Junior School Bulletin Issue 13 / 14 October 2016
Junior School News Welcome Back Welcome back to school for term 4 and I hope that you and your family were able to take some time to recharge the batteries. Term 4 is traditionally a very busy term and will fly by really quickly. There are lots of opportunities to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the year but it is important for students to stay focused on their studies right up until the last day of term. IB PYP Exhibition In Year 6, the students carry out an extended, in-depth, collaborative project. This is known as The Exhibition. The students have worked collaboratively on an inquiry of their choice around personal, physical, mental, social and spiritual health. They have developed a very deep understanding of their topic and presented their findings and action with the school community last Wednesday night. While we are very proud of their final outcome and it is great to celebrate their learning and action, the most important part of the exhibition is the journey that the students have undertaken and the process by which they have taken control of their own learning.
PYP Evaluation Later this term the Junior School will be evaluated by International Baccalaureate to assess ourselves against the standards and practices set down by the International Baccalaureate Organization (IB). The IB evaluates our achievements and ongoing initiatives and identify areas that could enhance the implementation of the IB Programme. The evaluation team will evaluate the evidence of our achievements and make suggestions on ways to continue to grow the programme. This ensures that the quality of the educational programme that is being delivered here at St Andrews Lutheran College continues to be of the highest calibre and is based on world class best practice for teaching and learning. Mufti Day 18 October – Cancer Awareness Next Tuesday 18 October will be our termly Mufti Day and we encourage the students to wear pink or yellow. This term the focus for the day and where the funds will be donated to is Cancer Awareness and Research. Please bring a gold coin donation. In addition some students have chosen to raise funds for a charity of their choice and will be conducting stalls in the bus shelter before school and during the first break. The stalls include: • • •
Cupcakes – funds going to cancer research Lollipops – funds going to cancer research Cupcakes – funds going to Ohana for Youth
If you would also like to support one of these causes, please send some extra coins with your children. Cultural Awards The Cultural Awards Night will be held on Wednesday 19 October beginning at 6:30pm in the MPH. Students will be recognised for their achievements in the Arts this year. A highlight of the night will be the many performances that are on display. We would love to see you there. Presentation Night The Junior School Presentation night will be held on Monday 28 November 2016 at 6:30 pm. This is a wonderful night celebrating the year at St Andrews and recognising the Year 6 students as they enter Middle School. We look forward to seeing all of the Years 4-6 students and their families at the MPH at this important event. Darrin Schumacher Head of Junior School
Chaplains Chat Psalm 104 Praise the Lord, my soul! O Lord, my God, how great you are! You are clothed with majesty and glory; you cover yourself with light. The last weekend before we came back to school was the ultimate ‘footy weekend’. Both the AFL and NRL finals were absolute crackerjack games. For those of us not quite up on AFL the Saturday game involved the Sydney Swans who were playing in their second grand final in three years, and the Western Bulldogs who hadn’t played in a Grand Final since 1961. This along with the fact that the Bulldogs have had a number of club crises down through the years that have seen the club nearly fold, meant that they were the team everyone was supporting except for Sydney supporters. Ultimately, the Bulldogs won magnificently after an incredibly tight, tough game, with only one point separating the teams with 11 minutes to play. Needless to say there was an incredible celebration at the full-time siren. The conduct of the Bulldogs coach brought further acclamation and praise from all who were watching as he gave his medal to the injured captain who hadn’t play since April. It was one of those great moments in sport. That evening I shared the devotional thought set down for October 1 with my younger son and it said this - “When your favourite team wins the championship you cheer, don’t you? Why? Because your team has beaten everyone else and deserves your applause. This is also why you should worship God. God is amazing and loves you no matter what, so he deserves your praise and worship. He doesn’t have to love you but he chooses to……”. (One minute devotions for Boys, Jayce O’Neal) It can be difficult to praise our God. At times it may seem He isn’t doing much, or He has gone missing but thankfully, as we look with eyes of faith we are blessed to see Him through all He does. We see how powerful and creative He is through the wonder of creation from the tiniest, ornate creatures to the grandeur of the universe. We experience His goodness and care as we are privileged to reside in relative safety in one of the most beautiful, liveable parts of the world. Most importantly, we see His great love for us through the life, death and resurrection of His Son Christ. This event displays God’s incomprehensible commitment to all of humanity. Even a small understanding of who God is and all He has done and continues to do leads us to respond in acclamation and celebration, just as some of us did on the weekend for our football champions. May all of us be blessed with the faith and understanding to praise the One from whom all goodness, beauty and love emanates. Graeme Schache Chaplain
From the Deputy Head of Junior School (P-3) Book Week is always an exciting time to celebrate the importance of READING – for everyone, but especially in the Early Years of schooling. Sharing a story or two at bedtime helps to build special memories… not only of the stories read but also of the enduring and nurturing relationship between parents and children. Numerous studies have shown that children who have been read to throughout childhood are more likely to do well in many aspects of formal education. The development of oral language, a rich vocabulary, basic speech skills, a vivid imagination and an understanding of the world around them provide the important foundations of learning and success at school. Recently our Prep and Year 1 students celebrated Book Week with a dress-up morning. Enjoy these photos… and keep reading!!!!!!
