The Principal's Report
Welcome to Term 4
Welcome to the new students and families who have joined us this term. We hope that you enjoy being part of our learning community.
It is always a joy to greet the students in the morning, welcoming them to school. This week I have enjoyed hearing all about their holidays.
A special Welcome Back to Cat Fleming who has returned and is teaching three days a week in Year 5. we were all excited to see Cat on Monday, I know you will join me in welcoming her return to Boroondara Park PS.
We are looking forward to an exciting term of learning, our focus across the school of Creativity will head us in all sorts of directions which we will celebrate at our Whole School Creativity Expo towards the end of term.
Congratulations Kristen
We would like to congratulate Kristen Schlutz and her husband Edward on the safe arrival of Charles Paul Strain on Thursday October 10th, he is 3.1kg, both he and Kristen are doing well.
NAPLAN Reports
Our Year 3 and Year 5 families will shortly receive their NAPLAN reports. Thanks to Randal for keeping you all informed last term about the delay in sending reports home. The reprinted and correct reports have been sent to the school. We are currently scanning all reports and will then send them home.
Seasonal health reminders
A reminder sent to us from the Department of Education and Training. UV radiation is at its highest from mid-August to April and peaks during school hours. Schools are required to have measures in place to manage extreme heat and provide sun and UV protection. Extreme heat or a heatwave is a period of unusual and uncomfortable hot weather that can negatively affect health.
Asthma and hay fever symptoms increase every year between October and December. There is also the chance of an epidemic thunderstorm asthma event during grass pollen season.
Increased risk of thunderstorm asthma can occur in people with:
- asthma
- a past history of asthma
- undiagnosed asthma
- hay fever, who may not have asthma
- poor control and self-management of asthma.
Schools should practise heat health, sun protection and prepare for the potential of thunderstorm asthma.
Extreme heat and sun protection preparation
- Encourage and support students to develop independent sun protection skills (e.g. hats, sunscreen, clothing).
- Schedule outdoor activities in the coolest part of the day and ensure there is adequate shade for students and staff.
- Drink water – students should always have access to water.
Thunderstorm asthma preparation
- Ensure students have an asthma action plan (developed with the treating medical team), and an allergy plan if required.
- Keep asthma medication readily accessible.
- Avoid being outside during thunderstorms that occur between October and December, especially the wind gusts that come before the storm.
We are currently reviewing our SunSmart policy.
Some links to support our understanding of asthma first aid and thunderstorm asthma.
New mobile phone policy
The Victorian government has announced a new mobile phone policy that will require students to switch their phones off and securely store them away during the school day. At Boroondara Park Primary School this is already an expectation. Our students bring their phones to the office before school where they are securely housed for the day.
The policy is designed to support teaching and learning in an environment that is free from unnecessary distractions, disruptions and student inattention caused by the urge to check their phones.
The school is currently reviewing our mobile phone policy that will implement the Government’s announcement in a way that reflects the needs of our own community.
What do we need to know about your child for 2020?
Each year I give parents and carers the opportunity to provide information about their child's learning, social and emotional needs so that we can provide the best possible learning environment for each of our students. Please take time to fill in the Google Form via this link.
Parents and Carers will have until Friday October 18th to complete the form.
2020 Planning
Please take a minute to fill in the Google Form via the link below if your child will not be returning to Boroondara Park PS in 2020. We will then contact you and arrange details. All students have a Victorian Student Number - the VSN is taken from school to school, if your child is moving to another State school then we will provide details to the new school. Once our students have been asked to provide a list of five people they think they would work well with in a class, we use this information to start putting together 2020 class lists - we do not want students disappointed if their only friend unexpected leaves. Thank you for taking the time to complete the form.
Leaving Boroondara Park PS in 2020
Let consequences do the talking
From Michale Grose and Parenting Ideas Website:
Behavioural consequences are a parent’s best friends. When consistently applied, behavioural consequences will improve kids’ behaviour and increase personal responsibility.
Too often parents will over talk or repeat themselves to get cooperation from their kids. Too much talk and most kids tune out.
