A message from the Principal

Perseverance

I think the size of the photo gallery this week may be a testament to the business of the last couple of weeks. It's been an over-the-top week and I first need to thank and congratulate all the parents who were so amazing with 3 dress-up days in a row! It was a bit of a scheduling nightmare but I think we've all emerged unscathed and stronger from our struggles.

Book week is a great opportunity to celebrate the joy of reading and I'm really looking forward to hearing parents share some of their favourite stories in our Connect groups this afternoon. The Ridiculous Rhyme Show on Tuesday was great fun and helped get kids laughing and playing with the joy of word play; the parade on Wednesday was also an amazing exhibition of students' enthusiasm for stories and imagination and parents' resourcefulness and inventiveness. It was also wonderful to see our staff getting involved.

House Athletics on Thursday was also a wonderful event, with the weather holding up for us and students getting involved, giving it their best go, supporting each other and having fun in their athletic endeavours.

And today we celebrated 100 Days of Prep with our littlest students. They've worked through tears, laughter, screams and head-scratching problems. They've made new friends, connections and grown into little big people. When you think about the change they've experienced over the last 100 school days, it's truly amazing to realise just how adaptable and resilient they can be.

On top of that, preparation for production is at peak levels currently, with students and staff working over time to get everything perfect. The cooperation, patience, commitment and good humour shown by all has been truly special to be part of.

I have chosen the word 'Perseverance' to sum up how I'm feeling about the activities around the school. This is one of the pillars of our CHOPE model of Positive Education and I think it's great to think about perseverance in a positive frame. Sometimes we get caught in thinking about perseverance as trudging through muck and discomfort. Of course, it can be like this at times, but just as often it can be enjoyable but hard. I like the term 'hard fun' to describe that process of being challenged but learning to love it. The outcome at the end of it all, is, after all, well and truly worth it.

Again, many thanks to the students for getting involved and sticking with it through thick and thin and for the adults who have visited Spotlight far more than you ever thought you would, Thank You!

Parent Opinion Survey

WE WANT OUR PARENTS TO TELL US WHAT THEY THINK!

A reminder about the Parent Opinion Survey that you may have received a random invite to complete.

Approximately 30 per cent of parents have been invited to participate in this year’s survey. All responses to the survey are anonymous.

This year the Parent Opinion Survey will close on Sunday 11th August.

The survey is conducted online, only takes 10-15 minutes to complete, and can be accessed at any convenient time desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones.

Parent Resources

Below are a selection of unrelated articles that you may find interesting to read and consider. The research related to the article concerning parenting styles is interesting, it is referred to regularly in education and has been adapted in a few different ways, even to leadership styles. I know it has caused me to reflect on my parenting style, my parents' approach to dealing with me, and my teaching practice. I hope it gives you some food for thought.

Refining your parenting style

The use of social scripts is also a really valuable tool and one used in schools quite a lot. By modelling for children how a person might navigate the difficult terrain of social relationships, we give them tools that become habits. With any luck, good habits, that will serve them for the rest of their lives.

Giving kids scripts for success

And finally, an article that explores that elusive skill of building leadership.

Developing leadership skills in your child

OBAN ORACLE

Issue 12 · 02 Aug 2019

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