The Heart of Everything We Do
At Kinma, community is at the heart of everything we do. We believe that children thrive when surrounded by strong, supportive relationships—between families, educators, and peers. Our community extends beyond the classroom, creating a village where people know each other, care for one another, and grow together. Whether it’s a Working Bee, a shared meal, a festival, or simply a chat at drop-off, connection is woven into daily life. Everyone is welcomed, valued, and encouraged to bring their whole selves to our shared journey.
Kinma hosts a range of different activities for the community throughout the year, some of which have become mainstays of the Kinma culture, including our annual Bush Dance, creativity festival, kids Christmas markets and progressive lunch.
We encourage our parent community to come and join us in the classroom, on excursions, at events, learning forums, or in the playground to be involved in the children’s learning for as little or as much as they would like. There are so many ways for parents to be involved at Kinma!
Kinma provides children with a strong academic, emotional, and social foundation. Along with the important basic skills, Kinma children take with them a love of learning, a strong sense of self, and well developed thinking and communication skills. See where they are now.
Events
We foster a vibrant community where children actively participate in a variety of engaging activities throughout the year. The whole community gets involved in these events, and they bring a lovely social connection within the community.
Some of the highlights are the Bush dance and Progressive Lunches. Then there is the Creativity Festival showcasing the children’s talents through drama, art and music, along with the Children’s End of Year Market and tinkering days.
These activities not only enhance the children’s learning experiences but also strengthen the bonds within the Kinma community, making it a place where children thrive through active participation and collaboration.
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Snack Attack
Every Wednesday, parent volunteers cook up a fun, delicious lunch for the kids. It’s a highlight ofthe week — children love seeing their parents in the kitchen, and it’s a great way for families toconnect.
Tinkering
Parents and children team up to run creative, hands-on workshops — from puppet-makingto pottery, cooking, sewing, and science fun. It’s all about sharing skills, sparking joy, andgiving kids ownership in learning and teaching together.
Bush Dance
Every year in the cooler months we host our annual bush dance – a much loved custom at Kinma.Our community members get involved and bring everything together (including their musicaltalents) for this wonderful celebration of food, music, bush dancing and fireside chats.
Community Planning Day
The Commmunity Planning Day is the annual event run by the Kinma Board to share the vision, strategy and direction of the school.
An opportunity for the folk who hold our school’s governance, financial, strategic, and risk decisions to directly connect with our school’s community.
Progressive Lunch
The children invite the parents to Kinma for a Progressive Lunch each year. Each class plans a dish to serve and all the children are involved in preparing and serving their meal to the adults. The lunch begins in the Preschool with apéritifs then moves to the Primary for entree, main and dessert. Yum!
Children’s Market Day
Every year our school bursts into life with the vibrant and much-anticipated Children’s Market Day! This exciting event gives students the chance to become mini-entrepreneurs—setting up their own stalls, selling handmade goods, toys, books, or even offering fun and creative services.
It’s a lively, hands-on experience where kids build confidence, practice money-handling, and learn the art of customer service—all while having a blast.
Creativity Festival
The Creativity Festival is a reimagining of our beloved Poetry Festival, re-imagined to celebrate the many ways children express their creativity.
Throughout the third term, children create works like plays, group art, dance, sculpture, debates, and theme-based projects. These are brought together in a festival-style showcase where families move through the spaces, experiencing the children’s creativity, collaboration, and voice.
Parent Involvement
At Kinma, families are at the heart of everything we do. We value the relationships between home and school, and we warmly invite you to be part of your child’s learning journey in whatever way suits you. Whether you have an hour to spare or a whole day, your time, energy, and presence enrich our school community.
From classroom help to community events, parent education to practical support, there are many ways to get involved. Every contribution—big or small—makes a difference.
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Opportunities to Participate
In the Classroom
- Spend time in Preschool or Primary—join the fun, help out, or just observe
- Support with reading, maths, or hands-on activities
- Share a skill or passion—music, gardening, sewing, storytelling, and more
- Volunteer as a class parent or buddy to help welcome new families
Out and About
- Join in on excursions—from local bushwalks to big city adventures
- Lend a hand on trips to museums, exhibitions, libraries, and more
At Home
- Sew cushions, cover books, wash dress-ups
- Help with little tasks like sorting craft supplies or cleaning learning materials
Around the School
- Sign up for Snack Attack—a favourite “canteen” cooked by parents and kids several times a term
- Add your name to the odd jobs list—every bit helps
- Tackle small organising jobs or bring in recycled materials for creative play
Building Community Together
Parent Education
Stay connected through:
- Learning Forums with guest speakers and rich discussions
- Information Sessions each term to hear what’s happening in class
- These are relaxed, informative gatherings—one parent per family is encouraged to attend, and sessions are offered at varied times to suit your schedule
School Life & Celebrations
We host events that bring our whole community together:
- Kinma Care (Working Bees) (once per term) – a chance to lend a hand and meet others
- Social events like the Creativity Festival, Disco, Progressive Lunch, Fundraising Nights, Bush Dance, Kids Market and Gratitude Festival
- Morning teas and spontaneous get-togethers that help build friendships and a strong sense of belonging
Governance & Direction
If you’d like a say in shaping Kinma’s future, consider:
- Joining the Kinma Board or a sub-committee
- Collaborating with staff on school policies and direction
Come As You Are
There’s no “right” way to get involved—just your willingness to connect. Whether it’s making snacks, joining a bushwalk, or having a chat at a morning tea, your presence adds something special. At Kinma, we grow together.
Kinma Alumni – Stay Connected
Once you’re part of Kinma, you’re always part of the community.
We are proud of our past students and the unique paths they’ve taken beyond Kinma—whether in the creative arts, sciences, entrepreneurship, trades, or social change.
Our alumni remain an important part of our extended family, and we love hearing where life has taken them.
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A Lifelong Connection
Kinma’s values of curiosity, independence, relationship and nature stay with our students long after they leave. Many of our alumni continue to visit, reconnect, and give back to the community:
Former students often return for visits, volunteering in the classrooms or sharing stories of high school and beyond with younger students. Alumni regularly pop in for special events or just stop by to walk the track, sit on the deck, and reconnect.
Many families return year after year to take part in festivals, morning teas, and celebrations—keeping old friendships alive and forming new ones.
Alumni evenings are held where past students or parents come back to speak with current families about their transition, experiences, challenges and what they carried with them from Kinma. These nights are full of rich conversation, honest reflection, and encouragement.
We researched which high schools our students went to, how they experienced their transition to high school and what other educational and work choices they made. We also wanted to get an insight into students’ experiences while attending Kinma.
This research project has been completed. Please download the Life After Kinma alumni booklet.
50 Years of Kinma
In 2022, we celebrated 50 years of Kinma—a vibrant event that brought together current and past students, families, and staff. The celebration was filled with laughter, stories, music and memories spanning generations. Former students shared how Kinma helped shape who they are today, and the event was a beautiful reminder of the strong bonds that continue long after school days end.
“I still think about Kinma all the time. It gave me confidence to be myself and taught me how to really listen and care about others.”— Former student, now in high school
“The transition to high school wasn’t always easy, but I felt prepared in ways that mattered—how to speak up, work with others, and keep learning in my own way.”— Kinma alumni
Reach Out
We would love to hear from you! Whether you left Kinma recently or many years ago, your story is important to us.
You can:
- Share an update about what you’re up to
- Join us at alumni gatherings or events
- Offer to speak at a future event
