Weekly
news
Term 3, Week 6
Coming up this week
Date
Event
September 16
Last Day of Term
September 17
Student Free Day
MISSION STATEMENT
To work under God in partnership with parents to provide an inclusive, nurturing and high quality education for every student.
VIsion
Flourishing through faith, belonging and the pursuit of excellence.
From The Principal
Instilling hope in uncertain times
In a special report from leading child psychologist Michael Carr-Gregg, we learn tips and tricks for addressing the mental health of our children in the recent lockdowns. Click the photo to view the video.
Although life is always filled with uncertainty, the levels we are currently experiencing are unprecedented and immense. Christians believe that Jesus alerted us to the idea that life will not be smooth. He also comforted us with his message that He will be with us. He says in John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Jesus knew that he would soon endure a painful death and that blessings would flow to the world through his death and resurrection.
With our current challenges, including continued disruptions to education and isolation from peers and family, mental health concerns are on the rise and it is evident that many young people may need some extra support. Adult carers and teachers can help instil hope in such times of uncertainty by ensuring young people remain connected with their social networks, encouraging them to see life as it is and focussing more on the things they can control, rather than those they can’t.
Over the centuries, the human race has faced significant adversity for prolonged periods of time and often emerged stronger and more determined. Therefore, it’s important not to give up hope and remain optimistic. By keeping the lines of communication open and listening, parents can help young people reframe their worries and put the disruptions into perspective. It’s important young people make a conscious effort to focus on the good bits, rather than fill in the blanks with catastrophic narratives.
If your young person has concerns or just wants to talk to someone outside of the family unit, encourage them to call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 – anytime, any reason. Alternatively, they can chat online at www.kidshelpline.com.au
Janet Moeller
Principal
Mark your calendars
Mufti Day
Friday 27 August
Team 6 Family Catch up
Friday 27 August
“A Place to Grow” family fun day
Saturday 23 October
From The DEPUTY Principal
Online Learning Advice
As we enter another lockdown it made me think about a number of key tips and advice for parents and students as they complete tasks from home:
- Set yourself some clear (but realistic) goals about what tasks you need to complete each day
- Organise workspaces with minimal distractions
- Ensure both you and your child have regular brain break
- Communicate with your teacher if you are unsure about a task using Seesaw and read feedback about completed tasks
- Try and build in some exercise each day, a walk, a ride on your bike
- Ensure your children are completing some ‘service’ tasks around the house (e.g. help with cleaning, washing up, emptying the bins, assist in preparing dinner)
- Have a clear end-of-work-day celebration once you all have completed the tasks to the best of your ability. This could be as simple as a ‘happy dance’ or a high five
I must acknowledge the time, thought and care our teachers have put into preparing the online tasks and work packs over a short period of time. I was so impressed by the way our teachers worked collaboratively and productively to organise a meaningful learning experiences for your children. They are a great credit to the school and teaching profession.
Social media focus – Managing your child’s time online
As we enter a week of online learning I thought this would be an appropriate social media focus. Signs that your child’s online activity may be having a negative impact on them or on your family include:
less interest in physical activity
multiple, unfinished tasks
tiredness, sleep disturbance, headaches, eye strain
changes in eating patterns
reduced personal hygiene
obsession with particular websites or games
extreme anger when being asked to take a break from online activity
appearing anxious or irritable when away from the computer
becoming withdrawn from friends and family
Help your child to manage their time online
Below are some general guidelines for parents that you can use to support your child in managing their time online:
- Stay engaged and encourage balance
- Create a plan
- Reduce your own screen time also sets a positive example
- Use the available technology controls
To read this article in more detail please refer to the eSafety webpage
https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/big-issues/time-online
Supporting Parents and Carers
I have attached a visual graphic link from the Association of Independent Schools New South Wales (AISNSW). This provides some practical tips on ensuring the wellbeing of the family at home during lockdown. Take your time to have a look over it.
http://10 Steps to Family Wellbeing.pdf (aisnsw.edu.au)
NSW State lockdown
Thank-you to all of our parents who have made the sacrifice in following the New South Wales Health Authority advice in keeping their children at home during this lockdown week. It has been most appreciated.
Ideally, we would like to see as few as possible students at school during lockdown to reduce the number of people moving around the school. We understand that this will not be possible for all parents.
We will continue to communicate with you about arrangements for next week once the NSW state government makes a decision about the lockdown.
