Across Oliver's Desk 

Dear Parents & Carers,

It’s been a big couple of weeks at our wonderful school.

CRAZY SOCK DAY 

On Wednesday we had our crazy sock day. Lots of fun was had throughout the school. The money raised will go to making our grade 6 graduation dinner cheaper for parents.

COVID UPDATE 

New guidelines were sent through from the Education Department regarding testing for COVID-19. In summary: 

• Schools will continue to be provided with the same fortnightly quantity of RATs.
• However, from Monday 23 May 2022, it is recommended RATs are used by students and staff when symptomatic. RATs are also required to be used for 5 days if a student or staff member is a close contact of a confirmed case and they are attending or working at a school.
• It is no longer recommended that non-symptomatic students or staff conduct RATs twice a week in mainstream schools and 5 days a week in specialist schools. 
• Students and staff must continue to notify the Department of Health and their school if they return a positive RAT result. 
• Face masks also can continue to be used by any staff or students who wish to do so, including those who are medically at-risk.

Once again, if you are unsure, please go and get a PCR test to confirm the presence or non presence of COVID-19

2023 SCHOOL ENROLMENT 

On Tuesday we ran our 2023 prep information night, which was really well attended.  I was very proud, as the Prep teachers ran through an overview of the exceptional program they run here at Woori.

Thank you to parents and extended family members, with a kinder aged child, who have already submitted their 2023 enrolment form.  I am currently continuing to conduct tours and we are still accepting enrolments, however we do know that it is most likely that some families that don’t live in our zone, will unfortunately not be able to secure a place. This is simply because we are very close to capacity and can only accept a certain number of enrolments. Should parents have siblings attending our school next year, but have not yet enrolled, NOW is the right time to do so as we need to know exactly what our numbers will be.

Please contact Ellen or Nat in the office to get the enrolment forms. Thanks!

VISITING SCHOOLS

Last week we had a number of teachers from Panton Hill Primary School visit to watch and learn from our teachers. We get many requests from other schools to come but we do limit the amount of visits. Special thanks to our fantastic teachers who give up their time to demonstrate and teach other teachers from other schools.

PERSEVERANCE

At our school we teach children at their level of understanding, However, we also make sure that at times they are challenged with difficult concepts. On many occasions I’ve watched children being weakened by well-intentioned adults (teachers and parents). If a child is finding something difficult we want to help. Children will want the problem to disappear, or be taken away. Their behaviour changes and their shoulders droop. The make some self-derisive remarks like, ‘I can’t do it,” or “I’ve never been able to do this,” and they give a look that says help or I’ll quit.” They want help but the question is, do they need it?

For children to develop perseverance, they need to be challenged by things that make them want to give up. This means that teachers and parents have to at times let children deal with discomfort. Sometimes giving children the chance to really feel the hurt and disappointment helps them to decide they don’t want those feelings and that they can do something about it. 

Of course it is important for me here to say all tasks do need to be achievable provided they make an effort. 

Perseverance takes courage and inner strength and that’s the bit they have to work on. Everyone does need to learn that you can go from feeling helpless to being in control.

I suppose personally my parents were far right and always made me solve all problems on my own and never helped, which is not what I’m advocating here. I do believe that children need to learn perseverance and we do need to let them feel and learn discomfort and not solve/fight every battle for them. 

Have a great week!

And remember when life gets a little difficult, escape to the wonderful world of a book!

I already have a holiday book lined up! The Rose Code by Kate Quinn!