From the Director of Primary
Yesterday’s Step-Up Afternoon was an opportunity for students from Kinder to Year 6 to meet their new teachers, visit the classrooms and welcome new students to the College. At this time, students may experience a myriad of feelings – excitement and fun but also anxiety and concern about what they may experience. The purpose of the afternoon was to help students feel prepared and supported as they make the move from one year level to the next regardless of whether it be starting Kinder, moving to Prep or Year 7.
Families play an important role in supporting children at this time. Alongside their teachers, they can help them to cope with the new challenges by developing their social, emotional and learning skills. I strongly encourage parents and carers to view the rich resources found on the online resource SchoolTV that may be accessed by College’s website. Attached below is an excellent fact sheet titled What are transitions?
Parenting educator Michael Grose recommends the four P’s to help your young person settle in:
- Promote Friendship: encourage children to form friendships with many different children; to be friendly, approachable and positive.
- Practice Patience: Listen to your child and reassure them that it is normal to feel unsure about change.
- Pursue a positive attitude: See the transition as an exciting time that can be handle rather than a time of fear.
- Process their day: Listen without judgement and show real interest in their new environment.
Most importantly, students and their families are encouraged to consider transitions as learning opportunities for everyone.
ICAS
The remaining certificates have now arrived for students who completed the ICAS Assessments for Mathematics, English and Writing. These are highly challenging papers requiring students to use higher order thinking and problem-solving skills. Congratulations to the following students who achieved Merits, Credits, Distinctions and High Distinctions.
| English | |
| Merit | Emma Sullivan |
| Catherine Wijayaratne | |
| Credit | Charlotte Bateman |
| Ruby Coleman | |
| Aleesha Darling | |
| Senna Foster | |
| Sophie Halliwell | |
| Eliza Lindsay | |
| Fyzah Rahman | |
| Distinction | Laella Andersson |
| Ines Gadon | |
| Madeleine Horton | |
| Writing | |
| Merit | Natasha Furjanic |
| Eliza Lindsay | |
| Isabella Lowe | |
| Credit | Laella Andersson |
| Ines Gadon | |
| Sophie Halliwell | |
| Lola Helmers | |
| Madeleine Horton | |
| Imogen Mulder | |
| Aaliyah Onwuegbuzie | |
| Emma Sullivan | |
| Catherine Wijayaratne | |
| Distinction | Charlotte Bateman |
| Matilda Forrest | |
| Fyzah Rahman | |
| Mathematics | |
| Merit | Madeleine Horton |
| Credit | Jessica Bray |
| Ruby Coleman | |
| Matilda Forrest | |
| Natasha Furjanic | |
| Ines Gadon | |
| Eliza Lindsay | |
| Clare Little | |
| Amelia Olencewicz | |
| Emma Sullivan | |
| Catherine Wijayaratne | |
| High Distinction | Charlotte Bateman |
Upcoming Events
As the year draws to an end we look forward to a number of significant events on the school calendar:
Celebration Evening
Year 4 to 10 students are currently involved in preparations for Celebration Evening on Tuesday, December 10 at Wrest Point Casino. The night is always a wonderful celebration of the school year and a fitting way to farewell our graduating Year 10 students.
On the night, all students are required to wear their summer dress with blazer, white ankle socks, and polished shoes with correct hair accessories. It has been noticeable in recent weeks that some students have experienced a growth spurt, resulting in the need for adjustments to the length of the uniform. We would be very grateful if parents could take the time to ensure your daughter’s summer dress is the appropriate length (at the knee or below) in readiness for this very special occasion.
Nativity Play
A Nativity play, traditional carols and Christmas songs will be presented for parents and friends of the Mount Carmel community by Kindergarten to Grade 3 students on Wednesday 4 December at 6:00pm in the Cahill Centre (College Hall). We hope that all families will be able to come along to enjoy and appreciate the significance, simplicity and beauty of the story of Christ’s birth.
We warmly invite our Year 4, 5 and 6 students and parents to be in attendance as well on the evening, however, the students will not be directly involved in the performance due to their Celebration Evening commitments.
Children may wear plain clothes to the Nativity Play unless they have been asked to wear a particular costume.
There will be a BBQ for all families afterwards. EdSmart correspondence has been sent to all families earlier this week to assist with catering requirements. Could all families please ensure that they respond to this letter so that no one misses out on the night.
The Parents & Friends will be running their ever-popular Christmas Shop outside the Drama Room.
The Shop will be open to all students at recess and lunch on Wednesday 4 December for purchases of Christmas gifts and food and then again after school up until the start of the Nativity play in the evening.
Caroline Wilson-Haffenden
Director of Primary