Filter Content
KINGS MEADOWS HIGH SCHOOL TRANSITION PROGRAM:
At Kings Meadows High School we are in continuous conversations with our primary schools through our targeted transition program. Our transition program supports a smooth transition into Year 7 where students have a core team of teachers for English, Humanities and Social Sciences (HaSS), Mathematics, Science, Health and Physical Education.
Our Year 7 students remain in their class teacher group for their core and option lessons in Design Technologies, Drama, Food Technology, LOTE, Music and Visual Arts. The building that is home to Year 7 is separate from other year groups providing security and comfort while students are gradually exposed to the school environment. Class teachers are responsible for the welfare and pastoral care of students in their class teacher group.
In addition, students choose four enrichment courses that they study with Year 8 students. Studying enrichment courses with students from across Years 7 and 8 classes supports everyone to increase their circle of friendships, confidence, resilience and motivation to succeed.
Every year group has access to leadership opportunities. A particular highlight is the opportunity to be a Transition Leader. In this role Year 7 students act as mentors to Year 6 students, sharing information about High School and offering friendship and support as they transition from Primary School to Kings Meadows.
The Department provides us with data describing academic achievement of our students. Across the Connect 6 schools we engage with a range of survey tools to gather answers about how students are feeling about school and their learning. We gain valuable information that informs our carefully phased, year-long transition program that responds to the social and emotional needs of adolescents. We use our Department values of Respect, Growth, Courage and Aspiration to create a safe learning environment that responds to the needs of individuals in order to motivate and engage students to be the best version of themselves.
We have a Peer Support program, designed to build successful peer relationships and leadership skills. Peer Support Leaders work with the Year 7 team to support students to develop personal organisation, time management skills and a greater understanding of high school life.
Our teachers have high expectations for teaching and learning. They understand they need to prepare students for an ever-changing world. Our transition program provides collaboratively developed experiences for all our students. We work closely with students and their families, Year 6 teachers, learning support teachers, social workers and psychologists to develop our transition program.
Some of the ways we work to create a shared successful transition experience include:
- Challenge Day
- Parent information Evening
- In school observations
- Online community and digital platforms for increased communication of information
- Flexible programs
- Enrichment courses
- Learning support visits
- Social Work groups; and
- Orientation Day
Ask us a question:
Do you have a question about Kings Meadows High School? Ask us a question through our online form so we can answer it for you in upcoming information.
MEET THE 2024 YEAR 7 GRADE LEADERS:
We are delighted to let you know that in 2024 the Grade Leaders for Year 7 will be Mr Scott Brewer and Mrs Megan Pel. Scott and Megan have already been involved in meeting students at our 5/6 Challenge Days, as well as our Open Night Information Session held in Term 2.
Hi, I’m Scott Brewer and I am a Co-Grade Leader for Year 7, 2024. I was a Grade AST and Grade Leader at my previous school for approximately 7 years. It is a really fulfilling role which I am really looking forward to next year.
I have been teaching Mathematics and Science for 15 years and I am really excited for the 2024 cohort of Year 7 Kings Meadows High School students. I will work hard to ensure that their experience at Kings Meadows High School will be supported and memorable.
My goal is to create rewarding and supportive relationships with the 2024 grade team, parents/carers and students to work in partnership to provide the best learning environment for all. There will be open 3-way communication between teachers, parents and students to ensure clear expectations with a focus on growth of the whole student and ownership of learning goals.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hi, I’m Megan Pel and I am the current Year 10 Grade Leader at Kings Meadows High School.
This is my third year of being a Grade Leader at KMHS and it is a role I thoroughly enjoy through building connections and relationships with students, staff and the community.
As Grade Leader in 2024, my vision is to continue to build a strong and supportive school culture for staff, students, and parents through open communication, clear expectations and a focus on student growth and success.
I teach HPE and Science, both subjects that I have taught over the last 10 years.
In 2024 I look forward to welcoming our new Year 7 cohort to Kings Meadows and helping all students make a positive transition to high school.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hi, I’m Robert Johns and I am the AST (Advanced Skills Teacher) for Year 7 in 2024. As AST, I will be working closely with the Year 7 Leaders and team to ensure that students are supported and successful at KMHS. This year I have been the AST working with the Year 9 team, as well as leading our Science learning area.
