Junior School Bulletin Issue 2 / 16 February 2018
Junior School News
to demonstrate the students thinking and learning journey in a more timely manner. Parents will have the opportunity to monitor their child’s learning journey as it happens rather than waiting until the end of the Semester to get a portfolio sent home. Please contact Junior School Administration if you require additional information.
Carly Ryan Foundation Last Tuesday night Sonya Ryan from the Carly Ryan foundation, shared a very powerful presentation on the importance of cyber safety. Some of the key points from Sonya’s presentation were: • • • • • •
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The internet is a great resource, it is the way that some people use it that is bad. Communicate with your children about what they are doing online. Set parental controls. Educate yourself on what your children are doing. Look at what they are writing and who they are writing to. Social media has age restrictions for a reason. Please do not allow your children to use these sites until they are the correct age. They do not have the emotional capacity to deal with some of the adult content that is contained on these sites. Never allow your children to be using technology in their bedrooms. Parents should lead by example. Turn your devices off at a set time and be careful what you post. You’ll be surprised at how much your children are picking up from what you post. https://www.esafety.gov.au/ - The office of eSafety can help to get posts and pictures removed that may contain sensitive information about your family.
Attached to this newsletter is an online safety contract that has been developed by the Carly Ryan Foundation to help manage the cyber world with your family. It is much easier to start when they are younger and it becomes a habit in your home. Making Thinking Visible and Portfolios We are often looking for students to make their thinking visible. While we are happy that the children might get the ‘correct answer’, more often than not we are interested in the thinking that occurs to get that answer. In some cases a child may get an ‘incorrect answer’ but still demonstrate a high level of ability because of the way they have thought through the problem. The teachers also give students different thinking strategies to help them work through a problem and often praise the effort rather than the final result. This helps the students to develop a growth mindset and see that effort is the path to improvement. This year our portfolios are going digital. This will allow the teachers
Information Nights We have just completed the Information Nights where we could share with you some of the initiatives we are working on this year. We truly value the partnership that exists between the College and our families. “Great families make great schools” and this is certainly very true of St Andrews. I remind you to keep us informed about things that are affecting your child and encourage you to check in regularly to Parent Lounge to keep up to date with events occurring at the College. I look forward to the possibilities ahead! Swimming Carnival Friday 23 February is the annual Years 4-6 Swimming Carnival. It is a great opportunity for students to compete in a friendly competition against their peers, develop resilience when things might get a little challenging and show good sportsmanship to the other competitors. Parents are invited to attend this event, which usually proves to be one of the highlights of the school year. In Brief Celebrating the Good Stuff • Congratulations to Iyla King who has been chosen to represent Australia at the World Skipping Championships dedication and hard work have really paid off! • In Week 6, Year 6 students will be going to Canberra • In Week 6, Year 4 students will be going to Lake Ainsworth for their camp. • As this bulletin is going to print, the P & F Picnic in the Park will be in full swing. Thank you to all involved in the set up of this event. Darrin Schumacher Deputy Principal Head of Junior School
Chaplains Chat “If I had to live my life again, I’d make the same mistakes, only sooner.” – Tallulah Bankhead In Middle/Senior chapel last week, I was discussing wisdom under an unfamiliar banner of mistake-making! When was the last time you made a mistake? If you’re like me, you make them all the time – sometimes they are predictable – things I am prone to doing or not doing because of my personality, preferences and style – and sometimes – they are completely unforeseen. Either way, mistakes litter my past week, my past year and my life. This is not surprising. What you might find surprising is that I am OK with making mistakes. I am OK with making mistakes because mistakes help me learn, grow and mature. In my view, mistakes are the key to learning and the pathway to growth and Christian maturity. When a child plays, for example, it is really a discovery of thousands of incorrect ways of doing things until, through practice, the child becomes better at what they are doing. Unlike adults, children are more willing to give things a go – to play and have fun – because they are not concerned about making mistakes – that is part of the fun! And, in the process of it all, learning takes place.
From the Deputy Head of Junior School & PYP Coordinator As the academic year begins, students and teachers have been engaged in setting up classroom routines, organising learning areas and establishing classroom essential agreements for the year ahead. With these things in place, all classes are now diving into their first unit of inquiry. Kath Murdoch (2015), an educational expert defines inquiry as ‘Learning how to take on a question, or an issue, or a tension, a problem or a challenge and learning how to work through a process where, through that investigation, you come to a deeper understanding, or a mastery of skills, or a resolution of the problem.’ Teachers often use what is called a provocation to enable the opportunity for their students to develop an interest in the concepts they will be exploring but more importantly, to allow students to see themselves as practitioners in the academic discipline which helps to construct their understandings. Provocations often spark confusion, a reaction and a desire to find out more.
