Issue 1 / 07 February 2014
From the Head of Junior School Welcome back to school for 2014 and a very special welcome to our newest members of the St Andrews family. The students all appear to have settled in to their new classes and are getting on with the job. I know that not all students got exactly what they wanted, but they have shown a very positive mindset and taken the opportunity to make new friends. There appears to be a really positive atmosphere around the school and I look forward to some amazing results achieved this year.
From the Deputy Head of Junior School & PYP Coordinator Welcome to a brand new academic year! It is wonderful to see our students well rested and ready for the new challenges that lay ahead. I have particularly enjoyed visiting classes on the first few days of school as I have been met with happy, smiling faces. Thanks to all of you, our wonderful parents, for preparing your child/ren so well for the learning journey ahead this year!
It was great to see a number of you at our first Parent Information Night on Wednesday. Just a reminder that the Year 2/3 information night on Tuesday the 11th February and the 4/5/6 information night on Wednesday the 13th of February. It’s a great way to meet the teacher and the other families within your year level. This year we have introduced a new data base system called TASS. The most important thing that you can do is sign into the Parent Lounge. The Parent Lounge login details were posted to you earlier. If you have not received your login details, please email:tassadmin@salc.qld.edu.au From the parent lounge you can see your child’s deatils, give permission for excursions and find parent information. I am looking forward to a fantastic year ahead. There are going to be some bumps along the away, which is OK, for if we have a positive mindset we will be able to deal with those bumps in a constructive way that helps us to grow. Please feel free to contact me or your child’s teacher at any time throughout the year with your questions. We want to make this year a great year of learning for your child where they able to do their very best and fulfill their potential. Darrin Schumacher Deputy Principal/Head of Junior School
As an IB World School we continue to strive to make our IB PYP classrooms lively places where there is collaborative and purposeful activity. We seek to create reflective environments where thoughtful consideration of issues, problems and successes is highly valued. We want our students to feel that their classroom is an environment in which learning knows no limits! To assist our teachers in achieving this goal, our staff have engaged in a professional development workshop led by Kathleen Kyrza. Kathleen is a well sought after international speaker who is a huge advocate for differentiation in the classroom. She provided staff with a variety of strategies/ideas to adopt to support the learning of every student. Kathleen also challenged us to continue to allow our classrooms to be “Risk-Taking, Mistake-Making” environments so that we can establish a ‘growth mindset’ for our learners. She shared the work of Carol Dweck who has identified that students who have a growth mindset understand that their talents and abilities can be developed through effort, good teaching and persistence. As opposed to students that have a fixed mindset where they believe their basic
abilities, their intelligence, their talents, are just fixed traits. Below is a diagram to illustrate the difference between the two mindsets. At St Andrews we continue to encourage our students to develop growth mindsets! You will be receiving a parent information booklet for the
Counselling Update Keeping it Positive In some of my bulletin articles last year I mentioned the topic of “Positive Psychology”. The links between learning and positive emotion all argue that the skills for happiness should be taught in school. St Andrews has embraced this model of positive education with the aim to increase resilience, positive emotion, engagement and meaning in all students. Over the coming months I hope to provide information, skills and activities that you can help to extend this learning into the home as well.
G R APH I C BY N I G E L HO L M E S
up and coming Parent Information Nights via TASS, the new Parent Lounge Portal. Inside you will find a succinct summary about ‘the written’, ‘the taught’ and ‘the learned’ curriculum here at St Andrews as well as the Programme of Inquiry for your child’s year level. From Prep through to Year Six, we aim to develop internationally minded young people by encouraging them to strive to be inquirers, knowledgeable, thinkers, communicators, principled, open-minded, caring, courageous, balanced and reflective. (IB Learner Profile) For further information on the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme, please visit the College website. There is a direct link to the IB PYP website for your convenience.
