Principals Message
Family
I recall when a nine year old boy named Frank came up to me a number of years ago and asked, “Mrs Fraser, do you know much about felines?”
When I enquired as to the motive of his question, he replied that the following Sunday it was his turn to lead his family in a lunch-time discussion and that his dad had determined that the topic would be ‘felines’.
I then found out that once a week his family had a formal discussion where each family member took turns to give a short talk on a chosen topic and then led the family discussion on the topic.
A few years ago one of our teachers conducted a class survey with regard to the procedures of eating the evening meal. The results were interesting as out of 20 students in the class only 5 families regularly sat down together with the television turned off; some families regularly sat in front of the television as they ate a prepared meal; a large number of children sat by themselves in front of the television to eat a prepared meal; and for a minority the evening meal consisted of a series of ‘snacks’ consumed in front of the television.
Well, Frank and his family might seem to have taken things to the extreme with their ‘Sunday lunch’ but what a great opportunity it gave for family conversation, the exchange of opinions and perhaps the transfer of important values from parents to children. When compared to passive viewing of television when imagination and creative thought could so easily slip into neutral, then, maybe Frank and his family were onto a good thing.
To say that children are precious is an understatement. Sometimes they can be perceived as an obstruction for allowing parents to get on with their lives, sometimes parents with great personal sacrifice to themselves, give lovingly to their children each day. Whatever our circumstance, we should always remember that God loves us regardless of what we do or say or think. Likewise, children need to be loved openly and affectionately by their parents, they need to be loved just because they are who they are. They need to be loved even – or rather especially – when they don’t perform well in family relationships, school work, on the sporting field or wherever. With the unconditional love from parents, children can grow up with the sense that they are lovable even in failure.
ASSESSMENT
With only 3 weeks left in term 2 our teachers are completing their assessments and beginning to write school reports. Teachers have been given time out of school to focus on their report writing.
WELCOME
We welcome Mr Cameron Salmon to our school while Mrs Ange Brocket is on leave. Mr Salmon will also take Grade 3/4 in the first week of term 3 while Mrs Bianca Brook is on leave.
STAFF CAR PARK:
Thank you to the Shire of Campaspe for repairing the stormwater ravaged road where our staff park their cars. The lack of drainage in the surrounding streets leaves our roadway vulnerable to the volumes of water that wash down during storms. With the expected rain over the next week we are hoping that the works completed yesterday will not be compromised.
ASPA
Today the ASPA ladies, Mon and Tash worked with our 5/6 students for their final practice before the Festival of the Sacred performance on Wednesday June 14th. This performance will take place at the Kyabram Sports and Entertainment Centre at 1.00pm. Parents, grandparents and special friends of our 5/6 students are warmly invited to attend the performance next Wednesday.
FREE TICKETS: If you are attending the event please book via: trybooking.com/CHWPU
SCHOOL NURSE
Denise Watson the school nurse will be visiting St Mary’s on Friday June 9. Thankyou to the families of our foundation students for returning the completed packages.
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING
Thursday June 8
Director’s briefing Mrs Fraser
Report writing -Mrs Parry -Mrs Barlow F/1/2TP
Friday June 9
Report Writing Mrs Brook – Ms Smith 3/4BB
PUBLIC HOLIDAY
A reminder that there is a public holiday next Monday June 12th for the King’s Birthday.
Best wishes for the weeks ahead. Enjoy time with your children over the long weekend.
Catherine Fraser
Principal