Junior School Bulletin Issue 9 / 21 July 2017
Junior School News Welcome back to school for Term 3. I hope that you and your family were able to have some amazing adventures and spend quality time together. The reports were emailed home during the school holidays and portfolios were sent home at the end of last term. If you have any questions relating to your child’s progress, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher to arrange a time to meet. Last Friday the Junior School held the annual athletics carnival at Pizzey Park. It was a fantastic event and the students showed outstanding sportsmanship. Congratulations to all the competitors who competed to the best of their ability and to those students who were recognized as Age Champions. Age Champions are listed in the sports report. Congratulations to Gowandi House for being the winning house.
Last week the Year 1 students invited their grandparents to school. Some travelled quite substantial distances to attend this special day. It was fantastic to see the grandparents sharing stories of how things have changed over time and the differences in their schooling.
Book Week Overview • Book Week / Week 7 (Monday 21 – Friday 25 August) • Theme - Escape to Everywhere… • Book Character Parade (Friday 25 August, MPH, 8:40am – 10:am) Come dressed as your favourite book character. • Book Fair (Week 8 & 9) Parents and students will be able to buy books from Tuesday 29 August to Fri 8 September Congratulations to the Mini Musos and the Junior School Concert band for their outstanding performances on Thursday. The Mini Musos won their section, “Beginning Bands” and the Concert Band came second in the open primary school division. Fantastic results for all involved. In Brief Celebrating the Good Stuff • Year 5 had a Eureka Gold Rush excursion. It was a
hands on history lesson. It was great to see the children get dressed up and get into the spirit of the excursion.
Chaplains Chat Count it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing – James 1:2-4 (ESV) Recently, I was asked to pray for the Kokoda teams before they embarked on their record-breaking hike through the Gold Coast hinterland. The Kokoda challenge is a team endurance event that is designed to simulate the distance and toughness of the Kokoda campaign during World War II. As I thought about the kind of things it would be important to pray for, I had the continual sense of the importance to avoid in my prayer any suggestion that God should take away the challenge facing the students or make it any less. The physical, psychological and emotional aspects of the Kokoda challenge did not need to be removed just as God does not remove physical, psychological or emotional challenges from everyday life. Rather, in my understanding, God allows and uses the things that challenge us for our own growth and good. In the book of James, the author writes about the trials and difficulties that face Christian believers. Instead of lamenting their presence in everyday life, He encourages Christian believers to receive trials and difficulties with joy! Yes, with joy! His idea, at least initially, seems to make no sense! Wouldn’t we rather live without trials and difficulties? Furthermore, why should we consider something “joy” when we know that it is not? The answer lies in what the trials, difficulties and challenges we face produces. The reason they are ultimately good for us is because they produce fruit – they build our character, help us understand the nature of service, provide meaning and importance to life and most importantly, strengthen our faith in God’s provision for us and help us to turn towards Him in times of need.
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Year 4 students took the opportunity to explore the Senior School while Senior students were at their carnival. They went into a lot of the classrooms and workshops that they haven’t been in previously. The Prep Japanese class recently skyped a sister school in Japan. The sharing of ideas and knowledge was a real highlight.
Darrin Schumacher Deputy Principal Head of Junior School
A life without challenges is no life at all. It would be some kind of fanciful life that is not real, powerful or meaningful. The truth is, we can thank God that He has chosen not to remove our challenges – not to make it easy and soft for us all the time. He loves us too much for that. Instead, He has filled our life with real responsibility and with that responsibility comes with some very real challenges. May God bless you as you engage with challenges set before you. Nathan Glover College Pastor
From the Deputy Head of Junior School (P-3) Grandparents’ Day 2017 Year 1 students worked enthusiastically to make sure everything was ready for their Grandparents’ Day picnic on Friday 14 July. As they prepared special treats for afternoon tea they followed recipes and enjoyed many “hands- on“ Maths investigations as they measured and weighed ingredients. The sun shone brightly as Grandparents arrived just after second break and were welcomed by some very excited students. The conversations about how family life, school experiences and homes have changed over the years helped the students reflect on many similarities and differences.