I have been a passionate and enthusiastic educator for the past twelve years, teaching Mathematics, Science, and Computing across Years 7-10. As Year 7 AST, I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with and get to know our new cohort of Year 7 students and their families. I believe that the best outcomes for each student can only be achieved when schools work together with students and their families.
My goal is to establish a culture of growth and aspiration across Year 7 through open dialogue around learning with students and families, communication of clear expectations, encouraging a growth mindset and celebrating student success.
I’m looking forward to setting our 2024 Year 7 students up for success next year as they make the exciting transition into their high school years.
LIFE AT KINGS MEADOWS HIGH SCHOOL:
Times of the school day
8:40-8:50am |
Class Teacher |
8:50-9:50am |
Block 1 |
9:50-10:50am |
Block 2 |
10:50-11:10am |
RECESS 20 min |
11:10-12:10pm |
Block 3 |
12:10-1:10pm |
Block 4 |
1:10-1:50pm |
LUNCH 40 min |
1:50-2:50pm |
Block 5 |
2:50pm |
End of school day |
Kings Meadows High School Website
CELEBRATING OUR TRANSITION ACTIVITIES:
Learning Support Updates
Our Learning Support Team at Kings Meadows High have been busy collaborating with Learning Support teachers from primary schools to create well prepared and inclusive learning environments for students who are coming to Kings Meadows High School next year.
These discussions helped ensure that all learning plans from primary school are up to date and that our staff understand the learning needs of each student before they come to us. We now have copies of all updated learning plans and these have been used to support the class placement process and the co-trdination of Teacher Assistant resourcing for Year 7 classes in 2024.
Having our Learning Support Team promote discussions with primary schools in support of students with a disability is part of our commitment to work on the value of connection through building positive Relationships and a sense of belonging within our school community.
At the beginning of 2024 all teachers at Kings Meadows High School who teach a student with a learning plan are expected to read the learning plans of any students they teach and adjust their planning as needed to allow students access to the curriculum through differentiation of tasks and learning environment as recommended in their learning plan. Further to this in the first few weeks of high school your child’s class teacher should make contact to start building strong partnerships between home and school. Towards the end of Term 1 our staff will look more closely at each learning plan making minor suggestions or adjustments based on their new understandings while further personalising goals and adjustments to our high school setting in collaboration with parents.
We hope our work in Learning Support helps to build confidence in the processes that we use here at Kings Meadows High School to support students with a disability and supports any questions you might have in this area as parents, so you feel well supported.
If you would like to talk further with a member of our Learning Support Team prior to next year please feel free to phone the school and ask to talk with Mrs Kate Hume or Mr Nathan Karas who will be able to assist you further.
Transition to high fchool from primary fchool is an important process and Kings Meadows High School is committed to ensuring that we provide as much support as possible in order to ensure transition is successful for all students.
As part of this commitment to making sure our process is successful for all students our school works collaboratively to have discussions with key primary school staff to provide extra transition for some students to ensure they feel confident and supported in their new environment.
This year we were able to organise extra transition visits for some students in collaboration with their parents allowing them extra time to participate in classes at Kings Meadows High School prior to Orientation Day. These extra transition visits were held on 26 October, 2 November and 9 November with students choosing to participate in a variety of exciting learning experiences.
These visits were highly successful for all involved and certainly made a big difference in helping students experience success on Orientation Day.
Thank you to all of the parents who supported transporting their children to Kings Meadows High School for extra transition visits and also to all of our primary schools who helped to nominate and co-ordinate support for their students. These visits were highly successful and allowed every student to attend transition day confidently and successfully.
Dear Parents/Carers
Year 7 camp has historically been a key learning and teambuilding experience for our Year 7 students at Kings Meadows High School. Due to the rise of COVID-19 in 2020, we have been unable to provide our Year 7s with a camp opportunity over the last 3 years, however we are now delighted to announce that our Year 7 camp program will be up and running again in early Term 1, 2024! We believe that offering a camp to our Year 7 students provides them with the opportunity to build extended friendships, improve self-esteem and enables greater teamwork and cohesion as a year group.
Year 7 camp will be held across the second week of Term 1 where students will be split into two groups for a two night, 3 day stay.
