Filter Content
Dear Parents, Caregivers and Students,
Welcome back to Term 3. I hope you are feeling refreshed and re-energised for what undoubtable will be another busy term ahead. I have enjoyed a lovely break with my family and have been able to relax and enjoy the glorious weather, I even managed to read a book. But as nice as holidays are, I find it equally exciting to get back to school and look forward to our continued partnership into to the term.
I hoped to write this newsletter without having to talk about COVID. Although I am optimistic about a return to some form of ‘normality’, the COVID-19 pandemic proves unpredictable and requires us to remain vigilant and adhere to covid regulations. As a school we will continue hand washing practices and teach students about cough and sneezing etiquette. We will continue the extra cleaning regime of doorhandles, taps, toilets and outdoor play equipment between lunch and recess. All adults will need to apply the 1.5m rule and use hand sanitiser upon entering school grounds. If your child is unwell we ask that you keep them home. Let’s work together to help keep our community healthy.
Some work that has occurred over the holidays;
- Wooden bag racks have been replaced by hooks in F-3 area. There is so much more space!
- Carpets in Year F/1 and Year 1/2 have been cleaned.
- Artificial grass areas have been cleaned.
- Some broken sprinklers on the oval have been fixed.
A working bee has been planned for Saturday 15th August. We are fortunate to have a parent community that supports, assists and helps oversee the maintenance of school grounds and facilities. I encourages all families to become involved in the life of the school. A working bee is not only a great way to help improve the school environment but also a wonderful opportunity to build connections with other families in the school. Detailed information about the working bee will be provided to you in the coming week.
In week 3 there will be an opportunity for you to meet with your child’s teacher to discuss your child’s learning and growth through parent-teacher interviews. Parent- teacher interviews are another way to celebrate your child’s achievements this year so far as well as an opportunity for goal setting into the future. Parent-teacher interviews will run in the afternoons of Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th August. A booking sheet has gone home today.
Many activities that could not happen due to covid restrictions in the first half of the year are resuming this term. SAPSASA sports kicked off today with soccer for Year 6/7 in Renmark. Although everyone is keen to catch up on the many activities that have been missed out on during the first two terms, we will make sure that the needs of the students are catered for and that activities are well paced throughout the next two terms.
It is lovely to see so many parents and grandparents back on school grounds to drop off and pick up your children. For Catholics, community is like a beating heart. A body of people with a story, a history and a purpose who believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Sharing a common vision for life, seeking to live in a spirit of love or a life-long love relationship in the Spirit of Christ. Fr Paul’s small 70th birthday celebration last Saturday was a beautiful example of being in community with others and with God. Fr Paul was described by his younger brother Jack as a person who walks light through life, meaning he places little value on earthly belongings. Yet despite his dislike for collecting things throughout his seventy years he unwillingly did become a collector; a collector of connections and stories. Like an Elder Fr Paul shares these stories. In Australian aboriginal culture the older people, or The Elders as they are called, play a crucial role. The Elders hold the stories and the wisdom of the past. In telling these stories The Elders help younger generations make sense of everyday life. The stories pass on knowledge. Knowledge that the earth provides just as a mother does and must be respected and cherished. The Elders also give counsel to those in need; listen to the problems of the group; help shed light on difficult situations; tell and guide the young and in return they are revered, nurtured, respected and cared for.
Looking at our society today, somewhere along the way, something seems to have shifted. In the world as we experience it now, especially through the pandemic, the elders disappear quickly from the public stage, the middle-aged bear the burden of the system, and the young are the focus of attention.
The fact is that there is nothing a youth-centered culture needs more than it needs its elders. If ever elders are meant to have a real role in life, it surely is now.
I am deeply grateful for the presence of Fr Paul in our school and the wisdom and counsel he provides to students, families and staff alike.
Nanda de Winter
It's time for an Arctic Adventure Book Fair.
- 5th of August 2020 - Module 1: Mindfulness (Managing Difficult Feelings)
This webinar will introduce "Mindfulness" as a core resilience skill associated with future wellbeing and positive life outcomes.
This dynamic and engaging webinar will introduce and explore the following content:
- An overview of what is "mindfulness", as both a skill and approach to bring to one's life.
- The benefits of mindfulness and grounding strategies.
- Applying mindfulness across different settings, including learning, education, work, family and navigating the demands of Year 11 and 12.
- Exploration of different mindfulness and grounding strategies (including the What-What-How).
- Drawing upon mindfulness to navigate and manage difficult feelings, including anxiety, stress and anger.
- Parenting and teacher strategies that can foster and teach mindfulness and grounding at home and at school.
- How to take a mindfulness (or a mindful intent) to one's life and future decision making.
- 19th of August 2020 - Module 2: Growth Mindset
This webinar will introduce "Growth Mindset" as a core resilience skill associated with future wellbeing and positive life outcomes.
This dynamic and engaging webinar will introduce and explore the following content:
- An understanding of how 'mindsets' can guide future actions, one's experience of the world and future wellbeing and resilience outcomes.
- An overview of the 'growth' versus 'fixed mindset'.
- Drawing upon the 'growth mindset' across different settings, including learning, education, work, family and navigating the demands of Year 11 and 12.
- The 'power of yet' and other strategies that foster a growth mindset.
- Parenting and teacher strategies that foster a 'growth' versus 'fixed mindset' for children and young people.
- How to take a growth mindset (or 'growth intent') to one's life and future decision making.
- 2nd of September 2020 - Module 3: Actioning Values
This webinar will introduce "Actioning Values" as a core resilience skill associated with future wellbeing and positive life outcomes.
This dynamic and engaging webinar will introduce and explore the following content:
- An overview of what are values and why they are important.
- The importance and role of actioning values (or energising them through decision making) as a method to 'live your spirit' (or live authentically).
- An exploration of different values, and how they relate to wellbeing, resilience and optimal life outcomes.
- An understanding of the 3 C's as a way to understand human motivation.
- How to draw upon the motivating properties of values, across learning, education, work, family and navigating the demands of Year 11 and 12.
- Using the What-What-How to activate values and support increased wellbeing, resilience and optimal decision making.
- Parenting and teacher strategies that can support the exploration and activation of values.
- 16th of September 2020 -Module 4: Gratitude and Helpful Thinking
This webinar will introduce "Gratitude and Helpful Thinking" as a core resilience skill associated with future wellbeing and life outcomes.
This dynamic and engaging webinar will introduce and explore the following content:
- The relationship between thoughts, feelings and actions.
- The types and impact of different thinking approaches.
- An exploration of 'helpful' versus 'unhelpful' thinking.
- An understanding of 'gratitude' as a helpful thinking process.
- An overview of different gratitude exercises and strategies that can be applied across home and school.
- How to bring a helpful thinking process to challenging situations, including across school, home, family and stressful tasks (including Year 11 and 12).