How wonderful it was to share in such authentic inquiry. Thank you to all our amazing Grandparents who travelled from near and far to make this afternoon such a special time of learning together. Our Year 1 students are most grateful. Taking Action During the recent school holidays, Spencer Balle (P1) came across two injured lorikeets that his Mum and young sister took to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary for treatment. While there Spencer was concerned to read about the number of koalas injured on Tallebudgera Connection Road. Feeling sad about the plight of so many of our wildlife, he decided to take action. Spencer made a number of pieces of art over the holidays and sold raffle tickets with his art works as prizes. He was able to raise over $150 for the Currumbin Wildlife Hospital. He participated in the Eco Ranger Program at the Sanctuary and presented the money to them. He was awarded with a Certificate in recognition of his action and his care for wildlife in our area.
Congratulations, Spencer and your little sister, Summer. We feel so proud to see our students taking action to make a difference in our local community. Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Matthew 6:26-34 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Joy Schloss Deputy Head P-3 Assistant PYP Coordinator
Japanese News Sharing our knowledge with others ! Year 4 students recently inquired into natural disasters in Japan. Students created a booklet in Japanese to inform others what to do in a natural disaster. These booklets have been sent to Fuzoku Elementary School in Japan.
Students in Japan were happy to receive letters written in hiragana from our Year 3 and 4 students. Sharing our knowledge with others !
Sharon Taki JS Japanese
Year 5 News Eureka! Skype sessions with Fuzoku Elementary School P3 recently had the opportunity to Skype with students in Japan. Japanese students introduced famous places, food, and cultural games. Our students were able to ask questions and make comments. It was a valuable experience for all involved.
Year 5 ventured into the past to learn about and experience what life was like back in the 1800’s. Upon arrival we were greeted with blue skies and a local bushranger who quickly bailed up a few of the ‘new chums’ and fleeced them for all they were worth. Next, we moved on to the town of Deadwood where students explored the camp and engaged in activities ranging from tent making, panning for alluvial gold and haggling for goods at the only General Store in town. After a bit of freshly baked damper, everyone contracted prospector’s gold fever and tried to strike it rich until their lucrative claims pinched out. Unfortunately, not everyone hit the jackpot. Some even served a stint behind bars and could not wait to get out of town. Many thanks to the parents, staff and students who made this day a fantastic learning experience that we are not like-
ly to forget. Our students are certainly much more aware of the differences between life in the past and the present. Phil Buddee Year 5 Teacher
Performing Arts News Gold Coast Eisteddfod • Thursday 19 August Combined Dance Troupe • Thursday 17 August MSSS Choir 11:00am • Wednesday 23 August Percussion Ensemble 12:30pm • Thursday 24 August Concert band 2.30pm • Monday 28 August Semitone Choir 9am • Tuesday 29 August Golden Clef Choir 6pm • Wednesday 30 August JS Dance Troupes • Thursday 31 MS Dance Troupes Dance Night - Friday 25 August Don’t miss this wonderful showcase of all things Dance across the College. Held at Robina Community Centre 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
Sport News ST ANDREWS YEAR 5/6 NETBALL Our Year 5/6 Netball representative teams for the Samsung Primary Schools Cup, have been selected and are training in the MPH on Wednesday mornings. The competition will be held on the Sunshine Coast on 16 and 17 September. ST ANDREWS YEAR 5/6 TOUCH FOR ALL HALLOWS We have also selected our team to compete at the All Hallows Girls’ Touch Competition on Sunday August 6. This team is training on Friday mornings leading up to the competition. YEARS 4-6 ATHLETICS CARNIVAL We had a wonderful day at Pizzey Park for the Years 4-6 Athletics Carnival on Friday 14 July. Congratulations to all who competed and the winning Champion House Gowandi. A massive thank you to the family and friends who attended, and to the Middle and Senior School students who volunteered to be officials for the day. As usual, they did an outstanding job and we received many compliments from staff, families and visitors at the Carnival. Thank you also to our grounds, tuck shop and sports staff who worked hard to ensure an enjoyable day for all. Students who are selected for the Inter Lutheran Carnival (SLAPS) and Hinterland District Trials will be notified.
