SMPS Family iNewsletter

Principal's Message

Our children are our future...

Principal's Message

Welcome back to Term 2. I hope the holidays treated you and your children well. Each day our staff arrive at school, they are driven by the same basic goal - each child reaching their potential. We strive for students to achieve social, psychological, emotional and academic fulfillment. In reality, this aspiration does not always occur. 

 

In 1943, iconic psychologist Abraham Maslow presented a theory of human motivation that was met with strong acceptance and praise. The basic idea of Maslow’s model is conceptualized as a pyramid with five levels. The levels represent five categories of needs, with “higher” needs being dependent on the satisfaction of “lower” needs. Thus, based on this model, if your “lower” needs are not met, then you’re not in a position to work on fulfilling your “higher” needs.

 

These needs, starting with “the highest” on the pyramid, are as follows:

  • Self-Actualization: The need to become the best version of yourself that you can be
  • Esteem: The need to genuinely appreciate and respect oneself
  • Love and Belonging: The need to feel fully and unconditionally supported by someone else, and the need to provide such support and love to another
  • Safety: The need to feel physically and emotionally safe from harm and genuine threats
  • Physiological: Needs that are biologically basic, such as the need for water, food, or air

In a school sense, the bottom level (Physiological) is mainly achieved from the home. Food, water, shelter are provided by the family unit. The school can provide lunches and snacks and uniforms where they are missing - but fundamentally, the student comes along to school either with or without these things. Our staff can only remediate when they can clearly see some of these basic things are missing. Sadly, some kids are deprived of these basics and it makes it hard for them to reach the higher levels of the pyramid. Schools and teachers become band aids.

 

The areas of Safety and Belonging intersect with Family and School. Kids can feel either safe/unsafe from the home or the school perspective and the sense of belonging can be driven from both contexts. Things like getting to school on time, attending 95% or more of the time - they belong to the family. We can't teach a kid who is not in the room. Once at school, staff and peers can become a strong influence in these bottom pillars of the pyramid. Basically, the school needs the family and the family needs to school if Safety and Belonging are to support the child reaching potential. 

 

The top two levels of Esteem and Self-Actualisation are driven largely by what happens at the lower portions of the pyramid. If you are not fed, sheltered, safe and connected to friends - your chances at feeling self worth and chasing your dreams are compromised. 

 

It is a cliche to say "it takes a village to raise a child", but cliches have their roots in good theory. The school does not entirely determine a child's success and happiness into the future. The analogy I would use is a snowball down a hill. Without the initial push from the family, that snowball really struggles to gain any momentum. If, however, that snowball gets off to a great start, then the sky is the limit. A great school can power the momentum and wonderful things can happen. Family and School need to work in concert for great things to happen. Conversely, a great start can be stymied if a student attends a poor school. 

 

What can families do to help support the pyramid?

  • Ensure foods eaten are predominantly healthy - healthy body, healthy mind
  • Ensure proper hydration and sleep
  • Ensure the psychological aspects of family life remain respectful and kind
  • Support the policies and programs of the school (discipline, homework)
  • Talk the school and staff up in front of your child (when there is home/school conflict, the student is the victim)
  • Ensure homework is completed
  • Make a positive connection with your child's teacher (email, chat occasionally)
  • Read with (or check your child is reading) at least 4 out of 7 nights per week - making sure they have reading material 
  • Check reports and student dashboards on Compass and respond with support and school connection whenever your child gets any score in the red zone
  • Get their child to school on time
  • Ensure their child does not fall below 95% attendance

What can schools do to support the pyramid?

  • Teach with excellence
  • Teach the agreed programs of the school with diligence and reliability
  • Make positive connections with families
  • Respect parents when they have queries - responding appropriately and with kindness
  • Report progress honestly and support families whenever children are in the red zone with their outcomes
  • Follow up with parents with honesty and respect (but determination) whenever the lower parts of the pyramid don't appear to be working well

No family would enjoy being lectured to by the school. This is not the intent of this article. The reason I write this is to bring to light the possibilities for each child if we all follow some basic guidelines together. In my career, I have seen children fall by the wayside in life and there is no reason this has to be the case.

 

I look forward to Term 2 with the understanding that Maslow was onto something. We look forward to working in partnership with you all to ensure your child reaches their potential. 

No School for Students Monday, April 19

Remember that school resumes for students on Tuesday, April 20th at 9am due to our Curriculum (Pupil Free Day) on Monday, April 19.

Curriculum Statements

This week's edition is shorter and includes Curriculum Statements from each grade level in PDF form. This gives parents the chance to see what staff have planned for the learning in Term 2.

Included in the PDF's (see next page) are special days, excursions, in-visits and reminders to help you set up your child for success. We have worked hard to create a solid curriculum for each child so we hope you enjoy seeing this overview.

Fasting

We deeply value the diversity of our community this sentiment aligns with our values of Character, Community and Learning. We understand that families at SMPS follow a range of religions. At times throughout the year, families may fast as part of their religion. If your child is fasting at any time through the year, please let your child's teacher know. We are able to support our students best when we are aware of changes to their lives and routines.