Kinma School in Terrey Hills, New South Wales, Australia | Primary School

Kinma School

Locality: Terrey Hills, New South Wales, Australia

Phone: +61 2 9450 0738

Address: 127 Coolowie Rd 2084 Terrey Hills, NSW, Australia

Website: http://www.kinma.nsw.edu.au

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• Nursery
• Primary School

25.01.2022 Group 3 (Years 5 and 6) were buzzing with ideas at the end of term after being given a challenge to create a news piece around a mystery of their choice. Using journalistic language, they worked collaboratively to plan and make a news report. Much fun was had when they came to filming and editing their news clips themselves using i-Movie, and in the process some future current affairs reporters may have been created!

24.01.2022 A beautiful article on how to raise children who are culturally aware. 'Kirby says to constantly remind our kids to practise empathy. "Treat everyone how you would like to be treated. Put yourself in someone else's shoes and think about what would make you feel comfortable or uncomfortable. It's all about establishing trust and building relationships." '

24.01.2022 We are so excited to welcome back Jerome for Basketball lessons this term. We missed him in Term 2. Hes a much loved part of the Kinma winter programme.

24.01.2022 Yes! There's so much of this happening now that our students are all back at Kinma.

23.01.2022 Today in Kinma Primary we have 'Free Choice' so it seems fitting to share this article. 'Kids need a chance to discover and pursue their own paths.' 'Because when our kids have enough time and freedom to find their way to creativity, perseverance, entrepreneurship, and joy, they winand so does the country's future.'

23.01.2022 And part of this is giving children time to play, where natural curiosities and imagination help fuel a love of learning.

23.01.2022 "Ultimately, any further discussion on this poorly constructed and applied test merely pulls focus from whats important. If COVID-19 has taught us within the education system anything, its that whats needed is new thinking and approaches. Education reform that empowers teachers and educators is a must. This review calls for more of the old and should be ignored as such."

23.01.2022 We have been getting zen with our Mandala art both with colour on paper and with found objects (human made and natural.) The patterns, textures and colours temporarily decorate the pavement around Group 4 (YrK) classroom. Making a mandala is a time to relax, breathe and take time to focus on building a pattern by ourselves or with peers. We have been loving this special time of chillaxing! #kinma #kinmaprimary

23.01.2022 An interesting article about jigsaw puzzle solving. In addition to helping children to develop gross and fine motor skills, handeye coordination, shape recognition and problem solving, Puzzles are about perseverance in the face of repeated failure. They are a cycle that moves from chaos to order and back again.

22.01.2022 And this for all our Kinma teachers and staff on the first day of our winter holidays. After the recent absence from school due to COVID-19, its largely been the strength of relationships built by them which has brought everyone back together in such a positive way.

22.01.2022 Today was our first Tinkering Day of Term 3. Usually a hive of activity with parent involvement, current circumstances meant we couldnt have parent-run pods, however the staff more than made up for it with lots of wonderful activities, including street dancing, basketball, skateboarding, cross stitch, slime making, card making, friendship bands, finger knitting, quiet time reading and writing, fairy door making, cubby portal creating, bird feeder creations, and more! A fun and enriching day of immersion for all. #kinma

22.01.2022 Wherever you and your children are in the world, we hope you and they are getting the rest needed at the end of this tumultuous year.

21.01.2022 This week we had our second Tinkering day of the term. Usually we invite parents to bring in their passions and run a pod for us, however this time many of the pods were organised and facilitated by students. This provided opportunities for mentoring, leadership, collaboration, creativity, exploration of new learnings and the joys of sharing knowledge. Pods included coding, watercolour art, making playdough, drawing lessons, tie dye, adventure walk in the local national park, cooking, making edible sand, rocket making, sport, Kandinsky circle art, clay creating, parkour jumps, gymnastics, paper snowflake making, palm art, cookie baking, and woodwork making a quarter pipe. So much fun, with many varied and enriching pods to try!

21.01.2022 Some wonderful initiatives happening in Nigeria.

20.01.2022 The much loved Wheels afternoon happens on Wednesdays in Kinma Primary, which is also Free Choice time. Students can bring bikes, scooters, roller skates, skateboards, go-karts and more. There are ramps, tracks, new tricks, and much fun to be had!

19.01.2022 88% of graduates surveyed in a recent study believed 'soft skills' were necessary to their future career success and will give them an advantage in the workplace. These 'soft skills' are such an integral part of Kinma learning, including co-operation, collaboration, complex problem solving, critical thinking and creativity which these students 'nominated as being the most important to their careers.'