Age
Boys
Girls
9 Years
Jesse Harding Jack Mewing Kai Agyik
Eve Pattison Mia Wilk Isla Eaton
10 Years Cooper Shepley Myles Fraser Jett Decent
Abbey Gibson = 2nd Bella Warren/ Riley Thomson
11 Years Mitchell Brace Christopher Tomkinson Matthew Mueller
Joesi Gisinger Milla Jansen Milana Porter
12 Years Charlie Corke Charlie Gerrard Ethan Read
Jade Radisich Imogen Stewart Atlanta Horan
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS – TERM 3 Mini Stars BASKETBALL This program is conducted by well known and respected basketball coach Rodney Coxsedge, perccoxsedge21@ gmail.com and is scheduled to run for 7 weeks beginning on Thursday 27 July, and will be held in the MPH from 3:30pm – 4:30pm each Thursday. This will be available for students from Years 1 to 4. More information has been distributed to students in these year levels. In2Cricket and T20 BLAST We will also be coordinating two Cricket programs on Wednesday afternoons on the Top Oval. This will be run by Cricket Queensland staff. For students aged 5 to 8, we will run the very popular In2Cricket program. www.playcricket. com.au a flyer has been sent home with students.
For 9 to 12 year olds we are running the T20Blast program. This was promoted with students at our Years 4-6 Athletics Carnival. Some of you may have seen ‘Heater’ the Brisbane Heat mascot there! As usual, parents are totally responsible for getting children to the programs after school and supervising them during the activities.
Soccer 6A Boys – Premiers Soccer 6B Boys – Joint Premiers The 5B Boys and Year 6 Girls’ soccer teams were named Runners Up. Students will be training for ‘Summer Sports’ each Friday until the rosters begin on Friday 8 September. NETBALL Charli Pearse and Atlanta Horan recently represented South Coast Netball Association at the Queensland State Age Netball Championships (ages 12 to 15) • The event took place in Pine Rivers, Brisbane over 5 days • They played 14 games across the 5 days • Their association (South Coast) received the Performance Award • There were 64 teams in their division • 233 teams from all over Queensland took part in this event • More than 2330 players took the court over the 5 days
YEARS 5/6 FRIDAY SPORT St Andrews had an extremely successful ‘Winter’ season of Friday sport this year. The following students were named Captain of their chosen sport. Levi Schache – Hockey Jake Petie – Boys’ Soccer Mia Cuffe – Girls’ Soccer Hugo Davidson - Rugby League Charli Pearse – Netball Lotte Colless – Girls’ OzTag
HOCKEY Aimee Franklin-Platt, Hudson Matthews and Levi Schache represented South Coast at the U12 Hockey Championships in Brisbane at the end of Term 2. Aimee and Levi are both in Year 6 and played in the girls and boys South Coast teams respectively. Hudson is in Year 11 and was picked as a referee from the South Coast region. He also was chosen to referee the final, which is granted to the top two refs for the tournament. Andy Manion PSPE Teacher Junior Sport Coordinator
Special Uniform Sizes for 2018 *Please note that due to an unforeseen supplier price increase Boys Formal Shorts Years 4 -12 have increased in price: Sizes 4 - 12 are now $34.00 & Sizes 82 – 112cm are now $36.00 Sharon McVay Uniform Shop Manager
Unfortunately the ‘Finals’ Round was washed out. Based on ladder positions, the following teams will receive Premiership Certificates Hockey Premier League – St Andrews Kookaburras Hockey Minor League – St Andrews Strikers Soccer Yr 5 Girls – Joint Premiers
P & F News The J Block recovery is progressing well and the project is running to time. The Ruth Butler Theatre, the last of the rebuild is expected to reopen at the end of August. The Friends of the Theatre chair donations initiative has now finished with a positive response from the families of the school, raising in excess of $20 000. Signage acknowledging donors will be displayed in the foyer of the Theatre. The College gym is now complete with cardio and strength classes operating before and after school. The facility is a fully operational and professional gym with the P&F donating several pieces of equipment. We discussed the proposed plans for the civil works required to enhance the effectiveness of traffic management and flow in the Secondary School Carpark at our last P&F meeting. The master plan involves the establishment of a double slip lane that will allow us to more than double the drop off and pick up zone in the upper carpark, and maintain total separation of cars and pedestrians from buses. Discussion also centred on future enhancements to other carparks and traffic flow. Mr Bliss’ report was very informative. We also heard that the College is in considerable need of more Science learning spaces. Mr Bliss outlined a redevelopment program of F Block to have a makeover and major extension. E Block was not forgotten, with new and exciting learning spaces for Middle School students in an advanced planning stage. Finally, Middle School ablutions, adjacent to E Block, will be considerably ‘upsized’ with the toilet area to be more than doubled in size. The new toilet block will be extended to a three storey building with toilets on the lower floor and classrooms on the two floors above. The next P & F meeting is Wednesday 13 September at 7.00pm in the J Block (Lighthouse) Boardroom. We welcome all parents and guardians to attend.
