Junior School Bulletin Issue 14 / 17 October 2014
From the Head of Junior School Cultural Awards Last Friday night we had the opportunity to celebrate some outstanding talent at our Cultural Awards Evening. We were treated to live performances and slideshows of the Performing Arts Highlights for the year. One of the advantages of attending a P-12 College is seeing all of the talented students in the Middle and Senior Schools performing. It gives our Junior School students, who are extremely talented, the opportunity to see high level performances and gives them something to aim for. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of our award winners, and commend them on the effort and dedication they have shown to pursue their cultural endeavours.
Class Lists 2015 We are starting to put together the classes for 2015. The teachers will ensure that your child is placed into a class that will best meet their needs. If you have any specific requests for 2015, please complete this form attached to the link http://bit.ly/1rxIrHp All requests need to be submitted by Sunday 2 November. While all requests will be considered, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet your requests. New Prep Teacher 2015 We would like to welcome Jackie Brewster to our teaching team next year. Jackie has previously worked in London, Kooralbyn International School and is currently working at A.B. Paterson College. The values to which she espoused during the interview were the ones that we valued here at St Andrews. Her referees spoke very highly of her and she comes to us with a strong teaching pedagogy. I believe she will be a great addition to our Prep team next year. Presentation Night Presentation Night is an evening for celebrating the year, giving thanks to God for all he has done for us and acknowledging the fine achievements of our students. The Presentation Night theme for this year is: “Side by Side - Growing and Learning Together.” It will be held on Thursday 13th November at the Gold Coast Convention Centre and is a compulsory event for students in Years 4 – 12. It promises to be a wonderful night celebrating the achievements of our students and acknowledging the Year 6 students who are graduating into Middle School. Accreditation Today we went through the final process of our accreditation program to evaluate our programs with the Office of Non-State Schooling. For most of the year we have been meeting with experts in their field and showing them our policies, programs and procedures. This should be reassuring to you as parents that we have external bodies monitoring what we are doing to ensure that we are providing a quality education. This accreditation is part of a normal cycle of review. It is a rewarding experience reflecting on our practice as we continually look to improve the teaching and learning at St Andrews. Code of Conduct Each fortnight we are going to have a code of conduct or uniform focus. The aim is to remind the students what our expectations are here at St Andrews in a positive and sup-
portive manner. The next focus will be on Communicate Respectfully: • encourage and praise each other in a positive manner • use manners at all times by using words such as please, thank you and excuse me when we are trying to speak to teachers, adults or fellow students • listen to each other carefully and follow instructions given by teachers • sit quietly during Chapel or Assembly Darrin Schumacher Deputy Principal Head of Junior School
From the Deputy Head of Junior School (P - 3) It is hard to believe we are already well into the last term of the school year. This means we are beginning to plan lots of special events and functions that recognise and celebrate the individual journeys of our students in 2014. Students have developed at different rates and in different ways. At St Andrews we have an important focus on recognising that “Everyone is Someone.” Our College mission and values make it clear that we believe each person in the community is important, their worth attested by Christ and should be able to reach their potential: academically, spiritually, physically, culturally, socially and emotionally.
One of the saddest things I hear sometimes is a young child saying, “I can’t write” or “I can’t read.” We need to be looking for every opportunity to help students believe in themselves as successful learners. As staff in the Junior School this year we have been exploring what it means to have a “growth mindset.” There are a number of websites with articles that are also useful for parents. One I have recently read states: “As the school year winds down, many parents ask themselves what they can do to help their children’s school achievement. Most typically their thoughts will run to math drills or reading practice, but they should be considering something even more fundamental: their children’s beliefs. Research now shows that students’ beliefs …… play an important role in their school achievement, and that parents can influence the development of these beliefs. Students who believe their intelligence is simply a fixed trait fare more poorly, especially as school becomes more challenging, than students who believe their intellectual abilities can grow. When students are taught the growth-oriented view …. they show a rapid increase in their enjoyment of learning….”
As parents you play an important role in contributing to and affirming the successes of your students across the school year. Sometimes because we are so close to our own children we do not necessarily see the many “little successes” our youngest children have achieved. My encouragement at this time is to take a few moments to STOP and reflect on the “all-round growth” of your own little ones. Many could not tie their own shoelaces at the beginning of the year but, with lots of perseverance, they can now do it!! Their progress as “readers” has been amazing – remember to look for the skills that have improved and at the strategies they now use to work out a word they don’t know. Their enthusiasm to “write” is infectious and that enthusiasm and effort is what can be applauded and celebrated.
