Hello!

Social Emotional Learning

Across the whole school, students participate in Social Emotional Learning every Monday at 2:30pm. In Topic 1: Emotional Literacy of the Resilience, Rights, and Respectful Relationships program, students have been building their toolkit to recognise, understand, and express their emotions on varied age appropriate levels. The Preps have been focusing on identifying feelings through stories, games and facial expressions and describing situations that may evoke different emotions whilst in Year 1/2 students connected emotions to real-life situations and practiced expressing them appropriately. They then began exploring how to compare emotional responses with their peers and how these differ from person to person. The Year 3's and 4's expanded their vocabulary of emotions and explored body language and the emotional triggers some emotions evoke out of us. In 5/6 they focused on managing complex emotions and understanding their impact on relationships. Through discussions, drawing, role-playing, and creative activities, all students are building emotional awareness and learning about respectful interactions. Here are some photos from Topic 1.

NAPLAN

Year 3 and 5 Students

With NAPLAN testing approaching, we encourage parents and carers to support their children in feeling confident and prepared. While NAPLAN is just one way of assessing learning, it’s natural for some students to feel nervous. Here are a few ways you can help ease any worries and set them up for success:

✔ Encourage a Positive Mindset – Remind your child that NAPLAN is just one part of their learning journey and not something to stress over. Encourage them to try their best, but reassure them that it’s okay to make mistakes.

✔ Maintain Healthy Routines – A good night’s sleep, a nutritious breakfast, and staying hydrated will help students feel their best on test days.

✔ Practice Relaxation Techniques – Simple breathing exercises or short mindfulness activities can help calm nerves before the test.

✔ Keep Things Normal – Avoid overloading students with extra study. Engaging in regular learning activities and fun downtime is just as important.

Thank you for your ongoing support in ensuring our students feel confident and ready!

	Time	Year 3	Year 5
Wednesday 12th March	9:15 AM	Writing (paper)
Wednesday 12th March	12:05 PM		Writing
Thursday 13th March	9:15 AM		Reading
Thursday 13th March	12:05 PM	Reading
Friday 14th March	9:45 AM	Conventions of Language
Friday 14th March	12:05 PM		Conventions of Language
Monday 17th March	9:15 AM	Writing (Catch Up)	Mathematics
Monday 17th March	12:05 PM	Mathematics
Tuesday 19th March	9:15 AM	Catch Up	Catch Up
Wednesday 20th March	9:15 AM	Catch Up	Catch Up

Harmony Day

This year, we will be celebrating Harmony Day on Friday, March 15. It's a special opportunity to recognise and celebrate the diverse cultural backgrounds within our school community. Students are encouraged to dress in an outfit that represents their cultural heritage or wear a touch of orange, the official colour of Harmony Day, symbolising inclusivity and respect. Students will begin the day with a whole school assembly and parade in the hall. All families are welcome to join us and we look forward to this celebration filled with learning, storytelling, and sharing the many cultures that make our school community so special.

Bayside Youth Awards

Bayside City Council have sent out an opportunity for community members to recognise the positive contributions of people in the Bayside community. If you wish to make a nomination, please follow the link HERE.

Nominations open for the Bayside Youth Awards🏆

Who can nominate?

Teachers, parents, coaches, friends and family members.

Who can be nominated?

Nominees must be aged between 10 - 25 years old on 7 May 2025, and be contributing within the Bayside City Council Local Government Area.

Award categories:

Community, Environment, Creativity, Leadership, Sports Leadership.

Nominations close 24 March.

Celebrating Excellence - Coming Soon!

Keep an eye out in the coming weeks for a showcase of the excellence that we see in classrooms on a daily basis here at St Finbar’s. The Deputies and The Year 6 Learning Leaders will keep an eye out for students who are achieving above and beyond expectations and highlighting their amazing achievements in the newsletter!

Have a great week!

Laura and Callum

Deputy Principals

Team Kids