Dates to Remember JULY Saturday 22 Year 3 Mums’ Lunch, The Boatshed – 1.00pm Sunday 23 Year 6 Church Service, Worship Centre – 9.00am Monday 24 Years 5-12 South Qld champ of Champs Futsal (selected students) Tues 25 Junior School Chapel, Worship Centre – 1.40pm Years 5-12 South Qld champ of Champs Futsal (selected students) Wed 26 Year 1 Mums’ Dinner, JFK Woodfire Kitchen & Bar – 6.30pm Years 5-12 South Qld champ of Champs Futsal (selected students) Prep-Year 5 Hoops Basketball, Multi Purpose Hall – 3.10pm Thurs 27 Years 5-12 South Qld champ of Champs Futsal (selected students) Fri 28 Years 5-12 South Qld champ of Champs Futsal (selected students) AUGUST Tues 1 ICAS English Competition Aoyama Gakuin School Group Visit Mufti Day, ALWS – Rainbow Colours Assembly, Multi Purpose Hall – 1.40pm Wed 2 Kokuren Nature Group Visit – Years 5 and 6 Prep-Year 5 Hoops Basketball, Multi Purpose Hall – 3.10pm Thurs 3 Aoyama Gakuin School Group Visit Fri 4 Prep to Year 2 Disco, Multi Purpose Hall – 6.00pm – 7.30pm
POSITIVE PARENTING
Anxiety in Primary School Kids By Dr Jodi Richardson Anxiety affects people from all walks of life, and lots of kids have it. If that’s what’s happening in your family, your little one is lucky that you know, care, and are seeking answers. The idea that one of our kids might be experiencing anxiety sets off all sorts of alarm bells in us as parents. It’s fair to say it makes us anxious ourselves, and has us asking all sorts of questions like “What does it mean?”, “What’s ‘normal’?” and “What can I do to help?” Like anything else in life, the more informed we are about anxiety, the calmer and more empowered we’ll feel, enabling us to support and advise our precious kids through their challenges and seeking help when needed. That’s what this article is about. Giving you the facts and helping to settle your mind so that you can begin to help them settle theirs. Before reading on, I want you to close your eyes and take three long, slow breaths in and out… Depending on what you’re up to right now, you may indeed be experiencing a level of anxiety at the moment, and this breathing exercise will help. Okay, let’s get you some answers to those questions.
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Anxiety, what is it anyway? Anxiety is a feeling. We’ve all experienced it. It’s a completely normal reaction under dangerous or stressful circumstances. Perhaps you’ve narrowly avoided a car accident. Your heart pounds, your breathing becomes shallow and fast, your body floods with adrenaline to put you on red alert, your blood pressure goes up, you might perspire, and glucose dumps from your muscles into your bloodstream. All of this is preparing you to face up to the ‘threat’ or run like heck in the other direction. This is ‘fight or flight’ in action. This reaction is a survival instinct dating back to early times when life-threatening situations were ever present. These days we can experience anxiety when we’re under pressure to meet a deadline, preparing to talk in front of our colleagues or for a job interview, or simply noticing how many emails are awaiting our reply. Our lives are not in danger but our bodies react as if this were the case. The same can be true for our kids. Anxiety is a normal response to a threatening situation. All of these physical changes happen instinctively as a tiny part of our brain called the amygdala tells the sympathetic nervous system to take over and fire
us up so we can do what we have to in order to survive. Do you know the feeling? Perhaps it happens to you now and then. But maybe, if you’re one of the two million-plus Australians (including me) who experience an anxiety disorder, your body and brain respond like that more often, more quickly and more intensely than others. Trust me, it feels awful. I’ve experienced anxiety since I was a child, still do and always will. My parents didn’t even know anxiety existed when I was a kid and it took me until my early twenties to be diagnosed. Now that I know, I can, and do, take action to manage it. I have my ups and downs like everyone else but on the whole I live a rich, full and meaningful life. Your kids can too. Anxiety is common, it’s treatable and there’s so much we can do to help as parents. Our kids are lucky. They have great parents (that’s you) who know to look out for their mental health, and who have access to lots of great resources. Anxiety affects people from all walks of life, and lots of kids have it. If that’s what’s happening in your family, your little one is lucky that you know, care, and are seeking answers.
now we know.
