GHPS Life

INTERSCHOOL SPORT - WINTER SEASON

Round 8: Friday 21st July 2023

Greenhills A VS Glen Katherine A – HOME 

Greenhills B VS Laurimar C – AWAY

Massive shout out to Heidi K (5SM) and Archie G (5SM) who represented themselves and Greenhills PS at last week’s SSV State Cross Country Championships. They should be extremely proud of themselves, as the whole school community certainly is 💪🏼. 

Very special mention to Heidi who finished first, taking home the gold medal and the mantle of Victorian Champion. 

NILLUMBIK DIVISION SOCCER PLAYOFFS

Congratulations to the Greenhills Boys Soccer team who finished second overall at Tuesday’s Nillumbik Division Soccer Playoffs. They should all be extremely proud of their efforts, for not only the way they played, but also for the manner in which they represented the school – displaying the G.R.E.A.T values at all times. 

COMMUNITY SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS

If your child achieves something special (grand final win, most valuable player award, best and fairest etc.), please email me (jordan.daley@education.vic.gov.au) through photos and an overview of the achievement to post in Contact. It is important to celebrate and recognise such successes with the school community.

Thank you, 

Jordan Daley

JUNIOR SCHOOL COUNCIL

CHOIR NOTES

It was great having just about everybody at Recital Choir Rehearsal this morning despite the 'chilly' morning. The Choir has started learning repertoire for the Greenhills Music Festival which is on Wednesday 29th November at Eltham High School. The students will be working with Gemma Correzola from week 5 this term, in order to, learn the choreography for one of their items. During this time I will be on Long Service Leave.

We welcome Jamie Kim, our new accompanist. Jamie also teaches piano at Greenhills and is an excellent pianist.

I would like to Congratulate Arjunaa Kandeepan for achieving an A result for his Grade 6 AMEB Piano Exam. This is an excellent achievement for Arjunaa.

Best Wishes

Kate Stewart

CONNECTED SCHOOLS

  Five Things Your Tween Wants You To Know - By Michelle Mitchell

The five top survey responses that I hope give you insights into your tween’s inner world.

Message 1: Life is Harder than You Realise

Tweens believed life was harder for them than their parents acknowledged, and they felt their challenges were minimised. Comments like these caught my attention: “It’s not how they think it is. Everything is hard” and “I wish they knew how hard it is to get used to changes and that when we don’t know what’s happening more things are put on our plate”. My concern is that if tweens don’t feel understood now, where does that position us as they get older?

Suggested response: The tween years are a time of rapid development which can be overwhelming for our kids. What might seem small in our world, is big in theirs, so bring some patience to the table when talking about social and emotional challenges. Now is the time to validate your tween’s feelings so they know you are by their side. I highly recommend regular one on one time as it indicates your willingness to invest into them.

Message 2: I am No Longer a Kid

Tweens voiced a strong desire to be taken more seriously by the world around them, and not to be overlooked or dismissed because of their age. I noticed that they felt like they had significant ideas to share, while only being recognised as children. That’s quite a downgrade! My concern is if tweens don’t have a meaningful place to contribute now, how will they build the confidence to make a more significant contribution as they get older?

Suggested response: A tween’s developing self-esteem is hinged on their sense of competence and ability to handle life more independently. Now is a great time to invest into teaching your child practical skills, and giving them more meaningful responsibility at home. It is also a great time to ask your tween to help make family decisions as a way of validating their growing intelligence. Interestingly, tweens said they turned to people who were accessible, listened to them and were able to help them navigate life’s challenges. 

Message 3: You are Missing Stuff

Although it broke my heart, I was not surprised to hear tweens emphasise that their parents were missing stuff. When I walk through a primary school playground, I am often shocked at the ‘teenage-like’ themes I hear. I know that parents have no idea of the real content of these conversations and the pressures kids are under to engage in them. Comments like ‘you think we are okay, but we aren’t’ and ‘there’s a lot more bad things out there than they think’ expressed a real cry for support. My concern is, if we don’t keep our eyes open, we may not see those things that are most important.

Suggested response: When your tween comes home with questions that are difficult to answer, be prepared to give them a thoughtful and comprehensive response. You may intentionally delay your response to allow yourself some preparation time, but never sidestep it. Remember, if you are not the source, someone else will be; and that your language opens the way for theirs. You can initiate some of these conversations with quality resources that represent your family values.

