Dear Families and Friends

Over these last few weeks, the children and teachers have been very busy working hard on completing assessment tasks, checking in on reading and spelling growth and finishing assignments but most importantly they have been reflecting on and celebrating a year of wonderful learning achievements, in spite of the challenges we faced in 2020. While many children embrace the chance to show their teacher how much they have learnt and are easily able to reflect on their successes and challenges, some children may feel a little overwhelmed at this time of year with all the expectations they feel they need to meet. But…..

We can help our children to navigate these challenges through helping to instil in them a “Growth” mindset.

Below are 6 tips for promoting a “growth mindset” in children.

1. Help children understand that the brain works like a muscle, that can only grow through hard work, determination and lots and lots of practice.
2. Don’t tell students they are smart, gifted or talented since this implies they were born with the knowledge, and does not encourage effort and growth.
3. Let children know when they demonstrate a growth mindset. “I can always improve so I’ll keep trying.”
4. Praise the process. It’s effort, hard work and practice that allow children to achieve their true potential.
5. Embrace mistakes and challenges. Children sometimes learn the most when they make mistakes. Let them know they are a big part of the learning process. There is nothing like the feeling of struggling through a very difficult problem, only to finally break through and solve it.
6. Encourage participation and collaborative group learning. Children learn best when they are immersed in a topic and allowed to discuss and learn with their peers.

(Based on research in Dr Carol Dweck- Revisits the Growth Mindset)

YEAR 6 CAMP

Next week our Yr. 6 students head off to camp at Camp Coolum Luther Heights. They leave on Tuesday and return on Friday. We wish them all a safe and adventurous week of fun, friendship and flying foxes!  We hope they make the most of this chance to develop new friendships and to cement lasting bonds before they leave for High School next year. What a great way to finish the year!

Below is an informative article about the benefits of school camps and how important they are in developing life-long learning skills in our students.

School camp is a fantastic opportunity for children to develop new skills, friendships and interests. However, for many kids (and their parents!) just the thought of sleeping away from home can provoke high anxiety.

Some of the common worries about camp include:

• Not being able to sleep properly
• Not liking the food camp will offer
• Who they will be sharing a cabin with
• Not enjoying the activities the camp will offer
• Feeling homesick

Although these are understandable concerns, it is important to help kids feel more positive about camp and to overcome the fear of not enjoying camp.

The benefits of school camp are numerous, here are my top five:

1. Development of social skills

School camp is a great opportunity to develop a range of social skills. Most activities at camp involve team work, which is great to strengthen established friendships and also to develop new friendships by connecting with children they don’t regularly talk with at school.

Through bonding activities, children develop supportive relationships not only with different children, but also with their teachers. At camp, children have the opportunity to learn about acceptance, caring and understanding.

2. Development of independence skills

For many children school camp is their first time away from family and home for a few nights. Parents are not there to remind their kids to eat their vegetables, brush their teeth, or to have a shower. Therefore, this is a great opportunity for kids to grow up by learning how take care of themselves and to do things on their own. Most kids do rise to the challenge and learn to rely on themselves when they spend time away home.

3. Development of decision-making skills

Should I go with my friends or should I do the activity I really want to do? Should I have the third slice of pizza? Should I stay up or go to bed? Supervising teachers are not able to hover over each child all the time, so at camp, children are responsible for making more of their own choices.

4. Increased environmental awareness

During camp, children are exposed to authentic nature-based experiences. Hands-on activities in the outdoors stimulate all senses and facilitate learning. Children become more aware of the environment, develop outdoor skills and appreciation for nature.

5. Learning new skills

At school camp, children will be exposed to a range of activities that they may not have tried before. When away from their parents, children are often more adventurous and willing to try new things.

(Melbourne Psychology Unit)

PREP ORIENTATION MORNING 

Now that the days are starting to get warmer please remember that it is an expectation that all children wear hats during play times and PE lessons. The rule is “No Hat, no Play!”

Children that do not wear hats are expected to be in the CSA areas during break times.

BOOKLISTS 2021

Kookaburra Educational Resources will be supplying our Student Packs for the 2021 School Year.  Please note all orders take place through Kookaburra and can be ordered online or through emailing forms and payment details to Kookaburra. Booklists are also on the Kookaburra Website. Please note that our school and office staff do not handle any Booklist requests and any enquiries should be made directly to Kookaburra Educational Resources.

Swimming continues! Children will be swimming every Thursday and Friday for 5 weeks- a total of 10 lessons.  The last day of swimming will be Friday 20^th November. Please make sure monies and permission slips have been finalized.  The swimming timetable is below for interested parents.

Thank you from Mrs Ryan

Our Vision: “To inspire students to reach their full potential in a safe, caring and educationally challenging environment.”