Creating momentum for positive change

by Michael Grose

 Currently, I’m reading about Sir John Monash, the first Australian-born general to command Australian troops in World War 1. He was an amazing figure, as unlike his foolhardy predecessors, he refused to sacrifice troops as cannon fodder in the fields of France. He is widely attributed with turning the tide of the war to the Allies’ way through his assiduous planning and attention to detail.

Equally pivotal to his success was his ability to change the mindset of the troops from defensive to offensive. This was no mean feat as they’d been stuck in trenches for months. The troops he inherited in 1918 over hadn’t experienced military success of any note for over two years. Monash engineered a series of continuous mini-raids on the enemy so that his troops could feel success again.

Monash knew about the secret power of momentum. The more they succeeded in battle, the more his troops wanted to experience success. He built a culture of success in his forces by starting small and then harnessing the power of momentum. This powerful momentum principle applies to equally to families as it does to the battlefield. Here are four areas you can harness momentum for positive change:

Developing independence

If a child is very reliant on others then consider to creating opportunities for them to resolve small every day problems themselves. Let them experience what it’s like to be a problem-solver. For instance, rather than resolving a child’s sibling conflict issues give him or her clues and ideas to help them get their own way with a sibling. They may not experience success every time but little by little they begin to see themselves as capable of resolving their own problems/

Building confidence

Self-esteem can be boosted in similar ways. If your child lacks confidence to mingle and meet new friends consider helping him or her experience social successes in smaller, more intimate settings. For instance, encourage him or her to invite one friend at a time to your place, as it’s easier to form friendships singularly in familiar territory. Also encourage your child to spend more time in activities that they do well in so that they experience confidence more often and for longer. Self-esteem is usually built little by little.

Being cooperative

Cooperative behaviour can similarly be built through momentum. Often uncooperative kids receive a great deal of B-grade, negative attention (plenty of reminders, lots of nagging, being yelled at) for their lack of cooperation. Catch them being cooperative in small ways (cleaning away dishes without being asked, being kind to a sibling, using manners with an adult) so that they experience what it’s like doing the right thing.

Helping others

Help your kids experience the appreciation of others that comes from their small acts of kindness, generosity and help. Feeling appreciated for their small contributions (loaning a toy to a friend) and acts of selflessness (giving up a seat in the bus to an elderly person) can be just the tonic some kids need to see themselves as positive contributors to their families and others groups.

Small changes create the momentum needed that leads to significant behavioural changes. The opposite to momentum is inertia, which means nothing much will change in your family regardless of how much you remind, challenge or hassle your kids.

Get some movement in the direction you want (better behaviour/more cooperation/more helpfulness/greater confidence) and let the magic of momentum take over to get significant changes you want to see in your kids or family-life.

(Source: Parentingideas.com.au)

Welcome back to Students and Teachers for Term 4.

It promises to be a very busy term, with one highlight being the School Exhibition for Years 5 and 6. For the Year 5s of course it is a practice run for next year, but for the Year 6 students it will be the culmination of their Primary Years Program journey through their time at Holy Trinity.  We wish all students and their families and mentors the very best as they prepare for this special time in their school lives.

On the sacramental front, the Year 3 Students will be undergoing preparation to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  This is a big step on their faith journey, where they will learn in a special way about the love and mercy of God, and of the importance of reconciling with God and others when we do things that hurt them.  Although this is a Parish event, I know Mrs Everding and the rest of the teachers will play a key role in the preparation of the children for this special event, and we wish them every blessing for it. 

And of course it would be remiss of me (and Carmel would not be amused!) if I did not mention the fete on 3 November – our biennial social and community highlight, and key fund raising activity.  I know that there has already been so much preparation work done for the fete already, and it is shaping up as a ‘best ever’ event.  I thank all those who have worked so hard so far, and those who will contribute over the next couple of weeks.

I would also like to thank all those parents and caregivers who contributed to the Annual Satisfaction Survey.  Results have been collated and there will be action from this which will be shared to parents as planning for next year is formalised. In addition to the survey, other opportunities this year that parents have had to provide input into school planning have been two PYP Meetings and one focusing on Numeracy, and a literacy meeting focusing on developing reading strategies.  These were all successful events from which those who participated would have gained much value. The input and feedback from those events will also contribute to school planning for 2019 and beyond.

So again, welcome back to everyone for a busy and eventful term, and I look forward to seeing you around the school.  As always, if anyone has any issues they would like the Board to consider, please let me know on john.owens@bigpond.com

Yours in Faith, Hope and Love

John Owens

Chair, Holy Trinity School Board

Congratulations to....... Ginger, Zephyr and Angelina!

Late last term Ginger was fully received into our Holy Trinity Parish by Father John in front of her classmates, teachers and her dad.

Congratulations to Zephyr on celebrating his First Eucharist at Holy Trinity Parish last term.

During the holidays Angelina, her family and l attended the Fred Hallows Humility Awards Ceremony at the National Library. Angelina was one of the 2018 recipients and was nominated for her ongoing commitment and support to Holy Trinity’s GSP and other Christian Outreach Fundraisers.