So in the days and weeks ahead focus more on praising your child’s efforts rather than their work, help them to believe in themselves as learners on a journey and show them you appreciate their choices, their persistence and the way they learn from any mistakes. When teachers and parents are working together to develop a growth mindset a new world opens up for our students. “More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts.” Romans 5:3-5 Joy Schloss Deputy Head of Junior School (P-3)
ELC News The ELC is progressing very well. We have a roof! The roof structure is all in place and the electrical fit off is in progress, each week the ELC continues to move one step closer. This week we held our 2nd Parent Information Evening on Thursday 16 October to discuss the day to day operations of the Early Learning Centre and a chance for families to connect with fellow members of the community.
“It’s all over now. You’re out of here!” One of the many things they are, is a reminder to us that we are in the presence of God everywhere and at all times. God blesses……… no qualifications. We just need the eyes to see him at work and know where to look in the circumstances of our lives. This old blessing points to where to look. Firstly: “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ”. The grace of Jesus is at work when someone has the humility to acknowledge the wrong that they have done to another and the pain and hurt they have caused. Also when their victim has the courage to say, even when it may involve risk, “Its OK. Let’s move on.” God is present. Secondly: “the love of God”. When we wake to a bird call in the morning and the air is crisp and fresh and it feels good to be alive. You say to yourself or to anyone who will listen: Say “What a glorious day!” God is good. Lastly: “the fellowship of the Holy Spirit”. When you drop the kids off at the College and you are recognized by some of the other parents and you know the kids are safe and secure and have a sense of belonging, someone is looking out for them. You arrive at work and are welcome with a smile from a colleague, you belong. God is in the belonging.
The uniform for the ELC has been confirmed and pre-orders are now being taken, this can be done by calling the uniform shop. The Enrolment process is continuing to progress very well with limited positions left to be offered to families on the waitlist.
Yes, this blessing means vastly more than this but it is good to be reminded that it is in the ordinary and the everyday in the things that make life sweeter and better that God is present. Pastor Terry Unger
Counselling Update A Parent’s Anti-Bubble-Wrap Manifesto Taken directly from http://tinabryson.com/a-parents-antibubble-wrap-manifesto/
Hearts, Mind and Hands will be a central focus of the Early Learning Centre encouraging children to use their hearts, challenge themselves and extend their knowledge and skills and use their hands to support others and help others.
Bubble-wrap is to protect things that are fragile, to cushion them so they don’t become damaged if they get jostled or banged around. Our kids are precious, but they’re not fragile. They’re not delicate.
Bronwyn Waters Director Early Learning Centre
Chaplains Chat “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13:14 These words, traditionally used at the end of worship and as part of dismissal are not just a religious way of saying:
When we bubble-wrap them and protect them from any injury, any distress, or any potential challenge, we actually make them more fragile. We communicate to them, “I don’t think you can handle this, and you need me to
shelter you.” In so doing, we deny them the privilege of the practice of feeling and sitting in discomfort and finding their way out, and of seeing that they are strong and resourceful. The more we bubble-wrap our kids, the more fragile they become. Want your children to believe that you believe in them? Want them to be resourceful and resilient? Want them to be able to develop a sturdy, robust bandwidth for tolerating challenges, and then rise to meet them? Want them to know that they are not victim to their emotions and their circumstances? Then let them feel. Let them wrestle with indecision, with discomfort, with discouragement and disappointment. Our job is not to rescue them from hard things and uncomfortable feelings. Our job is to walk with them through their difficult moments with connection and empathy, allowing them to feel, allowing them to be active participants in problem-solving, and allowing them to discover the depth of their own capacity. It’s out of our deep love for our children that we want to protect them, but their capacity will be greater, their spirit larger, if we allow that love to lead us to our own courage, so that we can feel strong enough to let them discover their own strength. Mardi Frost School Counselling Team
Art News Cultural Award Winners 2014 Congratulations to all students who received a Cultural Award at last Friday’s Cultural Awards Evening. Bronze Award Madyson Cloherty Georgie Hacker Tanah McLeod Brigette Newing Lilah Thurbon Shae Williams Sara Allan Luka-Belle Buckingham Jessie Hobbs Sophie Kenn Emily Martin Isabella McDonald Lani Caruana
Grace Catherwood Harrison Newing Clare Verschuure Jessica Wood Ryan Sergi Amber Clarke Sophia Dart Hallee Gardner Kalindi Porter Mariel U’Ren Bronte Good Mathilde Lambert Torin Mitchell
Silver Award Charlee Cosgriff Sienna Dalby Eliza Thorpe Sarah Yates
