A Message from the Principal

This week Melinda and I are attending the National Catholic Education Conference at the Melbourne Convention Centre. https://ncec2022.edu.au/ Today I was inspired by various guest speakers sharing stories and research about the Future of Education. The aim of the Conference is to bring together school and system leaders, educators, students, and educational professionals to promote examples of best practice and plan future directions, to continue the flourishing of vibrant and authentically Catholic learning communities across Australia. I look forward to sharing more insight from the conference with you all.

Last week was a special time for our School Community as we hosted two major events for our families. On Friday morning it was fantastic having so many fathers and grandfathers join the students for the Fathers' Day Breakfast. Our Community Association and a band of mothers, led by Donna Inglese, prepared a magnificent feast of muffins, egg and bacon rolls, tea, coffee and juice. It was great to gather in the Coghlan Centre, socialise, share a meal and connect with so many families. This is the first time in three years that we have been able to host this event. Thank-you to everyone who was able to join us and especially to the CA for all of the hard work in making this happen.

On Wednesday night we hosted our Parent evening on Behaviour Management and Building Resilience in our Children. It was well attended and Patrice Wiseman shared some great strategies for everyone to enforce at home.

These are her top tips:

Give Praise and Positive Reinforcement often
Establish a night time routine - Bath, Brush teeth, Book, Bed
No screen time after dinner
Create family rules/expectations that will help minimise normal everyday problems
Explain the rules, display on the fridge and consistently reinforce them
Use a tick chart or reward chart to promote positive reinforcement
Be a broken record about what children "NEED to do"
You are the adult and you are in charge, not the child
Have dinner at the table as a family at least 5 nights per week (with no screens on)

Consequences for poor behaviour choices should be:

logically related to the 'behaviour mistake'
delivered in a calm manner
given as soon as possible
followed through
seen as a learning opportunity

To Build Resilience:

model good relationships
encourage independence and responsibility (they can carry their own school bag)
develop their ability to manage their emotions
assist them to take on new challenges

I hope that these strategies can be useful for you and enforced at your home.

We would like to offer a day session for parents next term with Patrice Wiseman. It could be late in the afternoon, just prior to school pick-up. If this is something that would interest you please email Melinda or I, via email, to let us know.

Behaviour management is an ongoing priority at St John's and it has been extremely beneficial for all of our staff working with Patrice, to help strengthen the behaviour management processes and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all of our students.

On Tuesday we were visited by Staff from Our Lady's Eltham and members of the MACS Team. They undertook Learning Walks around all of the classrooms, looking at evidence of visible learning, student learning and great teaching practices. It was an honour to have them all here, especially as the Head of MACS Eastern Region, Marwin Austerberry, joined them. Some of the affirmations and feedback included the deep learning that our students shared with them, the consistent practices across the school, the challenging questions from the teachers and the engagement in the learning of our students from prep to year 5/6.

Help is needed for our Chicken Roster these school holidays. Please contact Melinda Kerwin if you are able to assist. mkerwin@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au

Last week our Year 3/4 students presented their Inquiry Learning in an Expo of Notable Australians who they have been researching. The students shared their notable characters and how they have impacted the history, culture or society of Australia. Congratulations to our Year 3/4 students for exhibiting these noteworthy people. They are now all inspired to make their own impact as caring and courageous citizens of the future.

MACSSIS Surveys

Last week you all received your Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools – School Improvement Surveys. This is an important opportunity for us to listen to our students, families and staff, to gauge how our learning community is travelling. This feedback is invaluable to our progress as an effective school community and is backed by evidence-based research and best practices. Please take the time to complete the survey this week. Each family received their individual code which was sent to the main email contact. Thank-you in anticipation for your feedback.

Important Reminders

Please complete your MACSSIS surveys this week
Wednesday 14 September Family Maths Night - Everyone welcome
Book Week Dress Up Parade and Book Swap is on Wednesday
Last day of Term will be a 1.00pm finish
Footy Free Dress day is on the last day of Term
Final assembly will be at 12.30pm on Friday 16 September

Dad's Jokes of the Week

"I thought the dryer was shrinking my clothes. Turns out it was the refrigerator all along."

"What do you call a fish wearing a bowtie?" "Sofishticated."

Don't forget to stay up to date by following us on our Social Media!

Connect with us and share with your family and friends.

Twitter - St John's PS Mitcham - @SJPSMitcham

Instagram - https://instagram.com/stjohnsmitcham?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/StJohnsParishPrimarySchoolMitcham/

Have a fabulous week!

Verona Gridley

Principal

vgridley@sjmitcham.catholic.edu.au

St John's Fete

Saturday 19 November