Farmers Fundraiser
Friday next week, 26 October will be Holy Trinity’s Farmer Fundraiser. Students will be encouraged to give a donation of your choice and dress up as something that can be found on a farm. For example a farmer, cow, rabbit, dog, etc. All donations will go towards the Buy a Bale Organisation.

We welcome everyone to add a prayer for those affected by the drought to our prayer tree in the front foyer.

Mission Mass
Next week Year 6 students will attend the Mission Mass with other students from the Canberra and Goulburn Archdiocese. This mass is to celebrate how we as Catholic Schools are the face of Jesus for others through our commitment to Christian Outreach Programs.

Reconciliation Parent Information Night
This evening is the parish of the Transfiguration Reconciliation Parent Leaders and Parent Information Night. Parent Leaders will meet in the church at 6pm and all parents will meet in the Parish Centre at 6:30pm. It is essential if your child is celebrating their Sacrament of Reconciliation that you attend this information session as you will receive vital information about your child’s preparation including your assigned family group.

Upcoming RE Celebrations……..
Week 1
Thursday 18 October- Reconciliation Parent Leaders @6pm and Parent Information Night @6:30pm
Week 2
Monday 22 October- 3/4 Green and Red Prayer Assembly @2:30 on Service
Wednesday 24 October- Year 6 Mission Mass
Friday 26 October- Farmers Fundraiser
Week 3
Thursday 1 November- All Saints Day Mass @ 9:30am

Children's Week

Next week is Children's Week. The ELC will be hosting a community picnic on Friday 26 October at 12pm in the green belt behind the school. Teddy Bears and Peter Pan preschoolers will join us for a picnic, jumping castle and games. Holy Trinity families are welcome to join us.

Children's Week Stay and Play

Next week there will be a bumper Stay and Play, with jumping castle and morning tea. Wednesday morning from 9am-10am in the ELC Playground Pre-preschoolers and their parents, grandparents and carers all very welcome. 

Fire Visit

This term the preschoolers are inquirying into communities working together to support and help one another. The Philip Fire station visited the preschoolers on Tuesday as a provocation into this unit. (photo below)

At the end of last Term, the government announced changes to school funding.  Below is a  summary of this announcement outlining that Catholic education supports the Morrison government’s changes.  These changes  recognise the needs of families in Catholic schools and goes some way to ensuring parents in the Archdiocese can continue to choose an affordable Catholic education for their children.

The needs of families who choose a Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn have been recognised by changes to school funding announced by the Morrison Government.
Catholic Education Director Ross Fox welcomed the announcement by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Education Minister Dan Tehan to provide additional funding to the 14,000 students in the 29 Catholic schools across the ACT and NSW.
“I thank Minister Tehan and Prime Minister Morrison for listening to the concerns of Catholic educators, for understanding the impact the old model would have in driving up fees and for acting to ensure Catholic schools can remain affordable for families,” Mr Fox said.
“I note the particular advocacy in the Coalition Government of Senator Zed Seselja for fair funding for nongovernment schools in the ACT.
“The funding arrangements announced last year by the Turnbull Government threatened the future of Catholic schools, in particular in the ACT and regional areas. This additional needs-based funding will assist Catholic schools to remain affordable for families.
“Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn will need continuing access to the choice and affordability fund announced by the Government to ensure families have a real choice of affordable nongovernment schools. Decisions on the allocation of these funds are yet to be made.
“I welcome the commitment that the share of these funds to Catholic schools will support the diverse needs of Canberra communities.
“Importantly, the government has committed to a review of the funding arrangements that will examine the fee expectations in all non-government schools to ensure affordable choice. This will also be an important initiative to meet the needs of students at Catholic schools in the Archdiocese and we look forward to collaborating with government to ensure an equitable outcome for our families.
“More accurate measures of need will deliver additional funding and close some of the funding gap facing our Catholic schools compared to the funding policy announced last year.
“This announcement addresses flaws in the way the funding model identifies the needs of Catholic school parents. 

Summary of the package of new measures

The flawed socio-economic status (SES) methodology that mischaracterised the needs of ACT Catholic schools will be phased out as a determinant of funding. Commonwealth funding for non-government schools will instead be linked to matched parental income data beginning from 2020. The new private income tax (PIT) measure of SES will use government data collections to base school characteristics on the actual families in schools rather than the suburbs in which they live.

Over the next ten years:

• An additional $3.2 billion will be allocated to non-government schools identified as needing the most help from 2020 to 2029. (including an additional $220 million for Catholic schools in the ACT and $1.1 billion for Catholic schools in NSW)
• An additional $170.8 million will be provided to non-government schools in 2019 to give funding certainty.
• A further $1.2 billion will be provided in the form of a school choice and accessibility fund. This fund will assist Catholic schools address affordability for families.

