2024 CLASS STRUCTURES

Each year when we begin the process of setting class lists for the following year we invite parents to let us know if there are any particular educational needs their child has which might impact class placement. Over the past few years the majority of requests we have received relate to the child's social group or a parent preference for a particular teacher.

School is the formative place for young people to begin to explore a world beyond the home. They begin to discover the differences between being friends and being friendly, how to work with people that might have different views and skills, how to develop positive, respectful relationships with a broader range of people and how to deal with change.

The hope for all parents and educators is that we can best equip our young people for a world where they can be effective and affective, can work to bring change in the world and demonstrate a respect and care for all. They will move into a variety of working lives and research shows that each is likely to have a much larger number of jobs and job types than their parents.

For a child changing classes the end of the year brings uncertainty, a little reluctance, a little excitement, a little nervousness and a little anxiety. It also brings opportunity to practice the skills they will need to enter a new workplace and form effective working relationships with co-workers.

As adults we are aware that a change of workplace means leaving those friendships we have developed in our work life. Some friendships are strong and continue outside of our work life and are nurtured and maintained in our social life. Others are replaced by new working friendships which support and engage us in our new workplace but may or may not last beyond that placement.

This is exactly what children have an opportunity to learn as they change class. Being kept with only the same group, or the same teacher robs them of the learning about how to experience change, to grow relationships, to become more quickly comfortable in new situations and to take control of what is possible in their environment.

We hope that our parents trust that we know our students well; both individually and collectively. We plan classes with great care and discussion balancing the wellbeing, learning and social aspects of each child and class. We consider teacher skills and styles, support requirements and opportunities as well as the requests of the children as to their preferences for peers in their new class.

When the conversations in your house turn to next year please look at the opportunity given to you to discuss how changing workplaces is a reality and how we grow as people each time we form new working relationships with peers and bosses. Talk to them about your experiences, about the things that worked well and please avoid tales of woe!

 2024 CLASS REQUESTS

Class requests for the 2024 can be completed on the GOOGLE FORM. Please do not make assumptions that previous years requests will be honoured. It is best to put everything in writing again. Please understand that these requests are not guaranteed.

HEADLICE AND TIED BACK HAIR

As we come into the warmer, summer months, we are alerting all families to be aware that this is the season where we see significant increases in Head Lice outbreaks throughout our school.

We have informed all students male and female, who have hair beyond shoulder length that it needs to be tied back daily. We have several boys at school who are sporting the long flowing mullet and I’ve explained that they have two options;

1) they either tie it back and keep it tied back or

2)  they get their hair cut above the collar.

Over the last weeks, we’ve had a several students questioning as to why they should have to tie their hair back or and, in some cases, students flatly refusing to tie their hair back. I’d ask for parents to support us with the implementation of this school policy as it keeps headlice cases in the school to a minimum.

PHYSICAL AND VERBAL ALTRECATIONS AT SCHOOL DURING RECESS AND LUNCH

We’ve noticed an increase in incidents where children are getting into arguments, and altercations when playing four square or using the Gaga Pit. The issues appear to be steming from children developing their own rules, and debating whether or not they are 'out'. Our Gaga Pit will now operate on a rotating roster with Grade 5/6 students on one day and Grade 3/4 on the next day, and so on. Children not playing by the rules, or getting into physical or verbal altercations with one another, will spend time with the duty teacher.

COLOUR RUN

Fundraising for our Colour Run has reached an amazing target, and our  P&F are hot on the trail to get some new Foundation to Grade 2 play equipment purchased. This is to allow more creative play opportunities on the top yard.

The Colour Run is booked for the 17^th November, which is just under a month away. Children will need to wear white clothes on this day, and if parents can be aware that the coloured chalk may stain some of the clothing, I’d suggest that students don’t wear their best brands. The Colour Run will be hosted in the afternoon so that children will complete the course around 3pm. Parent are encouraged to bring a towel to prevent their car interiors being coloured by student clothing.

This day will be a celebration in memory of Rose McMahon, a past student who passed away. Rose’s birthday falls on 17^th November and she loved rainbows and colour – so let’s all get loud and be proud and let’s create thousands of rainbows across our school and hope Rose is looking down on us!

Andrew Osler