Belated Welcome

It certainly has been a busy start to the year. Firstly, I would like to welcome all new families to the Primary School at St Augustine’s. We are delighted that you have chosen us as your school of choice, and we look forward to the friendships, positive relationships and support that will develop over the next eight years.

We were delighted to be able to introduce parents to the Primary School teaching staff for 2020 as part of the All Parent Welcome Evening. The Primary School staff are all outstanding and passionate educators who value relationships as central to teaching and learning. The staff hope that you found the information evening productive and a chance to ‘put a name to a face’. The Primary Staff for 2020 include – Megan Cashman (Leadership Assistant), John O’Brien (50) Assistant Head of Primary, James Kirkwood (5K), Karen Gunasekara (5G), Rose Papalia (5P), Aidan Baker (6B), Patrick Ell (6E) and Andrew Clyne (6C).

If you wish to meet and discuss any matter with your son’s teacher, please follow the correct protocol and arrange a meeting using their email address. With reference to classes, a lot of work goes on behind the scenes to ensure boys are placed in the best possible setting. The College appreciates your understanding and support in this area.

Year 5 Orientation Camp

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Primary staff as well as Leah Crowley, Learning Enhancement Co-ordinator, and Garry Simmons, Junior Sports Co-ordinator, for their involvement in the recent Year 5 Orientation Camp at the Sport and Recreation facility near Patonga. Regardless of the inclement weather, it was a wonderful way for the boys to get to know each other and their teachers. If camp was about resilience, then the ferry trip home was the ultimate test. In rough and heavy seas, the teachers deserve special mention for their ability to remain calm during trying conditions. Teaching presents itself with many challenges and the teachers were exceptional, coping with driving rain, sick and nervous boys, anxious parents and lost property.

The many expressions of appreciation were well received by the teachers, who carted bags from the buses in torrential rain until all boys and property were delivered safely. It is amazing how far a simple ‘thank you’ goes.

I would also like to thank Andrew Clyne (6C) who filled in so capably during my absence

Brainstorm Productions – Bullying

Last Friday the Primary School students were treated to an entertaining presentation about bullying. Research indicates that students who have positive self-talk, a growth mindset, exhibit positive and confident behaviours (resilience) and feel good about themselves (self-esteem) are less likely to be impacted by bullying type behaviours. The boys as part of the presentation, were introduced to four characters who displayed bullying type behaviours – exclusion, name calling and ongoing put-downs, cyber bullying and the impact that these behaviours can have on the victim. The role of the ‘upstander’ or someone who can diffuse the situation, tell a teacher or be a support was also a central theme.

I ask your support in checking your son’s use of technology, their history and the APPS they have. The posting of hurtful and insensitive comments is a growing concern and one we hope to minimise and ideally eliminate totally.

Year 5 / 6 Peer Support Program

Over the Christmas holidays, the current Year 5 boys would have received a welcome letter from a Year 6 boy. Now that we are three weeks into the term, these boys will now meet up every second Wednesday during Tutor time for a ‘debrief’ to discuss WWW (What Went Well and is going well) and EBI (Even Better If) as well as simply sharing time together.

Open Day

Next Friday, 28 February, we showcase the many faces of the Primary School. Flexible, agile open spaces, IT technology hubs in break-out areas, exciting activities as well as proud teachers and students will all be on display. We hope that you can spread the word and come and see what we do best – engage students in high interest activities.  Please note: All students are required to wear their full summer uniform to school on this day, not their sports uniform.

Lent

As we enter the season of Lent, we are reminded to turn away from behaviours we would like to change and to be faithful to the messages we hear in the Gospels. Next Wednesday the Primary School will come together with Years 7 and 8 for an Ash Wednesday Liturgy, where the boys will be reminded of the 3 Pillars of Lent – prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

Application for Student Leave

May I remind parents that all requests for student leave should be made via the Application for Student Absence form, which is located on the College ATLAS under Resources / Forms / Parent Forms. The College requests that parents arrange all leave within the designated holiday periods, where possible.

Sports Uniform

Students may wear their College Sports Uniform each Friday during Term 1 or whenever they have a scheduled PE or Sport lesson. If your son has a PDH (Personal Development and Health) lesson, he will be required to wear his full College Summer Uniform. It is important that the boys read their timetable the night before to ensure they are aware of when they can wear their sports uniform.

Please refer to ‘Open Day’ information above for uniform requirements.

Grooming

Thank you to the boys who have responded to my requests to have their hair cut to meet College expectations.

Keeping Reading Cool

So, your 10/11/12 year-old can read, but how often is he reading and is he extending himself in his reading?

As a parent, it is important to adopt several strategies to ensure your pre-teen continues to read in the lead up to high school. Consider these suggestions:

• Within a busy family day, it is important to preserve reading time. For older kids with active lives and lots of entertainment diversions, this might mean allowing lights to stay on a bit longer so that your child can read before sleep and encouraging books and magazines to be taken out on sports days, car trips, anywhere where there is a bit of 'down' time.
• Keep your child reading by setting a family role model of reading. Read and discuss books as a family, even if it is just the novelisation to the latest blockbuster movie they have seen.
• Allow your child to 'choose' their reading material and set up a bookshelf for their selections in their bedroom. Not everyone wants to read the classics! Bookstores, libraries and Book Club all provide a wide range of genres--the important thing is that your child has selected it themselves. Once your child has 'hit' on a series they like, encourage them to collect the series.
• Encourage reading around interest areas. If your child likes fast-paced action, there are many adventure series that utilise the concept of speed and escape from danger such as the Alex Rider series or Conspiracy 365.
• Use the internet! Major new book releases often have a website featuring a video trailer based on the book and a blog for readers to record their feelings about a book or the characters. There is now so much more to a book!
• Overall, encourage reading for the pleasure it gives. Magazines can also have a great role here, everyone needs a little 'light' reading from time to time--whether it is a comic or dirt bike manual or a girl's fashion magazine.

Class Leaders

Currently, classes are beginning the process of selecting leaders for 2020. Boys who are interested will be asked to present a short speech in front of their peers outlining the skills they possess which will enable them to represent their class with enthusiasm and fairness. I look forward to working with our Primary Leadership Team this year.

Merit Awards

Year 5 Merits Awards

Year 6 Merit Awards

Homework

I find the conversation around homework to be interesting. It can assist boys develop routines for revising work as well as initiating some project-based learning. It can assist in time management, prioritising and organisational skills as well. However, there has been much research to prove that it can cause, in some families, much angst and anxiety. In our Primary School there is an expectation that boys complete approximately 40 minutes of homework per night. I am always reluctant to call reading as homework, as I see it as a form of relaxation and enjoyment and labelling it ‘homework’ can create a negative impression.

I would like to think that the boys could spend time away from their computers and homework to socialise with family and friends and to be involved in recreational activities and hobbies. As such, there will be certain times throughout the year when I will call a ‘homework free week’ for boys to replace homework with a whole family activity or event. Let me know your thoughts:  twalsh@saintaug.nsw.edu.au

Terry Walsh
Head of Primary