Primary News

As you wander around the College grounds at the moment you will see an abundance of snowflakes made by students to reflect the power of winter, the intricacies of a snowflake and the sense of community and fun that came with making them.  

On these winter days when the weather can be grey and sometimes rainy it can be hard to get out of bed in the morning and even harder to approach challenges with a good attitude, let alone gratefulness. Gratefulness or gratitude offers us not just a way of getting through or coping, but a doorway to real joy and a deep appreciation for the diverse situations we find ourselves in and the people we are connected to.  

At times it may be really tricky to name some things that we are grateful for as the daily grind can sometimes be all too consuming.  But it is important that we do stop and recognise how blessed we are to live in this beautiful state of Tasmania and be part of this community we call Mount Carmel College.

An exercise in gratitude for students and for you

Sometimes it’s so easy to become caught up in the little concerns, that we lose sight of the big picture. Sit still, close your eyes and reflect on the following:   

• Moments where whether by your own actions or the actions of someone else you felt proud of yourself or someone you love. 
• Notice in your mind’s eye moments where you experienced a connection with others and a sense of hope and belonging. Even if this sense of connection was fleeting or momentary. 
• Compile a ‘Gratitude List’ naming up five moments or things you are grateful for.  Paying attention to moments in this way gives you the opportunity to change your state of thinking from one of anxiety, or excess worry, to one of optimism. Thankfulness and appreciation inspire feelings of hope, compassion, and love.
• Think about something that gives you great joy and ask yourself:
  • Where was I? 
  • Who was there? 
  • What were you doing? 
  • What time of day was it? 
  • What was the day like? 
  • Why did I feel this sense of joy and gratefulness? 
  • How does this moment encourage me to go forward into tomorrow?  

“I don't have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness – it's right in front of me if I'm paying attention and practising gratitude.” 

Brene Brown 

Shorts Day - Friday 21 June (Tomorrow) 

All ELC - Year 6 students are encouraged to come to school in their PE gear up top and shorts (not school shorts) on the bottom tomorrow as we brave the cold as we acknowledge SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY Shorts Day.  This is a day to start or continue conversations about how we can look after one another and do our check ins.  Students are asked to bring a cold coin which will be donated to the charity. 

Year 6 GritFit 

On Monday Year 6 students will participate in the GritFit for Kids program run by SPEAK UP! Stay ChatTY.  All parents were sent electronic correspondence asking for you to opt out if you did not want your daughter to be part of it.  There was not an opt-in request. 

Learning Conversations 

Information about Learning Conversations has been sent out in readiness for next week’s (Tuesday and Thursday) meetings. Prep - Year 6 will be in the College Library and Kinder in the classroom. Students in Years 5 and 6 are expected to attend with the Year 6 staff being located right at the back of the Library.  

A reminder to parents that it is an expectation that you will make an appointment. ELC parents you will be directly contacted by the ELC team. 

These conversations allow us to work with you as a parent to ensure you receive useful, meaningful information about your child's learning.  

Reports

Over the past few weeks Primary staff have been working feverishly to complete Mid Year Reports, which will be released to parents on Thursday 2 July.  As of this year, you will notice a difference in the comments, with a more general indication heavily weighted towards pastoral information. This change has been made due to the increase in our one-on-one conversations that we have in Terms 1, 2 and 3.  Having said that, the report provides you with the appropriate feedback required as it will inform where to next and what goals of focus can be explored as this document compliments the above learning conversations. 

Kiss and Drop 

Please be mindful of how you use Kiss and Drop as parents. Ensure you do not leave the car, only enter from the left hand side of Quorn Street and if there is no sign of your daughter please leave, turning left and heading down Quorn Street rather than trying to cut across the traffic.

Cyber Safety 

It is often a topic of conversation I have with a parents and students: 

How do I say no to social media given the age of my daughter? 

How young should they be before I get them a phone? 

I am concerned about the level of interaction my daughter is having with friends online, how do I help her as the interaction is not positive?

Below is a link to Susan McLean’s Parent Sessions and signing up and participating in these can be of great benefit, giving you as parents the words, the advice and the help that you may require. 

Susan Mclean Cyber Safety Solution

I have also included a link to the Alannah and Madeline Foundation website and esafety platform, both have information that is of benefit.  And I remind you of the amazing resource called School TV which can be found on our website under the Community tab. 

Mount Carmel Day

Mount Carmel Day is just around the corner as we celebrate Our Lady of Mount Carmel.  As part of the celebrations we will be holding a Mini Fair after lunch with all proceeds going to a yet to be determined charity. Further information will be sent home next week regarding Mount Carmel Day.

Debating

Thank you to our Year 3 teacher, Mrs Natalie Hall, for the work that went into last night's Junior Debating Competition where we hosted a significant number of schools from across Southern Tasmania.  Thank you also to the staff and students who so generously gave of their time to assist as adjudicators, timekeepers or chairpersons.  It was a huge success.