What's happening at CHPS
School Photos, next Thursday, February 25th
Individually-named Photo Order Forms were sent home with each child last Thursday. Please note Schoolpix are no longer accepting cash, so please follow instructions on the order form when ordering. ALL SIBLING PHOTOS NEED TO BE ORDERED ONLINE. Students need to bring your family Order Forms back to school for the photographers on Photo Day. Please ensure your students are wearing correct school uniform.
Sports News
Interschool Sport
Interschool Sport starts this Friday and all the children in the Senior school will be taking part in a team to represent Croydon Hills Primary School.
This week we will be playing against Heathmont East for the Blue Teams and Eastwood for the Red Teams. Unfortunately, due to the Covid restrictions still in place, parents are unable to come along and watch their child play unless you are assisting with the teams.
All students have been shown the draw as to where they are playing on Friday so hopefully they know which bus to get on. Children must bring a hat, otherwise they will not be able to participate. Please also apply sunscreen before they come to school. Students should also bring a drink bottle with their name clearly labelled on the bottle. Those students in the basketball teams have been given basketball singlets to wear during their games on Friday, however they must bring a change of a top - either their sports top or polo shirt - to change into after sport, as the singlets are not sun smart.
Thank you so much to all the parents and volunteers in our school community who have come forward to assist with the teams so that all children can participate.
Sports Tops
Thank you to the parents who have purchased a sport top from the school in the Senior School. The students look great when they are in their PE class and they are also allowed to wear their top on a Wednesday when we have interschool sports training at lunchtime. The students get to wear their top three times a week if they wish to. Those students who have borrowed a sports top can only wear this for Interschool Sport on Fridays.
District Swimming Sports
Just a reminder again that the District Swimming Sports will be on Monday 22nd February. Students from Years 3 – 6 who can swim a 50-metre pool without stopping competently and confidently should get a 50-metre swim time and let me know, to see if you qualify for the Swimming Sports.
PE Tennis Lessons
Last week we had the pleasure of having Sue Saliba, our local Tennis Coach, join our Middle School PE lessons to pass on to the children her wisdom in how to play tennis. Each year we get Sue in for 4 weeks to teach a different level of children so that they can develop their skills. Sue will be taking the Middle School until the end of February. If you wish your child to have private lessons with Sue, there is a form to download on the Community News page of this Newsletter. Sue will organise a time with you so that your child can go down to the Yarunga courts for lessons. This is usually done during the week at lunchtimes.
Noreen McMenaman - Sports / PE
Respectful Relationships
Respectful Relationships - Term One
We are very excited to begin implementing Respectful Relationships at Croydon Hills this year. These lessons will be taught in conjunction with our Positive Education/Wellbeing focused lessons. This term each level will be focusing on the topic of Emotional Literacy.
‘Emotional literacy’ is described as "the ability to understand ourselves and other people, and in particular to be aware of, understand, and use information about the emotional states of ourselves and others. It includes the ability to understand, express and manage our own emotions and respond appropriately to the emotions of others" (Weare, 2004). Research shows that emotional literacy is associated with children who are smarter, nicer, happier and more resilient (Borba, 2016).
Emotional literacy is an important element of Respectful Relationships. Due to social gender norms, our expectations for boys and girls differ. Within society there is a belief that boys and men should not express their emotions as it makes them too feminine, less manly or weak. In line with that belief, we tend to talk more about emotional experiences with girls than with boys. As a result, girls tend to be better at tuning in to their own, and others' emotions (Rymanowicz, 2017). By teaching emotional literacy, we aim to break down these gender norms and equip all students with the understanding and ability to express and manage their emotions and respond to the emotions of others.
Parent/Guardian Survey
At Croydon Hills Primary School we strongly encourage parents and guardians to have a voice to help us ensure students feel safe, supported and respected, as well as being treated equally regardless of gender, race, culture and ability. We are starting to implement the Respectful Relationships Curriculum at CHPS. We recognise and value the importance of working in partnership with families and members of the wider Croydon Hills Primary School community, to take action in supporting gender equality and respectful relationships. We would appreciate your feedback on some key principles of the respectful relationships program via this survey. This survey is anonymous should only take 5-10 minutes. If possible please complete this by Sunday the 21st of February.
Carol Wyatt and Kelly Gommers - Respectful Relationships Coordinators
Parent Forum: Respectful Relationships/Resilience
Empowering CHPS families to unleash their inner HERO – Hope, Efficacy, Resilience & Optimism – the elements we all need to face an uncertain future with courage and confidence.
Tuesday, February 16th, 7.30 - 9pm on ZOOM