Filter Content
This weekend we celebrate All Saints Day. Let us remember the great significance that the lives of the Saints of the past and the modern saints model for us every day.
They left their mark on the earth for you, for us, for our children to come. Thank you, God, for the tremendous sacrifices made by those who have gone before us. Bless the memories of your saints, God. May we learn how to walk wisely from their examples of faith, dedication, worship, and love.
Dear Friends,
Tomorrow, the 30th of October, we celebrate World Teachers Day. I was recently reading some new research in a Spotlight report, Teaching: A valued profession which reveals that the community values teachers much more than they know, and that feeling valued as a profession is integral to teachers having a positive attitude about their ability to influence student achievement.
Key messages from this are as follows:
- teachers are more valued by the community than they think
- the way teachers are perceived in society can impact the entire career life cycle; from recruitment, retention, job satisfaction and performance
- there is a positive correlation between how teachers are perceived and student achievement
- negatively skewed portrayals of teaching in the media do not appear to match community sentiments
Teachers serve a vital role in our society; they act as mentors, experts and role models for future generations.
The significance of the teaching profession is reflected in the demands of the job – specialised expertise, strong interpersonal skills, adaptability and a learning mindset. It would therefore follow that teachers are valued by society, and current evidence supports the notion that they are.
– Heffernan et al., 2019; Leahy & Selwyn, 2019; Roy Morgan, 2017
I cannot be more prouder, especially in the challenges presented throughout this year, of the teaching staff we have at Holy Trinity School and ELC. I was also very touched and appreciative of the special lunch the Parent Community presented to our staff yesterday in recognition of the dedication and commitment our teachers show daily here. I would particularly like to thank families who donated special morning tea treats and to Cath Day who, on behalf of the P and F, organised a lovely lunch for us. She also wrote the following in a card to the staff:
"We will never forget what you have done for us and what you continue to do. It's because of you we choose to leave our precious children in your care. You inspire and challenge our children, you make them better people, you make them happy, you prepare them."
I could not agree more with the sentiments shared in this card to our teachers, and I am so grateful this has been recognised so generously by our community for World Teachers Day. Thank you.
Only 7 weeks until the school fete!
Over the coming weeks there will be many fete communications but essentially we are asking families to support us in the following five ways:
- Consider volunteering
Thank you to all the wonderful families who have signed up to be fete-day volunteers. There are still positions available, especially in the afternoon, and you can register at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D48A9A82DABFCC61-fete
- Please buy your fete-day tickets
Fete tickets have gone on sale as of last week on QKR. The tickets are all inclusive and priced at $25 per student (two students = $50, three or more students = $75). Tickets need to be pre-purchased - there will be NO CASH on the fete day. The fete ticket is exactly the same for all students, everyone will have access to all the festivities. No child will be excluded from the fete but we need all families who can purchase tickets to do so, in order for the fete day to be possible.
- Donate a fete-day ticket
If you are able, there is an option to donate a fete-day ticket when you make your purchase on QKR. This will help the P&F cover the costs for families who might be struggling at this difficult time.
- Donations drives
There will be two donation drives to bring in goodies for the fete. Thank you to those who generously donated the chocolates pieces last week. In Week Six, our focus will be on lollies.
- Lend us your stuff!
As we develop a list of things we need (like marquees and Halloween decorations) we will publish a 'wish-list' and ask you to lend us things that you might have available at home. We will of course return these items - it will be very handy if we don't have to purchase them.
This week, as Halloween is upon us, we ask any families who are planning to decorate to consider saving your disposable decorations for re-use in the haunted house. For example, cobwebs, wall posters/cut-outs, 'caution'/'beware' tape, plastic/cardboard bats/spiders/cats/witches, tablecloths etc. We don't mind if they are a little bit tattered and torn from use, we would be pleased to give them a second life. They can be dropped off in the baskets in each classroom on Monday. If you have really impressive Halloween props you would be willing to lend us (skeletons, giant spiders etc), please email Jenny at htpspf2021fete@gmail.com and we can discuss pick up and return of these items.
If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with our fete coordinator-Jenny Van de Meeberg, via email at htpspf2021fete@gmail.com
We are having some roof work and air conditioning units replaced over the next two weeks, weather permitting. As a result of this, part of the front of the school will be blocked to allow roof access safely for the company completing the work. Can I please ask that you walk up the path and around this area during the duration of the work. Please note that the disabled car parks and some of the ring road will still be in use for those needing to park after 9am or before 3:10pm.
Thank you also for your cooperation settling back into normal afternoon pick up arrangements. It is lovely to be able to see you all again, (even if it is quickly!) as you pick up your children. We have also today received the following update from Catholic Education re COVID restrictions in all our Catholic Schools:
- ACT: it is still not permitted to hold large school assemblies. Assemblies should be conducted in smaller groups such as Year Groups and continue to restrict parent attendance.
