Parents and School –a critical role and relationship

This week I share some words from the experts in relation to the critical role parents play in their child’s education and school life. Whilst the secondary school experience intentionally supports the growth of independence this should not mean the displacement of a child’s first teacher, the parent. In our busy lives it can be difficult to navigate the boundaries that define the need for our children to be more independent yet ensure that they are critical decision makers ensuring right choices. It does not matter if your child is in Year 7 or Year 12, you will always remain their first teacher who unfortunately can never retire, unlike their school teachers.

Much research over the past fifty years has outlined the vital role of parents in their children’s learning (e.g. research by Epstein; Harris; Mapp; Pushor; Saltmarsh; and Emerson, Fear, Fox and Sanders). Well supported findings show how parents engaging in their child’s learning leads to children achieving higher grades, developing better social skills, improving behaviour and achieving better transitioning post-secondary.

Parents/carers engaging with their children in their education is paramount in their early years, and there is much evidence from Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth to support the reality that, outside their academic achievement at age 15, the most important factor affecting a child’s Year 12 completion and later occupational status at age 30 is the influence of their parents. Parents do have the opportunity to make a real difference in their child’s future by engaging with them across the whole of their learning journey and it is vital that schools play a proactively supportive role in nurturing this engagement.

Below are some quick and easy ways we as parents can stay in tune, involved, informed and above all critical to the engagement and wellbeing of your children during their school years.

Pick Up Thursday – a great initiative by the College Captains and SRC

Each week a year level is rostered on to do a quick clean up on the Thursday of each week. The year level on duty reports to the SRC and College Captains – gather the gloves, tongs and buckets and away they go. It only takes about 15 minutes (depending on numbers) to complete. So students still have plenty of lunchtime. Students who attend, are awarded house points towards the all-important Rosemary Graham Shield.

The last 3 weeks of Term’s roster are:

Week 8 Thursday, 13 June - Year 9 students

Week 9 Thursday, 20 June - Year 10 students

Week 10 Thursday, 27 - Year 11 students.

I encourage all students to take part as servant leaders and honour the dedication of their parents/guardians who have commitment so much to ensure that you have a great education, and 21st learning facilities.

AVILA’S CONNECT 4 CHALLENGE – a five day event!

Day 5, the final day of the Inter-house Connect 4 Challenge drew a massive crowd (the biggest to date), with 12 new participants coming to try their luck at winning games for their House. The intensity in the room was at peak as games were won quickly in the beginning by many, before slowing down as students began to settle and increase their focus to avoid missing the defence block/win.

Honourable mentions for Day 5 go to:

Kaleb (Augustine) winning an outstanding 19 games

Michael (Kolbe) winning an impressive 13 games

Dezino (Glowery) 12 winning a commendable games

Kaleb's amazing performance with his team mates saw Augustine win 41 games and lift to 3rd place in the rankings. Great job Augustine House

While Assisi, who also scored 41 wins for the day, held strong in 2nd place could not close the gap to Kolbe.

Congratulations go to KOLBE who were consistent all week long finishing with 39 wins on Day 5 and taking out 1st Place!!!!! Great work Kolbe House! (Ms Barrett & Team Avila)

Checkout the Leader board to see where your House finished

Well done to all – lots of points towards the Rosemary Graham Shield.

LEADERBOARD	Round 1	Round 2	Round 3	Round 4	Round 5	Total
Kolbe 1st	33 wins	41 wins	32 wins	24 wins	39 wins	169 wins
Assisi 2nd	16 wins	14 wins	42 wins	39 wins	41 wins	152 wins
Augustine 3rd	10 wins	6 wns	22 wins	10 wins	41 wins	89 wins
Avila 4th	9th wins	26 wins	16 wins	17 wins	4 wins	72 wins
Glowrey 5th	8 wins	10 wins	25 wins	10 wins	12 wins	65 wins
MacKillop 6th	4 wins	21 wins	3 wins	19 wins	6 wins	47 wins
Marian 7th	4 wins	2 wins	12 wins	7 wins	3 wins	28 wins
Romero 8th		1 win	4 wins	3 wins	0 wins	8 wins

St. Peter's Day Celebrations

Monday 24th June Mass at Casey Stadium 10.30am

Students will travel to Casey Stadium after period 1. Parents are very welcome to attend the mass. Students must be in full winter uniform, no PE uniform. The mass presents a wonderful opportunity for the whole college to come together and live in the spirit of St Peter as we celebrate 25 years as a community.

After the mass, students will return to the campus to continue with normal timetabled classes. This is a compulsory school activity and absence will require a medical certificate.

Tuesday, 25 June St. Peter’s Activity Day

Normal Tutor Group

Period 1 – Campus Assembly with special guest Dr Craig Challen.

Dr Challen was one of the drivers instrumental in the rescue of the Thai soccer team last. Please click on this link for more information about this outstanding Australian.

Period 2 – normal classes

Following recess, students will be free to enjoy a number of amusements selected by the SRC and provided by Auscorp, House Activities and food stalls. A free BBQ will be provided by the Parents and Friends Association including a soft drink. The day concludes with our annual Talent Quest.

Some of the activities are free, and some activities including the food stalls will cost a small amount of money. The proceeds of all money raised will go to the Sale Diocese Trinity Families charity. Students are advised to bring some gold coins on the day.

This is a compulsory school day and students need to be on time, present and not depart early. The day concludes at 3.20 pm.

** Please note that student arriving late or missing the Mass on Monday, 24 June will NOT be permitted to partake in the celebration activities on Tuesday, 25 June.

** Only current St. Peter’s College students are permitted on the campus grounds for this day.

I wish you a safe and productive week.

Julie Banda

Deputy Principal - Head of Clyde North Campus

Upcoming Events

Monday 17 June

Tuesday 18 June

Wednesday 19 June

Thursday 20 June

Friday 21 June

Link to Events Page