Junior School Bulletin Issue 10 / 4 August 2017
Junior School News Students from Japan visit St Andrews We have been very fortunate to have two Japanese student groups visit our school. The Kokuren school in Japan visited for half a day and joined in on some Aussie classes. The Aoyama Elementary school is currently half way through their two week visit. It is a great opportunity for our students to have these international visitors, welcome them to Australia, share our customs and culture and have some fun with other students from across the globe.
car park area. 1. Please move up to the end of the curb, closest to the bus shelter before stopping to let your children out of the car. Stopping half way causes a build up of traffic. 2. If you need to get out of the car to help your children get out of the car, comb their hair, help put on shoes etc please park your car on the asphalt parking area. 3. Please remember to be courteous to each other. We all want to drop of our children to school in a quick but more importantly a safe manner. Thank you for your support. Discos Prep – Year 2 Disco is being held on Friday night as this bulletin is being sent out. Hope they all have a fantastic time. The Years 3-6 Disco will be held on the Friday 11 August. All money raised from the discos will be donated to 100%Hope, a school in Uganda that is helping underprivileged children get an education. In Brief Celebrating the Good Stuff • In2cricket and T20 Blast have been operating on Wednesday afternoons. Mini-stars basketball is operating on Thursday afternoons. The students appear to be really enjoying themselves at these extra-curricular activities.
Mufti Day Last Tuesday we held our Mufti Day. The theme for the day was Rainbow and the funds raised were sent to Australian Lutheran World Service https://www.alws.org.au/ for the mission work that they do. Online NAPLAN The Federal Government has given a commitment to conduct the NAPLAN tests online. St Andrews was randomly selected to participate in the ACARA trial to test for Online School Readiness of these tests. The aim of the Trial was to evaluate test items that are under consideration for inclusion in future tests. The trial test will provide us with an insight into what the online testing might look like and help us to prepare for future online NAPLAN testing. Students from 3A and 5A participated in the test and we look forward to the feedback from the group running the tests. Traffic A couple of reminders when dropping your children off in the morning in the Kiss and Go section of the Junior School
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ICAS English competition was conducted last Tuesday. We look forward to getting the results. On Mufti day we raised over $1300 to go towards Australian Lutheran World Services. The students in Year 1 planted 1000 trees in Schuster’s Park throughout the week. That’s approximately 12 trees each. I am sure that over the years the children will watch these trees grow and remember planting them.
Darrin Schumacher Deputy Principal Head of Junior School
and parents are encouraged to book early to use this service.
Chaplains Chat In my wrestling and in my doubts In my failures You won’t walk out…. In the silence, You won’t let go In the questions, Your truth will hold…..
Your child’s Student Led Conference will include a 30 minute pre-booked session in their home classroom. Before or after that students will escort their parents to their Music, Japanese and PSPE areas. The Junior School Library will also be open for visits. The time spent that day will provide comprehensive insights into your child’s learning at St Andrews as you visit all their different learning areas.
I won’t fear what tomorrow brings With each morning I’ll rise and sing My God’s love will lead me through You are the peace in my troubled sea These are part of the lyric of the song “My Lighthouse” by Rend Collective. It is a wonderful proclamation and celebration of the faithfulness of God in our lives. Students within our College of all ages sing this song with gusto. It is always a great joy to be present when it is being sung. It brings a lightness to your spirit and a sense of contentment and goodwill. God and His light and love is a beacon shining brightly in the St Andrews community. This does not mean life is always bright and perfect. There are hiccups and heartache amongst us here, just as there is in all walks of life but the good news is that there is always an inexhaustible supply of love and goodness present amongst us because God promises this to us as we place our faith and trust in Him. Psalm 136:1 says - Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.(version NLT) This fact underpins all we endeavour to live out in our community. It is a reassurance that breathes life into situations of pain and despair. It is an ever present inspiration leading us to live life with courage and vitality. May God continue to be present here in our community, working His ways amongst us as His Spirit moves us to love and live in His will. Graeme Schache College Chaplain
From the Deputy Head of Junior School (P-3) Towards the end of this term, on Thursday 31 August, the Junior School will celebrate the learning achievements of our P - Year 6 students at our Student Led Conferences. Parents will soon be notified by email about how to book times for this important event. You are encouraged do this as soon as you can when bookings are opened. On this day the Junior School is closed and P - Year 6 students attend only for their scheduled Student Led Conference. For parents who need to work that day outside of the Student Led Conference bookings, OHSC will be available
