MINI NEWS No. 10 20th August, 2020

From the Principal:

All throughout this year, we have been working on our 3 identified improvement targets. I talk to the children about them each week on assembly, and would like to share them with you also. They are:

1. Improving Arts and HPE within the Australian Curriculum;

2. Improving our use of formative assessment to inform children’s next steps in learning;

3. To improve children’s engagement and learning through STEM.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) is identified as one of the key areas of learning schools across the state need to be focussing on to ensure that we’re preparing children for a world of work which will rely on them having good technology skills, and ability to work with Maths and Science with a view to being able to think critically and creatively to solve the real-life problems and situations which they will be faced with in their daily working lives. The Science, Technology and Maths elements of STEM are what children already learn through the Australian Curriculum, so not a lot of change there. What we are currently exploring as staff is how we engage the children in their learning and enhance their critical and creative thinking skills. I look forward to

sharing the children’s learning in this area with you as the year progresses.

In addition to our on-going daily business of getting the best outcomes for our children, we’ve also got lots of exciting end-of-term type activities happening over the next few weeks. Unfortunately, COVID precautions mean that our community can’t get involved as much as we would like.

Next week, we start swimming with our Preps– Year 2s on Mondays and Fridays. Parents won’t be able to attend the lessons, but please make sure you send your children along with their swimming gear on the appropriate day. We also need payments and permissions made, so if you haven’t had a chance to return yours yet, please do so as soon as possible. We’d hate for any children to miss out on these life-saving lessons.

We’ve got Healthy Harold from Life Education coming for a visit next week also. Unfortunately, they can’t use the van due to social distancing, but they’ll still be delivering their high-quality health curriculum in our own library. Once again, permission forms and money is required for children to attend these lessons.

I often get parents asking what they can do to enhance children’s learning. The most important thing you can do is to make sure your children attend school every day they aren’t too sick to do so. We can’t have children attend if they are ill at all, but otherwise, please make sure you send your children every day.

Regards, Jamie Feeney

Merit Badges Next week we will be presenting merit badges to our students in Prep – Year 2 who have consistently demonstrated a high standard of behaviour across all contexts within our school – within their classroom, in all specialist lessons, at eating time, during playtime and at pick up. Badges for students in years 3- 6 will be presented on assembly on the following week. Unfortunately due to COVID restrictions we are unable to invite parents to these assemblies, and therefore texts have not been sent home. It will be a lovely surprise for your child to come home and report to you if they have received a badge. The criteria are provided to children so they can work towards achieving their badge over the year and the criteria are also available on our website. Badges differ for each year level as shown below. Badge Awarded

Junior School

One badge only for the year level can be awarded to the student. All eligible students in the

year level are awarded the appropriate badge for that year level.

Senior School

Students must earn each badge in order. For example a silver badge cannot be awarded until

a bronze badge is earnt, regardless of the year level of the student.

More than one badge may be earnt in a year but a student may not progress beyond the

badge allocated for that year level.

Aims of our merit badge policy:

Promote positive and responsible behaviour among students.

Recognise and reward students who consistently demonstrate positive and responsible

behaviour.

Promote positive culture within our school.

Life Education

Next week Harrold, our favourite giraffe will be visiting our school. Each class will

have one lesson with Harrold. Life Education supports our school Health Program,

empowering children to make healthy and safe choices around friendships, food,

online platforms.

Within the Life Education website, are a number of resources which you may find

useful as parents -

Finding Happiness with The Resilience Project’s Hugh van Cuylenburg

For most Australians, 2020 has been a year like no other – the global COVID-19 pandemic exacting a huge emotional and mental toll on families everywhere. Working with teachers and parents to build children ’s physical, social and emotional well-being is a big focus of Life Education ’s work, which is why we reached out to Hugh van Cuylenburg, creator of The Resilience Project, for our latest Life Education Podcast for parents.

Junior School Senior School

Prep Red Year 3 Bronze

Year 1 Blue Year 4 Silver

Year 2 Green Year 5 Gold

Year 6 Senior Merit

The Resilience Project Hugh is passionate about improving mental health and wellbeing. While volunteer teaching in northern India, he made a life-changing realisation: despite the underprivileged community the children were from, they were remarkably positive. In contrast, back in Australia, Hugh knew that all too many people found it hard to be happy, or suffered from mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. Hugh recognised that what the Indian children lacked in material wealth they made up for in other ways, displaying an abundance of gratitude, empathy and mindfulness. That realisation, and Hugh’s studies in resilience and wellbeing led to the birth of The Resilience Project which is now delivered in hundreds of schools across Australia; has been embraced by corporate groups: and is seen as a game-changer for the nation’s top sporting codes. Listen Now! Wisdom and insight With humour and wisdom, Hugh shares some of his strategies for happiness as a guest on the Life Education Podcast for parents. He explains how the GEM principle – gratitude, empathy, and mindfulness can change our approach to everyday challenges, and he talks about three things that instantly shift our mood. Hugh’s clear insight, humour and wisdom have helped thousands find the tools for a happier life and are useful for any parent and teacher trying to build stronger more resilient kids and improve their own wellbeing in the process. Wendy Ross Deputy Principal

A NOTE FROM YOUR

SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHER

School photos are almost upon us again! The school has engaged MSP Photography to create our school

records this year and you are invited to purchase prints of your child.

On photo day, every student will be photographed regardless of whether you are purchasing or not.

Your child will bring home a personalised order envelope from the photographers. Please take care to

read and follow all the instructions carefully. This will ensure your order is processed smoothly and

efficiently and will help you to avoid any late fees.

You will have the option to order online or with cash in your student’s envelope. Please take care to

follow the instructions carefully.

Additional order envelopes are available from the school office for separated parents, blended families

and grandparents. You will need to collect these on or before photo day and give it to the

photographer on photo day. Be sure to write “Mum’s order” or “Dad’s order” on top of your envelope.

COVID 19 NOTICE

Due to the current social distancing health directive proscribed by law, school

photographers are obligated to social distance from all students, school staff and

parents whilst visiting your school. This is a hard and fast rule that we cannot break or

bend. As a result of this requirement, it means that we have had to remove any

traditional group photos (including sibling photos) from our offerings until such time as

social distancing requirements are lifted.

We are truly sorry for any disappointment that this causes and appreciate your

understanding that these circumstances are outside of our control.

As school staff are unable to help with photography enquiries or payments, please direct your questions

and comments directly to MSP Photography by phoning

4921 3355 or to schoolphotos.cq@msp.com.au

Thank you for working with us through these unusual times and we look forward to a great photo day.

Keep smiling!!!

SCHOOL PHOTO DAY

IS:

WEDNESDAY,

9 SEPTEMBER