ELC UPDATES & REMINDERS - 7.5.24
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NOTICE FROM HEAD OF PRIMARY
As we know, learning at school is so much more than the academic growth students undertake during a year. They learn to compromise, support and share with their peers, as well as learning to be responsible and dependable members of their class. I was reminded of this journey this week as I overheard a teacher asking students to repeat an instruction and task but doing it properly this time as was required. The teacher actually said, "I'm being supportive and kind but you do need to be able to do this," and I was pleased with both the high expectations and the warm way they were conveyed. The students responded positively.
Learning to rise to meet a standard or to overcome a difficult task helps build the resilience tank that children will undoubted need when they are older. Expert in this domain, Angela Duckworth, notes that 'grit' is more important than talent or intelligence for success in life. Grit helps children overcome obstacles and to keep working hard when things get difficult.
With older children it is easy to identify tasks that they find challenging and a conversation around perseverance is simpler to establish. With younger children it can be less obvious but there are still times when children are asked to meet a standard and they fall short. Cleaning and tidying their bedroom would be an area my own children are prone to claim success in, when in reality, their version of neat and my version differ wildly.
In the Primary School students are supported and encouraged to succeed by both the staff and their classmates with successes readily celebrated and acknowledged. I am very proud of the part our community plays in this by supporting the school and their children to be their best selves and to grow these skills that will benefit them long after the school bell rings.
Mark Douglas,
Head of Primary School
NOTICE FROM DEPUTY HEAD OF PRIMARY – Early Learning
ELC Mother’s Day Celebration
There have been a few enquiries around the agenda for the upcoming ELC Mother’s day celebration. Traditionally, this event has been a fun and special occasion for the ELC children to spend time sharing an aspect of their school experience with their mum and thank her for the role she takes in caring for them. Some music and movement is included in the celebration as it evokes a sense of joy that is quite contagious. Young children love to see their parents ‘have-a-go’ and have a laugh with them. Last year we included some yoga from an external provider who had successfully worked with the children on House Activity days in the past. Unfortunately the yoga didn’t go as well as planned. The instructor was devastated and very apologetic. In our reflections at the time, the ELC team took note, and decided that some simple class action songs and dances would be enough in future.
The ELC staff and children always put a lot of thought into making this occasion special for our mums, recognising that all mums are special and like different things. We all look forward to seeing our St Mark’s Mums or ‘Ladies I Love and Cherish’ (LILAC) on Friday to help your children demonstrate their love for you.
Confidentiality and Communication
Please remember that the children and staff come to school each day with the intention to do and be the best they can. Negative talk around specific children, incidents and school activities can breach confidentiality, be hurtful and cause more harm than good. If you have a concern or a suggestion, the teachers and I are open to hearing from you to either investigate further, to clarify, take action, or make improvements when required.
Your support by engaging with children, parents, and staff in a positive and respectful way, sets a wonderful example for the children and can lead to a considerate, solution focused future world.
Linda Sweet,
Deputy Head of Primary – Early Learning
ELC MOTHERS’ DAY CELEBRATION THIS WEEK – Friday 10 May (8.30-10.15am)
K-1 Mothers/Significant Other invited to participate.
Kindy Starfish Group invited to attend the event as well.
More details are available here
PARENT COMMITMENT HOUR OPPORTUNITIES – HELP NEEDED PLEASE
Please follow the links provided below to add your name to one of the rosters if you are able to assist. Thank you.
These are shared documents which all ELC parents are able to view.
- ELC UPCYCLING ROSTER: ELC Shared Upcycling Roster (term time only)
- ELC WATERING AND OTHER OUTDOOR TASKS (term time and holidays):
ELC Outdoor Enviro Volunteer Roster
- OTHER ELC PARENT HOUR OPPORTUNITIES (NONE YET)
There are currently no other general opportunities available. Parents will be advised via the Weekly Bulletins or Class SEESAW pages when opportunities do become available. Parents will be able to access the shared roster via the link provided below to add their names for the advertised task(s).
LINK: ELC GENERAL PARENT HOUR OPPORTUNITIES
SEQTA ABSENTEES
The SEQTA Engage App now allows parents to notify the school of their child's absence. We encourage all families to use this method for reporting if your child is late, leaving early, or absent for a day. For absences longer than 3 days, please email using the absentee email address.
To enter your child's absences into SEQTA Engage, simply log in as usual, and you will see a new tab called Absence at the top of the Welcome panel. Remember to include your name and reason for absences in the comment section.
Thank you for your support!
TERM 2 - ELC EVENT REMINDERS
WEEK 6
- PP-Y5 IH CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVAL – Tuesday 21 May
Details have been sent out via Consent2Go.
Students will need to wear their House shirts on this day.
WEEK 10
- K-12 EMERGENCY DRILL – Monday 17 June
- PP-Y12 SEMESTER 1 REPORTS - released on SEQTA this week
(Semester 1 Reports are not prepared for Kindergarten. They will only receive Reports at the end of the year.)
- PP & Y1 HOUSE ACTIVITY DAY – Friday 21 June
Pre-Primary and Year 1 students will participate in various fun activities in their House groups..
They will need to wear their House shirts on this day.
- LAST DAY OF TERM 2 – Friday 21 June
Students will finish at the normal time on this day for a three-week mid-year break.
TERM 3
- FIRST DAY OF TERM 3 – Tuesday 16 July
Kindy Starfish will attend on Tuesday and Wednesday of Week 1
Kindy Turtles will attend on Thursday and Friday of Week 1