St Augustine's College Kyabram

5-8 Community News

To our Families/Caregivers from our School Community,

 

Can you believe that we are already entering the pointy end of the term? Next week, we enter Week 8! Where has the term gone?  

 

Upon reflection, we have had a term to remember, especially our students. Some of the activities were:

  • Our students in Year 7 experienced their camp in Anglesea 
  • The Partnerships for the Future student  had their Urban Camp in Melbourne 
  • Students in Years 5 and 7 have particpated in NAPLAN

Our learning focuses across our school community continue to develop and practise positive reading and writing habits. Lessons are directed and explicit and involve all students in our community reading a class novel every day to develop reading comprehension skills and oral language and reading fluency skills.

 

We are already seeing some really big reading improvements across our students. We can't stress the importance of ensuring that our kids are reading every day. If there’s a moment at home, talk to the students about their class novel. It will help them consolidate their understanding for the text.

 

Students have continued to practise, demonstrate and complete various learning activities for all of their subjects. Our staff really want to commend and praise the students who continue to show a level of commitment and respect to themselves and their learning by demonstrating each SOLE pillar and expectation out in various communities.

 

I wanted to take this opportunity to mention to our school community how wonderful our new Year 8 leaders, have led throughout our school. Kezia, Olivia, Max, Paddy, Asha Rose, Sienna, Milla, Stella and Zoe have done such remarkable things aleady. 

 

For the remainder of the term in TA and across each space, we will continue to use the 2024 Student Diaryas an opportunity for our students to practise Gratitude, Empathyand Mindfulness. 

 

There are some really good tools in the diary which encourage the students each day to record:

  • Healthy Food intake
  • Exercise minutes
  • Hours of Sleep

During this period of time in TA, we want to really encourage the students to focus and to listen to their bodies. We call this the five steps to energy.  We are working with the kids to identify how:

  • We all have a battery that makes us tick. 
  • Being able to manage your battery (energy) is a vital part of feeling good and living well.
  • Taking care of your energy levels, starts with becoming aware of the impact your daily choices have on the way you feel, think and behave. 
  • Each choice you make will have an impact on your energy and motivation levels. 
  • The battery is a tool you can use to check your energy levels. 

The first part in our battery is to teach and work with the kids about sleep and developing ‘positive sleeping habits’. Good sleep habits can help improve your mood and energy levels. Sleep research suggests that a teenager needs between eight and ten hours of sleep every night.  It is also known to help with:

  • Improved memory
  • Sharper attention
  • Lower stress
  • Increased energy
  • Repaired muscles
  • Improved mood
  • Improved creativity
  • Better decision-making
  • Improved physical health
  • Stronger immune system
  • Boost in brain power
  • Better mental health

Similarly, and to support the themes of The Resilience Project (TRP), each day in their student journal, students are asked to think deeply about how they showcase gratitude, empathy and mindfulness on a daily basis. This week, the students have answered these questions from their journal:

  • What is one thing you are thankful for?
  • What has made you feel excited?
  • What is one mindfulness activity you will apply to your day?

Our SOLE focus over the previous fortnight had students practising the following expected behaviours:

  • Opt in with optimism 
  • Follow instructions 
  • Be punctual

We have been working with the students by providing them with some strategies to not only shift their negative mindset and attitude, but to manage behaviours in a positive manner and more importantly, seek staff support when needed.

 

Some strategies we have been teaching the kids are to:

  • Focus on the positives by focusing on the good things about each task.
  • Set a short SMART goal for each lesson. For example: ask three questions about the task, choose a seating location at the front of the room, make a start on the learning task and if it becomes difficult, seek out a teacher.
  • Do your best to stay attentive and remain aware of your actions and your overall goal/s. Seek support if you need too.
  • What ever is bothering you and/or causing you to have a negative mindset, assess the situation and look for a solution. Respond positively.
  • If repositioned, that’s okay. It’s a chance to get back on task.
  • If challenged on an error, that’s fine. The response back is so very important.
  • Find a spot that helps you focus.

Please continue to have conversations with your children about attending a lunchtime activity, particularly if they are finding themselves bored and unmotivated in the schoolyard.  We offer the following lunchtime activities:

 

Monday - Indoor Soccer

Tuesday - Indoor Soccer

Wednesday - Rec Reserve 

Thursday - Rec Reserve 

Friday - Rec Reserve 

 

On a final note, our Community Assembly for the term will be on Wednesday 27th March, commencing at 9.00am in the Brigidine Centre. It’s such a wonderful thing to see when our students get up and present their learning that’s occurred throughout the term. We extend an invitation to all of you and if we don't see you, we wish you all the very best holiday.

 

Corey Carver and Anthony Poppa

5-8 Community Leaders