Christian maturity also takes time and mistakes, plenty of mistakes. Some of the greatest New Testament heroes of faith like Peter or Paul were experts at making mistakes. Peter was brash and foolhardy – often saying things that would get him into trouble. Paul was once the greatest persecutor of Christians, rounding them up and arresting them. Yet, knowing in advance their tendencies and their flaws, Jesus chose these men to be his disciples and carry the Gospel to others. In the same way, Jesus knows all the mistakes we have made and all the mistakes we will make in the future – and He still wants to be our friend and place or call us into service for others. This is the meaning of Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” In other words, God is not looking for perfection before he chooses to love us. Quite the contrary, God loved us long before we loved him and long before we realise the mistakes we are making. Just as a parent loves their children no matter what they have done, so God loves us no matter what we have done or will do in the future. Therefore, instead of mistakes determining the love of God – they don’t – God uses our mistakes to grow and shape us towards maturity. We have so much to learn and so many mistakes that we are yet to make. Let us not think of them as a backward step any longer but a forward step by God’s grace and help. Nathan Glover College Pastor
Our Year 3 students are currently exploring the notion of themselves as learners. An ‘Obstacle Course Provocation’ was set up to enable students to analyse their self-talk before, during and after completing the activities. Students engaged in attempting games, team challenges, flexibility and balance challenges along with trying out the monkey bars, handstands and cartwheels. Reflecting on the responses they recorded, enabled them to highlight the positive and
negative thoughts they experienced. This led to discussions about a fixed or a growth mindset.
The students in Year 1C did an awesome job in representing our College. Well done Year 1C.
Year 2 students have been exploring that children around the world have different responsibilities but similar human needs. A provocation was organised to allow the students to experience the different responsibilities children have around the world. For example, making bricks for their houses, sweeping using materials available to them e.g. palm leaves, carrying water to drink and hand washing clothes and dishes. Experiencing these responsibilities offered the students a different perspective especially for children who have responsibilities in developing countries. We are blessed to have such enthusiastic learners in the Junior School who are keen to work through a process to make new connections and understandings in their learning. Do not forget to do good and to share with others. Hebrews 13:16 (New Living Translation) Jacqueline Faulkner Deputy Head of Junior School PYP Coordinator
Japanese News Making connections with our friends in Japan. Recently students in Year 1C had the opportunity to Skype with students from Fuzoku Elementary School. This was an important session for the school in Japan as 40 teachers from various schools came to observe the session.
Language Monitors Congratulations to the following Year 6 students who will be the LANGUAGE MONITORS for 2018. • • • • • • • • • • •
Sam Butterworth Jasmin Daley Gwilyn Corfield Polly Frost Ruby Hanlon Abbey Gibson Madison Ross Kye Butler Pratika Rajaguru Isla Slattery Mia MacDonald
To see our Units of Inquiry for this year please go to jsjapanese.weebly.com Sharon Taki Junior School Japanese
Junior Library News It has been a very busy start to the year for the Junior School Library. At first break, the library is full of students participating in a number of different activities. The Makerspace timetable for Term 1 is now up and running with hands on activities such as Lego and STEAM challenges, drawing and craft, construction, games and read alouds from Story Box Library. Safer Internet Day Safer Internet day was held on Tuesday 6 February. This year’s theme was ‘Create, connect and share respect: A better internet starts with you’. Students across the College were involved in lessons that teach digital citizenship and staying safe online. At St Andrews, we take a proactive approach based on the development of good ‘digital citizens’, choosing to do the right thing for the right reason. Teachers have regular conversations with students about appropriate behaviour when online. Library Lovers Day On the Tuesday 14 February, the Junior Library celebrated Library Lovers Day. The library is the hub of our school where all students feel welcome and encouraged to grow and learn. We provide more than just books, computers and other technology, databases of accurate information, plus fun and educational activities. School libraries provide a safe haven for all students to think, create, share, and grow. Students can tell us why they love their library for a chance to win a prize.
Vikki Rees Teacher Librarian/ICT Coordinator
Performing Arts News PAT (Performing Arts Tuition) 2018 This week saw our PAT programs launch for 2018 across the College with over 600 enrolments from Prep through to Year 12 in Dance, Instrumental Music, Voice and Speech and Drama. A reminder that all enrolments and cancellations for PAT lessons are via the online form on the website. Any enquiries regarding PAT Tuition can be emailed to Anne at performingarts@salc.qld.edu.au
This week also saw our ensembles start for 2018. See above the schedule for our groups. New members are welcome in our bands and choirs. Dance troupes are audition based.
