GENERAL NEWS
NAIDOC CELEBRATIONS - MUFTI DAY TOMORROW 13TH NOVEMBER
Come dressed in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colours (Black, Yellow, Red, Green or Blue).
During the second break children will have the opportunity to have Aboriginal Style face paint and in the first break our Year 6 students will challenge staff in a game of Oztag.
KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION
The second of our three orientation days for our Kindergarten 2021 students takes place tomorrow.
- Orientation Day 2 - Friday 13th November 2020 - 9am - 11am
- Orientation Day 3 - Friday 20th November 2020 - 9am - 11am
The Orientation Days for children are significant in helping children familiarise themselves with the school environment and helping to make the transition to ‘big school’ so much easier. These days are also used by teachers to make observations that may help us to cater for your child’s needs. Children should be dressed in appropriate casual clothing with a hat and closed in shoes. Your child should bring a water bottle and cut fruit for morning tea each visit. Please adhere to
PRESENTATION NIGHT - The New Virtual Look!
Given the restrictions in place, our annual presentation night will take on a different format this year. Instead of viewing the evening from a chair at the TRECC, families will be able to sit together in the comfort of their own home to watch the amazing talents of our students and staff celebrating the 'year that was' via a prerecorded link. Planning is well underway to dazzle our audience ensuring every single student has their moment to shine. Watch this space for more information.
SEMESTER II REPORTS
BUS SAFETY
Our School buses are now fitted with seatbelts but we need your help!
MCCARTHY CATHOLIC COLLEGE ORIENTATION DAY
STOP. LOOK. LISTEN. SAY.
Below is an article from Dr Michael Grose, founder of Parenting Ideas, and one of Australia’s leading parenting educators.
"Recently, I saw a remarkable act of parenting delivered in difficult circumstances. A mother calmly won cooperation from her very excited four-year-old daughter just minutes after an unexpected visit from a neighbour and her children.
It was time for bed but Miss Four-Year-Old looked too wound up to go. Her mother calmly said, “Harper….stop!” There was a long pause between the two words, giving Harper time to take notice. “Look at me, please.”
Harper made eye contact. “Now listen.”
“I want you to go into your room. Put on your pyjamas. Then choose a book.” Three instructions only.
“Harper, what did I just say?”
“I’ve got to go to my room. Get my pyjamas and a book.”
“Great! Off you go!”
This mum used the stop, look, listen, say method to get her daughter to cooperate. Her use of clear, simple language was admirable but it was only part of the success formula of this technique. Body language, tone of voice and eye contact all played a part.
This mother oozed credibility, so it was little wonder her daughter complied. In fact, this mother managed like a cat, which is a metaphor for managing with credibility.
If you struggle to get your kids to do as you wish, it’s probably your body language and tone of voice that gives you away. That is, it’s less what you say and more about how you say it that makes a big difference. When speaking in a credible or cat-like (a metaphor for credibility) way the following factors come into play:
Steady voice
A cat-like parent will speak with a flat, clipped but friendly voice. This mother used a strong firm voice when she spoke. She took a slight pause between each sentence, which allowed the messages to sink in.
Still head
Your head stays still when you talk. A still head indicates calmness, confidence and authority. This mother also smiled as she spoke, which kept the mood friendly.
Strong body
Your body follows in line with your head. A still, steady posture rather than a body that’s bobbing around, leaning forward or slouching sends the message that you expect cooperation.
Palms down
Your palms will most likely face downwards as this indicates calm and authority. When your hands face the ground it’s far harder to speak with cadence in your voice, which is essential for friendly conversations rather than gaining cooperation.
Look away
In this example, the mother was able to initiate eye contact by saying to her daughter, “Look at me.” She made sure her daughter got her message. But she also took her eye contact away once she knew her message had been heard, rather than stay and be drawn into an argument. Cats will withdraw eye contact, even move away rather than stay and debate a point.
This mother’s cat-like management technique was no accident. She’d practised this method often in low-stress situations so that it’s easy to use in difficult circumstances, even when she is tired.
Sportspeople know they revert to their lowest level of skill when they are fatigued, so they continually practise their skills so they become automatic. That’s as true in parenting and relationships as it is on the sports field. By practising new skills in low-stress situations you can maintain your effectiveness and your relationship with your children when you’re tired or in unforeseen circumstances."
COMMUNICATION WITH SCHOOL
Our office is open between 8.00am and 4.00pm each day. For any queries, the most efficient way of contacting our staff during this time is via email.
admin@stnicholastamworth.catholic.edu.au
jgrady@arm.catholic.edu.au
SUPERVISION OF STUDENTS
All parents need to be aware, our supervision of students
does not begin until 8.15am each day.
We are increasingly concerned that children are being dropped off and left on their own, unsupervised by parents before this time - often up to half an hour earlier. This is not a safe or acceptable practice. Currently, students are expected to come in and sit in the Holy Family Courtyard unsupervised and wait. We cannot be responsible for any accident or potentially harmful incidents occurring. Please organise alternative care for your child if your child requires supervision before 8.15am.