Principal's Address

Dear Families,

In the last newsletter, I wrote about the importance of empowering your children to solve their own minor problems and to provide opportunities for independence. These parenting strategies will help your children to grow into confident and resilient young adults.

If your child tells you about a problem at school, what should you do?

Always listen and be careful to react in a calm and appropriate manner - your child will mirror your response. If it is deemed to be a minor incident, ask your child about strategies they could try. By rescuing the children and solving it for them, we are increasing reliance upon adult intervention and missing an opportunity for growth. It is important that the children try to resolve the issue themselves. Why is this important? By trying to resolve issues, children develop an array of strategies around teamwork, making mistakes and friendships. These can lead to increased confidence and and an inquisitive approach to learning (without fearing mistakes). If it is ongoing or major, adult intervention is still encouraged. 

According to Michael Grosse from the Parenting Toolbox, However, children can struggle with too much choice. You may want to be an empowering parent, so you try to give your child a say in their own life.

You stand in the bedroom and generously ask: "What do you want to wear today?" It feels like you are giving them independence, but often, they look paralysed.

While offering autonomy sounds great, choice overload is a parenting trap.

Flooding your child with options is a fast track to child anxiety, decision fatigue, and deep dissatisfaction.

By constantly letting children choose, you unwittingly compromise their emotional wellbeing.

If you want to protect your child from this stress, you need to a change of parenting strategy.

Narrow their decisions to two options. This simple measure prevents tantrums, reduces household chaos, and helps your child feel secure.

Fortnightly Review

Please watch the video below and listen to the Podcast for a review of the past two weeks.

Episode 3 of the Stella Maris Podcast, facilitated by students: https://share.transistor.fm/s/51607fd0

Staff on Leave

Mrs McAuliffe is currently on LSL and being replaced by Mr Kerry Hillyard. Sinead is due back on Wednesday September 9.

Mrs Robyn Lockwood is currently on LSL till the week of August 24 and being replaced by Mrs Bernadette Dowling.

Mrs Sarah Dooley and Mrs Carmel Fisher will be returning in the next three weeks from approved leave.

Congratulations

• Congratulations to the following Principal Award recipients:

  Week 2 - Christian W from Year 5

  Week 3 - Walker F from Year 4

   

• Last week we had a number of Year 5 students competing in a Maths competition against a variety of independent, government and Catholic schools. One of our groups finished first overall - showing validation of our student learning at Stella Maris.  
• Mrs Palombi was nominated by a member of staff, for the Dunlop Sisters Award. She was nominated for...work with PBL; her compassion; belief in our school community; helping every child to feel valued; her ability to lead with strength and kindness. We congratulate Angela who has been nominated as one of only FIVE finalists across Australia.

Trivia Night

Drumroll please...Our Stella Maris Aussie Icons Trivia Night raised an incredible $7,016.36!

What a night! As President of the Parents & Friends Committee, I'd like to sincerely thank everyone who supported our Trivia Night. It was a fantastic evening, and it was great to see so many people enjoying themselves while raising valuable funds for our school. 

Firstly, I would like to extend my deepest thanks to our incredible Trivia Night Subcommittee. Every one of you gave countless hours behind the scenes, often doing far more than anyone ever saw. There were meetings, planning, problem-solving, last-minute changes, setting up, packing down and so many little jobs that made the night such a success. This event simply would not have happened without your passion, teamwork and willingness to jump in wherever needed. Karen Selemba - P&F President

Please see the Parents & Friends section of this newsletter for more information.

Professional Learning and School Improvement

Staff have been participating in professional learning on the teaching of Mathematics. They have set goals for Semester Two (with many linked to Maths) and developed plans to improve student learning. 

Next week we will be upgrading the Smartboards in Preps, Year 1 & 2. The current ones are old and the new ones (BenQ) will have many more features with adjustable heights for easier access by the students. 

Students' designs have been incorporated by a landscape designer to plan for a new Kitchen Garden. We are planning for work to start this term so students can be involved in planting during Spring.

Last week a session was held for parents on Family Life and please see below the sessions for students:

Thurs 6 August - Prep/ Yr 1  Protective Behaviours

                              Yrs 3-6     Sexuality Education

Thurs 20 August - Yr 2         Protective Behaviours

                                Yrs 3-6   Sexuality Education

Thurs 27 August - Yrs 3-6   Sexuality Education

The eSafety session will be held for parents on August 18. Students are currently completing eSafety modules with their teacher through Inform & Empower. We hold that these sessions will help our students and families to stay safe and be aware of the risks while using online devices.

Simon Millar

Principal

#CourageAlways