19.01.2022 Play is the highest form of research. (Albert Einstein) Kinma Preschool offers a play-based, child-centered curriculum in a nurturing and exciting learning environment. Set in 5 acres of bush in Terrey Hills we offer a place where play and imagination are central to our approach, with a wide range of activities available for children to choose from throughout the day. Watch this space for an upcoming Open Morning, or to find out more call 02 9450 0738. Vacancies available.... #kinma #kinmapreschool

19.01.2022 This week Group 1 (Years 1 and 2) took their history session out into the bush. Kinma's teacher Tom led the way with guitar in hand, followed by many voices joining in as they walked. They stopped at ‘Boat Rock’, and talked about the significance of this piece of land to the indigenous people living in this area, and how lucky we are to know of its importance. While here, Tom shared Gough Whitlam’s speech and Vincent’s reply. Many children commented on how it felt right to be sharing this important moment from history in the bush. Many also used this moment to put themselves in the place of the Gurindji people how they might have felt hearing these words.

19.01.2022 The themes for this term are well under way. Group 2 (years 3 and 4) are studying ancient Indigenous Australian, Greek and Egyptian cultures. The theme was revealed in an archaeological adventure, as we dug for clues to reveal the letters of 'cultures'. We then brainstormed to co-construct a definition of what a culture is and what its features are. We decided it would include government, beliefs and celebrations, language, art, architecture, work & environment. Each week we'...ll be exploring one of these cultural components across the three cultures, in a comparative case study across time and distance, to find the connections between the three and how we experience the world today in our current cultural position. This theme will provide a great opportunity to develop our critical minds as well as considering different perspectives, an important tool for areas such as teamwork, collaborative learning projects and conflict resolution. See more

18.01.2022 Our youngest Primary students have been busy working (and playing!) on a child-initiated collaborative engineering project in the sandpit. They've been digging and creating holes and tunnels with spades, tubes and water - exploring gravity, evaporation, water flows and dams along the way. It's been wonderful to see their excitement and play-based learning in action!

18.01.2022 Kinma is looking so pretty with Spring being almost here - this is what you can see from the road. Such a beautiful part of the world.

18.01.2022 Kinma is a place where children genuinely love to learn, where they acquire values and skills that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.

18.01.2022 It’s great to see another school doing things similar to Kinma, including no bells, no uniform, no homework (unless a student asks for it!), calling teachers by their first name, no assemblies or merit awards. This one goes beyond year 6 which has meant some of our alumni have been able to attend, continuing their non- traditional style of learning after Kinma.

17.01.2022 Preschool have been enjoying much 'Time out of the Gate' lately. This term was coined by author Claire Warden who advocates for being in and learning through Nature. Set in 5 acres of bush on the edge of the Garigal National Park, this allows our Preschool children to get out and about on bushwalks, to have a splash at the creek, jump off rocks, to make and strengthen social connections, learning about nature and respect for our environment at the same time. As we welcome parents back into Kinma this is one of the lovely activities where we invite parents to be involved. For more information about Kinma Preschool or to book a tour, contact [email protected].

15.01.2022 Active, unstructured play outdoors gives kids time to innovate, think, reflect, and just be alone with their thoughts. It also gives children a healthy way to work through their fears, feelings, and understanding of this pandemic.

14.01.2022 We’ve had two regular visitors sitting in this gum tree at the heart of Kinma, enjoying the crisp autumnal mornings and warm afternoons.

14.01.2022 And so Kinmas land comes to the end of its rest this long weekend, following the full time return of our students two weeks ago. Were looking forward to seeing everyone back again tomorrow.

14.01.2022 The Spring-like weather has been allowing for outdoor learning this week, yesterday it was reading for Group 2 (years 3 and 4). It was happening up in trees, in a recently built tree house, on the pathways, and even on the swings.

13.01.2022 It’s lovely to see Kinma quoted here and to read about other schools with similar practices.

13.01.2022 Group 2 (years 2 and 3) have been continuing their explorations into meandering patterns by collaborating to create Zen gardens at Kinma. The sandpits were converted into peaceful places for pondering, with everyone contributing to the design and creation of their gardens. #kinma #learningthroughplay

12.01.2022 With the sad news of Sir Ken Robinsons death it seems fitting to re-share one of his wonderful TED talks. Do Schools Kill Creativity? Long may his words continue to inspire many.

