August Eucharist Parent MeeBng (7:00pm

The Pre-Kindergarten children are now a`ending a full day program every Tuesday.

The half-day program also conBnues each Thursday morning. Children who are three years of age can a`end this program. For further informaBon please contact Lucy at the school office on 92761769.

From My Readings

The following arBcle has some Bps about how talking assists children in their learning.

Talking to kids makes them smart

Michael Grose – ParenYng Ideas

The links between school achievement and parents’ ability to talk with kids from a young age are now well established.

The language sBmulaBon children receive when they talk with parents is one factor. But engagement in conversaBon with parents benefits kids in a far broader sense. In many ways it is through conversaBons that kids get a real sense of us as parents. It is through talking with kids that we impart some of our knowledge, ideas, wisdom and thoughts while also gaining access to a window into their worlds and the way they think.

In the current age of digital distracBon, talking with children and young people can be a challenge. Busy schedules, homes designed for individual enjoyment rather than group living, a plethora of screens compeBng for a`enBon and kids that clam up at the first sign of a chat are some of the conversaBon blockers parents must overcome.

You need to be cunning, proacBve and invenBve to get some chat going at home. These are some ideas that will help.

1. Turn screens off. Are you compeBng with televisions, computers and electronic games for your kids’ a`enBon? If so, take control of the screens to create some conversaBonal space. Start with a screen-free day each week or screen-free hour each day if you have a home full of young hard-core screen junkies.

2. Turn screens on. If you can’t beat them, join them.

Some television programs provide great conversaBonal fodder, parBcularly for older children and teens. Topics can range from “Who’s going to win My Kitchen Rules?” or “What happens to the winners of My Kitchen Rules?” to “What is the point of My Kitchen Rules?”

occasions – more than just refuelling stops. They provide terrific opportuniBes for families to get together and talk. It’s no coincidence that families who enjoy and appreciate food generally enjoy close relaBonships as well. However, for this to work it's important that meals are screen free, so turn off the television and ban phones at the table.

4.Move more. If sivng and chavng is not your child’s thing then try to get some acBon happening. Boys, in parBcular, tend to talk more when they are playing, walking or involved in acBvity with an adult.

5.Talk with kids on their own turf. Many children will open up in the privacy of their own bedroom where they tend to feel more relaxed and secure. If you have something important to discuss then choose a comfortable place and a Bme that promotes good conversaBon.

6. Try shoulder-to-shoulder parenYng. Travelling together in a car with the radio off, washing the dishes together or playing a game can all provide opportuniBes for talk. Paradoxically, many teenagers will talk more when they don’t have to concentrate or make eye contact with the other person. That’s why cars can be great conversaBon catalysts for parents.

Every family has their own way of gevng the talk happening. Figure out what works for you and make sure it happens. The best communicaBon in families happens when no one is working at it, however busy modern families need to work on their communicaBon rather than leave it to chance.

Prayer

Loving God, You are our help and strength, You shelter and surround us with your love So that we will always know your presence is with us Now and always. Amen

Have a lovely week,

Clare Moffat Principal

Assistant Principals' Corner

School Uniform

Just a reminder to all students that for health and hygiene reasons, hair that is shoulder length or longer needs to be Bed up with a navy blue or white ribbon or hair Bes. This applies to boys and girls.

iShow, iExplain, iLearnt (Learning Journeys)

Parent Teacher Online Learning Journeys will be held this Term for Kindergarten - Years 6 on 14 September, Monday of Week 9 from 3.30 – 6.00pm. The interview booking system will go live on the 26 August at 9.00am.

For these interviews we are conBnuing to use the internet-based booking system called Parent Teacher On-Line (PTO). It will save Bme for parents, staff and students! Using this system, you will be able to book the interview Bmes that suit you best from any internet-connected device. A computer will be available in the library during school hours if you do not have internet access at home or elsewhere.

Please access the system as follows:

• Click on the following link – hdps://www.infantjesus.wa.edu.au/pto/ • Click “Obtain PIN/Password” and enter your email address. Your PIN will be emailed to you.

This will email you your password to access PTO. Please note that the email address is the email address that you have provided as contact details with the school. • Full instrucBons are provided to you aber log in. Please note the following points: • When you log on, the system displays only your own child/children. Bookings are made for individual parents/guardians, not for couples. Couples can however log on to the system simultaneously to coordinate bookings. If two parents/guardians wish to a`end a single interview Bme slot, one parent/guardian should make the booking then both can a`end. • You will only see Bme slots that are available at the Bme you are using the system. As Bme slots are booked for teachers, those

Bme slots are no longer displayed as available. PTO prevents double-booking of teachers or parents/guardians. • When you have made all the bookings you require, you can download or email a report of your bookings in Bme order for prinBng.