PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
Dear Parents and Friends
The countdown is on now and Christmas is in the air! I hope you and your families are starting to feel the excitement (and not the stress!).
Just a reminder that if you believe you have knowledge pertinent to the placement of your child in 2016, directly relating to education, behavioural or social issues, that class teachers may not be aware of and that may impact on their class placement, please put this in writing and address it to me for consideration. As always, please note that requests concerning specific teachers are not invited. Please have these to me by Monday 30th November.
Also, if there are any families who are moving and leaving Mentone Park in 2016, please contact the office so that we can factor this into our planning. Likewise if you know of any families planning to enrol at MPPS in 2016 who have not yet done so, please encourage them to do so ASAP.
As we plan our grades for 2016, the discussion about composite classes often arises in the parent community. There is a lot of research available regarding the positive impacts of multi-age classes, but surprisingly every year we have parents express concern about them. I recently attended a seminar by Dr John Hattie, who is a "guru" in terms of what works in educating children, and he commented that in most classes - straight or not - there is generally 7 years of difference in the learning achievement levels of students. Our approach to teaching and learning, through workshops, open-ended activities, small group and inquiry learning, means that students are working at the relevant level for their needs. Regardless of the age of children in the classroom, learning occurs as a sequential set of skills and knowledge that develop at different times for children. As an example, think about the age at which your children walked and talked - they did not all do it at the same time, as determined by their age. Learning English and Maths, and all the other things we learn at school, is no different - it is not determined by age alone.
Please note that the first day of school in 2016 is Friday 29th January
The countdown is on now and Christmas is in the air! I hope you and your families are starting to feel the excitement (and not the stress!).
Just a reminder that if you believe you have knowledge pertinent to the placement of your child in 2016, directly relating to education, behavioural or social issues, that class teachers may not be aware of and that may impact on their class placement, please put this in writing and address it to me for consideration. As always, please note that requests concerning specific teachers are not invited. Please have these to me by Monday 30th November.
Also, if there are any families who are moving and leaving Mentone Park in 2016, please contact the office so that we can factor this into our planning. Likewise if you know of any families planning to enrol at MPPS in 2016 who have not yet done so, please encourage them to do so ASAP.
As we plan our grades for 2016, the discussion about composite classes often arises in the parent community. There is a lot of research available regarding the positive impacts of multi-age classes, but surprisingly every year we have parents express concern about them. I recently attended a seminar by Dr John Hattie, who is a "guru" in terms of what works in educating children, and he commented that in most classes - straight or not - there is generally 7 years of difference in the learning achievement levels of students. Our approach to teaching and learning, through workshops, open-ended activities, small group and inquiry learning, means that students are working at the relevant level for their needs. Regardless of the age of children in the classroom, learning occurs as a sequential set of skills and knowledge that develop at different times for children. As an example, think about the age at which your children walked and talked - they did not all do it at the same time, as determined by their age. Learning English and Maths, and all the other things we learn at school, is no different - it is not determined by age alone.
Please note that the first day of school in 2016 is Friday 29th January
PFA
On Thursday we held our final PFA meeting for 2015 at Seed Cafe in Mordialloc. It was wonderful to see some new faces at the meeting. Thank you to everyone who has supported PFA this year, and especially to Wendy Davis who has been terrific in her role as PFA President and Fundraising Coordinator.