Callum Ahern Susan Cox Zoey Cheesman
Gold Award Isaac Thorpe
FOSTAA Junior – Mathilde Lambert
Mini Musos Program 2015 In preparation for the transition of The Mini Musos Beginner Band Program to Year 4 in 2016, next year we will be offering places to both Year 4 and Year 5 students. The Mini Musos Program is a wonderful introduction to your child’s musical journey. The Program includes weekly group tuition and an instrument. Students will also participate in the Mini Musos who rehearse on a Wednesday morning from 7.45am. From 2015 there will be a levy charged for the program of $100 which will be payable before receiving the instrument at the beginning of the year. The process of selection involves some theory and rhythmic testing (completed during regular Music Classes) and an afternoon recruitment session mid term, where classes will go up to the RBT, meet the PAT Staff and try the various instruments. PAT Staff will then make recommendations based on a child’s suitability for particular instruments. Places will then be offered via email later in the Term and must be accepted before the end of year, otherwise the place will go to another student. Any enquires regarding this program can be directed to Matt Pearson (Conductor) at mattp@salc.qld.edu.au or Cilla Scott (Head of Arts) at priscillas@salc.qld.edu.au Dance Night Come along and support our talented dance students across the College as they perform at our annual Dance Night. The performance will feature students from Junior and Senior Dance Troupes, Middle School Dance Excellence, Year 10 Dance, Year 11/12 Dance, Animi, PAT Dance, Dance Soloists and Singers. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Free entry and everyone is welcome! Friday 24th October (Week 3) 6:30 pm Ruth Butler Theatre Cilla Scott Head of Arts priscillas@salc.qld.edu.au
Dates to Remember October Monday 20 Moderation Day – Student Free Day Wednesday 22 Prep 2015 Orientation for Parents, MPH – 7.00pm Friday 24 Dance Showcase, Ruth Butler Theatre – 6.30pm Wednesday 29 Year 6 Exhibition Evening Thursday 30 Year 6 Exhibition Day Friday 31 Teddy Bears Picnic - Prep 2015
Sport News Congratulations to Matthew Gabriel. Matthew competed in Bendigo as a member of the U11 Queensland Futsal City School team. Matthew played extremely well and has been selected to be a part of the Australian 12s boys’ team which will be travelling to Malaysia next year. Matthew also went to USA in June to participate in the USA National Futsal Championships as part of the Australian National U11 Futsal Team. Andrew Manion Head of Sport andrewm@salc.qld.edu.au
Uniformshop News Can You Help Us? We urgently need volunteers to help at the counter of the Uniform Shop from 8am - 9am. It is a great way to meet new parents, serve and chat with your friends and get involved in our College community. If you would like to try it out or need more information please call Jacqui on 0412 904 520 or drop in and talk to us. We would love to see you. Did you know the Uniform Shop has spare buttons for most Uniform items and they are free! Jacqui Desfosses Uniform Shop Manager uniformshop@salc.qld.edu.au
P&F News The next meeting of the P & F will be the AGM to be held Wednesday 5 November at 7pm in the CRC. We welcome everyone from the College community to attend. All positions will be declared open, so if you wish to nominate for a position, contact Daniel Renneberg on 0409 729 676. If anyone has any suggestions or comments and cannot make the next meeting please email the P&F at pandf@salc.qld.edu.au. CAR BOOT SALE – Saturday 18 October – CANCELLED The Car Boot Sale has been cancelled due to lack of bookings. FETE 2015 We still need a convenor – please contact the P & F at fete@salc.qld.edu.au or call the P & F President Daniel Renneberg 0409 729 676 for further information if you are interested. If you were a Stall Convenor at the last Fete and are interested in running your stall again in 2015 could you please let us know by emailing the Fete email fete@salc.qld.edu.au Or if you have an idea for a stall for the Fete that you would like to run please contact us. Details will soon be available on the College website with a list of vacancies for stall holders and position descriptions. Please consider helping out the College’s biggest fundraiser, all the profits go directly back to the College. If you have anything you wish to discuss do not hesitate to contact a member of the P&F.
A HUGE THANK YOU To all families and friends who purchased an Entertainment Book from the College this year. We made a total of $1070.00 to go towards equipment for the College. Entertainment Book generously donated the following prizes for purchasing your book from St Andrews. Congratulations to the winners: Burleigh Town Tavern - $50.00 Voucher – Ashley C Crema Espresso - $25.00 voucher – Hayley B Putt Putt Golf – 4 Players Free Voucher – Kirsten A Putt Putt Golf – 4 Players Free Voucher – Kris A Yatala Twin Drive In – Double Pass – Steve C
President: Daniel Renneberg Vice President: Julieanne Andrews Treasurer: Michelle Brown Secretary: Nicole Ainger P & F Executive
Home Economincs News 2014 Save the Children Blanket Project After working through the winter months knitting and sewing we are happy to announce that 41 blankets have been delivered to Save the Children. They will ensure that each blanket makes its way to a young child or a mother caring for her baby. Once again this year I would like to thank all contributors for their generous support.