12.01.2022 One of the many beautiful aspects of Kinma is the relationships and connections between our older and younger students. Our Pre-highs, who will leave Kinma at the end of this year and go on to high school, take turns to spend time in the classroom with our youngest students, helping them with writing, reading, outdoor activities and any adhoc projects happening at the time. These Pre-high visits have been so warmly and enthusiastically embraced by all. It's beautiful to witness the fluid exchange of knowledge, trust and friendship between the Pre-highs and younger students.

11.01.2022 Just another reason why play is so important!

11.01.2022 School Tour/Open Afternoon cancelled for this Saturday 18th July. Although we are unable to offer any School Tours or Open events for the foreseeable future, were still taking enquiries and can add your name to the future visitors list. Well then let everyone know when were opening up again. If youd like to be on the list, give us a call on 02 9450 0738. ... #kinma #staysafeeveryone

11.01.2022 Group 4 scientists have been busy, experimenting and investigating sound waves and good vibrations through different ways of communicating. Today it was telephones they'd created using cups, string and paper clips. #kinma #youngscientists

11.01.2022 A great article on the importance of play for children, by Maggie Dent. "The child who has restricted opportunities for play is like a fruit tree which is planted in a small pot and therefore cannot bear good fruit." Friedrich Frobel, Educator

10.01.2022 We had an extra student with us today who visited us from the bush! This stunning 1.5m lace monitor crept past Admin at going home time and was quite a delightful sight.

09.01.2022 The first part sounds like Kinma Preschool and Primary!

09.01.2022 Our Year K students (Group 4) are loving their Movement mornings 3 times a week, which alternate with 'book boxes', a time when they read from books they've chosen from the library. In this half hour movement session they do obstacle courses (designed by both teachers and students), skipping, hula-hooping acrobatics, ball skills and impromptu activities such as tug-a-war (with a runaway skipping rope!). This builds confidence and resilience, expands on and improves gross motor skills, and builds positive relationships with each other in a fun and non-competitive environment. With some background tunes blaring, the Group 4's energy is supercharged!

08.01.2022 The Kinma Preschool garden is bursting into life! If you would like to book a socially distanced visit please call the office on 9450 0738.

08.01.2022 Many a Kinma Preschool and Primary day has begun with time on the swings. It also continues during morning tea and lunch, and sometimes develops into acrobatics with landings on gym mattresses.

08.01.2022 This is the serenity and beauty which greets our students when they arrive at Kinma in the mornings. We are very grateful for the land and all of our surrounds.

07.01.2022 What if these were the outcomes of what our children have been through, and as some still are.

07.01.2022 One of the Tinkering pods we had yesterday was a Skatrboard skills pod with teacher Tom. A great place to practice balance, movement, turn taking, listening, safely navigating obstacles and having lots of fun in the process!

07.01.2022 Our year 5 and 6 students in Group 3 have been loving their Surf Safe lessons. They’ve been practicing swimming, life saving skills, learning how to identify rips in the ocean and on the last lesson - using foam surf skis to have a play in the surf! We’re so lucky to be close to beautiful beaches to offer this learning opportunity. Big thanks to Surf Life Saving Northern Beaches! #kinma #kinmaprimary

06.01.2022 For our youngest students in their first year of Kinma Primary, Maths and Literacy are embedded in many of the activities of the day. Literacy is explored through poetry, rhyming, reading a book, sharing, listening to a story, investigating, experimenting, singing, dancing, role play, craft and art, while Literacy stations, both independent and teacher facilitated, allow us to practise our skills and pursue our interests. Maths is everywhere and the children are keen mathemat...icians! An example of number sense exploration is through ‘Nuzzles’ sessions, a selection of activity and games stations, and looking at 2D shapes through shape hunts and theme based artworks. Throughout these sessions creative and critical skills are applied to open ended maths investigations based on the theme of the term as well as student interests. The theme this term was 'Saltwater', offering opportunities for sharing our own personal stories and connection to the sea, as well as learning about the cultural perspectives of Saltwater people within Australia and overseas. For more information about learning at Kinma or to book a tour, contact us via [email protected]

06.01.2022 Nurture, Empathy, Kindness - the BIG three "It is vital that when educating our children's brains we do not neglect to educate their hearts." The 14th Dalai Lam...a Thanks to the neuroscientists and the neurocardiologists we now know for sure that the big three - nurture, empathy and kindness - are actions that have their genesis in our intentions, and in the CONNECTION between our Heart and Brain. Each of us can reach our optimum potential when we are able to access the (measurable) state known as 'heart coherence'. As the Dalai Lama notes, it is vital we enable children to grow a working connection between their Heart and their Brain. That requires that the Heart becomes a central part in all we do and say. It can't be that hard - all we need to begin is the intention. #parentingforapeacefulworld #hearttoheartparenting #empathyisasuperpower #empathyisagift #nurtureisournature #educatetheheart #educatetheheartandthemind

05.01.2022 A reminder that Our Open Afternoon is cancelled for today. Please call 9450 0738 during school hours for further information on School Tours.

