A message from Tami -Jo

We have had a fairly settled beginning. This term, we will be continuing the work of building the children’s independence and their toolbox of strategies to make friends, resolve conflict, work independently and collaboratively, to build community and to learn about and with others. 

Assemblies

Our assemblies this term, are focussing on building community by understanding the perspective of others. This ]does not mean we believe the same as others or think the same as others but that we can acknowledge that difference is ok and can be respected. 

Respect is being able to listen to each other and disagree without conflict. It is an important life skill; we are working to help our students understand that we all need to co-exist together whether it be in a house, a classroom, a playground, a local community, a company  and so on and not everyone is going to agree all the time.  But that doesn’t mean we need to argue, make fun of others, be cruel or violent. Problem solving so we can get a positive outcome together is what are working toward. This means we have to not only acknowledge our own needs and wants but also that of those around me. Co-existing and working together is a priority for our students.

In the P-2 and the Years 3-6 assemblies over the last two weeks, we have compared the stories of The Three Little Pigs and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by A. Wolf as an opportunity to explore perspective. The teachers will continue unpacking the concept of perspectives through reading other literature and exploring playground issues in yarn circles. 

You at home can help too, by asking the children to acknowledge all the perspectives of a situation and to help them problem solve. Ensure that when they are speaking about different situations that you help them see that there may be many different perspectives; that they understand there isn’t always a clear right and wrong; that getting along with others builds a safer and calmer environment. 

We also want to develop an understanding of gratitude. How lucky are we to be in a country that celebrates diversity and inclusivity? We have to remember that with our rights come responsibility. In order for us all to be protected, we need to ensure that we are respecting and looking after each other.  

Trades Program

We have begun a more formalised trades program this year as an engagement pathway  for specific students. They are working on particular projects around the school such as a new ga ga pit playing area and garden beds between the classrooms in Balam Balam. The students have been learning skills around planning, time management, stamina and how to use tools. They received their work shirts last week and have been proudly wearing them during their trade sessions. The trade program will grow as our secondary school does. 

Attendance 

Attendance is extremely important. In 2023, we had 45% of our students who had more than 20 days off during the year which is equivalent to at least one day/fortnight. Within that number, there were some who had double that. 

Over the seven years of primary schooling, this can mean having a year off from school. That is a year’s schooling missed. It also means that for those students, they are missing important academic concepts but just as important, it affects their understanding of the social and emotional lessons taught and practiced and their connections they build with school. Disconnection with school and inconsistent social relationships with peers can make school challenging. 

We are following up with families where attendance is a concern, in order to work with you, to make plans for how we can support your child.

If you have any questions or want more information around attendance, please contact us.  

Reading

We cannot stress the importance of reading. This could be reading independently, being read to or sharing reading together. Research shows that students who read independently have greater reading comprehension, verbal fluency and general knowledge than those who do not. They become better readers, score higher on achievement tests in all subject areas, and have greater knowledge. 

We also know that this is not the case with all students and that being able or not able to read does not define ALL success but we do know that it is certainly supportive. 

Reading is a gateway to knowledge and understanding. Whilst we do not have a strict formal homework routine here at DCC, we do want children to read every day. This could be a novel, an information text, a recipe or lego instructions. It is not just about reading words but understanding the message that the words are trying to convey. 

If you want any assistance with reading with your children, please contact the classroom teacher or any of the learning specialists. 

Excursion/ Interschool Sport Costs

Whilst we are trying to organise excursions to support the learning at school, we are trying to keep costs down. For most excursions, it costs approximately $20 per student for the bus and this does make excursions costly once added together with entrance costs to particular venues and events. Where we are able, we will arrange for incursions or a less costly alternative. There are athletics carnivals coming up this term and a number of excursions. 

We look forward to a very busy and productive term.