Principal's News

Dear Parents,

I trust you all enjoyed the long weekend and took the chance to have a rest before a busy last few weeks to finish the term. Our children at St Mary’s are generally  well behaved but some behaviours are consistent from school to school. Children can be quite predictable in their behaviour as they progress through primary school. 

In my experience, through many years in education at numerous schools, I think that I could almost write the script for the behaviour of the different age groups throughout a primary school. I must say though that some of the behaviour after COVID lockdowns was delayed. I have often said that our children were most affected in their social and emotional development in the lockdowns. The children who were either in pre-school or the early years of primary school during these lockdowns are the ones most affected as they missed out of the development of many social skills they usually learn during these years. Schools are still dealing with the after affects of these disruptions with the children in 2024 Years 3 and 4 the most affected. 

However some things stay the same with behaviour of children.  As a parent, some of this behaviour can be quite disconcerting, but as educators, we see it as part of a child’s development. Some of the behaviour we notice in the different age groups includes:

Prep Children:

• Each year the Prep children will throw toilet paper on the roof of the toilets (both boys and girls). Sometimes I wonder if they see this as their rite of passage into the school.
• The Prep children are still in the egocentric stage of development and much of what they do with others is based on their needs.
•  Friendships are easily formed and dissolved and friends are someone who does something to please them.
• Prep children will approach others to join in their games.
•  In recent years we have seen more Prep boys involved in playing games such as football, cricket and soccer but this brings about its own set of problems as they are not mature enough to take turns, understand rules and understand how others are feeling.
• Often they will come home and say they did not get a turn or kick because they did not get the ball when they wanted it.
• Boys of this age when playing games will pile on the top of each other as they try to get the ball.
• Sometimes children at this age will come home saying they were lost in the yard, meaning that they lost their friends for a short time and could not find them.

Grade One and Two:

• Boys at this age will have difficulties playing in a team game as they start to explore these games. This is because some children at this age are still very egocentric and struggle with the concept of sharing or understanding that their role is within a team. Often on the yard, we see conflict between boys when engaged in sport activities. The problem is that no one or everyone is in control of the game and not all participants understand rules.
• The level of physical abilities will vary at this stage and how physical they are with each other will upset some.
• When things do not go their way they will become upset easily. Other boys who do not enjoy playing sport will be involved in imaginary games and activities but as with ball games at this age, no one is in charge and the rules are still muddied.
• Girls at this age argue about the silliest things because, like the boys, they are transitioning from the egocentric stage of development. They think of themselves more than others until about age seven or eight. They play well in groups but may need some time to play alone.
• The girls' use of their body language can start to become upsetting to others. Girls start to form ‘clicks’ by Year 2 and can start to sit and talk. Girls can be very bossy with each other.
• Many children have a best friend and an enemy. They tend to prefer playmates of the same sex. Children often tell on each other. This is done for two reasons: to help them understand the rules and to get an adult's attention.

Grade Three and Four Children

At this age, children are looking to be included in groups with their peers but many of the children still do not have the skills to be able to function in a proper way within a group.

There is often a power battle to sort out the pecking order in the group. For boys, this is often portrayed through sport where they will try to exert their power by being physical. With girls, power is shown by exclusion or the use of body language. These behaviours are displayed because they have a strong need to feel accepted and worthwhile. They show their ability to be independent by being disobedient, using back-talk and being rebellious.

• Girls look for a ‘best friend’ and can ‘drop’ a friend easily.
• For boys this is an extremely physical time in their games outside – stormy time on the playground but things will start to get better.
• Boys can experiment with their physicality and can punch or turn physical to solve problems.
• For the boys the fact that no one is still the umpire or boss can cause conflict and misunderstanding and a pecking order hasn’t been quite worked out.
• Teams are often ‘picked’ by each other and some kids are left out or left to last, causing some hurt.
• Year 4 girls talk behind other girls’ backs but not quite aware of how this impacts on others.
• Children at this age start to get involved online with their socialisation.
• Cliquey groups may be formed by girls.

Grade Five and Six Children

Usually by Grade 5 and 6, some sort of normality has been restored and the children are much more mindful of how to treat others and how their actions affect others. Perhaps though this is only a lull in the storm before they hit the dreaded teenage years. Solid friendships are beginning to form.

• Sometimes exclusive friendship groups are formed and this is fine with the other children.
• With the boys games, all participants know who the boss is and accept their position in their peer group and rarely have conflict on the sporting field despite rough games at times.
• Girls can be extremely cruel to each other – which can be expressed subtly through body language.
• Girls and boys can mix and enjoy each other’s company. Girls and boys starting to notice each other.
• Social media - used regularly and can cause exclusion.

Summary

Most of the behaviour that children display at each age and stage in their development is quite normal. Every child is unique and they all develop at their own pace. At all ages and stages, your child will need your unconditional love and support to help them along the way. One thing we need to remember is that some children will need to be taught skills to deal with the various issues that naturally arise in childhood. This is where the school and the parents need to work together. In schools it is often the Years 3 and 4 children provide the most problems on the yard and it is no different here at St Mary’s. It is important that parents support the school in dealing with these issues and reinforce at home that behaviour that involves the following is not to be tolerated:

• Pushing and shoving
• Playing games in an aggressive manner
• Name calling
• Excluding children from games

The school will have a zero tolerance to any of the above behaviour and we will continue to teach the children how to behave appropriately just like we teach the children to read and write. 

