Primary School News
Mr Ali gets into the spirit of the Book Week Parade
From the Primary School
Book Week last week was a perfect opportunity to promote and encourage reading and other literacy-based activities. Mrs Wilson along with the Library staff and all their helpers made sure the whole week was enjoyable and educational. The wonderful Book Week Parade was outstanding and a perfect culmination of all the activities. The Treasure Hunt organised by Mrs Kenny was also very popular and great fun. Thanks to all for such a fun time!
The end of lunchtime play sometimes results in visits to my office with stories of “bullying”. I hope we continue to have boys feeling comfortable telling a significant adult if they think they have been bullied. I thought though it might be good to clarify what bullying is and what it is not.
Bullying is an ongoing misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that causes physical and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power over one or more persons. Bullying can happen in person or online, and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert).
The following examples, though not appropriate, are not cases of bullying:
- mutual arguments and disagreements (where there is no power imbalance)
- not liking someone or a single act of social rejection
- one-off acts of meanness or spite
- isolated incidents of aggression, intimidation or violence
These conflicts still need to be addressed and resolved.
Leadership here has been trained in Conflict Resolution using Restorative Practices and this is intended to ensure both victim and perpetrator understand that what has happened may be wrong and why it is wrong (how it made the victim feel).
More detailed explanations of bullying and harassment can be found on numerous websites but Bullying No Way! is particularly pertinent (https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/).
Translated versions of facts sheets can be downloaded from the choices below:
- Arabic / العربية
- Greek / Ελληνικά
- Hindi / हिंदी
- Italian / Italiano
- Simplifed Chinese / 简体中国
- Traditional Chinese / 中国传统
- Vietnamese / Tiếng Việt
Congratulations to all the boys who were involved in the ABODA Festival recently. Dozens of schools were involved and our young band, Concert Band 3, even though they were competing against many older and more experienced musicians, did themselves and their parents and teachers, proud and they won the Bronze Trophy – well done! Thanks to their teachers and all who helped.
To all our fathers and grandfathers, thank you for all the wonderful things you do for your children and have a lovely Fathers’ Day.
Dates to Remember
August 30 – Annual Music Concert (Woodville Town Hall)
August 31 – Staff Retreat Day (School Closure - OSHC available)
September 2 – Fathers’ Day
September 3 - Fathers' Day Liturgy and Morning Tea (9:00am - note sent home to parents attached)
September 5 – Student/Parent/Teacher Learning Conversations (1:00pm Dismissal - OSHC avalable)
September 17 – Star Gazing (weather conditions permitting)
Mr Frank Ali
HEAD OF PRIMARY