Junior School Bulletin Issue 5 / 22 April 2016
Junior School News The Little Mermaid Jr Congratulations to all involved with the production of the “The Little Mermaid Jr.� I was fortunate enough to be sitting in the audience with my family and we all enjoyed a fun, entertaining and very professional performance. Every part of the musical was of the highest calibre, from the singing, dancing and acting through to the sets, costumes, lighting and sound.
Welcome Back Welcome back to the start of another school term. I hope that you and your family were able to enjoy some quality time together. Things have continued to be very busy over the holidays with a number of projects completed. Underneath the stairs in the MPH we have had some artificial turf installed. The students have enjoyed sitting there to eat their lunch and have also enjoyed playing with the blocks. If you would like to donate some toy cars and trucks for the children to use during break times, please leave them at Junior School Administration. Thank you to the Parents and Friends for funding this project. Their support is always appreciated.
Thank you to all of the students who have spent enormous amounts of time learning and rehearsing all of their parts and also thank you to the large number of staff who have worked tirelessly to bring this production together. What a fantastic team effort and we are all so proud of you.
The classrooms in A Block and the Library are now completed. The Library is starting to get everything in place and students had their first look in there during the week. The staff in the library are working overtime to get everything running normally again. The cupboards and pinboards have been installed into the A Block classrooms meaning that A Block is now totally refurbished. The teachers are making full use of these spaces and are providing learning experiences that are interactive and inviting.
Staff News Congratulations to Lauren Washington (Junior School Music Teacher) on her marriage over the holidays. We wish Lauren and Milé a lifetime of wedded bliss. Ms Washington has changed her name to Mrs Majinovic (Mrs M). ANZAC Day March Just a reminder that this Monday is the annual ANZAC Day March. As has been the custom for a number of years, all students from St Andrews are invited to march behind the College banner. Students wishing to march are asked to wear their full College uniform (including formal hats). We will meet on the corner of James and West streets by 9.00am on the 25th April, in preparation for the March which begins at 9.30am. As a group, we will then sit with other schools for the service at the Cenotaph, which should conclude by 10.30am. Please be aware that parking may be difficult. I highly recommend carpooling and/or allowing enough time to park nearby and walk into Burleigh. It is also recommended that the students have a bottle of water with them. Darrin Schumacher Head of Junior School
ELC News This term has commenced with a visit from the Animal Welfare League talking about caring for our animals and the work that their staff do. We raised $108.00 for AWL and families also donated a large box of animal food and towels to use at the shelter. Can we ask families with older children collecting younger siblings to please supervise your children in the playground and Centre. Please ask them to walk as they are role models for the children in the ELC. Construction is going well under the ELC with lots of interest from the children. This morning we watched the roof being screwed down. Thank you to families for keeping car parks for our ELC and Prep families.
Chaplains Chat Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! – John 1:29 (ESV) Easter is now behind us. The shops are no longer selling chocolate Easter bunnies and this is probably for the best. I wonder, however, if something of the Easter spirit remains in our community. I suspect it does. At a recent Middle/Senior School Chapel I spoke about the concept of “Easter People” – people who walk in the Easter spirit long after Easter is over. “Easter People” tend to have a number of things in common. One of these is that they know how to live and celebrate the Gospel. What does it mean to live and celebrate the Gospel? It means that the reality of a Saviour, someone who can take away sin, is cherished and called upon on a daily basis. This helps “Easter People” to walk around with less burdens on their shoulders from things they have done or failed to do in the past. They understand that their past deeds, no matter how large, find their match in the Saviour who died on the cross and rose from the grave. It also means that “Easter People” can sail confidently into the future because they know that any future mistakes, omissions, careless words and hurtful actions have already been forgiven by the same Saviour. This doesn’t give “Easter People” a licence to go and do these things anyway but it gives them a freedom and confidence to know that mistakes won’t kill them, and nothing they do is irredeemable in God’s sight. Sadly, some people live with the opposite spirit to “Easter People.” Some people live as though everything counts, nothing can be forgiven and nothing will be forgotten. It might make for good personal standards but it usually results in unhappy living or high levels of anxiety. Another way of putting it, this kind of living is living as though the Saviour did not come and Easter did not happen. Yet, we know that Easter did happen. A Saviour did come. That Saviour is Jesus Christ. He didn’t come so that we could remain in the mistakes we have made. He came to free us from the past so that we might walk as free people – “Easter People” week in and week out. What a good way to be. May God bless you with a bit of the Easter spirit and help you to walk as “Easter People.” Nathan Glover College Pastor
Bronwyn Waters ELC Director
From the Deputy Head of Junior School (P-3) A few weeks ago our Year 3 students had the opportunity to attend the Somerset Literature Festival where they were able to meet with authors and illustrators of some well-known and loved children’s books. The students were enthralled as they listened to Peter Carnavas talk about his books and watched him demonstrate his techniques as an illustrator. He was born in Brisbane and did Media Studies before becoming a primary school teacher. It was easy to see how much he enjoys conducting cartoon workshops for children. As Peter Carnavas demonstrated the stages of creating a character in front of the children, Harri Thomas was excited to be selected to work alongside Peter, following Peter’s step by step instructions. Harri was proud of his final character, adding a few creative elements of his own. Well done, Harri.
