Hello Everyone!
During the five weeks away from school, I have had a wonderful time in Italy, Barcelona and London and particularly enjoyed the special time relaxing on an amazing Mediterranean Cruise. I am really happy to be back at school and look forward to catching up with you all – especially your wonderful children.
I am extremely grateful to both Ms Allen and Miss Joyce for their tireless efforts while I have been on Long-Service Leave. I also thank all our wonderful staff for their professional, hardworking and pastoral work supporting your children in their learning.
On Monday, the sixty Year Six students accompanied by Miss Graves, Miss Nish, Ms Allen, Miss Joyce, Mr Fromm, Ms Gardner and Mrs Murphy headed to our National Capital for their Leadership Camp. This camp is a great opportunity for students to build on their leadership skills while having a great time with their friends. Each staff member packed plenty of enthusiasm, humour, kindness, wisdom and care to share generously with the students.
Being in a new place with different people and even being away from home might have been confronting at first, however feelings of happiness, joy, excitement quickly replaced any fears. No doubt the students and staff will return from Canberra exhausted tonight. The staff have been so proud each of the students on camp. Each individual student ‘stepped up’ to be the very best version of themselves, and this made the experience both valuable and really enjoyable for everyone involved.
The conversations and activities centred on the following:
- participation and effort
- taking a risk
- having a positive ‘can do’ attitude
- teamwork
- dealing with emotions
- cooperation and collaboration
- building quality relationships
- being grateful
- reinforcing leadership qualities
- challenging ourselves and learning about oneself and others
- faith, family and friendship
Every student had a go at everything, and this was of course something very special and cause for much celebration! Camp gave the students and staff multiple opportunities to talk about and reflect on so many aspects of what it means to be a good leader, a good friend and a good student. There were some interesting (and funny) moments for staff as they watched who couldn’t make their own bed; who did not eat vegetables at all; who went out of their way to help others; who could look after their luggage responsibly; who were good problem solvers; who bounced back quickly after disappointment or frustration; who was able to able to consistently follow instructions; who was able to communicate well with adults and children alike; who remembered to say please and thank you … and much more!
From all accounts it was a fantastic experience and we thank all parents for your support and trust.
Please take an opportunity next week of thanking the staff in person for all their hard work.
NEWSFLASH
A very warm congratulations to Karin Ilich and her husband Darren on the arrival of Billy Pete Stevens, born on Friday 17 May.
Kind regards,
Antoinette De Pinto
Head of Primary
Dates to Remember
| Monday 3 June | Public Holiday - Western Australia Day |
| Tuesday 4 June | Cross Country Training begins 7am |
| Sunday 9 June | Pentecost Sunday |
Muffin Monday
Special thanks to the Year 5 students and families who put so much effort into making delicious muffins for The Shopfront.
Reconciliation Week
May, June and July are eventful months for Aboriginal children, families and their communities. They are also a time for us all to think, reflect and recommit to our own contribution towards building flourishing Australian communities.
National Reconciliation Week, began with Sorry Day on 26 May and ends with Mabo Day on 3 June. This year’s theme is Grounded in Truth Walk Together with Courage.
Our students have spent time reflecting on Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week this week. Special thanks to Mrs Murphy and some Secondary students for organising the lunch-time activities.
Sports
Cross Country reminder - training begins next week on Tuesday 4 June.
When: Tuesday and Thursday mornings, 7:30 am, beginning week 6.
Who: Years 3-6 students. It would be fantastic to see lots of parents and younger siblings running with the group – all are welcome but if you have a younger child running they must be accompanied by an adult around throughout the run.
Where: Meet at the primary under-cover area at 7:25am. We will run from there to the secondary oval.
What: Running shoes, water bottle, any medication asthma puffer etc. There will be breakfast available at the canteen, so bring some money if you are interested.
Some dates for the Diary
- Inter-house Cross Country Carnival Y3-Y6 - Tuesday 30th July
- Inter-school Cross Country Carnival Y3-Y6 - Thursday 22 August
Steve Williams
0477 970 099
Keeping Safe
This term across the Primary School we are exploring the second focus area of the Keeping Safe Program: RELATIONSHIP
Students explore what it means to have rights and responsibilities. Children’s rights are introduced by looking at what children need to be healthy and safe, and identifying the responsibility adults have in keeping children safe. Children explore their personal identity and the importance of respecting diversity. They begin to understand the connections they have with their family and friends and explore these relationships. The concepts of bullying, fair and unfair, and power are all introduced. Children explore age-appropriate social issues to identify situations where there has been an abuse of power in a relationship and to demonstrate appropriate actions to take. The language of safety is an important aspect and non-blaming language is encouraged. Children develop an understanding of trust and trusted networks to consider who will listen to them and help them when they feel unsafe. Children explore a range of people who they may not know, but who may be able to help them.
Parents can support their child by helping them;
- understand that we all have rights, e.g. the right to be safe, the right to be cared for, the right to be listened to
- know the difference between things they may want such as chocolate or toys, and things they need such as food, a bed and a safe place to live understand relationships with their family, friends and others, and safe ways to interact (if consensual and trusted), e.g. hug, kiss, shake hands, wave
- recognise what bullying behaviour looks like and what to do if they or someone else is being bullied, e.g. tell the person to stop, walk away, talk to a trusted adult
- understand that personal power can be used positively and negatively, e.g. letting another child join in the game, not taking turns on the slippery dip
- know what to do if someone tells them to do something that feels unsafe
- identify trusted people at home, in the family, at school and in the community. Include a support service such as Kids Helpline
- practise talking to the people on their trusted network and know how to get help if they need it.
- Useful resources: http://tiny.cc/UNCRC-Simplified | http://tiny.cc/BullyStoppers-Parents | https://kidshelpline.com.au
(Information from KS:CPC | Parent and carer fact sheet)
If you have any queries or concerns about the Keeping Safe Program please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Anne Murphy
Primary Counsellor
9383 0469
Inspire Event 'Growing up online'
The John XXIII College Parents’ Association through Inspire ‐ Parent Education presents 'Growing up online' presented by Susan McLean.
An informative & entertaining session for Parents and carers is delivered with Susan's famous 'no nonsense' approach & will cover the positive benefits of technology as well as what parents need to be aware of. Tuesday 11 June 2019 at 7:00pm in the Gonzaga Barry Lecture Theatre. Book via Trybooking: https://www.trybooking.com/501882