Message 4: We Might Always Disagree about Screens

Technology was a central theme of tweens’ frustration. PS: Feelings are often mutual! Emphasis was placed on parents’ alleged lack of understanding of how central technology was to tweens’ social status and life. As adults, we know there are some very real and legitimate reasons why we say no to screen time. For this reason, I’d like to suggest that we might always have different views about technology. My concern is, if we don’t take the lead, tween’s natural desire to charge ahead may lead them into dangerous waters.

Suggested response: When it comes to technology, crystal clear agreements are absolutely essential. Technology has to be set up in order to last the rockiest of the teenage years. While gaming and group messaging is very common amongst tweens, it is easy to say “yes” to tech without appropriate accountability. Please know that what is easy to say yes to now can quickly become your worst nightmare if you are not in charge.

Message 5: It’s Time to Start Knocking

When tweens begin to need more privacy, most parents respect and welcome it as a sign of growing up. However, when they begin to desire space from adult supervision, it poses a new range of dilemmas. While our tweens are pushing for all the trimmings that come with growing up, such as catching a bus on their own or shopping alone with friends, their limited life experience leaves them vulnerable. My concern is that if we are not willing to enter into age-appropriate negotiations as they grow, they may begin to hide unsafe behaviour.

Suggested response: Tweens are usually looking to be given more grown-up privileges and responsibilities as an acknowledgement that they are no longer children. Things like riding their bike to the shop by themselves, staying up later than their younger siblings or walking around a shopping centre without any adult can be relatively safe ways to help them spread their wings. Even small shifts can require a change in mindset from parents, so they can feel like big decisions to parents of tweens. 

Michelle Mitchell is an award-winning speaker, and bestselling parenting author. She has been termed ‘the teenage expert’ by the media and is sought after for her compassionate and grounded advice for parenting tweens and teens. Michelle started her career as a teacher, but soon discovered a special interest in wellbeing. She left teaching in 2000 and founded Youth Excel, a ‘boutique’ health promotion charity which delivered tailor made life skills programs and psychological services to thousands of young people and their families each year.  Today she uses her experience to write and speak in schools, community events and through media.   

Parents Partnerships Leader - Roslyn Mackie 

ICAS Assessments 2023

This year, Greenhills Primary School will be offering Year 2-6 students an opportunity to participate in the ICAS Assessments. ICAS is designed to target students’ higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling Bee and Digital Technologies. Each assessment celebrates students’ accomplishments by providing opportunities for recognition and development. Every student will receive a printed certificate and an online results report. Top performers will be eligible for medals and are invited to attend special award ceremonies to have their academic excellence publicly recognised.

This year, Greenhills Primary School will be participating in the following ICAS Assessments: 

• English - Students will read a variety of texts which narrate, describe, explain, argue, persuade and review. The texts will increase in complexity within each paper, moving from simple texts dealing with familiar subjects and topics to complex texts discussing abstract concepts and using sophisticated language structures.
• Science - Students will focus on the knowledge areas of Earth and Beyond, Natural and Processed Materials, Life and Living, Energy and Change.
• Mathematics - Students will answer a range of questions related to number and arithmetic, algebra and patterns, measure and units, space and geometry, chance and data.
• Writing - Only available for students from Years 3-6. Students will be required to write a narrative or persuasive text and be assessed on their ability to write an extended response to a given task. 

Our school access code is: ZKJ143

Each assessment will run at a cost of $19.25, except for the Writing assessment which is $23.65. Payments are to be made by July 28th. The assessments will be completed at school in August. 

If you require further information please contact Roslyn Mackie at 

Roslyn.Mackie@education.vic.gov.au

CANTEEN

Wednesday Wonders - July and August

Orders are now open in QKR.

Lasagna - 26 July (orders due by TODAY - 19 July!)

Spiral Bolognese - 2 Aug (order by 26 July)

Ravioli - 9 Aug (order by 2 Aug)

Macaroni and Cheese - 23 Aug (order by 16 Aug)

All are $5.50 per serve! The normal canteen menu will still be available to order on these days.

SUSHI Day - Friday 11 August

Orders are also now open in QKR and close one week prior on Friday 4 August. Sushi is $3.80 per roll - various flavours available! Drinks can be ordered as well, however there will be no hot food on offer on this day. Window sales will be available as normal.

Helpers

If you have a spare hour on a Wed, Thurs or Fri between 1pm and 2pm, come along and help in the canteen. There is no food preparation involved, it's very simple and the kids love seeing parents there!

You need to have completed the Volunteer Induction, and sign up through CareBookings - www.carebookings.com.au - access code is JGU9L.

Helpers get a canteen voucher for their kids to use for their next lunch order! 

Thanks, 

Miriam.

STUDENTS OF THE WEEK

Term 3 Week 2 - Presented at Assembly 4th August 2023