Next the students went to an indigenous presentation in the Wula Wulabah Chill Out Zone. They listened to a story, “Night Bird Dreaming,” and played a number of indigenous musical instruments to accompany a song.
I am sure the students’ narrative writing and imagination will be enhanced through the experiences of this excursion. Our thanks to our PYP collegiate school, Somerset College, for making this possible.
Peter then demonstrated his colouring techniques. After the students returned to school they were excited to try some of Peter’s techniques. Byron produced a fantastic representation, from memory, of Peter’s Superhero character. Great work, Byron.
One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. Luke 18:1 New Living Translation Joy Schloss Deputy Head of Junior School
From the Principal Quality Schools Survey This year St Andrews will be participating in a school improvement survey that is being conducted nationally for Lutheran Schools by Lutheran Education Australia (LEA). The Survey seeks feedback from parents, staff and students about the wellbeing and education of your child/ren at St Andrews. Lutheran Education Australia (LEA) has contracted Professor Cuttance and Dr Thompson at Research Australia Development and Innovation Institute (RADII) to develop and conduct the surveys online. All parents and staff, as well as students from Year 5 and above will be invited to participate in the survey. Students will complete the survey in class-time, while parents and staff will be invited to complete the survey via an electronic link that will be emailed to them. Between 28 April and 24 May, parents will receive an email from Dr Jean Thompson with an invitation to respond to the survey online. The responses to the surveys are captured by the RADII survey system. Your survey responses will not be individually identifiable by the College. Participation in the Survey is voluntary, but you are encouraged to respond as the data will help to inform future decisions and directions and identify areas for ongoing development and improvement. Thank you in advance for supporting the survey process. Tim Kotzur Principal
LOTE News Host Families One of the most rewarding and exciting opportunities we can offer students of Japanese and German is the opportunity to host a student in your own home. This is a wonderful opportunity for students of languages at St Andrews to correspond with and then meet a friend from another country. Students will gain valuable experience from the visit, including an increased understanding of cultural awareness and differences and similarities between Australia and Japan as well as practical language skills. Host families are needed for Saturday 30 July to Friday 5 August for students from our Japanese sister school and for 13-23 July for students from Erich Kästner Schule, Germany. There will be applications for these opportunities emailed to you directly over the next week so don’t miss out. Rebekah Hill Head of Languages P-12
Japanese News The Junior School Japanese bulletin has been updated for Term 2: jsjapanese.weebly.com This term we will commence the Japanese Speech Contest Auditions for the MLTAQ Griffith University Languages Speech Contest held in Term 3. Students in Years 4-6 are all encouraged to audition. Students will be informed of auditioning times in the coming weeks. Sharon Taki Junior School Japanese Coordinator
Congratulations! Dash For Duchenne Every year for the last four years, Isla Eaton (3A) and her brother Mitchell (1C) have run the “Dash for Duchenne” to raise money for Aidan Richardson who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. This year they raised over $300 to go towards his 4WD wheelchair so he can go to the beach with his friends. Well done Isla and Mitchell.
Performing Arts News Musical The Little Mermaid Jr was a huge success! St Andrews 2016 College Musical was staged at The Arts Centre Gold Coast last Saturday. Both the matinee and evening shows were very well attended and entertained appreciative audiences. In excess of 150 students took to the stage in this very colourful, all singing, all dancing affair. Performing and Visual Arts staff have been hard at work since the middle of last year to bring this very special event to our community.
P&F News Mothers Day Stall A reminder that Mothers Day is fast approaching. The Parents and Friends will once again be running its much loved Mothers Day Stall. The Stall will be operating out of the Bus Shelter in the lower Carpark from 8am on both Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 May. There will be a range of wonderful gifts available and all gifts are just $5. Raffle tickets are also being sold, with some terrific prizes. Please see the Flyer later in the Bulletin for more details. We are also looking for some volunteers to help with the stall on both mornings - even 30 minutes would be a huge assistance. If you are available to assist on the stall please contact the P&F.
