Dear Parents and Carers,

Last night we celebrated in style the talents of our students at the ‘From the 90’s to Now’ concert. Our gratitude extends to all who made the event the spectacular show that it was!

• Aleeta Northey choreographer extraordinaire
• Mary Kite and Caz Perryman for all the stage management
• Deb McPherson and Mary Kite for stage design
• The whole teaching staff for tireless work and rehearsals to finesse the performance
• Mr Adam Twyford for being a talented sound technician
• Nathan for being a talented lighting specialist
• We also thank Mr Ross Mannell for videoing today’s performance

A special thank you to all the Fundraising Committee parents who put on our pre-concert dinner! What a great idea! Your time and support of the school is much appreciated by all of us.

Term 4 NEWS - For those who haven’t heard…. in Term 4 I am taking Long Service Leave and Antony, Xavier and I are headed to the UK and Europe. I will also be attending an International Study Tour in Reggio Emilia in Italy. I will return during Week 6 of term. In my absence Mrs Perryman will be Principal, Mrs Kite is Assistant Principal and Mrs Fraser is the Classroom Support Teacher. Thank you for your support of our school leaders during the first 5 weeks of term. 

In Term 4 we welcome 8 new students to St Patrick’s across the school. I know your children will be excited to have new classmates and will make them feel most welcome at St Pat’s. Term 4 will begin with the fun of the Beachathon in Week 1 and Grandparents Day in Week 2. I will be sorry to miss these great days of celebrating community!

Something to ponder on during the holidays:

What would you say if you were asked for your Parent’s Motto? One thought, “We open minds and hearts.” Opening the mind of a child is a joint effort between school and home and more specifically between teacher and parent. There is a huge amount of research data that states that when parents are involved in their children’s education at home, their children perform better at school. This performance is further enhanced, if there is a good relationship between teacher and parent based on mutual respect and trust.

The principal criterion for parents to have a positive effect on their child’s attitude towards learning is not the level of the parent’s income nor the level of education, nor employment status nor language ability, it is the parent’s attitude towards learning. Probably, there is every variety of difficulty experienced by a parent when it comes to being involved in a child’s education. However, a parent can show how much they value education by taking an active interest in what’s happening with their child.

As a parent, our positive attitude towards learning could be expressed by providing a quiet area for home reading and project work, by limiting T.V., screen time and use of technology on school nights and by talking about what’s happening at school. Being aware of our school’s expectation with regard to home reading and other learning is important as is discussing with your child’s teacher, your child’s attitude and performance in the classroom.

But what about your child’s heart! To be proactive with your child is far more productive for both parties than to be constantly reactive to what your child might get up to. I wonder if we as parents are losing the art of play and don’t allow our children’s imaginations to be fully expressed. When asked, children sometimes say that their parents are too tired or too busy, are no fun because they have forgotten how to play.

Play is most important because it’s how children enjoy life! They learn about rules, sharing, taking turns, community and all those social behaviours that make us rounded people. It’s about relationships. Play with a parent is just as much about relationships and trust. No one ever grows old regretting the time they spent playing with their children.”

Of course, play is not only about getting off the couch and onto the floor for, as children grow and mature, play becomes more sophisticated; but whatever its shape or form, parents should be important participants.

Blessings for a peace filled and play filled holiday. I hope that you get to spend some quality time with your children.

Jo