From the 

Principal

Dear Parents / Carers,

This week every State School in Victoria celebrated Education Week. Going to school to learn is a basic right for all children and it is something that we take for granted. However, there are 120 million children in the world who do not go to school because they either live in a country where there is no school or it is too unsafe to go to school. We can celebrate that not only do we have a school for the children in our community but also that it is one truly vibrant place where everyone comes to learn.

Education Week started as an Education Rally in 1944 and is celebrated in Victoria in the third week of May. Education is important because it enables members of a society to contribute to its progress and growth. Educated people can contribute through various fields and in different ways. At Rowville Primary School, teachers, parents and students work in partnership to make education more effective.

We have much to celebrate at Rowville Primary School. This week our Italian Program featured in the Italian Newspaper which is distributed nationwide.

As part of our Education Week celebrations at Rowville Primary School, we opened our school to members of our community this morning.

As a student moves through their school years they will be provided with opportunities to put themselves forward to be selected for various roles, in either student leadership or to represent the school in sporting teams or musical performances. Selection processes mean that there will inevitably be students who miss out on being selected. The role that the parent plays in dealing with this situation can be a valuable way of assisting a child to learn to deal with life’s disappointments in a positive and constructive way. 

One writer, Dr Keith Wilson stresses it is important that, “the parent’s reaction does not turn the situation into a crisis. A helpful way of assisting a child to grow from the experience is by active listening:

• Listen to the pain your child is experiencing
• Listen to the disappointment they are feeling
• Listen to the anger that they may express at not being chosen
• Listen to what they think is unfair
• Listen to the anger they may feel about the selection process”

It is important that parents understand that at a time such as this, children want to vent and have their feelings heard. If a child feels that the parent has listened and understands and feels their pain, they will be open to discussions moving forward. 

Kind regards,

Anne Babich

Principal