The Prep 2016 children attended for our annual Tabloid Sports day today as well. Unfortunately the weather was not ideal, but we made the most of it and held it inside. Our wonderful grade 5s were terrific support for the day, explaining activities and supporting our new students in their transition to school. Everyone enjoyed a sausage sizzle and icy pole at the end of the activities. Thank you to the following parents and grandparents who came along to help with the lunch:
Kendra Parker
The Prep 2016 children attended for our annual Tabloid Sports day today as well. Unfortunately the weather was not ideal, but we made the most of it and held it inside. Our wonderful grade 5s were terrific support for the day, explaining activities and supporting our new students in their transition to school. Everyone enjoyed a sausage sizzle and icy pole at the end of the activities. Thank you to the following parents and grandparents who came along to help with the lunch:
- Wendy Davis
- Jodi O’Sullivan
- Eve Kelly
- Milica Racunica
- Vicki Limnios
- Peter Dixon
- Sue Curtis
- Stacey Buchanan
2016 Reminder: Tea & Tissues – Please put a note in your diary/calendar to bring a plate of food to welcome our new 2016 families on Day 1 (Friday 29th January) whilst they enjoy a cup of tea/coffee after leaving their prep child for the first time. Any helpers for this morning would also be appreciated.
Kendra Parker
PRINCIPAL
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL'S REPORT
Emotional Intelligence
When it comes to happiness and success in life, emotional intelligence (EQ) matters just as much as intellectual ability (IQ). Emotional intelligence helps you build stronger relationships, succeed at school or work, and achieve your academic, career and personal goals.What is Emotional Intelligence?
Emotional intelligence is the ability to identify, use, understand, and manage emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathise with others, overcome challenges, and defuse conflict. Emotional intelligence impacts many different aspects of your daily life, such as the way you behave and the way you interact with others.If you have high emotional intelligence you are able to recognise your own emotional state and the emotional states of others, and engage with people in a way that draws them to you. You can use this understanding of emotions to relate better to other people, form healthier relationships, achieve greater success and lead a more fulfilling life.
Emotional intelligence consists of 4 attributes:
- Self-awareness – You recognise your own emotions and how they affect your thoughts and behavior, know your strengths and weaknesses, and have self-confidence.
- Self-management (self-control & self-regulation) – You’re able to control impulsive feelings and behaviors, manage your emotions in healthy ways, take initiative, follow through on commitments, and adapt to changing circumstances.
- Social awareness/empathy – You can understand the emotions, needs, and concerns of other people, pick up on emotional cues, feel comfortable socially, and recognise the power dynamics in a group or organisation.
- Relationship management (social skills) – You know how to develop and maintain good relationships, communicate clearly, inspire and influence others, work well in a team, and manage conflict.
Why is emotional intelligence so important?
Making social skilling (which entails the understanding and control of behaviour) a key focus of home and school life can only assist every other area of a child’s development. It takes time to develop these skills and children learn them mainly through small but important lessons over many years. If we want our children of good character, we must immerse them in schools, homes and communities where the lessons about emotions and behaviour are repeated many times.The important understandings that come with emotional intelligence will keep our children safe in times of crisis, conflict, confusion and pain. They will kick in to guide our children’s actions, words and thoughts in a way that is considerate of themselves and others. The more closely teachers, parents and communities work together on the development of emotional intelligence in our children, the better will be the results.
"Let us raise children to be considerate of themselves, others and the world in which they live, with sound reasons for the things they say and do... from all this, all else will follow" Wilson McCaskill, 2002
To read more about how you can nurture the development of emotional intelligence, here are some useful resources:
Children aren’t made of china (bringing teachers and parents together in the pursuit of emotional intelligence, considerate behaviour and a lasting sense of wellbeing) – Book by Wilson McCaskill 2002
Emotional Intelligence Website
Wilson McCaskill Website
ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Congratulations to our students who received certificates celebrating academic achievements over the last two weeks! Well done and keep up the great work!
Alison Lough
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL
DET EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ADVICE
There were some tragic events which occurred last week in Paris and other parts of the world that your children may have seen or heard about through the media or through others’ conversations. Children often worry and know more than we realise. Adults may assume that children are doing okay if they don’t talk or ask questions about what has happened. Sometimes they have questions they may not ask unless we provide the opportunity. The Department of Education and Training offer the following advice for parents:
Advice for Parents
• It is wise for you to monitor your child’s exposure to television coverage, print media and social media.
• Some children and young people will want to talk about the tragic events and try to make sense of what they have both seen and heard.
