Junior School Bulletin Issue 9, 9 August 2013

Issue 9 / 09 August 2013

From the Head of Junior School 20th Anniversary Celebrations Last weekend we had an opportunity to celebrate the past 20 years with a founder’s cocktail party, gala concert and a worship service. It was a great weekend celebrating the talents of students past and present. At the founder’s cocktail party I listened with awe at the challenges that had to be overcome and the amount of work that has gone into making St Andrews what it is today. Last weekend was a chance to celebrate their hard work and now its time to look at the future where St Andrews will continue to celebrate the gospel, nurture the individual and empower lifelong learners.

More than a Good Education an Education for Good One of the great things about St Andrews is the children

ing to date is $321. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Molly O’Brien, Olivia Bowmer, Tenika Fielder, Kiraina Palma, Mikka Palma, Saoirse Harding and Luka-Belle Buckingham on the work they are doing for others. On Tuesday we held our Mufti Day with the proceeds from the day going towards Cambodia. It was great to see students dressed in red white and blue (the colours of the Cambodian flag). This money will make a real difference in the lives of the people in Cambodia.

Presentation Night Planning has begun for the annual presentation night. It will be held on the 12th November so please keep that night free. More details will be sent home closer to the date regarding times and venue. We have decided to not include the Year 3 students in the official program this year, but they are certainly invited to attend.

Congratulations We have so many wonderful teachers at St Andrews Lutheran College and it is fantastic to see that you, the parent community, have recognized their hard work by nominating them for NEITA (National Excellence in Teaching Awards) awards. We would like to formally congratulate Greg Arnold, Michelle Atkins, Stacey Goodridge, Vicki Stehn and Helle Walsh on their awards.

Traffic Please remember to use the crossings when delivering your children to the classrooms. I know it can be quicker to take the short cut especially when we are a little time poor in the mornings, but for the safety of your children and others please take those extra few minutes to use the crossing.

Please also be courteous to other motorists and not push in front when dropping off your children in the morning.

Please remember to be patient and smile – it helps to relax us all. Rushing and being impatient will not really get you out of the school grounds any quicker – and may result in a compromise to children’s safety. Please accept any direction/suggestion from TSA and staff with the manner in which it is intended – a helpful reminder and concern for safety for all.

Darrin Schumacher Deputy Principal/Head of Junior School

who attend. We have a group of children who have set themselves a goal of raising money to build a well in Africa.

This is an initiative that they have undertaken by themselves with the support of their families. Recently they held a bake sale at Burleigh and raised $166. Their total fundrais-

From the Deputy Head of Junior School (P - 3) Partners in Literacy Literacy is one of our strategic focus areas as a College and has been at the forefront of many recent activities across the Junior School, as well as being one of core essentials of every classroom every day…. and Literacy is something you, as parents, engage in every day at home too.

From the time our little ones are born they are immersed in a literate environment as they listen to the sounds of the world and the familiar voices of special family members.

They soon begin to imitate sounds and words as they explore the world of talk and oral language.

Many of our young Prep students are now actively engaged in learning about letters and sounds, how sounds go together to make words and how words can be put together to make sentences. Initially teachers and our teacher assistants act as scribes for the children’s thoughts but soon they begin to write their own words and sentences. Children’s early attempts to do this need to be celebrated and praised.

Recently our Library staff organised a fantastic Book Fair.

Thank you, Parents, for your wonderful support for this event. Children have new books to enjoy and many have been generously donated to our Junior School Library for borrowing for classroom use or for individual pleasure. Our Library is always a hub of activity as students enjoy books, or extend their Information Literacy skills on computers.

Recently a number of our early years teachers and many of our teacher assistants have been given the opportunity to attend professional development workshops so they can utilise strategies that support the literacy development of your children. Sometimes they work with a whole class, small groups or individuals to support students’ reading and writing skills.