Dates to Remember APRIL Monday 25 ANZAC Day Public Holiday ANZAC Day March at Burleigh, 9.00-10.30am Tuesday 26 JS ANZAC Service, Worship Centre – 1.40pm Wednesday 27 Year 3 Indigenous Workshop, Lower Oval 1B and Year 2 Mums ‘Chicks at the Flicks’ MAY Monday 2 Labour Day Public Holiday Tuesday 3 Assembly, Multi Purpose Hall – 1.40pm
The students learnt so much from working in the professional venue with the professional crew. From the moment we entered through the stage doors there was a buzz of excitement. It was very special to see our Junior, Middle and Senior school students take to the stage together and the magic of this also extended back stage, where students of all ages worked together to ensure a polished production. A range of staff from all around the College lent their talents and their time to giving students this amazing experience. The sets, costumes and performances were a reflection of our very special staff and students. Thank you to all involved and the support of our families and audiences. What a great way to celebrate St Andrews students and see them shine in the community. Amy Anderson Acting Head of Performing Arts
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
Wednesday 4th & Thursday 5th May 8 – 10am for Junior School students
MU
Time 8:30am - 8:50am 8:50am - 9:10am 9:10am - 9:30am 9:30am - 9:50am
Wednesday 4th May Prep Year 1 Year 2 Year 4
Thursday 5th May Year 5 Year 6 Year 3
M
MUM
We will also be selling raffle tickets under the bus shelter both days limited numbers available!! $2 each or 3 for $5
Great gifts for your special mum, all gifts only $5
MUM
M
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Year 4
P&F MOTHERS DAY STALL
9:30am - 9:50am
INSIGHTS Building parent-school partnerships
Easing children’s anxiety
WORDS Michael Grose
Anxiety is normal and part of everyday life. There’s no better time than childhood for learning how to cope with anxiety. For those with no personal experience of anxiety it can be hard to understand how debilitating it can be. “Come on, get on with it,” seems so obvious. Of course, this response is nowhere near adequate. Most kids experience some anxious moments or have fearful thoughts and feelings from time to time about certain events. These thoughts and feelings prompt them to proceed with caution. But anxiety and fear can be paralysing. Some kids simply can’t stop their ‘bad thoughts and feelings’. They can’t silence the voice of fear that whispers to them continually.
Staying calm
ACCEPT your child’s anxious feelings. Your child needs to trust that you are with them, and then they will be more willing to let you help them cope. It’s hard sometimes to differentiate between what may be a bad case of negative thinking and true anxiety. Is a child being negative when she doesn’t want to join a new club because she thinks no one will like her, or is there something more going on? Try to confirm whether there is any validity in their fears. If not, point out diplomatically, that they may be catastrophising. If you feel there is reason for concern, help them to overcome their anxiety. CHALLENGE the validity of your child’s fears and anxiety, using logic and rational thinking. Don’t allow kids to wallow in selfpity. Move their thoughts towards the future rather than allow them to mope around.
Anxiety is a normal part of life and can be managed, but it takes time. It’s also contagious so it’s the job of parents to stay calm, think clearly and role model confidence when kids get anxious. CALM is created through your words, voice and facial expression. When children become anxious, help them recognise what’s happening. Some kids get angry, some become upset and others withdraw. Work out the pattern for your child and help them recognise when they are anxious.
Making a plan ENCOURAGE your child to overcome their anxiety through action. Vanessa came up with a creative solution to help Ruth, her seven-year-old daughter, overcome her reluctance to attend birthday parties without her. Initially Vanessa attended
parties with her daughter so she wouldn’t miss out, but Ruth was becoming too reliant on her, so it was time to make a change. The next time Ruth was invited to a party, Vanessa put a plan into action. First, she set up a little birthday party scenario at home using dolls and teddies as friends, so her daughter would know what to expect. Vanessa explained that she would leave her at the party for a short time. Vanessa let her daughter know that she had no doubt that she’d cope. The little plan worked a treat. Vanessa arrived at the party an hour after the start to find Ruth involved in a game. She acknowledged her mum, but she didn’t leave the game. Later, at home Vanessa made a fuss over her daughter for being brave. Ruth agreed that next time she was invited to a party she would go for the whole time without her mum.
Anxiety is normal and part of everyday life. However, it can be debilitating unless it’s managed. Anxiety management takes time for kids to learn, but it’s one of those valuable life skills that parents can teach their kids.
Want more ideas to help you raise confident kids and resilient young people? Subscribe to Happy Kids newsletter, my FREE weekly email parenting guide at parentingideas.com.au. You’ll be so glad you did.
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© 2016 Michael Grose