5-8 Community News

Dear Families/Caregivers,

As we approach the end of Term 1, we would like to share with you some examples of high quality learning that has occurred throughout the term. A lot of the visuals you will see in this week's newsletter are conducted by the students. They should be extremely proud of their commitment to their classes!

The Resilience Project content and language continues to provide our students with opportunities to focus towards completing any and all of their learning outcomes with a level of accountability. Teaching the students to approach learning situations with a positive mindset. When we are feeling positive, it makes for not only an enjoyable lesson experience, but it will inevitably contribute to students feeling a sense of success throughout their learning tasks.

1. Look at each task from a positive perspective and focus on the good things about the task.

2. Set a short SMART goal for each lesson. For example: ask three questions about the task, choose a seating location at the front of the room, make a start on the learning task and if it becomes difficult, seek out a teacher.

3. Do your best to stay attentive and remain self aware of your actions and your

overall goal/s. Seek support if you need too.

Our SOLE focus for this fortnight has provided learners the opportunity to continue to strive for success by making ‘positive choices’ both in the classroom and in the yard.

Learning space:

Strive to stay committed and on task in all of your classes (electives).
Set a small SMART goal for each lesson.
Find a spot in your classroom that will help you focus and maintain concentration and aim to maintain eye contact with your teacher. Speak to your teacher!
Use your self monitoring/regulation skills eg. Use diary, brain break, seek help,
Ask questions and find a positive to focus on! Positive mindset.

In the yard:

Find a spot/location in the yard where you have something to do eg. Attend a lunchtime activity.
If you have a disagreement, seek out a teacher or someone to help you resolve it by asking questions and reaching out for support.
Provide submissive or assertive feedback if you need to.

As we reflect on the learning throughout each TA Community, the students have really enjoyed working and developing their relationships with one another and their teachers.

Whilst the Resilience project takes most of the air time, students have continued to engage, share their ideas and their knowledge towards various topics. Ms Melissa Milani has been developing sequential lesson plans to engage the students in the language of Italian. Some of the students have even been involved in some Italian styled dancing.

Even as we approach the holidays, a time for rest and family, please continue to promote the importance of gratitude, empathy and mindfulness in the students' day to day activities.

*What’s one thing you are thankful for today?

*What is one mindfulness strategy you will apply to your day?

During the holidays, I ask that the students be mindful of their technology use, especially their use of individual applications such as: discord and snapchat. Whilst these applications are extremely positive, at times, they can be used as a negative.

Mr. Poppa's top tips for creating safer spaces for young people online:

As trusted adults, let’s moderate, safeguard and support young people online at all times. This looks like setting up a learning space where you can monitor your child's phone, computer or iPad screen.
Ensure that students' emails are used for school purposes only. Conversations, which use explicit language, should not be permitted on any email address.
Ensure that any social media profiles are not accessible for all to see and have appropriate privacy settings in place. All social media platforms allow accounts to be set on private. It is okay to ask your child what they are using their devices for. This creates communication. Did you know that social media licences are only permitted for students over the age of 13? Our students can still access social media websites/platforms on their school devices at home, using the home internet.
Enable young people to control and edit their own privacy settings quickly and easily and know what is appropriate to share online and what isn't.
Make terms, conditions and rules of engagement upfront, transparent and easy for them to understand. Setting boundaries with your child is really important. For teenagers using their devices in their room, the door open policy is a good one.
Refer to our school-wide SOLE matrices as a means for supporting your children.
Ensure that children have had enough time to rest from being in front of their screens. Set some times that are appropriate where your children are not on their screens. It's important that the students are getting 8-10 hours of sleep and are heading to bed at a reasonable time and without any technology around. This can be stored away from the child's bed.

One just to keep an eye out is the new energy drinks that have hit our supermarket shelves. If you have the time, check out this article https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-30/what-is-prime-energy-hydration-logan-paul-ksi/102160604. Don't be fooled by the kids. This drink is not appropriate for students under 15.

We wish all of those students who share a birthday in April, a very happy birthday. We also wanted to wish all of the students who play a competitive sport and who represent a sporting club a very big all the best, as they undertake their sport for their respective clubs. It’s so pleasing to see many of you getting out there and having a real go!! Exercise is good for the SOLE!

Finally, on behalf of the 5-8 staff, we wanted to commend our students for the term. They have been instrumental in their learning. It’s always a pleasure watching the students achieve their goals. To our families, we thank you for your ongoing support and consideration. We ask that you enjoy the time with your families and the kids as you embark on the Easter celebrations this weekend!

We look forward to welcoming the students back on Wednesday 26th April and look forward to seeing some of you at our Subject Teacher Conversations in the near future.

Go blues and bombers!

Corey Carver and Anthony Poppa

5-8 Community Leaders