Positive Emotions When you ask someone how they would like to feel, chances are their response will be something like “happy”, “content” or perhaps “relaxed”. These are all positive feelings and they feel good. To expect to feel these 100% of the time would be unrealistic. Sometimes things go wrong, the kids are driving you mad and you feel completely overwhelmed, and that doesn’t feel so good. It is when we get stuck in these negative emotions that it can start to take its toll. It is the same with your children. Some days at school will be great, others not so good. It’s when they start to find it difficult to find anything positive in their day that they might need your help. Hunting for the good stuff A really important skill to teach children from a young age is the ability to find the silver lining in situations, in others words to be optimistic. Every day brings with it gifts, however small. Some days you just have to search a bit harder. A great way to develop this skill in your children is a simple question at the end of each school day (or any day really). “What went well today?” Perhaps even keep a diary of all the things that went well each day. Around the dinner table ask each family member what was good about their day. If they say “nothing” shift your gears to gratitude.
We look forward to a fantastic partnership throughout 2014 as we engage your child in a relevant, challenging and engaging curriculum. ‘Everybody smiles in the same language!’ (Anonymous)
Jacqueline Faulkner Deputy Head of Junior School PYP Coordinator
An Attitude of Gratitude There is no easier way to shift from negative thoughts to positive thoughts than to feel gratitude. I’m sure we’ve all been there. You’re having a bad day, things don’t seem to be going right, you feel like you are about to snap. Then you see something on the news like a family tragedy, a natural disaster or people living in complete poverty. Suddenly things get put into perspective. You feel grateful for what you have and realise things could be worse. Teaching children the art of gratitude might seem a difficult task, especially when they are in the middle of Kmart having a meltdown because they want the new toy that they definitely don’t need. Like most things in parenting the best way to teach it is to model it. Have conversations about
issues like the environment, poverty, housing, and health. Get involved in charity or community activities to help others less fortunate. Most of the students are learning about these issues in their Units of Inquiry. It’s important for them to see you being grateful for the small things, e.g. fresh water, clean air and access to education. And of course the bigger things like, them! Make the things you are grateful for visible in your home with photos, words or a collage of both. Keep reminding them, and keep reminding yourself.
Safer Internet Day It is Safer Internet Day on 11th February. The theme is ‘Let’s create a better internet together’ and is designed to focus on Digital Citizenship. Take some time to look at the resources on the CyberSmart website (which is an Australian Government initative) and have a discussion with your child about safe practices. We have more resources in the Library to do this. Please ask.
Mardi Frost School Counselling Team
Library News SEARCH – ASK – LEARN - CONNECT Welcome to the new year. This year we be continuing to connect to the students in all aspects of their learning. Our theme for this year is CONNECTED which is a part of the branding for the JS Library (Search – Ask – Learn – Connect). It is also the theme for Book Week held in Term Three – Connected to Reading. Borrowing Library borrowing will commence in Week 3. Please see your class teacher or us for more information about this. Just a reminder, we are also open before school for bor-
<http://www.cybersmart.gov.au/About%20Cybersmart/ Newsroom/Annual%20Events/Safer%20Internet%20Day. aspx#sthash.H60oeoKo.dpuf> Parent Support For The Library Please feel free to drop in (even if you only have a spare 30 minutes) and offer your services. We can always find a way for you to be involved and help the Library. We look forward to seeing you soon. Julia Boulton Teacher Librarian Innovation & E-Learning Leader
Sport News
rowing and strongly encourage the students to return their books once they have read them (so they can borrow again and keep reading more books!). Parents can also become borrowers. Ask us how. Term One These are of just some the events in the JS Library that we will be running in Term 1.
District Sport Trials Don’t forget to email Mr Manion if you are interested in attending District Sport trials in 2014. Reminders will be in Student Notices, the Parent Lounge and the College website. District Swimming Trials The GCS Carnival for 10-12 year old swimmers is at Somerset College on Tuesday 18th February and the IDSS Carnival for 13 – 19 year old swimmers is at TSS on Wednesday. 19th February. Any students who wish to participate in these must register with Mr Manion to collect a selection application form. Successful students will be notified and further information will then be supplied. St Andrews Swimming Carnivals Years 7-12 Thursday 27th February Years 4-6 Friday 28th February More information will be circulated soon. Run Club Our Run Club Coach, past St Andrews Student JK Faulkner, is looking forward to working with our runners again this
year. Run Club will be held on Mondays and Thursdays beginning Week 6 (Monday 3rd March). Members should meet at the Top Oval at 7am. Sessions will go for approximately one hour. Members will be able to purchase the running club singlet and receive achievement awards for attendance and km run. Students interested in joining Run Club require an information pack which will include a permission form. This will be available very soon.