04.01.2022 This first critical period of brain development begins around age 2 and concludes around age 7. It provides a prime opportunity to lay the foundation for a holistic education for children. Four ways to maximize this critical period include encouraging a love of learning, focusing on breadth instead of depth, paying attention to emotional intelligence, and not treating young childrens education as merely a precursor to real learning.

03.01.2022 The Green School in Bali has some wonderful educational and environmental initiatives happening, making it a school for now.

02.01.2022 As the sun comes out after all the rain, the day opens up to endless possibilities of problem solving and adventures through play. #kinma

02.01.2022 Its great to see others moving towards a more progressive and relevant way of reporting. There is current media reporting on the importance of student assessment returning to school from home learning. Kinma comes from a place of relationship, understanding and knowing each child then we build upon our picture with both formal and informal assessments and collegial discussions, to more fully understand the childs learning and identify areas of growth. Assessment at Kinma... takes many forms and occurs at a variety of times so as to gather more comprehensive data. There are two main types of assessment formative and summative. Formative assessment takes place during the learning journey. Some examples include observations, questioning, discussion, journal, projects, running records, mathematical skills, conferencing and so on. Teachers use this to guide their programming and help inform preferred learning styles and areas requiring development or extension. Reports, which are generally considered to be a form of summative assessment, are done twice yearly. These include observations about each childs social and emotional development. In addition to this, as advised by the Education Department, there is a focus on literacy and numeracy skills, attitudes and experiences.

01.01.2022 Our mandarin tree at Preschool continues to provide delicious fruit and opportunities for learning. After picking a mandarin each, children have been peeling them and adding the peel to some vinegar for soaking. Part of our Preschool Quality Improvement Plan is to introduce natural and home-made cleaning products where possible. This mandarin cleaner can be used for: *removing glue from the craft table, *deterring ants and cockroaches, *cleaning ovens (combined with baking so...da, soaked together on a dirty oven for 20 minutes then wiped), and *as an all purpose cleaner. RECIPE: ^ fill a jar with mandarin or other citrus peel ^ when full, add white vinegar to cover the peel ^ leave for 2 weeks, shaking occasionally ^ strain mixture into a bowl ^ measure 1 cup of mandarin solution to 1 cup of water ^ pour into spray bottle ready for use. This can also be used as a salad dressing by combining equal parts citrus vinegar and oil, a dash of salt & pepper. Whisk thoroughly & enjoy!

01.01.2022 As part of their Survival theme in Term 1, Group 2 (years 3 and 4) experienced a morning of bush survival skills - shelter building, fire making, orienteering, native insects, animals and plants for bush tools, tucker and medicine. Collaboration, creativity and co-operation ensured the successful building of some shelters. It also included some temporary relocation of creatures: I’m just doing house removal for this guy one Group 2'er shared as he carefully removed a millipede from a log that he wanted to use. So much fun with outdoor learning of applicable knowledge and skills!

01.01.2022 As we begin a new year, we are even more aware of how important the social and emotional wellbeing is of children after a tumultuous 2020 and most recent weeks of restrictions. At Kinma your child’s social and emotional health is as important to us as their academic success. Play, discovery and imagination are integral to our approach - through our play-based curriculum, children develop self-motivation and the ability to make their own choices. At Kinma Preschool we provid...e a warm, nurturing, friendly, relaxed, exciting and secure environment where children are safe to be themselves. Children can choose to participate in a wide range of activities during the Preschool day. Vacancies are available. At Kinma Primary we offer an education where each child is celebrated, and where learning is meaningful and holistic. The three R's - respect, relationships and responsibility - are the building blocks of our educational philosophy, where children become flexible thinkers and independent, self-directed learners in a non-competitive environment, developing a life-long love of learning. For more information or to apply for a place, email [email protected]. You can also visit our website https://www.kinma.nsw.edu.au/