Primary School News
From the Head of Primary, Tracey Rogers
Warmest regards
Tracey Rogers
Head of Primary
From the Deputy Head of Primary, Fiona Currey
“All great changes are preceded by chaos”
-Anonymous
The changes experienced by everyone over the past two weeks have certainly felt chaotic at times. However, I couldn’t be prouder of the positive way these changes have been approached by teachers, children and parents. We have become more tech savvy and learning things about SEQTA and Seesaw we never knew was possible!
Through the PYP we are constantly working towards developing the capacity of our children as self-regulated learners who actively engage and take ownership of their learning, This has most certainly been put to the test in the past two weeks and the children are rising to the challenge beautifully! The teachers are highly impressed at how enthusiastically our children are engaging in the learning and want to congratulate them for embracing online learning in such a positive way. It has been wonderful to see the creative approaches taken by children and families to ensure that learning is enjoyable and we are all loving seeing the different ways you choose to present your learning. The teachers are also fully appreciating having a “window to your world” and keeping connected in this way. Well done kids!
Parents, I want to commend you. Teaching is very different to parenting yet you have embraced this new reality with positivity and sensibility, following structures and routines and maintaining a balance in your children’s world. It has been heartening to see pictures of families playing games together, hearing stories of parents using this as an opportunity to learn Japanese and to see pictures of families using cooking or outdoor play as learning experiences. This level of engagement is encouraging, knowing that we all have our different challenges in this situation.
Much as we have been pulled apart by circumstance, it is really encouraging to see how everyone, teachers, children and parents are pulling together as a team in the best interests of our children and this is indeed, great!
Cinquain poem by Heath Mitchell, Wedge-Tailed Eagle.
Fiona Currey
Deputy Head of Primary
Twiggle's Adventures
Twiggle is a key part of the PATHS socio-emotional program run at John Wollaston. Twiggle the turtle enjoys going on adventures, teaching important skills regarding regulating big emotions, and encouraging us to stay healthy and positive!
The activities in Twiggle’s Weekly Wellbeing menu are based around physical health, connection, joy and gratitude. This week Twiggle has gone swimming in the bath, been feeding chickens and horses, riding scooters and playing on the monkey bars. I wonder what adventures he has planned for next week?