On Wed 14 August we are excited to be offering a workshop that we have called Partners in Literacy to help parents increase their awareness about supporting the reading and writing development of their own children at home, or to understand more about working as a parent volunteer for literacy rotations in the classroom. We strongly believe that our students’ literacy outcomes will be greatly enhanced as we work together to support their learning. Thank you one and all for your amazing support in so many ways.

The Lord pours down his blessings ….. Psalm 85:12 Joy Schloss Deputy Head of Junior School (P-3)

Counselling Update The Truth About Lying As a parent nothing is more frustrating as when your child lies to you, you know they are lying but they refuse to come clean with the truth. Most parents in this situation feel shocked, angry, hurt or betrayed.

Good news is that lying is part of normal behavioural development. Essential human skills such as independence, perspective taking, and emotional control — are the same skills that enable children to lie.

Like everything else, children learn to lie from the people around them. Parents and teachers show children in subtle — and not so subtle — ways to suppress their honesty.

“Look at that funny man,” a child will yell. “I don’t like this,” she’ll say of Grandma’s gift. “Yuck,” he says about food that doesn’t taste good. Adults slowly teach children that this kind of honesty is not always welcome — that there is a fine line between telling the truth and not hurting other people.

From about age 4 on, children lie for many of the same reasons adults do: to avoid punishment, to gain an advantage, to protect against an unwanted consequence, and even to boost self-esteem. Youngsters, like adults, sometimes lie to demonstrate power, to maintain privacy, or to protect a friend. When a child lies, they are essentially trying to change a situation, or to reconstruct things the way they want (or would rather) them to be.

Helping your child develop morality and responsibility for their actions over the long haul is the goal. While lying is a normal aspect of growing up, it should not be dismissed.

Here are some strategies that you could use to help your child develop a better understanding of truthfulness: • Cool down before doing anything. The calmer you are, the better you’ll communicate. The first step is to convey the message that a behaviour — stealing, for example — is wrong. Then, address why your child lied about what they did. Remember that some children will lie to avoid anger even more than to avoid punishment.

• Use consequences that promote the development of conscience. Consider a Year 1 student who has discarded several notes sent home by the teacher requesting a meeting. The parent hasn’t received any notes, and is shocked when the teacher calls. The child denies any knowledge of the notes. At this point, although we can imagine feeling emotions such as anger, despair, and resentment, it is best to stay calm. A logical short-term consequence might be to require the child to inform his teacher that he hasn’t been giving the notes to his parents and that he is sorry. He can then ask for another note to bring home.

• Consider the goal of your child’s lie. In the case of our Year 1 student they were trying to avoid punishment?

What might they be feeling? Anxious, guilty, ashamed,

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•

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scared? There is always a motive and meaning for what children tell us or in the case of lying, don’t tell us. It won’t hurt to ask yourself what your child is gaining by telling a lie.

Point out the logical consequences of lying. Young children are very interested in the story of ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf’, especially the message that when the boy really needed help, nobody paid any attention.

When a child is able to change the story and tell you the truth, let them know that you are glad they were able to do so. This will reinforce their confidence and encourage the truth the next time.

As children get older, lies can become a habit. If the lying is happening a lot, make a set time to sit calmly with your child. Talk to them about how their lying makes you feel, how it affects your relationship with them, and what it might be like if family and friends stop trusting them.

Remind your child that honesty is important to you.

But try to avoid asking them all the time whether they are telling the truth.

Stay involved in your child’s life and encourage them to be truthful with you. Children of all ages who have good communication with their parents and talk with them about what they are doing are less likely to engage in antisocial behaviour.

Information adapted from http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/lies.html#what and http://www.scholastic.com/parents/ resources/article/stages-milestones/truth-about-lying Mardi Frost School Counselling Team

Art News 20th Anniversary Gala Concert Last Saturday some of our very talented past and present students, staff and parents joined together to present a Gala Concert to celebrate 20 years of this wonderful College.

This was a fantastic night of celebration and music. Special thanks to Ethan Jones, Mel Dorge, Sam Maguire, Riley McGovern, Tahlia Mazzaroli, Samantha Naday, Ben Gehrke, Josh McRae, William Chang, Sally McConville, Sophie Manion, Jasper and Cazmir Leschke for coming back to share their talents and to our very talented present students who also shared the stage.