Japanese News Student Achievement Congratulations to Isabella Seymour in Year 5 who received 100% on the Level 1 Japanese exam from the Language Academy. This exam tested her ability to speak Japanese correctly and in the right context as well as her ability to write hiragana. Well done to Isabella on this outstanding result. Celebrating SHICHI GO SAN in the ELC Japanese children celebrate SHICHI GO SAN, the 7,5,3 festival. Children who are 3, 5 or 7 years old wear traditional Japanese kimono for this celebration. This week the children in the ELC enjoyed dressing up for the festival!
Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your word. Psalm 119:18 (NEV) Joy Schloss Deputy Head of Junior School
ELC News This term is going to fly by with lots of events and special occasions. Some important dates are: 16 October Laura Jean Photography session call Centre to book a time slot 8am – 12noon. $15.00 sitting. 26 October XPLOR Parent Information Evening 28 October Grandparents Day, 10am in the ELC 14 November Parent Orientation Evening for new families for 2017 1 December Children’s Celebration Ceremony Pre Prep 10am 6 December Junior Kindy Christmas Celebration 2.30pm Bronwyn Waters ELC Director
Sharon Taki Junior School Japanese
Year 3 News “The Best School Day Ever!” – Year 3 Sleepover The sleepover was non-stop fun! We played lots of games, viewed the moon through a telescope, ate popcorn during the movie, visited the Star Lab and had a scavenger hunt. It was so cool to learn about the stars and planets. Getting to sleep was a bit hard with all the snoring but we loved sleeping in the classrooms! It was definitely the BEST school day ever! - From 3B On the Year 3 Sleepover my favourite thing was the activities in the hall. One of the things was tug-o-war, the parents helped. It was so much fun. Also we had free time, I had enjoyed the sleepover so far, then we brushed our teeth and went to bed. Then we had breakfast. A couple of hours later we watched a movie and went home. I really enjoyed my time. - Satine Cox-Gatty
Performing Arts News Gold Coast Eisteddfod Congratulations to the following students who achieved great results at the Gold Coast Eisteddfod held at the Robina Community Centre. It was lovely to see the St Andrews Drama students up on stage performing with such confidence and ability. They demonstrated great skill and a winning attitude on and off stage. Year 4 Scarlett Thorpe, Solo Humorous Poem = First Sam Butterworth, Solo Humorous Poem = VHC Year 6 Brigette Newing and Poppy Warner, Duo Mime = Second Eliza Thorpe and Hayley Luxton, Solo Humorous Poem = VHC Eliza Thorpe, Individual Drama = VHC
Year 3 Sleepover was the best. My favourite thing was when we got to go into the Sky Dome. Also I liked seeing all the stars at night and the best thing was that we got to stay up late. I also liked the sausage sizzle and the scavenger hunt. When we did the activities in the hall we did tug-o-war and parachute. We got to have some free time in the hall with the bouncy balls. It was one of the most fun events at school that I’ve ever had. - Cody Yeates Terese Sheers Year 3 Teacher
JS Concert Band This term our Mini Musos have joined forces with our current JS Concert Band to create a 35 piece band - whose debut performance will be at the Junior School Presentation Night at the end of Term. The group rehearses Thursday mornings from 7.30am in the Music Demountable, conducted by Ms Julie Whiting. Their first rehearsal was a wonderful session where they played their first piece - We Will Rock You. We are really excited about this group and can’t wait for their debut at the end of Term.
