Fairview

                                                   Ms Kerrie Neophytou

Welcome Back to Term 2

We are looking forward to a wonderful and very productive term. We have a very special welcome to Mrs Gilbert who has returned after Long Service Leave. We are also very fortunate to have two Pre-service teachers with us this term, Miss Monique Ferla (Year 2B) and Mr Michael Edwards (Year 1M).

As we begin a new term, it is always a good habit to reflect upon our priorities. Fairview’s priority is to aid your child's growth in all areas - emotional, cognitive, social and physical. Increasing their engagement and supporting parent contribution to school life. Our challenging and comprehensive programs promote excellence in supporting your child's personal learning needs.  We continue to focus on promoting personal growth, resilience and productivity.  I have previously shared via my blog and newsletter “10 ways to help your child look after their mental health”. I had suggested that parents focus on a topic per month and that a diary was kept on their reflection. Mental health and wellbeing is an area in which attention is required, and on a regular basis. The strength of developing and supporting resilient children will travel into their adulthood.

Parent Information Evening - How To Support School Learning At Home

The Primary School leadership team has scheduled a Parent Information Evening focusing on 'How to support school learning at home'. The session is scheduled for Monday 6 May at 7.00pm in the Chapel and Performing Arts Centre and will conclude by 8.30pm. While parents of children in Prep to Year 3 will find the session of most benefit, the session is open to all Aitken primary school parents. The information evening will provide an opportunity for parents to understand integral aspects of their child’s schooling and strategies which can be used at home to consolidate what is being learnt in the classroom.

The session will include information on:

1.  NAPLAN testing.
2. Current approaches to learning Mathematics and use of Mathletics at home.
3. Literacy programs including THRASS (Teaching Handwriting, Reading and Spelling Skills) and spelling, writing and general reading comprehension skills.
4. Supporting children with research and inquiry projects.

For parents who attended last year, there will be some new and repeated content. This information evening is a parent only session; please do not bring your children.

Peer Support Program

This term the Peer Support Program begins in Fairview and Cumberland. All Year 5 and 6 students are Peer Support Leaders of the Year 5 working with Prep and Year 6 with Year 1. It will allow the Year 5 to follow the same group in 2020.

The focus for the Prep and Year 5 2019 program is Keeping Friends, a peer support module on relationships.

Session 1: Being friendly

Session 2: Cooperating and listening

Session 3: Types of friends

Session 4: Being supportive

Session 5: The best way to play

Session 6: Joining in with others

Session 7: Good winners

Session 8: A better friend

The focus for the Year 1 and Year 6 2019 program is Moving Forward a peer support module on resilience.

Session 1: Introduction to resilience

Session 2: Who am l

Session 3: What l can do

Session 4: Who I have

Session 5: Pause

Session 6: Plan

Session 7: Proceed

Session 8: A resilient way forward

Focus on the following skills with the students:

• Opportunities for authentic leadership
• Building student friendship
• Building an understanding of resilience

Focus on the importance of:

• Communication skills
• Resilience
• Social skills
• Coping strategies
• Decision making
• Planning skills

Chapel and Assembly

Every Monday from 9.00am to 10.00am

Chapel service are scheduled every Monday from 9.00am to 9.30am and it is then followed by a topic focused Assembly from 9.30am to 10.00am. We always welcome parents, grandparents and friends to these services. All visitors must sign in at the Chapel and Performing Arts Centre foyer.