- Where orientation events are being conducted, parent information sessions need to comply with COVID requirements regarding numbers. As large assemblies are not permitted, groups attending schools should not participate in large introduction sessions or similar activities.
- Parents are still not allowed to be on site unless it is necessary.
- Schools should continue to hold council/board meetings remotely or at external venues
We will be having children attend our Kindergarten orientation morning on the 18th of November and the parent information session will be held via ZOOM at 5pm that evening. All parents of children in Kindergarten 2021 should have received information via email this week about this orientation- please contact the front office if you did not receive this. Our ELC orientation will be next week, spread over four days during the week, to allow for smaller groups and social distancing.
With every best wish for a holy and peace-filled week ahead with your beautiful families,
Philippa
Philippa Brearley
Email: philippa.brearley@cg.catholic.edu.au
Remembrance Day
Our military families and students will lead the school in our Remembrance Day Service. I am asking that any Australian Services persons that would like to be part of the service to please contact me by sending an email to emily.capper@cg.catholic.edu.au
Sacrament of First Eucharist
Thank you to all of the parents who have enrolled their child in the First Eucharist Sacramental Program. For anyone who still needs to register their child, please see below.
To enrol online:
Access or download the Qkr! app.
Tap on ‘North Woden Transfiguration Parish’
Tap Sacrament of First Eucharist (second option)
Complete the form and make your online payment. ($40).
Home groups are also being established now, please use the link below to place yourself and your child into a Home group:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1x-B_Dgkud5IlolbLpeGkLKIf7vdBNhXGp-DejSBA8Bw/edit?usp=sharing
Mass Dates and Times can now be selected using the link below. Due to restrictions, only 4 children will be able to register for each Mass. Please remember to also list the number of family members/guests that will be attending (Maximum of 10).
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/146FLEi9zYXFb7-ORSpIEnyadSPXt4E8kAxxmC_2ORTM/edit?usp=sharing
Children’s Liturgy
Children’s Liturgy runs on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month during term time. Below is a timetable with the dates for Term 4. Children’s liturgy occurs during the 9:30am Sunday Mass at Holy Trinity, Curtin. Last Sunday we had a wonderful turn out, 24 children enjoyed spending time with our Youth Ministers Grace and Maddie during Mass and completing a craft activity together before returning to the church.
|
Sunday 8th November |
|
Sunday 22nd November |
|
Sunday 13th December |
Emily Capper
Religious Education Coordinator
School Fete Tickets
Fete tickets for ELC students have been added to ELC accounts as a school incursion. Therefore ELC parents of Ground Parrots & Rock Wallabies students DO NOT need to purchase fete tickets on QKR.
If you have older children at Holy Trinity Primary School, please purchase their tickets separately on QKR (excluding your ELC child from the total).
Preschool pickup
A reminder to our ELC families and carers to not remain in the playground area after 3pm pickup. The warmer weather and sunshine lends itself to extended play and social time, but our Covid safety plan requires parents to move from the playground promptly to ensure physical distancing measures are maintained. It is a busy period in the ELC with the transition of the preschoolers and primary aged children into the After School Care program. We thank you for your support and cooperation in this and look forward to the time when we can return to enjoying the community vibe in the preschool again.
Book Week celebrations at Holy Trinity included a visit from local author, illustrator, podcaster, card designer and recent jigsaw queen Tania McCartney.
Tania had two sessions with the children, a Kinder – Year 2 school session and then a Year 3 – 6 school session. Both were fabulous and well received by the children.
This was Tania’s first school visit in over a year and she was thrilled to be at Holy Trinity. She now has over 50 books published and 15 publishing houses after her work. In 2020 Tania has published over 10 books – so far.
Tania’s presentation was very interactive and included lots of books (both hers and other authors). She discussed the book creation process, the target market, the drafting and editing process, the extensive list of those involved in getting a book published, illustration tools and how to make a great book. Ninety percent of Tania’s work is now done on her Ipad and she highly recommended the drawing app ‘Procreate’.
Tania also shared with us books she is currently writing and told us about a secret deal she has signed with an international publishing house.
Tania encouraged the children to read, read, read – ‘if you read, you can do anything in life you want’. She also encouraged kids to keep drawing after 8 years of age as you will only get better at illustrating if you work at it for a long time. During the writing process Tania suggested to flip character roles and make the characters quirky and memorable.
If you would like to order some of Tania’s books please send you child around to the library to collect a form.
Check out Tania’s blog, books published, and podcast on… http://taniamccartney.blogspot.com/
Kate Mertz
Email: kate.mertz@cg.catholic.edu.au
A flexible approach to raising kids
This year’s unique challenges have brought a sharper focus on child-rearing styles. Parents who rely one style have often struggled to meet the emotional needs of their children.