Alternatively, parents who protect their kids from the consequences of poor or selfish behaviour aren’t doing them any favours as they are robbing them of terrific learning opportunities.
I love the notion of behavioural consequences as they teach kids to take responsibility for their lives and to make smarter choices. They are also a non-punitive discipline measure, enabling kids to keep their dignity and ensuring that learning is maximised.
Parents can use two types of behavioural consequences: natural and logical.
Natural consequences
A natural consequence involves no adult interference. For instance, a child who leaves an excursion note at home will miss the excursion; a child who spends all his pocket money on the first day will have nothing for the weekend and a child who oversleeps and misses the bus walks to school. In these examples, children learn from the direct consequences of their own decisions and thus they are not protected from negative outcomes by their parents.
“It’s your fault, mum!”
Some kids are experts at manipulating their parents to rescue them from experiencing the consequences of their poor choices. They’ll blame their parents for not getting them out of bed on time, or for not reminding them about their responsibilities. It’s best to stand back and let the consequences work their magic!
NOTE: you shouldn’t use natural consequences when safety is an issue. Act decisively to ensure your child is safe.
Logical consequences
A logical consequence is used more frequently in family situations as it is the type of consequence that requires some form of adult intervention. A logical consequence is used when a child's behaviour disturbs other people, infringes on others' rights or is unsafe. A child who makes a noise in the family room is asked to leave; children who refuse to clean up their toys lose them for a period of time; a child who comes home late from a friend’s house loses the right to go out next time.
The 3 Rs of logical consequences
Consequences often involve the withdrawal of a privilege or a right. For example, a teenager who spends more time than agreed on Facebook may lose access to technology for a day or two.
Restitution, or making up to someone for unfair treatment or for loss of a possession, is another form of consequence. A child who wilfully breaks his sister’s toy may make full or part payment for a replacement. In both these examples the consequences are related to the child’s misdemeanours, are reasonable and are respectful of their dignity.
Here are four simple tips to help make sure your consequences are effective:
Tip 1: Set consequences “like whatever?”
Much of your success with the use of consequences lies in the manner with which they are issued. Issue a consequence using sarcasm or anger and your kids will be angry at you. Issue it free from emotion and without being heavy handed and your kids are more likely to be mad at themselves.
Tip 2: When possible, negotiate consequences
If a child is going to friend’s house for the first time at night, talk about their behaviour and home time. Also discuss the likely consequences if they don’t stick to the agreement. As a rule, kids are more likely to abide by consequences when they’ve had a say in deciding them.
Tip 3: Avoid life sentences
Ban a child from a going out for a few days rather than leaving the duration open ended. Set a time frame for the consequences and remember the second of the 3 Rs – reasonable – means that parents shouldn’t go overboard with consequences.
Tip 4: Don’t acquiesce to terrorism ... or guilt
If your child issues a threat saying something like, “There’s no way you can make me come home at six o’clock,” don’t rise to the bait. Deflect it by saying, “We’ll talk about this tomorrow.” Don’t give in to threats of running away or non-cooperation. “I hope you don’t run away. It's great having you at home. I want what is best for you.” Avoid stating what you would love to say, which may be something like, “Yeah, try running away. You wouldn’t last outside two days before you are back here begging for a good feed and comfortable bed!” Bite your tongue instead, and let the consequences do the teaching!
Kids in the early stages of adolescence draw strength from each other and rarely make parental challenges individually, or at least not without some back-up. “Everyone else is going...” “Bonnie’s mum is letting her go…” are the catchcries for this age group as they battle to get into the headspace of their parents. That’s why they gang up on parents. Not only is it more effective but working together gives them false bravado.
Car Parks
A reminder that the area around our school is 40km per hour, please be careful when driving around the school. It is important to also remember to follow the parking restrictions around the school. Please do not do U-turns in the school drive way, this holds up all other cars and causes chaos.
The Drop off zones are for dropping your children and driving off, you should not get out of your car or leave it parked in these restricted areas, the Council visits regularly and you will be fined.
Staff car parks are not for the use of parents, unless you have a disabled sticker, then the parking area in front of the main entry should be used.
Thank you for assisting us to make the school a safer place.
Susanne Lowe
Principal