in the Junior Equestrian Sports Star of the Year, which will be announced on the 8th of February 2014. Andrew Manion Head of Sport andrewm@salc.qld.edu.au
We hope to see an impressive turn out this year as Run Club is a great way to train for the Cross Country, Track and Field Carnivals, Kokoda and is a great way of generally improving your health and wellbeing. Run Club caters for families of all students in Years 4-12 no matter what your needs and abilities are.
Art News
In2Cricket program Our In2Cricket program starts on Wednesday 26th February, from 3.10pm in the MPH. It will run each Wednesday after school until April 2nd. (6 weeks) More details soon.
Performing Arts Tuition 2014 PAT Lessons commence Week 2. Parents will be contacted by their PAT Teacher to confirm lesson times. Timetables for MS/SS students are available on Moodle and are also on the PAT Studio windows.
Student Achievement Already in 2014 we have some amazing sporting achievements to celebrate.
Any parents wishing to enrol in PAT, enrolment forms are via the College Website.
Triathlon At least seven St Andrews students have qualified for the State Triathlon Championships. Congratulations to; Ella Atkinson, William Atkinson, Kieran Croker, Kye Wylde, Connor Dougherty, Lachlan Richards, and Kane Richards. Futsal Morgan Atkins is part of the Queensland Girls Futsal Academy that is presently in the USA. Morgan is competing for Queensland at the USA Youth National Futsal Championships. This competition has some of the best teams the USA has to offer in the Under 16 girls division. Cricket Kye Shield was recently selected as co-captain of a Gold Coast Under 12s Junior Representative Cricket team. He was awarded top bowling performance at the Qld Junior Championships (5 days) playing for Gold Coast with a strike rate of 5.00, best 5/7, out of 100 rep level players. Kye also made the “My Cricket Hall of Fame” for bowling. He was also selected as captain of the Gold Coast Juniors and selected to play against the Northern NSW representative touring team. He won man of the match on day three and took three wickets in one of his overs. Kye has also just been awarded sponsorship by Cricket supplier KD Cricket in Brisbane for his outstanding efforts. Equestrian Mikayla Van Kampen recently travelled to Melbourne to compete at the Australian National Equestrian Championships, representing QLD in the junior rider division. Mikayla was awarded National Champion. Mikayla is also a finalist
Any enquiries regarding PAT can be emailed to performingarts@salc.qld.edu.au Bands, Choirs and Dance Troupes commence Week 2.
Rehearsal Schedule
Mon
Before School
Concert Band 7.45am RBT MS/SS Choir 7.30am J17 st JS 1 Break Lunch / JS 2nd Break
Afterschool 3.30 – 5.30pm Musical RBT 3.30 – 4.30pm Drama Festival J24
Tues
Wed
Thurs
Fri
Golden Clefs Mini Musos 7.45am 7.30am JS Music Room RBT Semitones 7.45am JS Music Room
ICB 7.45am RBT Jazz Troupe 7.45am J24 JS Chapel Band JS Music Room
Musical Dancers RBT JS Chapel Band JS Music Room
Contemporary Dance Troupe
Jazz Band 3.30 – 4.30 RBT
JS Dance Troupe RBT String Ensemble 3.15 – 4 Utility Room
Gold Coast Theatre Awards 2013 In December 2013, the Gold Coast Area Theatre Awards were held to acknowledge outstanding efforts and achievements in the Gold Coast Theatre Community over the previous year. Past student Ethan Jones (2010) won Best Vocal Director and Best Set Design for Into the Woods (which also went on to win Most Outstanding Production). Kim Reynolds was acknowledged for her outstanding contribution to GC Theatre with The Platinum Palm Award for constant support for students in theatre and eisteddfods; for direction, choreography and costume design and for advancing all forms of theatre on the Gold Coast. Congratulations to Kim and Ethan on their outstanding achievements.
