Principal's News
Dear Parents / Carers,
As all of us know, one of the great things about school is that it puts our children in an environment where they have to learn to get along with one another. This is an attribute highly valued in any and every workplace, family and social situation!
Generally speaking children will learn that if they treat others nicely, then they will be treated nicely by others in return. When they are cheerful and positive towards others then they will attract cheerful and positive friends. Like almost every other kind of learning this is learnt through experience.
We all know, too, that children will have disagreements with others at school. This can be distressing for parents, however if we instead look upon these occasions as opportunities for our children to learn and grow then we are more likely to allow our children these chances to learn and they will benefit from them.
Parents are in the unfortunate position of only ever getting one side of the story in these instances, and believe me, there are ALWAYS two sides.
In these instances I think it always best to listen like a “Wise Elder”. Try not to become emotional, at least until you have all the facts. Our children learn from our example, if we want to raise sensible decision makers who can make a decision based upon the available evidence then we have to model this behaviour. Sometimes all that our children NEED is to be listened to. At school I usually ask the child who has a complaint, a)Why do they think this other person did whatever it was, b) What has the child done so far to try to fix the situation and then c) What would they like me to do about their problem.
At this point I am always careful to explain that IF I do speak to the other child then I will definitely ask them WHY they did whatever it is they are accused of. It’s usually worth just asking again, “and what do you think they might say?”
When I ask what they may have tried already to resolve the matter I will offer feedback about their ideas if they have any, I will ask about how successful any of these strategies have been and may offer a few suggestions of my own.
It’s important to keep in mind that this is a Learning Opportunity for the child.
I am trying to improve their problem solving skills and build more resilient citizens.
If I’m not careful I can reinforce the notion that the teacher, principal, mum, dad, my boss, etc will fix all my problems for me if only I complain enough!
Thousands of positive things happen at our school every day. Thousands. But they are in the eye of the beholder. If you don’t hear that 6 year old’s happy greeting or see one student helping another to reach the monkey bars or to solve a difficult sum it doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened. So, when our kids come home with tales, it’s good practice to ask them first to stop and see if they can retell you some of the great and wonderful things that happened at school today - they will have occurred, but when we are feeling hurt or angry we might need time and help to recall them. Now it’s time to ask about their problem, often it doesn’t seem quite so serious now.
Parents and Carers know that they can always approach the school to help them solve some of these issues for their children though. Certainly, the kids need help to sort this kind of thing out at times. It is never a good idea to contact other students or parents about these matters. Everyone is too emotionally involved. At school we will ALWAYS seek out both sides of the story and can usually find a solution that is satisfactory to both parties.
“FIDGETS & FOOTY CARD SWAPPING” We are receiving a number of complaints from students who are “swapping” small fidget toys and footy cards and then change their mind and want their original item returned.
I have this morning asked the children NOT to enter these swapping deals and reminded them that if they want to bring valuable items like new toys etc to school then it is their responsibility. (Birthday gifts etc are always welcome to be left on the teacher’s table)
As I said to the children when I see how many $68 Rugby Tops are sitting in our Lost Property Box it is apparent that care for valuable items is not a strong suit for a lot of children.
ASSEMBLIES We will be holding assembly again this Friday from about 9:15. Mrs Ryan’s Grade 3 class will be leading assembly this week. I am happy to invite parents to come to assembly, however they will need to sit out in the courtyard due to social distancing regulations. Unfortunately the weather has taken a turn for the worse, so a blanket for your legs might be an idea?
N.A.P.L.A.N. Next week our Grade 3 and Grade 5 students will be sitting the N.A.P.L.A.N. tests. Parents should treat these tasks as just another day at school. They are NOT tests that can be studied for. Rather parents need only reassure children that their best efforts, like any endeavour, is all we ask.
Both teachers and parents have a pretty good idea of each child’s strengths and weaknesses, a picture that is built up over months and years, not taken as the snapshot that these tests provide.
Reports from the test will be sent home during third term.
An Information Sheet about the tests has been sent home with Grade 3 & 5 students today.
ENROLMENTS 2022 I am currently meeting parents who would like to enrol children in our Foundation Classes (Grade Prep) for 2022. Parents from our school community who have children that will be ready to start Foundation (Grade Prep) in 2022 should have received an Enrolment Application Form from their eldest child at our school today!
Please complete these forms and return them to school at your earliest convenience.
SCHOOL HATS Sacred Heart is a “Sun Smart School” and as such requires our students to wear a hat whenever they are outside between the last week in August and the end of April. All hats should now be taken home by students.
Some of our Grade 6 students being presented with their
'Leadership badges'
at last week's assembly