Junior Library Augmented Reality In The Junior School Library QR Codes And Auras

Have you seen these symbols?

These are QR (quick response) codes and auras. QR codes and auras are examples of technology that is being used in schools to add meaning and interactivity to the learning experience. We have been using them to share what students have been learning about and to engage more deeply with the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s Shortlisted Books 2013.

Over the term, we will be adding more QR codes and auras to our books as well as continuing to connect to the units of inquiry.

Eisteddfod Dates The following groups have been confirmed to go to Eisteddfod. All events are held at The Arts Centre Gold Coast Separate notes will go home for each group regarding details.

Golden Clefs – Tuesday 13th August 6pm Semitones - Thursday 15th August 9.30am Combined and SS Dance Troupes – Friday 16th August 6.30pm Int Concert Band - Tuesday 20th August 12.15pm Mini Musos - Wednesday 21st August 6.30pm MS Dance Troupe - Thursday 29th August 6pm JS Troupe + Animi - Monday September 2 3.30 and 5.30pm AMEB Piano Results Congratulations to the following students who recently completed their piano exams Callum Ahern - A+ High Distinction Grade 1 Emily Holloway - A+ High Distinction Preliminary Maya Hobley - A Honours Grade 1 Emily Martin - A Honours Preliminary Jamie Ahern - B+ Credit Priscilla Scott Head of Arts priscillas@salc.qld.edu.au

Look out for these icons on the JS library resources when your child borrows a book.

How to use You will need to download a QR code reader (if you see the barcode icon) or the Aurasma app.

Then simply scan and the content will activate.

Ask the JS Library staff for more information Don’t forget to visit us during the Student Led Conferences to give it a go or to simply learn more.

For more information about how schools are using this technology see Augmented Reality in Education.

Julia Boulton Teacher Librarian Innovation and E-Learning Leader

Japanese News Half-Day Japanese Exchange On Tuesday August 6, St Andrews students in Years 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 participated in a Half-Day Cultural Exchange with some Japanese Students on the JAS program.

This exchange provides an opportunity for both Japanese and St Andrews students to practice speaking in a foreign language while simultaneously learning about culture and building friendships. The program is enjoyed every year by the students and anticipated with excitement.

The buddies welcomed their Japanese friends at the Chapel and then embarked on an afternoon of conversation and cultural exchange. The Japanese students experienced life in an Australian school, enjoyed the afternoon meeting St Andrews students at lunchtime followed by participating in the classroom with their buddy.

Soran Bushi-The Fisherman’s Dance On Monday, August 5, thirty Year 2 St Andrew’s students performed, Soran Bushi-The Fisherman’s Dance, at the welcoming Chapel for our sister school, Higashino High School.

Dressed in hachimaki (sweat bands) and traditional Japanese clothes, the students moved to the beat of the taiko drum and melody of the shamisen to portray a life at sea.

I was so moved by their display of enthusiasm, confidence and courage. The students have shown commitment by practising at home and at school.

This was the second Half-Day exchange the students have participated in this year. The cultural exchange was a great success.

I’d like to offer my gratitude to all the parents who supported their child and helped them practice.

Here are some reflections from the St Andrews students.

The Japanese visitors were very appreciative of the effort invested by the students and touched by their performance.

Shae Rees “Nanako and I made paper cranes in Japanese class today.

Today is Peace Day in Japan. She is very good at English”.

Larni West “Anna gave me her profile card with her email. We’re going to become pen pals”.

Macie Capelleri “We showed Anna how to use the flying fox at playtime”.

Sumer Walker “Miyu told us a bit about herself. We had fun at playtime.

I had fun talking with her”.

Tilly Lambert “Nao gave me a beautiful Japanese fan”.

Shelly Pratt Acting Junior School Japanese Coordinator

Tuckshop News Have you had Breakfast today??

