Principal's Message

Manners Matter

I mentioned in a Compass Newsfeed last week the importance of manners. Each day, as I greet the students at the front gate, their manners are on display. Manners are not something children are born with and it takes lots of work in the early years to ensure they stick.

I commend our families who have made manners their high priority. In the adult world, manners can be in short supply. I cannot stress enough how far manners will take our children if they are taught to use them well.

At my best guess, I greet 200 students per day as they walk into school. I think about 190 of these students use exceptionally good manners - the other ten will just need practise. 

Here is an example of a typical exchange:

• Mr. Noel: Good morning to you, young man/lady.
• Child: Good morning, Mr Noel how are you today?
• Mr Noel: I am fine thank you. And yourself?
• Child: I am well Mr Noel. I hope you have a good day.
• Mr Noel: Thank you. I hope you have a good day, too.
• Child: Thank you, Mr Noel.
• Mr Noel: You're welcome.

Now and then, a child will go the extra mile and say something kind like, "I really like your tie today."  A feature of this typical exchange is that the child will use a confident voice, look me in the eye, smile and show genuine care and attention.

Can you imagine how far a child who is able to perform this exchange well might go in life? Think of your work place. How many adults can perform this exchange well? And, when they do, how do you feel about them?

Contrast this with a person who makes no eye contact, does not say good morning, grunts or ignores you as they walk by.....the differences are enormous!

SMPS has polite and well-trained students. They continue to amaze and exhilarate me each day and I hope you are all proud of how they are turning out. If your child is not so sharp on manners - don't give up. Manners matter and they require persistence and practise.

Gratitude

Friday was World Teachers' Day and the staff were overwhelmed by the messages of goodwill from families and students. You are all very kind and we really appreciate it a lot. We don't expect things like that, but when they come, we realise how lucky we are to have you on our team.

We received many lovely thoughts and gifts. An example is below of some flowers that arrived addressed to the staff.

Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.

Family and Friends Group

You will notice a new page in our iNewsletter. It is the Families and Friends page. This will appear each edition and will be written by our Families and Friends President, Georgie Rowsell. 

Families and Friends exist to raise funds and promote community involvement. 

One of our three values is Community and Georgie epitomises it with her spirit and optimism. I ask that all families get behind Georgie to make the group and its endeavours a success. Please read the page and get behind it!