Obviously these are very trying times for everyone, particularly people in Sydney and some of our Regional areas. We hope and pray for a reduction in the infection rates so that we can safely come out of lockdown and return to face-to-face teaching.
Let’s keep looking after each other in these difficult times.
Dylan Evans
Deputy Principal
Principal's Award
Firstname Surname
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci
Values Focus
Love Never Fails
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick-tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do. Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. Love never fails!
We have often heard it said that nothing lasts forever. But that is just not true. The love that comes from Jesus does last forever. But how can we show this to others? How can we give a love that is forever? How can we give it in the midst of our current concerns over Covid-19?
The answer is actually quite simple. The world changes because of what we do. If we live a life full of love, the changes we start will reflect that love. The love will spread to others, and because they felt that love, they too will spread more love. And that love will spread again and again.
Love is shown in selflessness, generosity and putting others before ourselves. If I could comment on our current situation with Covid, its seems we are doing a better job of loving our neighbour this time around. There doesn’t seem to be the panic buying we observed last year and, for the most part, in our area people are doing what is needed to help us all get through this. So let’s continue to be those people that enact love. The effect will be everlasting.
The Bible tells us that God first loved us and His love endures forever. Let’s share that love wherever we can.
“Love” is one our of school value words that we are considering throughout this term.
Chaplain Mick
Curriculum Matters
Book Week and Book Fair
Our Book Week celebrations may look a little different this year. Mrs Bormann has been busy setting up the book fair in the library. We were planning to have ‘wish lists’ during library time this week. That wish list time will now be postponed until next week. In the event the lockdown is extended, our Book Fair will take place online.
Please check Seesaw announcements for information about our ‘Mystery Reader’ guessing competition.
ICAS Exams
In light of the uncertainty around lockdowns, all ICAS exams scheduled for this term will be postponed until early Term Four.
Tournament of Minds
Our TOM teams are continuing to work collaboratively via online platforms to complete their solution and create a digital performance. I am constantly amazed by the ingenuity and collaboration of our students.
Congratulations to all the TOM students for their resilience, persistence and creativity.
Remote Learning
I would like to thank all the teachers, staff, families and students for their commitment to learning during this snap lockdown. The engagement shown thus far has been outstanding.
As I check into Seesaw journals and classrooms – it is wonderful to see the creativity and digital savviness of our students (and teachers) and celebrate how far they have come in twelve months. We now have 100% of families connected to Seesaw – an achievement in itself!
Karri von Mengerson
Curriculum Coordinator
Blank Section
From The Sports Desk
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum
Sub heading
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse exerci consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis dolore te feugait nulla facilisi.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse exerci consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis dolore te feugait nulla facilisi.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat.
OSHC
We have had a very slow week at OSHC as we go through lockdown.
The children have enjoyed challenging each other with Brain Training and Mario Kart on the Switch.
They have relaxed with colouring and decorating slap bands. They will be making savoury muffins and mini tool boxes later in the week.
Parents and Carers, please know OSHC is still available during lockdown for all essential workers. However, if you do keep your children home please remember to mark them as absent/cancel on the “My Family Lounge’ App to avoid fees this week.
The Spring Vacation Care program is now available and is full of amazing activities including a jumping castle on the oval, a trivia day and a trip to Nagel Street Indoor Sport Centre. You are now able to start booking in for the next school holidays through the ‘My Family Lounge’ App.
If you would like a copy of the program or if you are a new family to OSHC and would like to enrol please don’t hesitate to email OSHC at [email protected].
Have a safe week.
Rebecca Cameron
OSHC Coordinator
Awards and Achievements
Class or Achievement Name
- Firstname Surname
- Firstname Surname
- Firstname Surname
- Firstname Surname
Class or Achievement Name
- Firstname Surname
- Firstname Surname
- Firstname Surname
- Firstname Surname
Notable Achievement
Firstname Surname
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci
Notable Achievement
Firstname Surname
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exerci
Lost Property
Please check lost property in the school office for misplaced items. Unclaimed items of clothing will be donated to the school’s second hand Uniform Shop.
Please label your child’s items. This practice helps us to return your child’s clothing, etc. Thank you.
UNIFORM SHOP
Orders are accepted via the e-form purchase request on the school app, or by phone call/text message to Tegan Peel
0401 665 640