Centenary of St Mary’s

This year St Mary’s will celebrate its centenary and both the School Advisory Council and Parents and Friends are looking into the activities the school will undertake to celebrate this important event. More information will be communicated to parents next term.

During the hundred years the school has been an integral part of the local Hampton community. It will continue to be the same for the next hundred years and beyond.

School Open Day

Last week’s School Open Day was a big success with more than 15 families visiting the school to tour the facilities and programs. The Year 6 students did a wonderful job running the tours and this was commented on by the parents. Hopefully we can turn these visits into enrollments in future years. I would ask our present families to talk to neighbours and  friends who have a child commencing school in 2025 to ring the school office to book in a tour.   

Sacrament of Reconciliation

Congratulations to the Year 3 children who received the Sacrament of Reconciliation last Wednesday afternoon with Father Martin.  Thank you to the Year 3 teachers and our Religious Education Leader, Sam Sullivan for preparing the children and planning the service. 

Principal’s Conference

Next week I will be away at the Victorian Catholic Principals Conference at Lorne. The 2024 conference focus is focused on  inspiring, informing and equipping delegates to connect with their own convictions to make a long-term, sustainable and measurable impact on young people, staff and school communities. The program boasts world-renowned speakers to deliver a best-in-business professional development and collegiality event for members. The conference is also underpinned by daily opportunities for delegates to connect with, explore and develop their faith through mass, reflections, and prayer. Evelyn Whatmore will be Acting Principal for the week. 

Professional Development Day

On the recent school closure day, our teaching staff had the opportunity for professional development led by Kate Korber, the facilitator behind 'The Inquiry Project'. Kate guided us in exploring the concept of Student Agency, fostering engaging discussions and practical learning activities. It was an enriching day where all staff actively participated in discovering methods to enhance student voice and ownership in our Inquiry units. Kate will be involved with St. Mary's staff, contributing to future staff meetings and collaborating with teachers to refine our inquiry unit planning throughout the year.We are eagerly looking forward to collaborating with Kate throughout the year, as her expertise and guidance will undoubtedly enhance our teaching practices and ultimately benefit our students' learning journey.

Staff News

• Deborah Fisher will work on Friday's assisting Renae in the school office commencing Term Two.
• Sienna Koop will commence work in Term two as a part-time Learning Support Officer.

Staff Leave

• Kelly Moxon will be taking Long Service Leave from Monday 15th April until Monday 3rd June. Kelly will be replaced by Catherine Wensley (2 days)  and Angela Saliba. 
• Marie Hird will be taking Long Service Leave for all of Terms 2 and 3. Marie will be replaced by Lindsey Torr and Sophie Helling who will both work part-time.

I know the school community will welcome the new staff and I wish Kelly and Marie all the best during their leave. 

Easter Paraliturgy

 Our whole school Easter Paraliturgy will take place on Thursday, March 28th commencing at 9 am and will last approximately an hour. The paraliturgy will retell the story of Holy Week. 

School Production Dates and Auditions

Our Performing Arts teacher Veronica Del Castillo for securing dates for our school production at St Bede’s Mentone. The dates are as follows:

3 September 2024      Tuesday   (Day Rehearsal)

4 September 2024      Wednesday (NIGHT A)

5 September 2024      Thursday   (NIGHT B)

Yesterday the final auditions were carried out and the cast will be finalised in the coming days. The full cast will be announced during the last week of this term. 

NAPLAN Testing

On Thursday  the Year 3 and 5 children completed the writing component of their Naplan testing. The Year 3 children wrote their narrative using pencil and the Year 5 test was completed online. The remainder of testing for both the Year 3 and 5 children will be completed online. If children are away sick for any of the testing there is an opportunity next week to catch up on any of the tests missed.

NAPLAN Timetable 2024

School Sports

On Friday 22nd March, we will be holding our Athletics Carnival for all students in Prep-Year Six at Sandringham Athletics Track (Glamis Ave, Hampton). 

The day will consist of our annual Athletic Trials (Year 3-6) for Interschool Athletics/Dendy Cross Country and Prep - Year 2 participating in relay races and novelty events.

 Important information:

• All students can be dropped off at the track from 8:30am.
• The carnival will commence at 9am.
• All students in Senior school (Yrs 3-6) will have the opportunity to trial for both the upcoming Interschool Cross Country (Term 2) and Interschool Athletics Carnival (Term 3).
• Students can be picked from the track from 2.30pm. Students returning to school will walk back at 2.30 pm. 
• Students wear house team colours. 
• Students bring their school bag with a healthy packed lunch and a water bottle.
• Parents can sign out and pick up their child/ren at 2.30 pm from the Athletics Track if they wish. Otherwise students will be walking back to school from 2.30 pm.

The  schedule for the day will be shared with staff and parents prior to the carnival. It will provide an approximate time for all events. In the event of inclement weather, parents will be notified on Operoo prior to 7.30am.

Division Swimming Championships

Congratulations to all the children who competed in the Division Swimming Championships last Friday at Oakleigh pool. The competition proved a lot tougher than at the district level but all swimmers did a wonderful job at Beachside. Lucy Dolan was 1st in the 50m 12/13  and progressed to the regional championships on the 27th March.  She swam 30.03 seconds which is a personal best and competition record! Well done Lucy!

I would like to thank all the parents who stepped in to take their children to this event with the school closed on Friday.