handbags, luggage (especially vintage), ties, scarves, beads and costume jewellery are also welcome. Any donations can be taken to Junior School, Middle School or Senior School Administrations marked ‘Attention: Cilla Scott’. Dance Night What a fantastic night of dance! The talented dance students across Junior, Middle and Senior School performed at the College’s annual Dance Night held at Robina Community Centre. It was incredible to see over 150 dance students performing on stage to a full house. The students worked tirelessly throughout the year and showcased some of their award winning eisteddfod routines and class repertoire. From top hat and tails to pointe shoes and tutus, the dancers performed in all styles and genres of dance. It was a wonderful night had by all. Congratulations to everyone involved.
End of Year Concerts As we approach the time of year where we celebrate and showcase our PAT students, we are trialling a new model in PAT Speech and Drama and Vocal in the Junior School with these students performing as part of a First Break Concert Series. Vocal Thursday 17, Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 November (Performers List to be advised by PAT Tutors) Cultural Awards - Wednesday 19 October 6.30pm Awardees to be seated by 6.15pm. Performers to be in their allocated areas by 6.15pm.
Speech and Drama Wednesday 23 November (Years 1 and 2) Friday 25 November (Year 3).
This evening is the highlight of the Arts Calendar and a celebration of the year and an opportunity to recognise individual student achievement. We hope you can join us.
The idea is to reduce the overall length of our End of Year Concerts - but also to give some of our younger performers a chance to shine and be featured in a series of shorter more informal concerts.
Costume Drive The Drama Department are starting to replenish our wardrobe and are asking for your help. We are looking for clothing that is either period or occupation specific eg that bridesmaid’s dress from the 90s or formal dress from the 80s, nursing scrubs or army fatigues - anything that a student won’t generally find in their own wardrobe. Accessories -
Emails regarding these concerts will be sent home in the coming weeks and we of course welcome your feedback after the event. Cilla Scott Head of Arts
Sport News Track and Field St Andrews has had 5 students selected to represent our College and School Sport South Coast at the State Track and Field Championships in late October. Our qualified athletes are: Ethan Read (800m) Satine Masiar (Long Jump, 100m) Jack Read (1500m) Shelby Walter (800m) Katie Hayward (5000m Race Walk) We wish them all the best at the State Championships. Mini Olympics Our Year 6 Active School Leaders conducted the Annual P-3 Mini Olympics on Wednesday 14 September. All of our ‘Mini Athletes’ had a great day participating in a wide variety of activities ranging from Sprints to Egg and Spoon races. Once again the Year 6 Active School Leaders did an outstanding job on the day. It was great to have a representative from Queensland Cricket here to assit and be able to use the Gold Coast Titans inflatable pass target. Thanks to all the families and friends who came along and supported the children.
