Social and Emotional Blockers

During assembly this week, Mrs Sarah Atkinson reminded us of ways we can think about obstacles that can sometimes impact our pathways to success. No one is immune from strong emotions and in fact, they are crucial to our accomplishments. Crossroads in decision making appear every other second. But how do we react when things haven’t gone as planned? When these actions occur, students were guided to engage in such strategies as

• Self talk- “I don’t like it, but I can accept it” or “I accept myself and celebrate my good points and flaws.”
• Positive actions - do something nice for someone else or switch toward three positive events for the day.
• Talk to someone - find an adult or talk to a friend or have a discussion with your parents
• Calm down - close your eyes for 30 secs and breath slowly or think “it won’t always be this way”.

Grandparents and Special Friends

Every year in Term 4, we have the privilege of opening our doors and welcoming our grandparents and special friends onto the College. Usually, the gym is filled to the brim with smiling faces, beaming with pride. This year, our celebration will look slightly different, but the sentiment remains the same. When I reflect on my own experience of spending time with my grandparents, the memories are slightly grainy but I am instantly taken back to a special time and place, usually with extended families and always being made to feel you’re the only one that mattered. Grandparents seem to have a particular ability to impart love unconditionally and knowledge in a way that is wise and non-threatening.

The role that extended family plays for the students at our College, cannot be underestimated. The support and care you provide enriches our community and the lives of the students in it. Even though this year you will be unable to partake in the delicious catering that is usually provided, or learn side-by-side in our learning spaces, we celebrate your importance in the lives of children. Our Junior College has been busy preparing keepsakes. Our Junior College take great delight in engaging in a chapel service and this year, it will be led by our Year 5 leaders. This year our event will be live via YouTube, and we encourage you to join us live at the link communicated earlier in the week. We look forward to welcoming you back on campus in the near future.

Kids in Action

This years theme was Future Dreaming and our students performed a traditional story, encompassing language and knowledge to show other delegates the importance of caring for country. Seeing such engagement and passion from all the students involved was inspiring and the commitment shown by all attendees portrayed a feeling of hope and positivity. At the conclusion, Asha Rudes who was a participant from Pacific Lutheran, identified her highlight as a time when all the students were dancing. It reminded her that we are all in this together and share the responsibility of caring for our future together.

Thank you to parent Kerry Neill for his input to the project and I congratulate all the students involved and especially, Mrs Luanne Pollard for her drive and commitment to making this event a rich learning opportunity for our students.

Thank you and God Bless.

Mr Damian Davis, Head of Staff and Students P-5