Group A:
- Class Teacher groups A, B, C
- Monday 12 February - Wednesday 14 February
Group B:
- Class Teacher groups D & E
- Wednesday 14 February - Friday 16 February
During the time that the alternative group are at camp, a normal school day will occur, and it is an expectation that all students either attend camp or are at school during this week.
Accommodation:
Port Arthur Holiday Park are catering for us with their bunk houses and cabins. Students will not require a tent but will require a sleeping bag. Sleeping arrangements and rooms will be discussed and allocated at a later date.
The experience:
While away, students will experience:
- A chance to build relationships with students both in their Class Teacher and the wider Grade.
- Develop stronger relationships with the staff participating.
- Involvement in co-operative indoor and outdoor activities.
- Communal living involving helping and supporting one another during activities and chores.
We are actively encouraging all students to embrace this opportunity and participate in the camp to ensure its success, and the success of future camps.
A sample of the activities offered to students during our camp experience include:
- Port Arthur Historic Site visit and tour
- Richmond lolly shop
- Visit to Zoo Doo
- Team building activities at the camp site.
Cost:
The cost of the camp is estimated to be around $200.00, which covers accommodation, meals, travel, materials and activities. All students attending the camp will be invoiced for the final cost. We felt it was important to communicate the cost early as we understand the current cost of living pressures and financial hardship some families may be facing. This is just an estimate as plans and details are still being finalised. If the cost of camp presents a challenge, please contact our Assistant Principal, Kate Hume or Wendy Dalton, School Business Manager to discuss support we can offer, as having your child attend is important to us.
This communication about our 2024 Year 7 camp is an initial communication to families. Further information about the finer details of camp including dietary requirements, meals, final cost, what to bring etc., will come out later in the term, however if you have any questions or concerns about camp, please contact Kate Hume at the school.
Yours faithfully
Mrs Megan Pel - Grade 7 Leader / Mr Scott Brewer - Grade 7 Leader
Mrs Kate Hume - Assistant / Mr Cary Stocks - Principal
Orientation Day was held on Wednesday 22 November for students transitioning to us from their respective primary schools. Students gathered on the grassed area near the canteen at the beginning of the day and were then met shortly afterwards by our Year 7 transition leaders who helped them find their allocated class group for the day and provided them with their name tag. Shortly afterwards students started the day in their new class teacher groups before moving into their new Year 7 spaces for 2024. Attendance was taken shortly afterwards, then a briefing by Mrs Lovitt and Mr Stocks about what learning opportunities would look like during the day and an outline of the timetable for the day.
Students started their first lessons with a sense of anticipation and excitement then moved shortly afterwards into block two following their allocated timetables. Support on the day was provided by our Transition Leaders who worked in classes and also provided support and encouragement for students as they moved from one area of the school into others to arrive at their new lessons on time. Behaviour on the day from all students was just exceptional and feedback from staff and students who participated was nothing but positive.
It was wonderful to watch students during recess and lunch times around the playground, often with their friends but also discovering new friends or friendships from their old schools reunited through conversation. Without hesitation, after each break our new Year 7s were able to make their way from the playground to their next classroom without getting lost or not knowing where to go. A big congratulations must go to Mrs Lovitt for all of her work in preparing class groups, communication and co-ordination of the day. Her attention to detail and meticulous planning certainly ensured a successful day for all involved. Thank you to all of the parents who supported their children on the day allowing them to walk confidently onto our school grounds and to all of our staff who volunteered to take classes for our new Year 7s during the day.
Our final parent information session was held on the night of Orientation Day and certainly provided lots of opportunities for parents and their children to discuss, celebrate and begin preparing for a new start at King Meadows High School next year. With over 70 parents attending on the night there was a renewed sense of community gathering to work in partnership of learning.
Mrs Lovitt, Mr Stocks, Mr Karas, Mrs Hume and Mrs Pel talked with parents about various aspects of school life next year highlighting our school improvement priorities, structures of support and communication methods as well as timetabling, values, uniform and options including camp in 2024 for our new Year 7s.
Thank you to all of the parents who attended our final parent information session for 2023. We hope that parents found the session informative while also feeling welcomed as part of our school community on the night.