GRANDPARENTS DAY

Thank you to everyone in our school community for making our Grandparent’s/Special Friend’s day such a wonderful success.

The kids were so proud to be presenting the Liturgy, and their singing performances to such a special audience. Our Teacher’s also did a great job getting the kids prepared to this level. I know a lot of work is involved, but this day is always very special for our school.

The feedback from so many Grandparents was that we showcased an amazing day!

Thanks to all those who contributed to the beautiful morning tea. It was greatly appreciated by all and I am proud to announce that the collection taken up for the Drouin St Vincent De Paul, group raised over $1,300. We feel privileged to be a part of a community who can offer such generous support to those in need, this money will help continue the amazing work this group does to support those who are in need locally.

Grandparents are like a big warm hug. They love your children with a ferocity that only matches your own. But they also offer kids a whole heap of patience and wisdom gained from years of their own experience.

They come bearing treats for their grandchildren! Just to make life that little bit sweeter.

The importance of grandparents in a child’s life is undeniable. Here’s why and what the experts have to say about it:

They wrap your child in endless love

While parents might have been up in the night and awake since the crack of dawn and frazzled from the stress of juggling work and parenthood, Grandparents have more time and patience to shower their grandchildren with love and attention.

They have the time to really focus on their grandchildren – to get down on the floor and play with them, to hold their hands on a walk and talk to them.

It’s also an unwritten rule that grandparents are allowed to spoil their grandchildren more than a little and can relax the rules from time to time.

They might give extra treats, later bedtimes, longer bedtime stories or just let their grandchildren have more fun and simply be children.

This is often a breath of fresh air and a welcome change from time-pressured parents.

They can be the calm in the storm

Because they are free from doling out discipline Grandparents hold a unique position. They can listen to their grandchildren without judgement, criticism or without having to lay down the law.

Instead they can gently guide them to find a solution or to feel better. They are a shoulder to cry on and a listening ear for all sorts of problems. Especially those that grandchildren might not feel as easy talking to their own mum and dad about.

Spending time with grandparents can act as a buffer against the busyness and stress that children can feel in their lives. The Impact of Grand parenting on the Well Being of Children, children themselves reported that time spent with grandparents as being a calm time, in which few demands were made of them and they were able to relax precisely because their grandparents were calm

They share all sorts of new skills

Grandparents have a whole host of skills and wisdom that they share with their grandchildren. And they make the most patient teachers.

There’s nothing lovelier than helping Grandma bake a cake or learning how to knit a scarf. There’s nothing more fun that helping Granddad finish his crossword or fix the lawnmower.

The lessons that Grandparents teach are organic and unstructured. They just happen during time spent with them and kids can join in at their side.

Because there’s no pressure, children are often keener to learn too.

They have so much fun by their grandparents’ side that often they don’t even realise they are learning at all.

They make our children happier

Studies have proven that children who have a close relationship with their grandparents are happier.

Grandparents play a vital and important role in children’s wellbeing.

The study of over 1500 children found that those who had a strong relationship with their grandparents had fewer emotional and behavioural problems than those without.

And that this support lasts throughout the turbulent teenage years. The study found a link between grand parental involvement and adolescent wellbeing.

The relationship between your kids and their grandparents is one to be treasured. It makes their lives richer, better and happier in so many ways.

They’re the keepers of communities

Grandparents are family historians.

They share stories and secrets of times gone by with their grandchildren. They can make history come alive.

Wide eyes light up as grandchildren hear tales about how Great Grandma had to use powdered eggs to make cakes during the war. Or how Granddad had to catch a steam train to school, where he was scared of getting the belt from the fierce geography teacher.

They often keep up long established family traditions. They bring the extended family and cousins together for high days and holidays.

Whether it’s painting eggs at Easter time or all searching for the silver coins in the Christmas pudding, they make their grandchildren’s lives a little more fun.

FATHER’S DAY SNAGARAMA

What an amazing morning we had on Friday 1st September for our Father’s Day Snagarama. The sun was out the coffee was flowing and it was great to catch up with all the dads.  A huge shout out to our new Parents & Friends Committee who got our Father’s Day stall up and running in a very short space of time. The kids were really excited having the opportunity to shop for Dad. The balloons were an added bonus and freebie picked up by our eagle eyed Board Member, Rosa Jagoe! 

PARENTS AND FRIENDS MEETING

Our Parents and Friends meeting was held last Wednesday night and I’m pleased to announce that all of our office holder positions have been filled. There is a real buzz of excitement about what is being planned for the school moving forward, this is a great group of parents who bring many talents and I look forward watching them help improve St Ita’s.

President: Ashley Durand

Vice Presidents: Rosa Jagoe

Treasurer; Maree Admiraal

Secretary: Halie Macefield

School Board Rep: Teagan Smethurst and Tiffany Clarke

Andrew Osler