From the Deputy Principal

They say times flies when you are busy or having fun and that is certainly true at the moment. It’s crazy to think that we are already in August and that next week will be the halfway mark of the term. It has been wonderful to see the students engaging in their learning and many excursions happening. 

Next week we celebrate Science Week. The theme this year is Innovation: Powering Future Industries. The reason behind Science Week is to encourage younger generations to be fascinated by the world in which we live. During the week we will have lunchtime science activities on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday organised by the SRC. I look forward to these activities. 

In Week 6 we will celebrate Book Week with all things books. To begin our week we will have the book parade next week on Friday 18th. Please see the next page for more Book Week information. We are also looking for parents, grandparents and significant others to come along and read books to our classes during silent reading time. If you can spare 15 minutes, please sign up via the link: volunteersignup.org/T4RJ9.

Our school value focus for the next three weeks is Service: model great listening. Listening is one of the most important skills you can teach someone. However, it is sometimes overlooked. Have you ever listened to something and then afterwards realised you hadn't taken anything in? Listening can be a skill and we need to actively listen. This is important as it keeps you engaged with your conversation partner in a positive way. It also makes the other person feel heard and valued. They say God gave us two ears and one mouth so we can listen more than we speak. Maybe this week you could try to model active listening. In addition to modelling active listening to your children, we encourage you to talk to your kids about how to be a good listener. Here are some active listening skills  from https://healthyrelationshipsinitiative.org/model-active-listening/ that you can work on with your children: 

• Maintain eye contact. When you keep eye contact in a conversation, it can be easier to stay tuned in and follow what the other person is saying. This also helps the other person feel heard during the conversation, creating a safe and supportive environment. Though eye contact can be beneficial in active listening, it is also important to note that this is not easy for everyone and your child’s developmental needs should be taken into consideration if this feels uncomfortable or challenging for them.
• Don’t interrupt. Be sure to let the other person finish what they are saying before you respond. This can help avoid assumptions and miscommunication.
• Ask questions. By asking specific questions about what the other person is saying, you can show that you are listening while also seeking clarification to ensure you understand their message.
• Reflect what you heard. A great way to ensure that you understand what the other person is saying is to repeat back in your own words what you heard. This also gives the other person a chance to correct you, promoting clarity and understanding in the conversation.

Miss Megan Nertney