• Other children will avoid any discussion around the events and will be reassured by routine and normality.
• Remember the importance of routine, sleep, exercise and healthy eating.
There is a range of things you can do to assist your child during events such as this, including:
• Acknowledge that the event was distressing
• Reassure children that they are safe
• Look for signs of distress (e.g. some children/young people might be scared)
• Normalise responses - typical response will range from anger to general upset or sadness
• Maintain a normal routine - keeping the structure at home or at school in place
• Allow children to express feelings as they arise
• Telling stories about how people manage during difficult times can be helpful.
• Separate fact from fiction e.g. children may express fears about unrelated events.
• Plan relaxing activities before bed – talk your child through a gentle relaxation, this might include using soothing music and talking them through relaxing tension in their body or simply reading something to them that induces relaxation (i.e. a favourite book).
• Speak in hopeful terms – children and young people will often take their cues from their parents' reactions; if you are honest, calm, compassionate and open they will be much more able to trust that they will be okay.
• Always remember the value of doing something with children that they like to do such as playing, exercising, being outdoors - have a time during your day to share time with your child.
DISCO
MARINE AMBASSADORS 2016
Congratulations to our 2016 Marine Ambassadors!
Hayley, Abbey P, Fiona M, Amy L and Declan have been
selected to represent our school as Marine Ambassadors next year. Their
learning begins next Wednesday with their first workshop - the Dolphin Swim! We
look forward to hearing all about it.
DIXON HOUSE CHRISTMAS DONATIONS
Every year we collect gifts at Christmas time for families and children. We are now collecting new
toys for the children and food items for families. (Please check food items are in date) PLEASE place your donations under the Christmas tree near the office before Friday December the 11th.
Thank you for your support.
TERM 4 CALENDAR
Here is the calendar of events for this term. It will be updated fortnightly.
GRADE 6 DINNER
Dear Grade 6 Parents
On behalf of your class reps, I would like to invite you to our last class dinner get together for the year, for some of you maybe your last at MPPS.This will be a fairly relaxed and informal gathering at the new gourmet pizzeria in Highett. “MR HUMBLE”.
The year is fast rolling on and pretty soon graduation will be here. Come and reminisce the friendships and laughs of the past 7 yearsPlease join us from 7pm. We would love to have you there. (Dads of course welcome)
WHEN: Thursday 26th November
WHERE: 6 Railway Pde
Highett
TIME: 7pm
RSVPS APPRECIATED: To Cheryl Nancarrow (Aaron 6W)
ellisoncheryl@hotmail.com or 0421 499 356.
SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB
Jenny O.
It's hard to believe that we are almost at the end of Term 4 and we only have two more cooking weeks left for the year! The roster for the remainder of the term is:
November
27th – Prep to 2
December
4th – Grades 3 – 6
11th – clean up – all welcome (no lunch orders this week)
We will be open on Friday 11th December, Sports Day, for over the counter sales of frozen food and drinks only. This is also a clean up day so please feel free to drop in and lend a hand!
A massive thank you to everyone who has helped out in the cafe` this year but a special thanks goes to the volunteers who turn up every week, whether it's on a Friday or one of the other days. We have had a fantastic team this year and we couldn't run without your help.
Finally, we hope you all enjoy the festive season and the summer break ahead and look forward to seeing you all next year.
Many thanks
The Kids' Café Team
OSCH
This week at before & after school care we have been playing lots of group games, as well as some serious games of Monopoly & Connect 4! We have also spent some time making tents and cubbies.
The School Holiday January 2016 program is shaping up to be really exciting! Please book in as soon as you can! We will be operating from the school hall for the 4 weeks January 4-28.
We hope you have a fantastic week!
Anicca and OSHC Team
COMMUNITY SERVICE & ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Department of Education & Early Childhood Development and Mentone Park Primary School do not endorse the products or services of any private advertiser. They accept no responsibility for accuracy of information contained in advertisements or claims made by them.
