A message from Margie
Challenge-seeking
We've had a strong start to our Term 4 'FLY' theme of challenge-seeking, with every student in the school setting a challenging personal goal to achieve by Week 9.
We believe it is important to teach students to seek challenge and to push through when learning is difficult. When surveyed, over 70% of our students say they actually prefer new learning that challenges them, rather than learning that comes more easily. We work hard to ensure our classrooms are safe spaces where students feel they can make mistakes and are comfortable to share their thoughts with the class. One way we do this is to teach all students about the Learning Pit.
The Learning Pit refers to the idea that when you learn a new concept or skill, you can experience a feeling of being stuck, almost like you have fallen into a big hole and there is a steep hill to climb in order to begin to understand something. The learning pit just explains the reality that when you learn something new, you may make a mistake, you may fail, it may be difficult and you may feel uncomfortable, but it doesn’t mean you can’t learn it. In fact, it is a good sign that you are where you should be with your new learning, and you need to try again in a different way until you can get out. Kids really relate to this visual concept, and they find it helpful to know that they are not the only person who experiences this struggle when learning something new, and to know that this is the only way deep learning can happen. You can read more at The Learning Pit. Here are some examples of Learning Pits posted around our school:
I spoke to Stephanie, Kiara and Innes about their challenges today:
Stephanie: My goal is to draw a guinea pig with lots of detail. I will look at my old ones and compare and practise a lot.
Kiara: I am going to learn to do a backwards walkover, three times in a row.
Innes: My goal is to play a classical song on the piano without making mistakes. It will be pretty hard, but I'll learn it one line at a time and spend a lot of time practising.
Life Ed
We had great feedback from the students and teachers about the Life Ed lessons held in the dome this week. The lessons covered topics such as Growing Good Friends, Relate Respect Connect and Body systems. Healthy Harold came to visit us too!
Disco madness!
We all had a fabulous time at the disco on Thursday night! Thank you to the Parents and Friends and especially Amanda Preskett for organising this special experience for our students, and to Belinda Wauchope for being our photographer! 💃🕺
New seating and planter boxes
We'd like to sincerely thank the Red Shed for donating 5 planter boxes to the school. This has been part of our 3-year Masterplan for the school grounds, which is now almost completed. The aim is to bring the community into the school, by connecting visually to the pallets used in local agriculture, and to the boxes along the main street. We love being part of such a generous community where local residents volunteer their time to improve our school. The boxes will soon be planted out with small trees to bring summer shade and annuals to bring us colour. Thank you, Red Shed! 😊
Darren has also completed these beautiful seats around the trees adjacent the oval. These were also designed in the Masterplan, to welcome families into the yard and give you a place to gather together while watching your children play. Of course, they are also a great spot for our students to gather and they are enjoying them already!
Thank you to Kindergym!
We'd also like to thank the local Kindergym association for donating this piece of play equipment, which will soon make its way into our playground. We know the students will love the climbing opportunities this equipment provides!
Welcome
Welcome to Nilah Lochhead in Year 4and her family, and welcome back to Edith and Maggie Comey and family from their big adventure around Australia. It's great to have you all here as part of our community!
Uraidla Show
We are all excited about the upcoming Uraidla Show – Adelaide Hills next weekend. Every student will have artwork entered into competition displayed in the school gym, and the junior choir, band, drum ensemble and senior choir will be performing on the big truck stage late morning (drum ensemble 10:30, other groups 11am). The Parents and Friends will also be running a stall with candle-dipping, and we are still after volunteers to help out on the stall for an hour. Please return the forms sent on SeeSaw or ring or text Kate on 0400 277 343 to let her know by Monday if you are able to help out. Thank you so much!
School Closure Day
Just a reminder that following the Show we have a School Closure day on Monday November 7th. OSHC is open for the day.
Remembrance Day
We will be holding a brief Remembrance Day ceremony on November 11 at 10:45 at the soldier's memorial on Swamp Road. All families are welcome to join us to mark this important occasion.
Have a great fortnight everyone!
Margie