Year 3 Strings Program This Thursday our Strings teacher Paul Robinson will visit the Year 3 classrooms and audition the students for places in the String Program. This program offers instrument and group lesson for the year. There are limited places and the expectation is for those who are involved in the program that they commit to the year, establish a regular home practise routine, and strive towards involvement in the JS String Ensemble. Priscilla Scott Head of Arts
Dates to remember February Tuesday 11 Assembly – Multi Purpose Hall – 2.00pm Years 2 and 3 Parent Information Evening – MPH – 6.30pm Thursday 13 Years 4 to 6 Parent Information Evening – MPH – 6.30pm Friday 14 Years 4 and 5 Swimming Tuesday 18 Gold Coast South Primary District Swimming Carnival Friday 21 Year 6 Swimming
Uniformshop News Formal Hats - Recall It has been brought to our attention that the logo on some formal hat bands has been printed in reverse. The hats affected were most likely purchased after November 2013. If you have a formal hat with this problem please email uniformshop@salc.qld.edu.au The Uniform Shop will collect these hats at the end of the term, have new hat bands fitted over the holidays and return them to you at the start of Term 2. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Flexischools Our Flexischools on-line ordering system is proving very popular. Just a note - if you are ordering for more than 1 student, please place the order under the name of the student that you want the order delivered to. Flexischools charge a $1 fee for each uniform order, so if you order under 1 name you will also only pay the fee once. Volunteers We are looking for volunteers for Thursday and Friday mornings from 8am. You can usually leave by 8.45 but if you can stay later we have plenty of things you can help us with. Please phone, email or drop in if you can help. Jacqui Desfosses Uniform Shop Manager uniformshop@salc.qld.edu.au
Tuckshop News Welcome to Term 1. Hope you all had a wonderful break. This year is an exciting one for us with the opening of the new Tuckshop later in the year. We will be able to cook and provide you with a wider variety of fresh foods and drinks not to mention a bigger more functional kitchen and production area. Until then, we will run with the menu from last term. Flexi School Online ordering is preferred Monday – Friday. To register go to www.flexischools.com.au, for families who have already have accounts; please update your child’s class for this year. Your help in this matter is greatly appreciated. Volunteers play a huge part of the Tuckshops daily operation. If you are available to help out, please contact me on tuckshop@salc.qld.edu.au Trina van der Kamp Tuckshop Manager tuckshop@salc.qld.edu.au
Wild after School Art Classes Learn to Create Draw and Paint..... Use your imagination it is fun for everyone! Monday 3:00pm - 4:30pm - Meet at Room 12B. 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
by Michael Grose - No. 1 parenting educator
True GRIT helps kids succeed Developing character strengths is just as important to your child’s future success as building academic skills. ‘Talent or persistence. Which would you choose for your child?’ I often ask this question at my parenting seminars and the responses are fascinating. Parents naturally want both. Sorry, but that’s not an option. When pushed most parents choose talent over persistence, which in many ways reflects the current thinking around achievement. However, intelligence, sporting prowess and ability in whatever it is we value will only get a child or young person so far. Talent is purely potential. They need more than this to achieve sustained excellence in anything they do. It is the character traits of hard work and the ability to stick at a task and see it through that make all the difference. Malcolm Gladwell, in his book Outliers, describes twenty-something American student Renee, who took 22 minutes to work out a complicated math question. The average student gives up after THREE minutes, preferring to ask for help than work through the problem. Renee was unusual in persisting for so long until she got the solution. The funny thing is, she doesn’t describe herself as a good math student, yet she is highly successful at maths. Grit rather than pure math talent is her forte. Character matters Cognitive (thinking and reasoning) skills by themselves aren’t enough for children to succeed over the long journey. Many recent studies (most notably the work of US-based Angela Duckworth) have found that character, not cognitive ability, is the single most reliable determinant of how a person’s life will turn out. The traits associated with success include the inclination to persist at a boring task (grit), the ability to delay gratification (self-control)
