Another week has passed so quickly! No doubt you see reminders everywhere that we are nearing the end of the year. While this is true, we still have many things to work towards to complete this school year. We know that life is busy and stressful for many, so it’s important we continue to take moments of peace with our children where possible to ensure that they are coming to school with a positive mindset towards learning and relationships with others.

Remembrance Day - 11th November

On Thursday our students were able to gather at school, in a COVID-safe way to remember and acknowledge those who ensured we can be free to live in the way we do. It was special to see the reverence in which our students engaged with this important time. We especially thought about what we are grateful and thankful for and how we treat each other respectfully and with compassion. We thank Ms Hatherly and our SRC for the beautiful ceremony. 

Announcing our 2022 SRC

Last week we had the pleasure of hearing a number of our Year 5 students communicating how they would like to be part of our Student Representative Council (SRC) for 2022. While we are still working under COVID 19 restrictions our students spoke with confidence and clarity. We know this is always a nervous experience in front of their peers especially when you are virtually presenting.  Each candidate showed us how they would be committed to representing our school when they reach Year 6. While not all can take on this role, we were proud of each of them, as well as their peers who supported them. 

We are pleased to be able to announce our SRC for 2022 are: Willa Corless-Brown, Annabelle Hicks, Charlie Holloway, Isabella Russell, Jackson Coleman, Oliver Hanks, Joseph Hunt and Riley Tattersall.

We will be looking forward to hearing from students who would like to lead as Sports Captains in the coming weeks. This is a good time to also remind students that they will all be leaders in various ways across Year 6, and we know they will support each other and their school.

COVID Updates

This week we sent home to families an update in the way we will be working for the remainder of the year. Please read this carefully as it outlines some of the things that are important for us to adhere to. We are still not in a position to welcome everyone back into our school en masse, so please understand that while we would love to do this, we are unable at this point. We appreciate your continued support for the way in which we work to keep all students safe.

THINKING OF OUR COMMUNITY

Our sympathy goes out to Samuel Cummins (5L) and his family for the recent loss of his Grandfather.

CONGRATULATIONS

Special congratulations to Elsa Bolehala (KSC) and Isabella Carney (3D) and their families who both welcomed baby boys. Elsa’s new brother is named Oska and Isabella’s new brother is named Mason.

Celebrating Our Faith

Peace Prayer of Saint Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

Where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek,

To be consoled as to console,

To be understood as to understand,

To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Amen

LEARNING TOGETHER

Screen Time

During this week we have had a number of conversations with parents and friends about ‘screen time’.  How much is too much?  How do we monitor our children’s time better?  How do we gain control back?  These questions and more dominated the discussion.  As a result, we did some reading and summarised some helpful hints which may make a difference in your home or at least start the discussion:-

• Developing rules are a great way to manage your child's screen time. Just remember, do it as a family and lead by example - you may have to cut back yourself.
• It's important that families work together to figure out the rules around technology use. It's great to start with an open discussion and do a screen audit of everyone's technology use together.
• A screen audit is best undertaken by the whole family together.  Some example questions are: How much TV do you watch per day? How much time do you spend on the computer for study or work purposes? How much time do you spend on mobile devices each day? How much leisure time do you spend online versus offline?
• Identify where changes could be made and determine how much screen time members of your family can engage in each day. Consider setting up family screen time rules, and ensure that all members of the family stick to them.
• After a week of following the new rules, check in and see how it's going for everyone. Have you found that you are doing other things together? Is everyone feeling happier and more connected?

There may need to be a few tweaks until you get it right, but there could also be fewer arguments and less stress for your family about technology.