During your time in your child’s home classroom there will be only 4-5 other students with their parents at the same time to allow maximum interaction with all the aspects of learning that your child wants to demonstrate to you. They will talk about the knowledge, concepts, skills, attitudes and actions the have embraced through their Units of Inquiry. Parents are encouraged to ask their child questions and to support or encourage their active participation. You can be certain that the interest you show will have a positive influence on your child’s future efforts. I am confident it will be a highlight for you all. We are really looking forward to welcoming you to our 2017 Student Led Conferences…. Truly a day to remember and a time for your children to shine. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9 NIV Joy Schloss Deputy Head of Junior School
Junior Library News Each year across Australia, the Children’s Book Council brings children and books together celebrating Book Week (August 21 – 25). Here at St Andrews, there is a definite buzz of excitement in the air, with students eagerly participating in a number of book week related activities. Our biggest event during this week will be our book character parade, scheduled for Friday morning with an 8:40am start. Parents and friends are most welcome to join us in the MPH
Giselle Courtney 6C Jiya Donaldson 6C
for this very special event. This year, the theme for book week is Escape to Everywhere. The Junior School Library is currently being transformed this term, into a magical, colourful space, full of decorative displays that feature the shortlisted books and student artwork. Each class will be involved in decorating their door based on the theme or a shortlisted book. The winning classes will be announced at the book character parade and will receive a class ice-cream party.
We wish them all the best. Year 3 Central Idea - The kanji writing system connects Chinese and Japanese communities. Our Year 3 students recently engaged in a KANJI ROCKS project.
A Book Fair will take place in the library during Weeks 8 and 9 where students have the opportunity to buy some of their favourite books and stationary items. This is a fantastic fundraising opportunity for the College and helps the library purchase more resources for students and teachers. The Junior School Library provides a welcoming environment and is a hub for exploration, learning and wonder. Please contact me anytime if you have any questions. My door is ‘always open’. Vikki Rees Teacher Librarian/ICT Coordinator
Japanese News The MLTAQ Griffith University Japanese Speech Contest will be held on Sunday 13 August. The following students will represent the College Year 4 Eve Pattison 4B Bailey Hawkins 4A Cameron Potter 4B Year 5 Sam Butterworth 5B Ruby Hanlon 5A Ally Crawford 5B Year 6 Isabella Seymour 6B
This is one way our students can share their knowledge with others. Keep an eye out for these rocks in the Junior School. By picking one up, you may learn something new. Please log on to jsjapanese.weebly.com to see the units of inquiry for Term 3 Japanese. Students are encouraged to listen to the voice recording for the unit. Hoshi (Star) club Our hoshi club is an immersion style Japanese club with a focus on speaking and comprehending Japanese . It is for all Junior School students . Please email sharont@salc.qld.edu.au if your child is interested in attending. Hoshi club members attend every week. Sharon Taki Junior School Japanese
Performing Arts News Makin’ Mini Music was in full swing for Arts Week in the Junior School last term. All the groups performed for their classes and invited parents. It was a great opportunity for the students to show off what they have been learning throughout the year and how much fun they have been having.
Peter Pan Auditions - Week 9 Our next whole of College musical is Peter Pan Jr. It will be on at The Arts Centre in Term 2 2018. Students from Years 3 – 11 are welcome to audition. See the flyer for details. Priscilla Scott Head of Arts
The Preps sang “Do Re Mi” with actions, they also sang and played percussion instruments to “I Am A Fine Musician” and they finally coordinated themselves for a clapping/action piece called “Double Double Ice Cream.” The Year 1s also sang “Do Rem Mi” with actions from the Sound of Music. This is to help with the singing of the C major solfege scale that they all learn. The Year 1s also did a version of Tom Hanks’ Down Down Baby from the movie “Big” as well as a rhythmic body percussion piece called “Whack Bang Crash.” I was so pleased with the way all the students were so keen to perform in front of their peers (the first step towards the Performing Arts) and how well they all executed the different pieces. I am very much looking forward to performances in Term 4 to see their progress and development in confidence. Julie Catherwood Makin’ Mini Music Tutor The Mini Musos and Junior Concert Band had a fantastic experience in Week 2 at the Beenleigh Eisteddfod. The two groups competed against several other schools in their sections, both coming away with a placing. The Mini Musos, our fabulous Year 4 Beginner Band who have only been playing together (and playing their instrument) for six months, performed extremely well and received first place. The Junior School Concert Band, our Years 5 and 6 band, also had a very successful day, coming away with second place. We are extremely proud of the dedication and confidence these students have shown this year and look forward to seeing them improve further as the year progresses.
