Principal's Report

Dear Bundoora families,

NAPLAN is over and we are very proud of the way our students have conducted themselves. We must put this test in perspective and realise that, while it is useful data for us to meet your children at their point of need, it is one test on one day, and it may have been a wonderful day for your child, or a disastrous day for your child. 

When the reports come out our teachers will unpack the data and work together to see where we need to change or improve our teaching to better help our students reach their full potential. 

School Council leaders

Our first meeting with our newly elected School Councillors was held on March 15th. At the meeting we elected our new School Council Leaders as follows:

President: Dayna Rixon

Vice-President: Owen Hodda

Treasurer: Natalie Cogley

Secretary/Minute Taker: Alex Tzikas

Thank you to these parents, and our other School Council members, as we could not run School Council without them.

Open Class

Yesterday was our first “Open Class” of the year. It was fantastic to see so many parents popping in for a short visit to their child’s classroom to see what they have been learning. We look forward to holding one “Open Class” per term this year. 

Student Shoutout

Well done to Angus, who rescued a ring tail possum in his backyard and cared for it. He brought it to school, and we called the wildlife rescue team. The familiar face of Mrs Heather Neilson came to collect it on behalf of the wildlife team.

Grade 5/6 golf social evening

Our first year 5/6 Social event for parent and students was held yesterday at the Strathallan Golf Club. By all accounts it was a fun evening, with the chance for parents and students to get to know each other whilst having fun on the golf course. 

Thank you to our Year Level Ambassadors for year five/six, Corrie Quigley and Stephanie Katsonis, for organising this fun event. 

Eight Fights worth Picking with your Child.

I saw this article recently and wanted to share it with you, as I believe these things are important in raising our children.

Parenting is hard. Parents must choose their battles. Here are eight fights worth picking with your children.

1. The Reading Fight. Make your kids read. Because reading is tied to everything, from cognitive development to the ability to focus. Make your kids read and read to your kids.
2. The Outside Fight. Make your kids go outside the natural world teaches us things. Plus, outside there’s sunshine, fresh air, and exercise waiting for them. Most importantly, nature is full of things in short supply in our world: Discovery, wonder, peace, joy. 
3. The Work Fight. Make your kids work. I’m saddened by how many parents don’t require their children to lift a finger at home. There are priceless life principles you can only learn with a mob or broom in your hand,. Let sweat be their teacher.
4. The Meal Fight. Make your kids eat with you as a family. Our lives are a blur of incessant activity. Meals together are a physical pause to recover a truth so easily sacrificed at the altar of busyness. Nothing is more important than family.
5. The Boredom Fight. Don’t show a DVD on each car ride. Kids need unscheduled time, and, as odd as it sounds, boredom is a skill. It’s hard as a parent to deal with the assault of boredom complaints. But if you give in and fill up their time with external stimuli, you’ll raise an activity addict with a huge imagination. Make them learn how to be.
6. The ‘Me First’ Fight. Make your kids go last. Not every time for everything, but enough to remember that the world doesn’t revolve around them. Take the smallest piece. Give up the remote. Do someone else’s chores. Get their least favourite choice. They won’t like it, but they need it. 
7. The Awkward Conversation Fight. Make your kids have (age appropriate) awkward conversations with you. Social Media, Sex, Dating, body image, values, respecting the opposite sex, the dangers of pornography for the young mind… Your kids will roll their eyes at you and resist. You will stumble and stutter. They need and want your perspective, lessons learned, and wisdom. I recommend a car trip for these conversations – no eye contact and no one can get out of the car to avoid the conversation.
8. The Limitation Fight. Learning to live with limits is a valuable life skill. In fact, many adult problems arise from an inability to accept them. Screen time limits, dietary limits, and scheduling limits are all good. 

As a parent, you have to pick your battles. They’re not easy, but they’re worth the fight.

 (Copied from David Morris on Twitter).

Last weekend I was fortunate to return to my hometown for my grandmother’s 97th birthday. The visit caused me to reflect on how fortunate I am to have still my have my wonderful grandmother in my life. 

This weekend I urge to you find the things that you are grateful for in your life.

Have a great weekend. 

Sherrin Strathairn