Cheerleading On Saturday 10 September, five Year 2 girls from St Andrews competed at the State Cheerleading Titles and won their competition. They compete with Mega Cheer and are now off to compete at the Nationals. Congratulations to: Ashleigh Crawford Tilly Radley Anais Audsley Indi Dore Leah Brown Tennis St Andrews has had some students representing the Burleigh Heads Tennis Club in the Gold Coast Tennis winter season during 2016. Dylan Franklin-Platt and his team won the finals for Section 7. Aimee Franklin-Platt, Mitchell Brace and Atlanta Horan made the semi-finals of Green Ball 2. Angus Slater and his team made the semi-finals of Green Ball 1. Hamish Slater, Cody Yeates and their team made the semifinals Green Ball 2. Well done to all of our Tennis Players. Andrew Manion PSPE Teacher Junior Sport Coordinator Hinterland District Sport Coordinator
OSHC News Last term and throughout Vacation Care the children began working on their very own OSHC Family Tree. Many of the children brought in their favourite family photo which is now proudly displayed in our activities room. This has been a real talking point and given the children and the educators a chance to get to know each other a little better. We had a fabulous Vacation Care program these September holidays that saw the children: ride their wheels, touch and learn about reptiles, visit the Cinemas and Abrikidazzle Indoor Play Centre, plant trees and enjoy a sausage sizzle at Schuster Park, practice meditation/yoga and laugh hysterically while we played Bubble Soccer. During our excursions the children were a credit to the College and conducted themselves beautifully. We also have our family fun afternoon booked for Saturday 12 November 4pm. This will be held at AMF Bowling in Robina. Please advise the OSHC staff if you would like to attend, the more the merrier. Lucya Pierce OSHC Service Leader
Dates to Remember Monday 17 Student Free Day Tuesday 18 Mufti Day – Cancer Awareness, wear pink and/or yellow – gold coin donation Chapel, Worship Centre – 1.40pm Wednesday 19 Cultural Awards Evening, Multi Purpose Hall – 6.15pm Tuesday 25 Prep Little Green Thumbs Incursion Chapel, Worship Centre – 1.40pm Wednesday 26 Junior School Chess Tournament – Emmanuel College
P & F News Community Event Postponed Community event on Friday 28 October on the Village Green has been POSTPONED. Farewell Afternoon Tea - Monday 21 November A farewell afternoon tea for Mr Kotzur will be held on Monday 21 November 3.30-5.00pm on the deck near the Tuckshop. Parents and friends from the College are invited join us all to wish Mr Kotzur all the best for his future and to thank him for his leadership and contribution to St Andrews. St Andrews Fete will be held 20 May 2017 We will require volunteers to help coordinate and make the fete a success. Please send through your contact details and any information which will help us to pandf@salc.qld.edu.au Father’s Day Stall The Father’s Day stall was another huge success raising $1300. Special thanks has to go to Nicole Ainger for her efforts in organising the gifts and stall on the mornings leading up to Father’s Day. Funding Allocation Funding was allocated to the Junior School Library for Virtual Reality Goggles. As well, money was allocated to inspirational flags to be erected in the area between the Early Learning Centre down to Prep and across to the Multi Purpose Hall. The Tuckshop was allocated funding for a mobile coffee machine. P & F Commitee
Wild after School Art Classes
LEARN TO CREATE, DRAW AND PAINT..... Use your imagination, it’s fun for everyone! Monday 3:00pm - 4:30pm - Meet Outside Room B12 Most art materials are supplied, expert tuition artist/teacher and free snacks supplied. Cost: Available on request Don’t miss out, Book Now! Text/Call - 0402 328 987 or 5577 3293 after 7pm
3.30-5pm on the deck near the Tuckshop
Parents and friends from the College are invited to join us to wish our College Principal Tim Kotzur all the best for his future and thank him for his contribution to St Andrews
Monday 21 November 2016
Farewell Afternoon Tea
INSIGHTS Building parent-school partnerships WORDS Michael Grose
Teach kids to solve problems
When parents solve all children’s problems we not only increase their dependency on adults but we teach them to be afraid of making mistakes. That’s fertile ground for anxiousness and perfectionism, which often go hand in hand. Of course, if you keeping solving them, they’ll keep bringing them. “Mum, my sister is annoying me?” “Dad, can you ask my teacher to pick me for the team?” “Hey, I can’t find my socks!” It’s tempting if you are in a timepoor family to simply jump in and help kids out. Alternatively, you can take a problem-solving approach, cuing them to resolve their own problems and take responsibility for their concerns. “What can you do to make her stop annoying you?” “What’s the best approach to take with your teacher?” “Socks, smocks! Where might they be?”
Here are 5 questions you can ask kids to encourage them to resolve their own problems:
4 “How would you like me to help?”
1 “Can you solve this yourself?”
5 “What’s the best way to do this?”
Get kids thinking they can do it.
2 “What do you think needs to happen?” Start kids thinking about solving problems.
3 “What’s the first step?” Sometimes just getting kids started is enough to get them working out issues themselves.
Get kids considering the type of assistance they need.
Get kids assessing and prioritising. Problem-solving is one of the four major skills (optimism, social skills & independence being the others) that resilient kids share, yet it’s the one that many of us aren’t equipped to develop. Start by stepping back and asking good questions when kids bring you their problems to solve.
Michael Grose
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© 2016 Michael Grose