From the

Assistant

Principal

An Update from Mr Vines

“What went well today?”

There is an enormous body of research into mindset and how the way that we frame our questions impacts how we think. This is why there is such an emphasis on mindfulness and positive thinking in both education and in business. If we constantly see the glass half full, we build a habit of thinking that allows us to continually see the good things around us.

 

We are practicing this mindset as a staff, starting our meetings with what we are grateful for.

 

Children thrive off attention. We would like to suggest that the first question you ask your child after school is “What went well today?” This way you will hear all the fantastic things your child is up to at school, and it will start to embed a habit of thinking about the positives in each day.

Play, as a Team

One of our core values here at South Melbourne Park Primary School is that "we play, as a team". Last week I asked all our students to play with someone they had not played with before. This week I will be checking with the students and talking to them about who they have played with. It would be amazing if you could talk to your children about their new friends, and encourage them to meet other students.

Hats!

It is now September, which means we are starting to see some lovely weather return! With the sun comes UV. Unfortunately UV radiation:

· cannot be seen or felt

· can be reflected off surfaces such as buildings, asphalt, concrete, water, sand and snow

· can pass through light clouds

· varies in intensity across the year (highest in Victoria from mid-August to the end of April)

· peaks during school hours.

 

Therefore, it is important that we are wearing hats in the playground. If a student does not have their hat then they will be directed to play on the upstairs terrace under the shade, "No hat, no play, I am on the terrace today". 

Creating, imagining, and innovating

Our amazing Lego club explored friction and gravity during National Science Week by making zip line carriages and racing them. This was a great example of our students using the Habit of Mind of "creating, imagining, and innovating" to try different solutions to the challenge.

 

As always, we are looking for volunteers to support the Curious Minds Lego Club. Unfortunately, some students have had to be turned away due to the high level of interest, so if you can spare the time please sign up through Compass Conferences for one of the Volunteer blocks.