Kids who are worried, fearful or fretting about the future initially benefit from a nurturant, empathetic approach. “I get it” is what they want to hear so they feel safe and secure. They also benefit from a firmer approach where an adult communicates “You can cope with this” is something kids need to hear when they experience change, difficulty and disappointment.
This combination of nurturance and firmness is known as an authoritative approach according to Diane Baumrind, a leading researcher on parenting styles. A purely nurturant style is known as a permissive style, while a singularly firm style is known as authoritarian.
Warm cat, firm dog
It’s helpful to use a cat and dog metaphor when discussing the authoritative approach. As dog-owners know these pets are highly relational and respond favorably to attention. The dog style of parenting is empathetic and has an encouraging, relationship-building focus. Cats, on the other hand, are usually self-sufficient and can live happily without you. Continuing the metaphor, the cat style of parenting is more likely to challenge kids, better able to manage poor behaviour and provide solid family leadership.
Body language counts
The dog-cat styles are expressed through our non-verbal language – our tone of voice, posture and heads. A cat speaks in a flat, clipped voice using a minimum of words. Their head is still, its body upright and confident. A cat is calm, quiet and in control. A dog, on the other hand, speaks with lots of inflection in their voice. They’ll smile a great deal and lean in when they speak. It’s a warmer more approachable style suited to conversations and building relationships.
Which style do you identify with?
Most people naturally have a preference for one style over the other. If you defer to one then you may have to work a little harder or more consciously to bring the other side to the fore. Many parents working in partnership with each other will share the dog-cat loads. One parent is firm in approach, while the other uses a warmer, more personal approach. Sometimes parents switch styles according to the gender or personality of their children. This is quite common as boys have a tendency to bring out the firm cat in their fathers and the warmer, protective dog-side in their mothers.
Conversely, fathers often respond to their daughters in dog-like ways and anecdotally, it seems, many mothers are more naturally cat-like with their daughters. Single parents without the luxury of sharing the parenting will generally need to be flexible and move between the two styles.
Avoid mixed messages
Get your cat and dog wrong and you risk being ineffective and failing to meet either a child’s needs or the needs of a particular situation. If your first response to a child’s difficulty is to be distant and unapproachable, then you are probably not meeting their immediate emotional needs. Your child or young person needs you to be approachable or dog-like when they come to you with genuine concerns. Conversely, approach a child or teen whose behaviour isn’t up to standard with a dog-like approach and you’ll be ignored or not taken seriously, leaving you either angry or deflated.
Flexibility is the key
It’s my experience that it’s possible to move seamlessly between the two modes but it takes awareness and practice. If you naturally default to cat mode, then you may have to put some conscious effort into responding with empathy and nurturance when your child or young person struggles. Alternatively, you may practise dog-like behaviours easily but have to work on your cat side to promote independence and manage your child’s behaviour. In time these switches become automatic as your awareness grows enabling you to adopt new ways of parenting. Your effectiveness and satisfaction levels will increase as you move seamlessly between the cat and dog parenting styles.
(Source: Parentingideas.com.au)
Related webinar
Our school has a membership with Parenting Ideas. As part of this membership, you can attend the upcoming webinar ‘Parenting like a cat and dog’ at no cost.
About
In this webinar, Michael Grose uses cat and dog metaphors to introduce parents to two diverse styles of parenting. This will increase their ability and confidence to manage, nurture and build relationships with their children.
When
11 November 2020 8:00pm AEDT.
To redeem
1. Click this link: https://www.parentingideas.com.au/parent-resources/parent-webinars/webinar-parenting-like-a-cat-and-dog
2. Click ‘Add to cart’
3. Click ‘View cart’
4. Enter the voucher code METAPHOR and click ‘Apply Coupon’ Your discount of $37 will be applied.
5. Click ‘Proceed to checkout’
6. Fill in your account details including our school’s name to verify your eligibility. These are the details you will use to login to your account and access your webinar and resources
7. Click ‘Place Order’
This offer is valid until 31 December 2020. If you’re unable to make the broadcast time, just register anyway and you will get access to the recording. The recording will be available in your Parenting Ideas dashboard so you can refer to it at anytime.
Heidi White
Email: Heidi.white@cg.catholic.edu.au
Team Leader: Geoff Wynn, Ben Bryant, Georgina Papoutsi, Nicole Mape, Beth Hinds
Reminder: Could team leaders please ensure the ELC is vacuumed, as well as the main building and annexe. Just the carpeted areas, as the bathrooms are done by the cleaners.
Paul Osborne
Email: osbornep@aap.com.au
 |
Students celebrating their birthdays this week: Henry S, Neha J, Aksel B, Mathew James G, Spencer D, Liesl H, Nicholas R, Ariane N, Grace M, George H, Jack S |
NOTICEBOARD