POSITIVE PARENTING
Anxiety in Primary School Kids How do I know what’s ‘normal’? All kids experience fear and worry about things. It’s understandable given that so much is new for them; new experiences, new places, new people, new teachers, new skills, new challenges to name just a few. What we need to look out for is when their amygdala (remember that tiny part of the brain?) is causing them to react anxiously to situations where there is no danger. Signs of this include: • Their worries and fears begin to outweigh the situations and challenges that they are facing. • Their anxiety starts to interfere with their participation at school and the activities, sports, parties, playdates and events than other kids their age are enjoying. • They’re more anxious, and anxious more often, when compared to other kids their age. • They’re obsessed with symmetry or cleanliness and they repeat behaviours like hand washing.
What does anxiety feel like for them? Our minds and bodies are interconnected and are now considered as one, not separate. How we think and what we think affects us physically, regardless of age. Anxious kids can complain of tummy pains, diarrhoea, headaches and difficulty getting to sleep. They are easily upset and often like to stay close to you. Some anxious kids will worry a lot, mulling over and over their thoughts which only serves to fuel their anxiety.
They can also look to us as parents to help them cope by seeking our reassurance that the scary thing won’t happen or avoiding a confronting and anxiety-provoking situation.
Okay, so how can I help? 1. Spend regular quiet time with your
primary schooler to foster a loving and open relationship while giving them time to share with you their thoughts, fears and worries. You can also help immensely by remaining calm under stressful situations (I know – easier said than done sometimes!)
2. If you think your primary schooler is experiencing anxiety, talk about it and go together to see your GP and have a conversation about what’s been happening. 3. Teach your child about anxiety so he/she knows what underlies the thoughts and feelings. I highly (highly) recommend Hey Warrior! A book for kids about anxiety, by Karen Young. Anxiety is not nearly as frightening when you understand why. 4. Because breathing becomes shallow and fast with anxiety, a simple yet incredibly effective way to show the amygdala that everything is okay is to take deliberate, slower breaths (in for 3, hold for 1, out for 3). After all, no-one can do this when their life really is in danger!
for any sounds near or far, feeling any sensations under their hands and body and smelling for any scents in the air. Mindfulness reduces the size of the amygdala among other incredible changes in the brain.
6. If they are worrying about things over and over in their minds – let’s say it’s about presenting to their class – instead of saying, “You’ll be fine, I’ve heard your presentation, it’s wonderful,” or, “Don’t worry, all the other kids will be nervous too,” or similar, try this instead: “I understand how you’re feeling, that’s so normal. I’d feel the same way; is it helpful to keep thinking about it?” No! “Okay, then let’s focus our attention on something we can do to help, like practicing more, making cue cards or going outside to bounce on the trampoline.” They need to know that you understand, that you ‘get’ it, and that they’re not alone. “Is it helpful?” is a great question (when asked compassionately), followed up with asking your child what they can do that will help the situation, or engaging him/her in something meaningful and enjoyable, making a positive step forward.
5. Mindfulness is a superpower for the anxious brain (any brain in fact!) and there are lots of great ways to help kids practice mindfulness. One fun game is lying on the floor, eyes closed and asking them to tune into their ‘Spidey Senses’, listening carefully
Visit our website for more ideas and information to help you raise confident and resilient young people.
Dr Jodi Richardson Jodi is a happiness and wellbeing speaker and writer, retreat facilitator and mum to two primary school aged kids. For more great ideas on flourishing mental health for the whole family, subscribe to her newsletter at drjodirichardson.com.au and say hello on facebook. com/DrJodiRichardson. Enquiries to jodi@drjodirichardson.com.au © Parenting Ideas 2017
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now we know.