Below is an article on why we need to eat breakfast. This could be the answer that you have being looking for……

Most teachers would probably agree that a good breakfast helps with concentration in the class room. Nutritionists consider breakfast the most important meal of the day.

Yet many school children are still going without it for one reason or another. Bad idea!

Uniformshop News The Uniform Shop is looking for a volunteer for Thursday mornings. Hours 8am (sharp) to 9am. Duties include serving customers, using the cash register (training provided), and re-stocking shelves. Friendly nature and a smile are essential. Please contact Jacqui or Fiona during shop hours on 5568 5933 or drop in and see us. If you have any questions please email us at uniformshop@salc.qld.edu.au Jacqui Desfosses Uniform Shop Manager uniformshop@salc.qld.edu.au

Breakfast, as the word suggests, literally means ‘breaking the fast’. After going 10–12 hours overnight without food, children’s energy reserves are low and their bodies, and perhaps more importantly their brains, need fuel.

What’s more, research shows that people who regularly eat breakfast tend to have better diets overall and are more likely to be able to maintain a healthy weight than those who skip their first meal of the day.

Like any other meal, a balanced breakfast should include a mixture of foods from the different food groups. Breakfast cereal with milk provides many important nutrients such as calcium, iron, dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals.

Breakfast is generally based on breakfast cereals, fruit and bread. The average breakfast can supply up to a quarter of your daily fibre intake but a much lower proportion of fat intake.

Children especially benefit when breakfast is eaten – a healthy breakfast can provide children with nearly half of their daily needs of many essential vitamins and minerals.

Below is a recent survey of 1,000 Australian primary and secondary school teachers: The findings revealed: • 96 percent of teachers say students who eat breakfast pay more attention.

• 88 percent of teachers say that students who eat breakfast perform better at school.

• 79 percent of teachers say that students who eat breakfast are more interested in learning than those who don’t.

• When asked to nominate their choice of the best breakfast options for students, teachers nominated breakfast cereals as the most popular option.

Reference: http://www.kidspot.com.au/Back-to-SchoolSchool-breakfast-Breakfast-nutrition+4128+684+sponsorarticle.htm Trina Van der Kamp Tuckshop Manager tuckshop@salc.qld.edu.au

Dates to remember August Tuesday 13 ICAS Mathematics Year 4 Mums’ Coffee Morning, Plantation House, after drop off Chapel 11.40am WC Eisteddfod, Golden Clefs Choir (Yrs 4-6), 6.00pm GC Arts Centre Wednesday 14 P & F General Meeting – 7.00pm CRC Friday 16 Years 3-6 Disco – 6.00 to 8.00pm MPH Years 3-6 Parents’ Dinner at Bombay Masala Sunday 18 Year 4 Family Church Service Tuesday 20 Assembly MPH 8.40am Wednesday 21 Year 4 Bike Centre Excursion Years 4-7 Inter Lutheran Athletics Carnival

Parents and Friends Association

St Andrews P & F News My apologies, it seems I am already thinking about the end of the school year. The General meeting for this term will be held on Wednesday August 14 at 7pm in the CRC. The AGM is scheduled for Term 4.

Term 3 Meeting – Wednesday 14 August Please come along to our general meeting and find out what the P & F is all about and the projects we are hoping to fund over the upcoming year. If you have any agenda items for discussion please email the Secretary at pandf@ salc.qld.edu.au the Friday before the meeting. It is a great opportunity to have input into school projects which the P & F fund. Everyone is welcome so please join us for drinks and nibbles and to meet other parents.

There is a major topic for discussion on this terms agenda which affects all families at St Andrews, so we welcome your feedback. The meetings are only for an hour and Mr Kotzur attends and updates the P & F on all the achievements and upcoming events within the whole school.

Vacant Positions on P & F There are a number of integral roles on the subcommittee still vacant, including fund raising and grants officer. If anyone is interested both these roles are very rewarding and assist in raising funds for improvements around the school.