Sport News P- Year 3 ‘MINI COMMONWEALTH GAMES’ As we approach 2018, we are all excited about the upcoming Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. As such, we have re-named our ‘Mini Olympics’ accordingly. These sessions of activities for our Prep to Year 3 classes will be run by our Year 6 Active School Leaders and will be held on Thursday 14 September, on the bottom oval and in the MPH. Prep and Year 1 will have their activities between 8:45am - 10:45am, and the Years 2 and 3 between 11:30am - 1:00pm. We are in the process of practicing events in PSPE and then selecting our favourites to include in the MCG (Mini Commonwealth Games) program.
Please feel free to come along on the day. More information will be sent home soon. SOUTH COAST NETBALL Joesi Gisinger was recently chosen as Captain of South Coast 11 Years Netball Team for the State Championships on the Sunshine Coast. The team tied for 1st place with Met East.
ACTIVE SCHOOL LEADERS Our Year 6 Active School Leaders are once again running a program of lunchtime activities for Junior School students in Term 3. These activities include Mini Commonwealth Games challenges, Year 5 Basketball training, Handball, Dance, Dodgeball and other Minor Games. They will also be conducting ‘Beep Test’ and Handball Competitions for Years 3 to 6 in weeks 6 and 7 respectively.
Hugo Davidson and Miles Blanchard – Active School Leaders Byron Finniear – High Jumper Andy Manion PSPE Teacher Junior Sport Coordinator
Dates to Remember AUGUST Sunday 6 Years 5-9 All Hallows Touch Tournament (selected students) Monday 7 Years 4-12 HDSS Athletics Carnival - day 1 Aoyama Gakuin School Group visit Tuesday 8 Junior School Chapel, Worship Centre – 1.40pm Years 4-12 HDSS Athletics Carnival – day 2 Wednesday 9 Aoyama Gakuin School Group visit Years 4-6 T20Blast Cricket, Top Oval – 3.30 – 5.00pm P - Year 3 In2Cricket, Top Oval – 3.30 – 5.00pm Thursday 10 Mini Stars Basketball, MPH – 3.30 – 4.30pm Friday 11 Aoyama Gakuin School Group visit Years 3 - 6 Disco, Multi Purpose Hall – 6.00pm – 8.00pm Year P1 Mums’ Dinner, JFK Woodfire Kitchen & Bar – 6.30pm Monday 14 National Science Week Tuesday 15 ICAS Maths Competition – Years 4-12 Assembly, Multi Purpose Hall – 1.40pm Wednesday 16 Years 4-6 T20Blast Cricket, Top Oval – 3.30 – 5.00pm P-3 In2Cricket, Top Oval – 3.30 – 5.00pm Thursday 17 Mini Stars Basketball, MPH – 3.30 – 4.30pm Friday 18 Year 3 Mums’ Dinner - The Collective, Palm Beach – 6.30pm
LLL School Banking Do your kids know the value of money?
In today’s world of electronic payments and internet banking, it is difficult to teach children the value of money. When you’re at the shops, how often do you pay with actual cash? Australians only use cash for 37% of purchases, mainly for goods costing under $10. Our kids have learned that money lives in a plastic card, and lack clear understanding of how money works. The LLL recommends teaching kids the “three ‘S’s”: Saving: Have a savings goal. Instead of purchasing a birthday or Christmas present for them, let this be the motivation for saving. Spending: For everyday items: when you’re buying a coffee and your child wants a biscuit, they can use their ‘spending’ money. They’ll learn that once money is spent, it’s gone, and it’s a great way to talk about comparing the value of items. Sharing: Help your child to develop an attitude of giving at a young age. Let them choose a cause they are passionate about. One way to do this is with three clear jam jars with the labels ‘saving, ‘spending’, and ‘sharing’. Your child can tangibly see the growth as the money accumulates.
