Building Confidence and Connection with Rock and Water

Throughout the first term in the Year 4/5/6 class, we have been focusing on getting to know each other and building strong foundations for learning and teamwork. A key part of this has been our participation in the Rock and Water program.

Through a series of engaging exercises and games—many with a martial arts influence—students are developing confidence, self-reflection, and resilience. Students are learning to stand strong, negotiate using “rock” or “water” verbal approaches, walk away from conflict, and explore alternatives to aggression. More importantly, they are developing a deeper understanding of themselves, their emotions, and their personal direction. These valuable skills will support them in navigating challenges both in and beyond the classroom.

Catholic Identity

Lent is the Church season leading up to Easter. It is a time of prayer, reflection and giving of oneself to others to become closer to God. It is also a time where we prepare ourselves for the events of Easter, namely the Death and Resurrection of Jesus.

When God chose to enter this world as Jesus, he did it in full measure, becoming one of us even until death. He was rejected, despised, abused, mocked, and murdered. He suffered, died, and was quietly buried. His message was like a seed buried in darkness, deep underground, waiting for the moment to burst into new life.

This week is the last week of Lent, namely Holy Week, the week we begin the journey towards Easter. This week as a school, we have re-visited the events of Palm Sunday, the Last Supper, and the Stations of the Cross. The story continues thereafter with the celebration of the Risen Lord during the Easter season which we will celebrate next week and the weeks that follow.

Curriculum News

I have included two mathematical tasks which you might like to have a go at with your child/children.

This week’s Mathematical tasks:

Reception to Year 3

In my pocket I have $1 and 40 cents. What coins might I have?

Years 4-6

I went to get $265 out of the bank. What are the different ways I can ask for this amount in notes?

Happy inquiry.

Below is part of an article that has been published in the Sydney Morning Herald focusing on the benefits of reading to children.

Melbourne researchers have proven what parents have intuitively known all along - the more often you read to your children from an early age, the greater the positive effect on their reading and thinking skills.

The Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research has not only proven a causal effect between the frequency of reading to a child and his or her development, but have also for the first time measured the benefits.

Children four to five years old who are read to three to five times a week have the same reading ability as children six months older (who are read to only twice or less a week).

Reading to children six to seven days a week puts them almost a year ahead of those who are not being read to. It was also found that reading to small children has a positive effect on the development of numeracy skills.

''It does appear to be the case that children who are read to more often keep doing better as they age than other children,'' said Professor Guyonne Kalb, director of the institute's Labour Economics and Social Policy Program, and co-author of the study.

The research - which was funded by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development - found the positive outcomes occurred in children regardless of parental income, education level or cultural background.

''We wanted to try and determine whether reading itself is leading to better outcomes, or do parents who read to their children have other things going on,'' Professor Kalb said.

''We worked with children representing a whole range of families, from all different backgrounds and economic circumstances. We found it doesn't matter if a child is from a poor or rich family, or if the parents are highly educated or not, doing this basic thing of reading to them leads to better developmental outcomes.''

The longitudinal study followed the reading skills of more than 4000 children, aged four to five years in 2004, through to age 10 to 11.

Victorian Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development Wendy Lovell said the research was ''an exciting step forward'' in understanding the importance of reading to young children.

Happy reading.

Parent-Teacher Learning Conversations  

Thank you to families who were able to take part in our Parent Teacher Learning Conversations last week. I’d also like to thank our teachers for their preparation work and for making themselves available. These conversations provided an opportunity for teachers to share the academic and social progress your child has made and to discuss areas of growth and future goal setting. Our Parent Teacher Learning Conversations also provided an opportunity for parents to ask teachers questions related to their child’s development.

If you were unable to attend last week’s conversation and would like to make a time to meet with your child’s class teacher, please feel free to do so by contacting them directly and arranging a time that is suitable for both of you.

Five Areas of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

SEL involves developing the ability to understand and manage our emotions, establish positive relationships, develop empathy for others, set and achieve goals and feel good about ourselves.

Be You’s approach to SEL is based on the model developed by the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL), an internationally recognised organisation in this area of research.

