The Christway Wyndham Connection

From the Head of Campus

Ms Kerrie Neophytou

When parents send their children to school they have made a great commitment to a College community and we acknowledge the blessing of greeting the children every day. We are honoured with the trust and respect our parents have for all of the WCC staff and we know they have aspirations for their children, and also concerns. These may include:

  1. Is my child learning what is required?
  2. Are they achieving set individual goals?
  3. Are they making friends?
  4. Do they have company during recess and lunch breaks?

We try to discourage parents to not focus on levels of learning and student comparison; all children will achieve at their rate. Their learning ability is important; however, what is crucial is that they are safe, healthy and happy, that they know they are part of Christ family. Within a Christ centred education, our children achieve their fullest potential, as all is achieved with love at its centre. 

 

Our school strives for high expectations and quality education, to support our students to reach their fullest potential. However firstly they must know who they are and how our Lord is at the centre of all that they do and achieve. A crucial factor is that our children are happy and feel safe. Therefore, their overall wellbeing is imperative; that is their emotional, social, physical and educational needs.

Our teachers are a wonderful resource for parents; to support their queries and needs. They have the skills and ability to assist parents in identifying what they will need to focus on at home.

 

We encourage parents to allow the children to have time to relax at home and have fun. This is the environment that parents’ control; it is crucial that parents provide the children with rules and limitations. The children have access to a great deal of devises. These devises are a useful resource; however, they can occupy the majority of the children’s playtime. Establishing guidelines for technology is crucial, as children are now growing up in a world of amazing resources.

 

There are a few points that parent should all be encouraged to consider:

  • Establish a consistent time where family talk occurs e.g. dinner time - the dining table is an amazing talking tool.
  • Shared quiet and reading time at home
  • Establishing a routine where children are expected to follow rules and limitations e.g. set reasonable bedtime.
  • Ensuring that children play with each other, not with technology but with each other.

Play and conversations are significant because it reinforces the following:

  • foundation and scaffolds how children learn and interact with each other
  • core to their attention, response and processing skills
  • they feel accepted, loved, happy and safe
  • building confidence, self-esteem and resilience
  • developing educational, emotional, social and physical skills
  • developing problem solving, language and communication skills
  • focusing on caring for others and their environment

Board Games

I have been discussing with families the benefits of playing board games with their children. We acknowledged that this family time brings a connection of mutual respect, fun and excitement. The following points include many reasons why board game family time should occur regularly:

  1. Taking turns & follow instructions
  2. Mathematics & problem-solving skills
  3. Mental agility
  4. Thinking ahead & planning skills
  5. Encouraging imagination
  6. Actions & consequences
  7. Making tough choices
  8. Teamwork & interactive skills
  9. Being a good sport
  10. Device time-out
  11. Building a bond with family
  12. They are FUN!

Extended Leave of Absence

We are beginning to receive applications for Extended Leave of Absence. I understand the need to see family and spend the time we lost during the past two years. However, an extended leave of absence can be detrimental for a child’s learning, engagement and wellbeing. Please consider the school holidays for the period to spend away. We will not be providing learning packs for this leave and recommend your child maintain their daily reading log, keep a diary in which they record travel experiences and collects maps. This can be shared with the class when they return to school. 

 

Traffic Congestion

School traffic is a common issue in many schools. Congestions occurs due to a large number of parents collecting their children at the same time. We stagger our student collection from 3.10pm to 3.25pm, however we need to consider that local school traffic will cause congestion on Ballan Road. This congestion usually clears by 3.40pm to 3.45pm. 

 

I have witnessed courtesy and patience by parents; however I have also seen parents rushing and this has caused anger. It has been due to parents driving in front of vehicles and not giving way when they drive out of a car space. Our fear is that there will be an accident on our school grounds. The speed must also be at a low speed (10km), as we have students walking with parents and siblings towards vehicles. Please use common sense, respect and patience as you navigate your vehicle on our College grounds.

 

Please refer to the communication provided on Compass (Friday 25 February), referring to the carpark upgrade and how it will impact traffic flow. We appreciate our community's support and patience during this period.