GENERAL NEWS
SCHOOL UNIFORM
We have now settled in to our winter uniform and it is expected that all students should be wearing the correct uniform on the correct days. We are aware that Lowes is currently out of stock on many items, so naturally, we are flexible if students can not wear that piece of uniform.
One item that is in stock at Lowes is the school tie. This is a compulsory part of our winter uniform and it would be appreciated if you could ensure your children are wearing a tie to school on Tuesday and Thursday. Wearing our uniform with pride is currently a focus.
LEADERS DAY AT ST EDWARDS
Last Friday our 12 captains attended a Leadership Conference at St Edwards.
Here is an article written by Erica Holzigal and Ava McAuley about the day.
Last week, the St Nicholas School captains were given the privilege of travelling to St Ed’s for a leadership opportunity. This experience was made in collaboration with the other two Catholic Primary schools in Tamworth. Along with St. Edward’s and St. Joseph’s, we engaged in bonding activities, student voice projects and had a fun afternoon overall. A main topic of discussion was student voice, and how we could improve and understand roles and responsibilities that different captains are encouraged to do. This includes being role models and being an uplifting, positive leader that showcases the school spirit.
Learning walks are also a common activity throughout the leadership days, which showcases other ways of education that other schools may improve on. In addition to this, we had a collaborative lunchtime to bond and make friends.
All in all, the captains thoroughly enjoyed this leadership day, and cannot wait until the next one. We are incredibly grateful for all these opportunities that we are given. We learnt all about how to be a positive role model and how to lead in a productive and optimistic environment. We look forward to putting these new skills and understandings in action to make our school an even better place.
NAIDOC WEEK CELEBRATIONS
This year NAIDOC celebrations at St Nicholas School will be held in Week 10 (21st June - 25th June). Mr French has been busily planning and preparing many engaging opportunities for everyone to be a part of during Week 10. More details to come in the following weeks.
The theme this year is 'Heal Country'.
HELPING GIRLS TO STAND TALL
by Michael Grose - www.parentingideas.com.au
Helping girls manage conflict is complex. Unlike conflict between boys which is loud, boisterous, and over as quickly as it began, most conflict between girls lingers on, taking up unwanted mind space and harming their mental health. “She’s so mean to me. I hate her,” is the type of statement that many parents have heard their daughters utter.
Girls handle conflict in one of three ways: like a shark (aggressively), a turtle (passively) or an owl (assertively). Let’s look at each style:
Shark (aggressive)
A shark is intent on winning and coming out on top when there’s a problem. Shark behaviours include a raised voice, shouting, physical contact, threats, and name-calling. Sharks are effective at getting what they want but they can hurt people in the process.
Turtle (passive)
A turtle pulls its head in and hides in its shell when conflict arises. When treated unfairly girls retreat into themselves, experiencing frustration, anxiety and even sadness. In extreme cases turtles become targets for less pleasant girls, who know they won’t retaliate.
Owl (assertive)
An owl deals with conflict without avoiding the issues. Owls express their rights and needs in positive ways and do their utmost to resolve problems rather than try to gain a personal win. They use assertive communication strategies rather than aggression or passive acceptance.
How to help
Parents can help their daughters develop the skills and behaviours needed to effectively resolve conflict and manage difficult feelings. Sibling and parent-child disagreements are fruitful grounds for girls to learn how to better manage themselves and others during disputes. Here are three owl-like conflict resolution strategies girls can use:
Teach I - statements
Learning to use these statements empowers girls to take responsibility for communicating how they feel. I-statements help your daughter express her feelings appropriately without being aggressive or intimidating.
The script for I-statements is: When you……………… I feel/felt………………because……………… I would like ………………e.g. When you went to the movies with her, I felt angry because I was left out of the group. I would like you to let me know next time, instead of keeping it a secret and going behind my back.