Festival of Song – featuring Katie Noonan Thursday 15 March Ruth Butler Theatre
Should you have any questions regarding any programs with PAT, please download the PAT Parent Handbook in the Arts section of the College website at www.salc.qld.edu.au.
This event is sure to sell out so be sure to book early to avoid disappointment.
Spotlight on Musical We are well on our way to Neverland with set building and painting taking place over the past few weeks and costumes arriving steadily (currently a larger than life dog suit and crocodile greet visitors to the Arts Staffroom). Rehearsals are back in full swing with JS and MS/SS cast coming together to see what each other have been working on. Below are some behind the scenes pictures of what will be a fantastic production.
Priscilla Scott Head of Arts It has been a great few weeks in the Junior School Arts precinct, seeing all the fabulous music groups starting up again for the year. Last week saw the start for the Golden Clef Choir, String Ensemble, Junior School Concert Band, Chapel Band and Mini Musos. And this week the Semitones Choir have also begun. We look forward to seeing their progress throughout the year!
Lauren Majinovic P - 6 Music Teacher Junior School Music Coordinator
P&F News Tonight is Picnic in the Park, we hope to see as many families there as possible. Come on down to the Junior School Oval at 5.30pm, the event will end at 7pm. We will have a sausage sizzle, ice creams and drinks for sale. As well as glow sticks & show bags. St Andrews PAT students will be performing. BYO alcohol but please no glass, plastic only! It should be a great night. Be sure to check back in on P&F news in the next newsletter when we will have more details on: * Cookie dough drive - an exciting fundraising project we have planned for Term 1!
Dates to Remember February Tues 20 Mufti Day Junior School Chapel, Worship Centre – 1.40pm ELC Kindy Info Night for Parents – 5.30pm Wed 21 P-4 Auskick, Top oval - 3.30 to 4.30pm Fri 23 Years 4-6 Swim Carnival held at Somerset Mon 26 Year 6 Canberra Trip - 26th Feb to 2 March Regional Swim Carnival – Miami Pool Wed 28 Year 4 Camp to Lake Ainsworth P-4 Auskick, Top oval - 3.30 to 4.30pm
Family Online Safety Contract This contract helps us stay safe when it comes to what we SEE, SAY and DO online. I _______________________________________________________________________, will: (Child) Tell my parents or carer if I see something that makes me feel upset, uncomfortable or scares me. Be aware that people online are not always who they say they are, and do not always tell the truth. Let my parents supervise where I go online as I understand they do this to help keep me safe. Tell my parents or carer if someone sends me rude or naked pictures, or links that I did not ask for. Not give out personal information about myself, my family, my friends, or others online, including full names, addresses, phone numbers or schools. Not share my passwords or usernames with anyone but a parent or carer and I understand they will only use it if they are worried about me or my safety. Treat others the way I want to be treated online and with the same respect as I would offline. Never use the internet or a mobile device to cyberbully someone. Make sure all of my accounts are always set to private. Not talk to anyone online, or add anyone on my social networks, if I don’t know them offline. Never agree to meet someone in person that I have only met online, and I will tell my parents if someone asks to meet me. Accept my parents or carer as a ‘Friend’ on social media providing they ask for my permission before posting or commenting on my content, and they speak to me first if they see something they don’t agree with on my profiles. Not respond to emails, instant messages, messages or friend requests from people I don’t know. Never send someone a photo of myself online without checking with my parents or carer first. Learn how to block and report people online and tell my parents or carer immediately if doing this. Ask for permission before downloading any apps, games or software, so my parents or carer can check these are appropriate for my age and won’t harm the device. Teach my parents or carer about the internet, apps, games and websites I enjoy. Agree to the online time limits set by my parents or carer and put my devices to bed at night to help me get a restful sleep. Signed: (Child)
Signed: (Parent/carer)
Family Online Safety Contract I ___________________________________________________________________________, (Parent, carer)
am providing and paying for your internet service and device. Along with this privilege comes the responsibility to protect our family and our private information. This contract is a requirement of having this service provided to you. If you see or hear anything online that makes you feel unsafe or worried for yourself or someone else, please know that you can come to me at any time with this concern, and we will work together to find a solution. NOTHING IS EVER SO BAD YOU CAN’T TELL A TRUSTED ADULT. If I am unable to help you, we will contact the appropriate authorities for advice. This contract has been created to protect you. It is my responsibility as your parent/ carer to keep you safe, so that you have a positive experience online.