Review last visit
 Sing songs
 Craft activity
 Morning tea (small
healthy snack)
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Transition to Kinder Program
3rd Visit – 8th November
10:00 -11:15
Look at school routines
and classroom
expectations
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Review last visit
Story
Craft activity
Play a game
Visit the canteen and
get frozen fruit shapes
Please do not dress your child in school uniform for orientation
Targets for Kinder Children
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Enjoy being at school
Want to learn
Experience success
Develop a positive self-image
Feel valued
Be willing to persevere & develop resilience
Develop effective social interactions with
other children and adults
BEST START
What is it?
Assessment strategy to identify students’
literacy and numeracy skills and
understandings at school entry.
 It is assessing what students bring with
them to school.
 The assessment will provide critical
information for teaching and learning
programs that meet the individual needs of
students.
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What are the critical aspects of
literacy to be assessed?
Reading text
 Writing
 Speaking
 Comprehension
 Concepts about print
 Phonics
 Phonemic awareness
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What are the critical aspects of
numeracy to be assessed?
Counting (numeral recognition and
forward number word sequences)
 Counting as a problem solving process
 Pattern recognition
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How will the assessment be
implemented?
Initially during 45 min interview & in
first few days.
 Classroom teachers will observe and
record student responses
 Most tasks will be completed
individually, though some may take
place within small groups
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What are students asked to do during
the Best Start literacy assessment?
Teachers ask a series of questions to
gather information about children’s early
literacy knowledge.
For example:
 To assess a child’s understanding of a
text read to them, the teacher may ask
the student to retell what happened in
the story in their own words.
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What are students asked to do during the
Best Start Numeracy Assessment?
Teachers ask a series of questions to
gather information about children’s initial
mathematical knowledge.
For example:
 To see how far a child can correctly
count, the teacher may ask them to start
counting. The child will be asked to stop
when the teacher gets a sense of how
well they can count.
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First week in Kinder 2014
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Letter will be sent giving appointment time on one of
following days:
Wednesday 29th, Thursday 30st, Friday 31st January
Arrive at school for 45 minute interview and final enrolment
check
Interview will be discussion of enrolment, welcome by class
teacher, Best Start testing and any concerns
Monday 3th February
 Children and parents go straight to appointed classroom and
begin the day by 9.00am
 School dismissal time will be at 2.40pm (20 mins early) for
the first few weeks
 Kindergarten information night – early Term 1
What will children do on the
first day?
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Unpack their bags.
Be greeted by an older buddy and settle
into a class activity, e.g. reading, drawing,
playing.
Farewell their parents who are invited to
morning tea in the staffroom.
School tour for familiarisation.
Become familiar with recess and lunch
procedures (with help from buddies).
Listen to stories, play games, sing songs.
What to expect in the first few
weeks
Tiredness
 Not all food is eaten
 Help them at first in morning
 Older students to help in first few
days
 Leave ASAP
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How can I help prepare my child?
Develop routines at home, e.g. bed times.
 Read together regularly (including dads).
 Play family games to develop turn taking and
sharing.
 Talk positively about school (before attending).
 Help them to visualise themselves at school.
 Help them to feel positive and self confident.
 Practise using lunch boxes, caring for belongings.
 LABEL EVERYTHING!
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Helping my child 2
Learn to recognise and write their name.
 Visit the school and be involved in transition
program.
 Have immunisation certificate up-to-date.
 Help develop independence:
- unpack – bags, shopping,
- dress themselves
- use toilet independently
 Talk about school – highlight the positives of the
day.
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What will Kindergarten do at
school?
In PE children will:
develop fitness
and coordination
 learn new skills
 participate in
enjoyable and
active programs
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What will Kindergarten learn at
school?
Morning session- children
will learn to:
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listen carefully
take turns
speak confidently to
classmates
speak confidently about
a chosen subject
learn how to be a happy
member of the class
what happens “today”
What will Kindergarten learn
at school?
In English children will:
learn letter sounds
 recognise words
 begin reading simple
books
 complete simple
homework, e.g. reading
 practice writing and
drawing
 play literacy games
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What will Kindergarten learn at
school?
In Maths children will:
learn through playing
maths games
 use maths booklets
 read books
incorporating maths
concepts
 write numerals and
count
 Use Mathletics
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What will Kindergarten learn at
school?
In Creative Arts:
Lots of songs and
dances; assembly
performances
 Painting
 Drawing
 Making lots of special
things, e.g. presents
for mum/dad, puppets
 Special assemblies for
parents to attend
 Dance & drama lessons
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Social Skills – PALS
(Playing and Learning to Socialise)
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Greeting each
other
Taking turns
Taking turns at
play
Sharing
Asking for help
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Identifying
feelings
Empathy
Overcoming fear
and anxiety
Managing
frustration
Calming down
Speaking up
PBEL – Positive Behaviour
Engaging Learning
 At
Thornleigh West we
expect Respect,
Responsibility and
Achievement
Reward System
Assembly awards
Free and Frequent
Blueys, greenies, orangies or other classroom awards
Intermittent
10 Blueys, greenies or orangies = bronze, silver or gold
certificate
1st School Medal and bronze badge
2nd School Medal and silver badge
3rd School Medal and gold badge
(medal is only handed out once)
Aussie of the Month
(linked to values we teach)
“Buddies” at Thornleigh West
Public School
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Students from older grades are
sensitive and reliable “buddies”.
Buddies meet children during transition.
Buddies greet children on their first
day.
Buddies support Kindergarten for first
few weeks.
10 Tips for Children Starting
Kindergarten (DET)
1. Provide information about
child’s immunisation status
2. Learn the names of important
people at school
3. Give all the necessary
information to the school esp.
medical and special needs
4. Complete Emergency Contact
Cards with all numbers
5. Make the school aware of any
special family circumstances
6. Establish routines with your
children and stick to them
7. Make sure your child is road
and travel safe
8. Become aware of school
activities – develop a
positive relationship with
the school
9. Educate your child about
stranger danger
10. Label all equipment and
clothing
Dates for 2013 + 2014
Orientation Dates – for children
- Friday 25th October 10.00am – 11.15
- Friday 1st November 10.00am – 11.15
- Friday 8th November 10.00am – 11.15
2014
- “Tea and Tissues” – Monday 3rd February
9.00am, Staffroom (TBC)
- Kindergarten Parent / Teacher night –
Week 3 Term 1 (TBC)
Fashion Show
White ‘Goodies’ Folder
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School information booklet
School Behaviour Management Plan (p8-15)
Working with children check.
P&C information booklet
Infectious diseases leaflet
Kindergarten requirements – chair bag – good quality
products please. (glue and wind up crayons)
Pencil grip + Foundation script
Uniform Shop information
Child safety handbook
Getting ready for school booklet.