If you would like to find out more information about one of these roles contact Daniel Renneberg (0409729676) or Julieanne Andrews (0421795411).

Funding The P & F has recently funded seating on the Village Green and water coolers for both the Junior & Middle School.

During the September holidays the extension to the Bus Shelter will be built which the P & F is seeking approval for additional funding at this meeting. We are looking to fund a major project over the next few years and any suggestions are welcome.

One of the suggestions has been to fund grand stand seating on the back oval and the school are currently seeking quotes. Approval for the expenditure will be sought at future P & F meetings. The school would like to have this completed in 2014.

Sponsors The P & F would like to thank the following sponsors (right) for their continued support of our school. Please show your support for these businesses.

Julieanne Andrews pandf@salc.qld.edu.au

A HUGE THANK YOU! A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who purchased an Entertainment Book this year!!

Born to knit campaign 2013 Last year, Save the Children received 4,844 blankets for children in need programs across Australia and overseas. 37 of these blankets were made with love by our St Andrews community.

It is time to start knitting again. Thank you to our knitters who continued through the summer; this has provided a head start on the blanket tally for this year.

Please enlist your friends, family and neighbours to knit or crochet blankets. Blankets will keep children warm and help to save lives. Save the Children request the size to be 80cm square. Make whole blankets or knit 80cm x 20cm strips. If you require wool, needles or instructions please contact tonib@salc.qld.edu.au

Together we have raised $945.00 to go towards improving facilities for the children.

Congratulations to Myla S who was the winner of our Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Family Pass.

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 outside room 12B Most art materials are supplied, Expert tuition artist/teacher and free snacks supplied.

Don’t miss out, Book Now! Text/Call - 0402328987 or 55773293 after 7pm

College Fees – Optional Instalment Arrangements Tuition Fees become due at the beginning of each Term. However, we do understand that this may at times present cashflow problems for parents.

In 2013, St Andrews Lutheran College has implemented Direct Debit facilities for parents wanting to pay for their children’s tuition fees on a weekly, fortnightly, or monthly basis through a regular deduction from your nominated bank account, credit card, or debit card. Transactions are processed through a secure Westpac facility using the latest 128-bit SSL encrypting technology which is the banking industry standard.

If you are interested in this option to help with the family budget, please express your interest to the Business Manager, Mr Stephen Cooke - stephenc@salc.qld.edu.au

by Michael Grose - No. 1 parenting educator

Two homes, one heart With the number of Australian children of separated parents exceeding one million, there’s much at stake when coordinating their back-and-forth movement between two homes, writes Karen Fontaine A divorced Canadian couple made international headlines last month with the construction of a duplex-style home – at the centre of which are the bedrooms of their children, aged eight and ten.

Doors at either end of the duplex’s central hallway lead to each parent’s self-contained ‘wing’. Each week, one parent has custody of the children; during that week the door to the other parent’s wing is locked, maintaining a relative privacy for that parent.

This arrangement provides stability for the kids, who don’t have two homes but rather two parents who alternate their care from week to week.

It’s certainly a novel approach at a time when parental divorce affects the lives of nearly one in five young Australians under the age of 20 – “a disruption related to long-term social and economic disadvantages”, according to the Australian Institute of Family Studies.

In a shared-care situation, academic challenges can arise,

This is a position supported by Sydney family law professor

says Jacqui Marquis-Conder, Principal Psychologist at Youth

Patrick Parkinson. In a recent research paper entitled For Kids'

Psychology. This is particularly the case if there is a lengthy

Sake, Parkinson brought together extensive evidence showing

commute to one parent’s home on some weekdays, allowing

that parental separation is a significant risk factor for children's

less time for homework.

long-term emotional wellbeing and educational performance.

“Routines are also usually different in each home and some

Another expert, Dr Nicky McWilliam, a lawyer/mediator with

parents are better than others at supervising homework,”

Sydney Mediation Partnership, spends a third of her working

says Marquis-Conder. “Academic challenges and even learning

week dealing with separating parents. She notes, “there are

difficulties will most certainly arise if there are behaviour issues

always issues with contact arrangements for the children”.

associated with unresolved and ongoing emotional distress.”

