The Importance of Language

I have written in the newsletter before about how important language is to the early development of children. What we say to our kids is what shapes their perceptions and the adults that they grow to be. One of the most important ways in which language shapes the way children view the world is in how they understand gender and appropriate interactions. There has been a recent advertisement released that covers an important example of the impact that language has. When a boy pushes, hits, pulls or otherwise uses force on a girl sometimes she will be told “he just did it because he likes you”. This language is something we need to change with our young women and our young men. The moment we accept an act of aggression or violence (verbally or physically) as ‘liking’ someone we are implicitly saying that to use force against another person is an act of love. The reason I bring this up is that the advertisement started me thinking about just how important it is for everyone in our community to reinforce messages that support our children to view each other as equal and deserving of respect. Small actions when children are young have a lasting impact.

If you are interested in the advertisement please go to the following link: 'He just did it 'cause he likes you'

Breakfast Club

At South Melbourne Park Primary School we know how important it is to live a healthy lifestyle, and a key part of this is having a healthy breakfast. SMPPS have partnered with our amazing before and after care group TheirCare, and is currently offering a ‘breakkie club’ every morning. While the club is targeted for families who may find it difficult to regularly provide a nutritious breakfast, this opportunity is open to all our SMPPS children at this stage, and is open from 7:30am to 8:30am for children who have arrived at school early. The breakkie club is located outside the OSCH room in the Drill Hall. Cereal, toast, raisin bread, spreads, yoghurt and fruit are always available, while pancakes, crumpets, baked beans, porridge and toasties will be alternated as a treat. If you would like further details please contact Jake in TheirCare.

ThinkUKnow Cybersafety

South Melbourne Park Primary School will be working with South Melbourne Primary School to provide a cybersafety information evening for all our collective communities. South Melbourne Primary School, Ferrars Street, SouthBank, will be hosting a ThinkUKnow presentation on March 5th at 6pm on the Ground Floor Community Steps and all parents, carers and teachers are encouraged to attend.

ThinkUKnow Australia is a cyber safety education program that educates parents, carers and teachers of how people are using technology, the challenges they may face online, and how to help them overcome these in a safe and ethical way.

ThinkUKnow Australia is a partnership between the Australian Federal Police, Microsoft Australia, Datacom and the Commonwealth Bank. The program is delivered in collaboration with policing partners New South Wales Police Force, Northern Territory Police, Queensland Police, South Australia Police, Tasmania Police, Western Australia Police, as well as Neighbourhood Watch Australasia.

The presentation will be delivered by a local law enforcement member and an industry volunteer. The presentation covers issues relating to children and young peoples’ privacy and security online, their relationships with other users and their online reputation. It provides insight into the devices young people are using, as well as the popular websites, apps and social networking sites they’re accessing.

This is a fantastic opportunity for you to learn more about young people and the online environment, and how you can help them to be safe and responsible users of technology.

There is no cost for this presentation, and there is no need to RSVP. Simply show up on the day and we will be able to accommodate you. Please remember that this event will be held at South Melbourne Primary School, Ferras Street, SouthBank not South Melbourne Park Primary School.

A Few Bits of Housekeeping

There are a few small areas to update everyone on and to keep our amazing community in the loop. Our teachers are exceptional at keeping in touch with you, and we have a very strong open door policy. Generally they will attempt to reply to any communication within 48 working hours. This will not always be achievable, as there are many different challenges our teachers have to juggle on a daily basis, but they will always endeavor to be in touch as soon as they can. However, if there is ever any urgent concern, please do not hesitate to come in and see your teacher, or Rosemary or myself. We are always happy to make time to talk, and if it is something that cannot wait then it is better to talk in person than send an email.

You may have noticed some signage made by the students around the school stating “we walk our wheels”. It is very important that when we are on the school grounds and within the fences that any bikes, scooters, or skateboards are dismounted and walked. We have grown significantly this year, and with that growth comes a large amount of new preppies. The last thing we want is to see one of our newest students get knocked over by someone.

Furthermore, on the topic of safety, we do ask that no children climb above the second branch on our trees in the courtyard. Our students are familiar with this expectation, the trees are for sitting on the branches, not climbing up into the canopy. This is to ensure that no one has a nasty fall in our yard.

Finally you will notice our Bike Hospital is up and running every Wednesday morning and afternoon. If you would like to get involved and help out, even every now and again, please get in touch with our office and we will connect you with one of our amazing parents, Iain Mclean, who is heading up the project.

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