and the tendency to follow through with a plan (conscientiousness). These are invaluable traits at school, in the workplace and in life in general. Character works as an indicator of success when it’s seen as set of strengths and personality traits rather than personal values such as loyalty, tolerance or forgiveness. Character is forged under difficulty The key character traits of grit, self-control and conscientiousness are forged under hardship and duress. This makes our current propensity to over protect and over indulge kids problematic. When kids continually experience easy success we set them up for failure because when they finally face up to difficult situations many lack the capacity to push through the tough times. Encouraging kids to step out of their comfort zones and take learning and social risks is one of the great challenges for modern parents. It’s critical that we challenge children and young people to attempt activities where failure is a real option. Overcoming setbacks and pushing through difficulties is how character is formed. Page 1 of 2
parentingideas.com.au
parentingideas.co.uk
parentingideas.co.nz
Michael Grose Presentations PO Box 167 Balnarring Vic 3926 p + 61 3 5983 1798 f (03) 5983 1722 e office@parentingideas.com.au All rights reserved. For more ideas, support and advice for all your parenting challenges please visit our website. 2013 Michael Grose
facebook.com/Parentingideas.com.au twitter.com/michaelgrose
Character is malleable The good news is that character, like intelligence, is malleable. It’s not fixed. It’s important to establish in your own mind as a parent, and also in your children’s minds, that character traits such as grit, self-control and conscientiousness can be developed. To this end it’s important that parents steer clear of using absolute language to label behaviour and express views that traits and abilities are fixed. Comments such as ‘You’re no good at math’ become a rule that young people learn to live by, and become default thinking that’s hard to budge. Make grit part of a family’s brand In my book Thriving! I wrote about how every family has it’s own distinctive brand, which is a reflection of the strengths and traits that all members share. For instance, if high work ethic is a common trait then it’s a fair bet that hard work is something parents focus on in their family. Parents can actively promote grit and persistence in kids by making character part of their family’s brand. They can focus on character in conversations. They can share experiences where character paid off for them in their lives. They can discuss how character contributes to excellence and success in everyday life including at work, at school and in the sporting field. Character and its many components can become part the family narrative regardless of the age of the children.
Build proprietary language around character Families develop their own language around what’s important to them and that needs to include the language of character if parents want to foster excellence.
Continuous messaging of terms and phrases such as ‘hang tough’ and ‘hard yakka’ help weave character traits into the family DNA. Parents should reflect on the language and terms they already use and build key phrases and terms around the following key character strengths: grit, self-control, conscientiousness, enthusiasm, social intelligence, gratitude, optimism, and curiosity. Character becomes the default mechanism Habit and character go hand in hand. Conscientious young people don’t go around consciously deciding that they’ve got to delay the fun stuff until they’ve done their work. They’ve just made it their default mechanism to stick at their task, or delay gratification or jump into a task with enthusiasm. Conscientiousness doesn’t always serve a young person well. They can sometimes place full focus on menial or unimportant tasks when a smarter option may be to cruise and save energy for the important times such as exams. That’s where parental guidance plays a part. However, in the long run conscientiousness serves a young person well when it’s their default because when the stakes are high and they really need to work hard, they will automatically make the right choice. In fact, it will be the only option they see when excellence really matters.
Parentingideas just got better! Parentingideas Club has just been launched and has all the answers you need. There are 100’s of articles, videos, guides, how to’s, book reviews and more available for members. Become a member today at parentingideasclub.com.au.
Page 2 of 2
parentingideas.com.au
parentingideas.co.uk
parentingideas.co.nz
Michael Grose Presentations PO Box 167 Balnarring Vic 3926 p + 61 3 5983 1798 f (03) 5983 1722 e office@parentingideas.com.au All rights reserved. For more ideas, support and advice for all your parenting challenges please visit our website. 2013 Michael Grose
facebook.com/Parentingideas.com.au twitter.com/michaelgrose