Unlike in times gone by, when children automatically lived with

A recent study on the effect of divorce or separation on young

their mother and might have spent every second weekend with

children and older children found that, contrary to what many

their dad, shared-care situations are becoming much more

public policy makers believe, children are most affected by

common, says McWilliam.

changes to their family structure in the first five years of life.

“Most of the time the children are split evenly from week to week

Leading a study of 3,492 children into how remarriage and

and sometimes even from day to day,” she says.

integration into a blended family affected behaviour throughout their early and mid-adolescent years, Rebecca M. Ryan of the Page 1 of 2

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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

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two homes for the kids in a very loving and stable way,” she says.

“A lot of that, I think, is due to giving the kids lots of information – making them aware of what’s happening for the next hour, the next day, the next week, the next year – and doing a lot of talking and communicating.”

“It’s about explaining to the kids that although they are no longer in a relationship with the other parent, they respect that every parent has a different style. And no matter how young a child is, what’s bearing out from my practice is that that really makes a difference.”

Jacqui Marquis-Conder, Principal Psychologist of Youth Psychology, a private practice in Sydney (http://www.youthpsychology.com.au/), offers tips on how parents can ease the pressure on children for whom they share care:

Department of Psychology at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. found that children of married parents demonstrated the most dramatic behavioural changes later in life if their parents divorced prior to their first year of school.

1. Establish a shared-care arrangement that is child focused not parent focused. “A shared-care arrangement should always reflect the needs

When handled sensitively, there are many benefits to shared care as it allows children to build meaningful and ongoing relationships with both of their parents, says Jacqui Marquis-Conder.

of the child first, not the parent. Parents need to ask themselves: ‘Is this about me wanting to get my way or have control of the situation, or is this about what is best for my child?’. For example, if the child must be at both before- and after-school care or do a very

“Logistics aside, if parents are able to form an amicable

long commute in order to spend a particular day with a parent, is this

shared-care arrangement, and work out a communication style

actually in the best interests of the child? This is for the parents

that does not involve the children in their conflict, then shared care

to decide, depending on their child’s age and particular needs.”

can be ideal for children as well as parents. It breaks from what

2. Establish a routine, particularly during the week. “This can be

is often single parenting after separation,” she says.

a huge challenge but if it can be achieved for both parents to enforce

Interestingly, Ryan’s study also showed that children who are integrated into a new blended family have fewer behaviour

regular homework, meal, and bedtimes for their children, this will help the school week go smoothly.”

problems than those who are not. “In fact, children of blended

3. No matter how tempting, never speak badly about the other parent

families actually receive protective benefits that seem to help them

to the children (this goes for new partners as well). “This doesn’t

avoid some of the negative behaviors exhibited by children who

mean that you have to say nice things about the other parent but in

remain in single-parent households,” Ryan says.

this case it is wise to follow the good old-fashioned advice ‘if you

For Marquis-Conder, what this study highlights is that

includes subtle jokes, hints or sarcastic comments – even very young

“step-parents and step- and/or half-siblings can play a very

children understand the meaning behind these! And do not under any

crucial role in a child’s life if they are able to form a relationship

circumstances share communication from the other parent with your

built on warmth and trust”.

child such as showing them email or text message correspondence.”

“I have certainly seen many cases where a child has a warm,

4. Make pick-ups and drop-offs as stress free as possible for the

don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all’. This

loving and close relationship with their step-parents and siblings and this certainly provides protective benefits and potentially increases the child’s resilience,” she says.

children. “If the conflict is so high that parents cannot even be in the same room, then try to establish a neutral pick-up and drop-off spot such as a public park or café. All heated discussions should be held well away from the hearing or sight of the children (whether

Dr McWilliam agrees. “I have dealt with parents whose separation

in person, on the phone, or through text message).”

caused a lot of hurt and anxiety but they have managed to sort out Page 2 of 2

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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