We are already preparing for our 2015 Save the Children campaign. Next year we will be working to assist young children from disadvantaged communities in Australia. As well as making blankets we will also be collecting handmade dolls, teddy bears and children’s scarves. 8 ply wool in colours that would appeal to a young child are needed to make these articles. Wool donations can be left at Junior School, Middle School or Senior School Administrations.
Toni Bartel Home Economics Department
Please see Jo Levey at the Junior Administration.
Friday 24th October 6:30 PM Ruth Butler Theatre
Featuring SS Troupes, JS Troupe, Dance Ex, Year 10 Dance, Year 11/12 Dance, Animi, Soloists and MORE!
INSIGHTS Building parent-school partnerships WORDS Michael Grose
The secret to raising happy, confident kids Despite what you may think, the fundamental job of the parent has not changed since the dawn of time. And it’s never too early to start.
The first habit from Stephen Covey’s wonderful book The 7 habits of highly effective people states that we should start every project or undertaking with the end in mind. This principle holds true for any activity whether it’s planting a vegie patch, renovating a house or raising children. When you know what you are trying to achieve then choosing the right strategies becomes easy. The end game or goal for parents is redundancy. Yep, you read it right. Your job is to make yourself redundant as a parent from your child’s earliest possible age. It always has been and always should be. When redundancy is your aim most of your time, effort and energy will go into promoting independence. You’ll stop doing things for kids and start giving them opportunities to do things themselves. You’ll spend most of your active parenting time teaching, explaining and prodding your child toward independence.
INDEPENDENCE LEADS TO THE 4 CS When independence becomes your priority, suddenly will reveal a pathway to the development of other positive qualities and traits in your children. These include the key four: confidence, competence, creativity and character. Here’s how:
Confidence comes from facing your fears and doing things for yourself. Competence comes from the opportunity to develop self-mastery that independence offers.
Creativity is developed when kids solve problems themselves as opposed to someone solving them on their behalf or, worse, sheltering them from any risk of harm.
It’s amazing how resourceful kids can be when they are given the chance to resolve their own problems.
Character, which is essential for success, is forged under hardship and is needed if kids are to live a sturdy life. Kids need to be exposed to disappointment, failure and conflict if character strengths such as grit and perseverance are to be forged.
INDEPENDENCE TAKES MANY FORMS Independence has many guises and can be developed in many ways, though in the end it is adults who are the gatekeepers for their children’s independence. On a basic level developing independence is about developing children’s autonomy. Without realising it, many parents make choices on their children’s behalf. Kids build self-confidence when they do things for themselves, and make their own decisions. Independence is built when children spend time in unpredictable circumstances and environments such as the bush, and also have the opportunity to navigate their neighbourhoods on their own. There may be some risk involved but that is where the learning lies. Eliminate the risk and you eliminate the learning. Allowing kids to follow their own impulses even if they are different to your own is the key to gaining independence. This may mean that your children choose healthy interests and pursuits that you are unfamiliar with, or even swim against the tide of your wishes. Allowing kids to take responsibility and own their own problems builds confidence and competence. Start by expecting kids to help at home. Look for ways to develop self-help skills and don’t take their problems on as your problems.
MANAGE VISUALLY When your end game is redundancy and your priority is independence building then managing your kids in a visual way becomes your most obvious strategy. Management by mouth, in contrast, is a dependency strategy. So talk less, use signs, lists and rosters backed up by consequences to develop independence and responsibility in your children.
CREATE JUNIOR VERSIONS OF INDEPENDENCE It can be scary and also difficult developing independence in one big step. So smart parents intuitively develop junior versions of independence by breaking up big activities into digestible bits. Want your three-year-old to make the bed? Then start by arranging the teddies and the pillows (a junior version of making the bed) and let them work their way up from there. Similarly, if you want your five-year-old to walk to school on his own but it’s currently beyond him, then accompany him most of the way and let him walk the last 200 metres on his own. That’s a junior version of walking to school. In all the noise and commotion about raising kids today it’s easy to forget that the job description for parents hasn’t changed since the dawn of time. Love them, bond with them, teach them and spend time with them. But also work like mad to develop their real independence so they become capable of handling what life will throw their way. Then you’ll know your job as a parent is done! It doesn’t mean you won’t stop worrying about them ... that’s a story for another time. But it does mean you’ve finished the main task of parenting, that is, to make yourself redundant at the earliest possible age.
e from Michael Grose. Join Stay one step ahead of your kids with great ideas & expert advic b.com.au. You’ll be so glad you did. Michael’s NEW Parentingideas Club today at parentingideasclu © 2014 Michael Grose
parentingideas.com.au