The LLL provides savings accounts for children. The accounts have a good interest rate with no bonus hurdles to jump over AND we also pay a $5 gift for the first savings account opened for the child. Talk to the school office about opening an LLL Children’s Saving Account and participating in LLL school banking today, or visit www.lll.org.au for more information. Note: School Banking Day is Tuesday. Books can be left at Junior School Admin, Middle School Admin, Senior School Admin or Main Reception.
2017 Parent Webinar Program
Through the ISDCN Parent Webinar Program, parents can access a wealth of information to help them understand and respond to the complex range of issues associated with raising children, as well as experts ready to help arm them with well-researched strategies and considered advice.
Parents face a myriad of challenges in raising happy and healthy children. Some of these issues have not changed over time, such as dealing with moody adolescents during puberty or helping kids be the best they can be. Others, like keeping children safe online, are new.
www.isdcn.edu.au
The ISDCN is a joint initiative of Independent Schools Queensland and the Association of Independent Schools (NSW) for all Australian independent schools.
The ISDCN operates for all independent schools. The parent webinar program is part of a larger program of services including a National Virtual Debating Competition, professional leaning webinars for staff and virtual excursions for students.
ABOUT ISDCN
Parents can also access recordings of previous webinars.
Webinars are free and no registration is required. Parents simply click on a provided link at the advertised time. Participants will see the computer screen and video of the presenter, hear their audio and can interact by asking formal questions with the Q&A tool or have informal discussion on a chat channel. These interactions can be the most valuable part of the session.
Live sessions are scheduled to start at 7:45pm AESDT for the convenience of busy households.
HOW ISDCN PARENT WEBINARS WORK
perfect for content sharing
ISDCN also welcomes input into the program. Please contact us with your ideas and feedback.
School, parent organisations and associations of independent schools are encouraged to promote ISDCN’s upcoming and previous webinars within their parent communities. These webinars would make great content for social media channels, or in school newsletters to help boost parent engagement.
Brett Lee (INESS)
SOCIAL AND LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES ONLINE
Dr. Helen Street
THE IMPORTANCE OF PLAY
Dr. Toni Noble
DEVELOPING RESILIENCE IN YOUR CHILD – HELPING YOUR CHILD TO BOUNCE BACK!
Sarah McMahon
BUILDING BODY CONFIDENT KIDS
Paul Dillon (DARTA)
TEENAGERS, ALCOHOL & OTHER DRUGS 2016 – HOW MUCH INFLUENCE DO PARENTS REALLY HAVE?
Dr. Justin Coulsen
HELPING YOUR CHILD THRIVE – AT SCHOOL AND IN LIFE
Prof. Donna Cross
PREVENTING BULLYING TO ENHANCE CHILDREN’S AND ADOLESCENTS’ BRAIN DEVELOPMENT
Safer Schoolies Initiative, Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services
SAFER SCHOOLIES – PARENT INFORMATION SESSION
Brett Lee (INESS)
INTERNET SAFETY FOR PARENTS – YOUR CHILDREN AND THE WEB
previous webinars
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coming up
2017 Parent Webinar Program
The Independent Schools Digital Collaboration Network (ISDCN) is an initiative of Independent Schools Queensland and the Association of Independent Schools (NSW) for all Australian independent schools.
T 07 3228 1550 M 0410 426 654 iquartermaine@isq.qld.edu.au
Ian Quartermaine Project Manager (ISDCN) Independent Schools Digital Collaboration Network
Contact
This webinar is proudly funded by the Queensland Independent Schools Parents Network.
How technology can help student’s mental health: A case study. This presentation demonstrates how people working with young people in health education and welfare can use new and emerging technologies to help students with depression and anxiety. Using real life examples, participants will be taken through a step by step approach how to use technology in the pre-assessment phase, for smartphones, psycho-education for the young person and their family, treatment, homework and ongoing support.
Access the live webinar here.
Thursday 10 August 7:45pm AESDT
STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH AND TECHNOLOGY DR. MICHAEL CARR-GREGG