Encourage strong body language
A girl’s non-verbals including tone of voice, posture, eye contact and head positioning influences how much others take notice of her. A strong “This is what I want” verbal message delivered in a whiny, high-pitched voice or muttered with the head down indicates that a girl doesn’t intend to be taken seriously. The same statement issued with strong body language and a firm voice helps her be taken seriously by others. Her message is only as strong as the body language that supports it. The non-verbal communication techniques outlined in Spoonfed Generation, although written for parents are just as applicable for girls.
Speak with intent
Girls of all ages have a tendency to pepper their conversations with qualifiers such as, “I think…”, “This may not be right, but…”,” This might sound crazy….”, “I know it is not my turn, but I was thinking that, like, …” and so on. Qualifiers dilute the power of a girl’s words, indicating uncertainty, lack of confidence and demonstrating a need for validation that undermines her authority.
If your daughter continually speaks with qualifiers, respectfully make her aware of this propensity. “Darling, you don’t sound convincing. What exactly do you want?”
Most of us resolve conflict in ways that we learned at home in our families. Help your daughter develop effective patterns she can use to resolve conflict amicably, respectfully, and effectively so she can stand tall and feel confident in her own skin.
AUSTRALIAN EARLY DEVELOPMENT CENSUS (AEDC)
Between May and July this year, St Nicholas School will be taking part in the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC). This is a nationwide census/survey of early childhood development held once every three years. The AEDC is an Australian Government initiative run by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment and includes all children in their first year of full-time school.
The AEDC provides vital information to communities about how children are developing in the crucial early years. AEDC data is relied upon by schools, early childhood organisations, researchers and government to inform planning and improve services and supports for children and families.
The AEDC Instrument is completed by teachers about children in their first year of full-time school. The AEDC is voluntary and is not a school test. The information collected gives a picture of how children are developing before they start school in five key areas or domains. It shows what is being done well, and what can be improved. This is why it is important for all children in their first year of full-time school to be included in the AEDC.
More information will be sent home to the families of Kindergarten students. Many thanks in advance for your support in this important initiative.
STUDENT-LED LEARNING CONFERENCES
Most people would have had the opportunity by now to attend their child's Student Led Learning Conference. This is the first year that we have had these conferences and are seeking feedback from the parents as to their thoughts on the process and how they felt about the conferences. If you could please take a few moments to complete the survey, your feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Click here to complete the survey.
SEMESTER ONE REPORTS
This term, the Semester One reports will be sent out via Compass in Week 10. There will not be any comments on the reports this semester, as what would have been written in the comments, was covered in the Student Led Learning Conferences. If you are not registered for Compass, please register so that you will be able to access your child's report.
LIVING WELL, LEARNING WELL
We have now had a focus for each of our '3 Rules for Living'. We would like to continually reinforce these 3 rules.
- I am safe.
- I am valued, respected and cared for.
- I am a learner.
Please talk to your children about their knowledge and understanding of our 3 rules and how they can show them at St Nicholas Primary School.
KINDERGARTEN 2022 ENROLMENTS
Applications for Kindergarten 2022 have now closed. Any applications received will be placed on our waiting list.
COMMUNICATION WITH SCHOOL
Our office is open between 8.00am and 4.00pm each day. For any queries, the most efficient way of contacting our staff during this time is via email.
admin@stnicholastamworth.catholic.edu.au
MOBILE PHONES AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Here at St Nicholas School, students are not permitted to use mobile phones whilst in our care. However we do appreciate that some students have phones to make communication with parents easier, especially after school hours. Our policy is that all students with phones, ipods or other electronic devices must hand these in at the office to Mrs Grady at the start of each day and collect them at the end of the day. If phones are used inappropriately by any student they will not be permitted to bring it to school.
ICT POLICY
We are currently reviewing our ICT Policy and as part of that will be seeking feedback on our ICT User Agreement which was sent home at the beginning of the year for parents and students to sign. If you could please take a few minutes to fill out the survey below and provide your feedback, that would be greatly appreciated.
Click here to begin the survey.