The end result, after an earlier attempt to launch the exhibition was postponed (due to COVID), was a very joyous and wonderful occasion for our students and their families at the Campbelltown Arthouse where the students were able to display their art and showcase their poems.
I would like to acknowledge and thank Sharon Gulley-Firth for assisting the students, along with Laura Wills, and a special thank you to Gerry Butler, the chair of the Landcare group for inviting us to be involved in such a wonderful project.
The learning and creativity that occurred all outside of the classroom was outstanding as it provided the students and their families with a greater appreciation and understanding of the role we play in caring for the environment.
The students were provided with ‘Adoption Certificates’ and presented with the collection of artworks bound into a book as a memento of their work with the Gums Landcare Group.
Tools for Healthy Friendships
Recently our school hosted Madhavi Nawana Parker from Positive Minds Australia to talk to parents and carers from across the Star Program Cluster Schools on ‘Teaching your child the tools for healthy friendships’. This was the second in a series of free workshops where parents are invited to come and listen to many practical and helpful tips around social and emotional wellbeing.
Madhavi spoke about how we can help children when making friends. Some ideas include:
- Having an openness to friendships and friendly greeting skills
- Knowing how to approach others (through friendliness, finding common ground/similarities and by matching the emotional tone of the group)
- Having and showing empathy, compassion and kindness towards others
- Knowing how to have an uncomfortable conversation and problem solve assertively and independently
- Offering constructive feedback and guidance.
Madhavi also provided tips on how we can teach these skills by being a good role model, talking about friendships and being an observer to your children as well as practicing through role play, being encouraging and supportive.
It was a very informative and practical evening with lots of great ideas as well as providing a good understanding of how you can support your child in developing their skills in making and keeping friends.
Thank you to the parents who supported this evening.
Reminders of events and Key Dates:
- End of term 1 – Friday 9 April 2021 at 3pm.
- Parent Teacher Interviews will take place in Week 2 of Term 2 –starting Monday 3 May – Friday 7 May. Information on how you can book for interview times will be provided next week.
- Pupil Free Day – school closed on Tuesday 27 April
- First day of Term 2 will be Wednesday 28 April.
- NAPLAN Online, Years 3 & 5 – between 11 May - 21 May 2021
P&F Events
Thank you to the P&F for organising the 2021 Easter Raffle and for running the recent secondhand uniform sale. It is lovely to see some of our community events and activities happening in our school again. We thank you for your patience and hope to increase the number of our community events as soon as possible. We are excited to have our homemade garlic bread returning for the students in Term 2 after a year off - watch out for more information soon.
Building Update
It is expected that during the term break the house at 9 Birkinshaw Avenue next to the school will be demolished and the area cleared in preparation for the new multi-sport space. This will see a new netball/basketball court being built running parallel to the street and an extension to the grassed area to create more play space for our students.
We hope to have this project completed by the end of Term 2 ready for the start of our Stage One building project in Term 3. This will include the refurbishment of the heritage Parish Hall, new adventure playground and new OSHC and multipurpose spaces with kitchen and toilets. This will see a major change to all the playscapes for our school and increase the overall size of the school grounds.
We look forward to seeing the start of a new look to our school.
I wish everyone a very happy and holy Easter break.
Kind regards,
Adrian Grbin
Social