Equitable access to this school choice and accessibility fund will be critical to ensuring that the unique challenges facing Catholic schools in the ACT can be addressed. Decisions on access to this fund are yet to be made. It will be important in coming days and weeks to ensure distribution of this fund adequately considers the diverse and unique needs of ACT Catholic schools in order to keep downward pressure on fees.

Unfortunately, the changes are being incorrectly reported in the media as an increase in funding for non-government schools at the expense of the public education system. These changes simply provide a partial reversal to the funding cuts introduced by the Turnbull government in 2017.  The public education system is not impacted by these changes because they were not adversely impacted under the model changes and continue to enjoy per student increases per year in excess of 6%. Government schools are fully funded by government and the incomes of government school parents are not assessed for funding purposes.

The government has committed to a review of the funding arrangements that will examine the fee expectations in all non-government schools to ensure affordable choice. This will be important in the long term to meet the needs of students at Catholic schools in the Archdiocese and CE will continue to work with government to ensure an equitable outcome.

2018 Student Residential Address Data Collection

All schools are required by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training (AGDET) to provide 2018 student residential address data collection. CE will compile the information on behalf of the schools. Please click here to access the notice sent by AGDET. 

Congratulations to Mrs Brigitta Van Deas, who had a beautiful baby boy, Niek, on the 8th of October. As Brigitta is on maternity leave this term, we welcome Tracey Hanlon who will be working in a few of our classrooms and thank Trina Twyford, who is teaching Kindergarten Red full-time for the remainder of the year. Kristy Everding will continue full-time as Religious Education Coordinator for this term. 

Congratulations also to the Mutholam Family (Lianna, Kinder) who had another beautiful daughter recently.

Please keep in your prayers the Shiner family (James Year 3/4W), as Felicity's mother recently passed away. 

Catholic Schools Netball Carnival

Draws, maps and rules have all been sent out via Szapp. There is a manager and umpire briefing at 8:10am at the pavilion. The welcome and prayer will start at 8:30am. The first games will begin at 8:40am. Weather is looking warm for the carnival with a chance of a rain in the afternoon. Please ensure your child has a drink bottle, sunblock and enough food for the day. An umbrella would be encouraged in case there is rain. There will be food and coffee stalls so bring some cash if you would like to purchase some food or drinks. All participants are expected to wear their sports uniform and school hat. Good luck to all students who are participating, it is always a fun filled event.  

Bike Program

Years 3/4 commenced their bike lessons this week. There will be an additional lesson on Wednesday in week 5. Students are encouraged to bring their own bikes for the lessons. The lessons focus on bike maintenance and essential skills to stay safe on the bike paths.

Ride Safe to School Week 29 October- 2 November

During Week 3 our school will participate in the Ride Safe to School Week. This is a government initiative to encourage children to get active by riding and walking to school. Students are encouraged to lock their bikes in racks provided. All bikes that do not have a lock will be locked in the cage during the day.

Thank you to those parents who attended the ICT Parent evening in Week 10 last term and those who sent emails that they were unable to join us. The discussion we had about ICT at Holy Trinity was very informative and robust. We discussed the BYOD program, security, how teachers use technology in the classroom and future plans for ICT at Holy Trinity. I am aware that many parents discuss how their children interact with technology at our school, however it was disappointing with the number of parents that attended this meeting. I appreciate how busy you are and understand that you value what we do, however we would like to see more parents who have questions or concerns attend these meetings. This is especially important, as we had parents commenting about the BYOD program and use of technology at school in our Annual Survey.  Many of these questions were discussed at this night.  I have attached handouts and a security presentation from the Catholic Education Office for those parents who could not attend.

2018 BYOD Launch - The FACTS and the FAQs.pdf

Essential Apps 2018.pdf

ICT Security and Tech Support.pdf

       TERM 4, WEEK 2 - WED 24 OCT

Team Leader: Jopseph Barbatano, Joe Pratezina, Ben Poslek Valerio Galeotti, Rob Chicco

St Thomas the Apostle School and Parish Fete – STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics.)

Proudly Brought to you by CQ Electrical & MEJ

37-39 Boddington Circuit, KAMBAH ACT 2902

Saturday 10th November 2018 - 10am - 2:30pm

There will be Show Bags, Cakes, Trash 'n' Treasure, Crafts, Plants, Tombola.

Dodgem Cars, Sizzler Supa Cha Cha, Competitions, prizes, great food & much more.

There is lots to see, do & buy.

Term 4 Week 1

Lower:

Leo likes counting toes. How many people does he need before he can count 50 different toes?

Middle:

Mr Feerick has three dogs of different ages. If he adds their ages together he gets 15. If he multiplies their ages together he gets 45. How old are Mr Feerick's dogs?

Upper:

Mr Sloane needs to row his pet ferret, pet rabbit and a bale of hay across to the island where he lives. The problem is that he can handle only one thing at a time. If he leaves the ferret with the rabbit, the ferret will kill the rabbit. If he leaves the rabbit with the hay, the rabbit will eat the hay. This will cause a problem on either side of the water. Can he successfully get the ferret, rabbit and hay across to her island without losing anything?