BIG WRITE AND VCOP.........A VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR ALL PARENTS

No doubt many of you have heard your children use the terms VCOP, cold write, big write, "wow words", uplevelling etc.........but what does all this mean, and what is the parent's role in this?

In brief, every grade at St Nicholas School has been working on improving their writing skills this year through a fantastic methodology known as "Big Write and VCOP". Due to the proven success of "Big Write and VCOP", all our Diocesan schools are now using this approach and are seeing exceptional growth in their student's writing.

We urge every parent/carer to watch the following brief video presentation which will give you a very clear overview of the entire process. We are in the stage now where our students are about to embark on the "Big Write" element. This is where we really need parents to get involved and support their child when it is time for them to do "Home Talk" preparation for their "Big Write" task. Again, this will all be explained very clearly in the attached video.

So please, make a cup of tea, put your feet up and take just 8 minutes out of your day to watch this important video. This will enable you to fully support your child in achieving further writing success.

Video: Get Ready Parents For Big Write and VCOP

CREATIVE WRITING EXCERPTS FROM OUR STUDENTS

The following are small snippets of writing from 3 of our students demonstrating what they have put into practice as a result of VCOP strategies learned throughout the year.

A persuasive piece of writing

Phones should not be allowed at school because students can be disobedient while using their phones. Their phones would be an unspeakable distraction when it comes to learning. Phones make noises, beeps and vibrations which would be an enormous distraction for the class, wouldn't they ?

WRITTEN BY FRED TYLER

A Character Description

Everyone adores Fudge, I mean everyone except Peter. Peter is very polite, for example when the Yarbys gave Fudge a toy train Peter got a picture dictionary. However Peter already had a picture dictionary but still he acted very grateful until Fudge brought out his old one. Peter is extremely organised and sensible. I think Peter thinks Fudge is a concoction of gorillas and dogs and all the other animals in the world.

WRITTEN BY LACEY HUTTON

A Narrative

Creature of the Unknown

It was there....then it was gone. "Woah, is that a whale?" a confused toddler inquires. Nope, I don't think that's a whale. Whales don't have 124 monstrous eyes, six squirming tentacles or repugnant, slimy tongues.

WRITTEN BY ERICA HOLZIGAL

Thank you so much for working alongside us to support your child's learning.

Amanda Doyle and Shelly O'Sullivan (Leaders of Pedagogy)

KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION

The three orientation sessions for Kindergarten 2021 children will now be going ahead.

Orientation Day 1 - Friday 6th November 2020 - 9am -11am
Orientation Day 2 - Friday 13th November 2020 - 9am - 11am
Orientation Day 3 - Friday 20th November 2020 - 9am - 11am

The Orientation Days for children are significant in helping children familiarise themselves with the school environment and helping to make the transition to ‘big school’ so much easier. These days are also used by teachers to make observations that may help us to cater for your child’s needs. Children should be dressed in appropriate casual clothing with a hat and closed in shoes. Your child should bring a water bottle and cut fruit for morning tea each visit.

Please note the Parent Information Evening scheduled for Wednesday 21st October and the Parent Morning Tea on Friday 6th has been cancelled.

SCHOOL UNIFORM

All students are now required to be in full summer uniform.

We ask parents and students to support us in the following:

**No coloured scrunchies or hair accessories - The only colour to be worn is green or scrunchies made from the fabric of our uniform.

**No other earrings apart from simple gold/silver studs or sleepers. Save other decorative earrings for the weekends and holidays.

**No excessive jewellery - only a watch is to be worn. Other jewellery can be worn on weekends.

MCCARTHY CATHOLIC COLLEGE ORIENTATION DAY

COMMUNICATION WITH SCHOOL

Our office is open between 8.00am and 4.00pm each day. For any queries, the most efficient way of contacting our staff during this time is via email.

admin@stnicholastamworth.catholic.edu.au

jgrady@arm.catholic.edu.au

SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS

All parents need to be aware, our supervision of students

does not begin until 8.15am each day.

We are increasingly concerned that children are being dropped off and left on their own, unsupervised by parents before this time - often up to half an hour earlier. This is not a safe or acceptable practice. Currently, students are expected to come in and sit in the Holy Family Courtyard unsupervised and wait. We cannot be responsible for any accident or potentially harmful incidents occurring. Please organise alternative care for your child if your child requires supervision before 8.15am.

MAKE WAY FOR SPARENTING

Below is an article by Michael Grose founder of Parenting Ideas, and one of Australia’s leading parenting educators.

"Raising children has always been best when it’s a community affair. In previous generations, aunts, uncles, grandparents, god parents and family friends – spare parents, or sparents –all played a part in raising kids.

The last decade has seen the rise of parenting as an individual endeavour, which can place crushing pressure for parents to always be at their best.

The saying ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ needs to be updated to ‘it takes a town or suburb full of healthy adults to look out for kids at different stages of their lives.’ A mouthful, but you get the gist. A child can never have too many spare parents.

Sparenting at different stages

When kids are very young, most parents want a break from the relentlessness of child-rearing. It’s ta time for other adults to step up to offer a smattering of advice, a touch of moral support and plenty of babysitting relief.

As kids move into primary school they are primed for finding their place in the world. Spending time with other adults such as family, friends and parents of their friends broadens their horizons, hastening this important socialisation process.

Developmentally, teenagers benefit enormously from relationships with men and women outside their immediate family. Sparents make great confidantes and coaches for young people at a stage when they are seeking independence from their parents while undergoing significant emotional and physical changes.

Some years ago my daughter loved babysitting her young niece, constantly phoning her brother with babysitting offers. Now as a parent she still takes a keen interest in her nieces and nephews because deep in her bones she knows that sparenting enriches a child’s life in so many ways.

The benefits of sparents

Filling a talent or interest gap

Kids usually appreciate having an adult to share their interests, but it’s hard for parents to be across all their children’s hobbies and activities. Relatives or family friends are well placed to fill the interest void that occurs in some families.

Filling a gender gap

If you are raising a son in an all-female household then an uncle, grandfather or male family friend can be a great additional role model. Similarly, girls in all-male households can benefit from sparenting by a female friend or relative.

Bringing a fresh voice

Ever noticed how kids will listen to other adults more than they listen to their parents, even though the message is the same? It’s frustrating, but that has always been the reality of raising children and young people.

Bringing some emotional detachment

As strange as it may sound (hear me out), being your child’s parent can be an obstacle to parenting them rationally. When we are heavily invested, rightfully so, in all their hopes and dreams as well as our own wishes for them, it’s inevitable that we won’t always use logic and reason, especially in the heat of a challenging moment.

The presence of another calming adult without the emotional investment that comes with parenting provides a different perspective, particularly when kids behave poorly or when academic results can disappoint."

NOTICEBOARD

SCHOOL TRAVEL 2021

RESILIENT KIDS