Help! It's an Emergency...

My heart always goes out to the parent in a shopping centre whose toddler is expressing their ‘big feelings’! This usually comes in the form of tears, loud crying, whinging, constant nagging or even a meltdown in the middle of the aisle. I can relate, as it only feels like yesterday that my own toddlers were ‘losing it’ because I had said no to a milkshake, a toy, a toothbrush…you name it, they wanted it, and the big feelings would show! Anyone looking on would have wondered what the emergency was! 

In those moments they were facing big problems, and they were yet to learn that their reactions were somewhat disproportionate to their requests (and my no!). It was a hard and long journey of helping them learn how to deal with disappointment of any kind. And with the circle of life, we are now helping our grandchildren as they learn to face problems and challenges in their little world.

Seeing our young learners approach their day with such zeal and zest brings the Primary Team great joy! They are learners who are willing to have a go, and they appreciate that having a Growth Mindset helps them with their learning and progress over time. Every day, our students have a choice about their mindset, how they approach problems and the strategies they can use to persevere and rise above the challenge. We are reminding them that “Your Mindset Matters!”.

At school, a broken pencil, not winning a game, feeling worried, disagreeing with a friend in the yard, forgetting a library book…these and many other problems can and do arise unexpectedly and at any moment throughout the day for any one of our students. Sometimes, these might feel like a glitch or a small problem, but other times they can appear to be an emergency. 

At DCC, our deep hope is to be a flourishing community. We want to see every individual flourish – understanding who they are in Christ, and the purposes He has for us personally and collectively. Flourishing occurs when we are both enjoying the good seasons of life, and when the problems arise. As Paul reminds us, it is both the challenges and the storms that shape us, and ultimately refine us. 

This term, our Primary students have been introduced to the How Big Is My Problem? scale, a simple and effective tool to help guide conversations about the various challenges and problems that can arise, and what they can do to take steps to become a problem solver! 

I encourage you to engage in the conversation with your children, especially when they are faced with problems, and use these moments to encourage, provide support, give strategies and impart wisdom and perspective.

Preparing For 2025

With our Step Into Prep program around the corner for our 2025 Prep students, I am delighted to confirm that Helen Reid will continue leading the very capable Prep Team next year, with Brie Price and Kellie Westcott continuing in their important role as Prep Teachers. We also look forward to Mel Eadie and a new teacher to DCC in 2025, Orlagh Doyle, joining the Prep Team. Please pray for our 2025 Prep team as they prepare to shepherd our newest and youngest learners to DCC. 

The preparations for 2025 continue across many levels of planning. Over the coming weeks, the teachers will come together to allocate classes for the year ahead. This process is complex and takes into consideration a variety of factors. Your classroom teacher knows your child well as a learner and will prayerfully consider them in the context of the cohort and their specific needs – academically, socially, emotionally, spiritually and physically. 

Every teacher will engage in a conversation with their students, asking them to nominate a selection of peers and friends with whom they would like to learn alongside next year. Whilst friends are important, teachers spend time considering a range of factors as placements are considered. As you talk with your child about the preparation for change, I encourage you to join us in this dialogue, and help your children consider the people who will be good for their learning, in all its shapes and forms.

If there are factors that you would like your class teacher to know or consider prior to their meetings with me, please be in contact with them this week, as we value the partnership we have with you. 

Please note that requests for specific teachers cannot be taken, rather a teaching style or considerations relevant to your child’s learning would be helpful to raise. In the rare situation that you may not be able to share information with a classroom teacher, Jo Bryant may be contacted for Junior Primary students, Jude Shields for Senior Primary students. Additionally, Brendan Deith or I can also be contacted if information is of a particularly sensitive nature. The Year 1-6 class teachers for 2025 are in the final stages of allocation and this will be communicated with families later in the term.