The model defines ?ve social and emotional skill areas essential for the development of good mental health. Each of these skill areas includes a number of specific elements. Intentional teaching of the competencies is also crucial to implementing effective SEL, as are opportunities for children and young people to practise and generalise them.

Teaching SEL works best when the focus is on helping children and young people learn skills from each domain so that they gradually and progressively build their skills and knowledge throughout early learning and school. It’s an ongoing process across all year levels.

Bullying:When someone says or does something intentionally hurtful, and they keep doing it even when they are asked to stop.

At this point the teacher or leader will draw from those impacted that they would like the behaviour to stop and emphasise to those displaying the behaviour that if it continues, it becomes Bullying and that is when their parents will become involved. The conversation is also documented for future reference if required.

From my 35 years’ experience of working in schools, the behaviour almost always stops here as children do not like to be labelled as bullies.

For the Restorative Practice process to work, it is important that children inform a teacher or a member of the leadership if they feel upset over something that has occurred at school.

To learn more about how you can help support the wellbeing of your children visit Be You (formerly Beyond Blue). The website provides a range of resources and ideas to support the mental health and wellbeing of our young people. I encourage you to visit the website at https://beyou.edu.au/and have a look for yourself

In the next newsletter I will define each of the ?ve social and emotional skill areas in more detail.

To learn more about how you can help support the wellbeing of your children visit Be You (formerly Beyond Blue). The website provides a range of resources and ideas to support the mental health and wellbeing of our young people. I encourage you to visit the website at https://beyou.edu.au/and have a look for yourself.

Diary Dates

Term 1 Concludes - 3:00pm Thursday April 9.

Friday April 10 is a Pupil Free Day. OSHC is available for families requiring the service. See Mieke to make a booking.

Term 2 Commences - 8:45am Monday April 27.

May God’s love continue to be with us during Holy Week.

Working in partnership with you.

Shaun O’Leary.

Audiri App is transitioning to EdSmart

As you may be aware we have commenced the move away from using the Audiri App to using EdSmart which is an email-based product. Information regarding what is happening within our school along with upcoming school events will now be communicated to families using EdSmart. Be sure to monitor your email inbox for school updates.

At this stage we will continue to use Audiri to allow for parents to complete absentee slips.

Holy Week

Holy Week calls us to more than a commemoration of stories. It challenges us to live as people of justice and mercy. Jesus’ actions such as welcoming the outsider, standing with marginalised people, and choosing love even in suffering, speak powerfully into our community and our whole world.

For our school community, our Holy Week liturgies are an opportunity to slow down and reflect on the life and message of Jesus, to love others, love ourselves and to love God.

May this Easter time renew all our hearts and inspire us to be people of compassion, justice, and hope in our world.

Dear Parents and Caregivers.

Welcome to OSHC.

Children in OSHC have been participating in activities for Holi, Ramadan, Harmony Day and Cultural Diversity Week learning about our multicultural community and sharing our own culture.

Children discussed oral hygiene on World Oral Health Day and shared the reasons we clean our teeth and what can happen when we don’t clean our teeth.

OSHC uses the Xplor Platform for enrolments, bookings and payments. Xplor can be downloaded onto your phone using the QR code, then complete the enrolment process.

Families will need to follow the prompts to complete online enrolments.

Families will be billed weekly through the app, direct debit from your account. Receipts showing payments can be viewed on the app.

SCAN THE QR CODE TO START THE ENROLMENT PROCESS

Childcare Subsidy is available for families to assist with the costs of care in OSHC. This can be completed through your personal myGov app and Centrelink.

All parents/caregivers, whether they have permanent or casual bookings for their child or children, must complete the enrolment online.

In OSHC children are in a safe supervised environment; learning happens while children play, have fun, and make new friends. Please feel welcome to visit.

Parents/caregivers are welcome to read the OSHC Policies, feel free to ask and I will make copies available for your perusal.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Mieke   

OSHC Director   

Play & Go Adelaide

Looking for some FREE & FUN school activities? - then please visit this website!