Hello Everyone!

Thank you to everyone who has come and said hello and given me a warm welcome back. I have been on maternity leave last year. My daughter Grace is turning One this coming weekend! I cannot believe how fast the last year has gone. I have two stepchildren who are currently starting in Year 6 and Year 4. Adding a One-year old to the mix, definitely keeps life interesting! Last year I had the time to visit child care centres and primary schools in preparation for my daughter’s education. I always wanted to share with everyone the wonderful things we do at RSSS. I feel so proud to be part of a school community who continues to learn and applies evidence based practice in teaching and learning and also be part of a school community who continues to strive to excel. 

Mrs Jen Bampton and myself will be sharing the Deputy role. I will be working Monday to Wednesday and Jen will be working Thursday to Friday. For any urgent matters regarding your child, please contact the office or email both myself and Jen. My email is aharv159@eq.edu.au and Ms Jen Bamptons email is jbamp4@eq.edu.au. One of us will attend to your matter as soon as possible.

We have had a fantastic start to the year, showcasing the school’s highly skilled teaching teams this week at our Meet the Teacher Online event. Thank you to everyone who was able to jump online and be a part of our online community. These events help parents gain a ‘snap-shot’ of their child’s daily routines, whilst also explaining the learning intentions for the main learning areas. Please also have a look at your child’s curriculum newsletter in the next coming weeks and talk to your child about these topics, asking your child questions to show interest. Stick it on the fridge for everyone’s perusal.

Open Classrooms

We will be hosting open classrooms in Week 4 on Thursday 20^th February afternoon at 2:45pm – 3pm for Years 1 -6. This will give parents a chance to see their child’s teacher and for their child to show their parents any learning pieces in the room. This may be as simple as your child showing you their desk and workbooks, or, it might be a specific piece of work they are proud of. Giving students agency and letting them take control, helps them to take ownership of their learning. I have been talking to some Year 2 students about this event, and they are very excited already! Conversations about your child’s specific learning will be formalised and held in the last week of term at Parent Teacher Interviews. Please look out for the booking information for this important event.

Best Beginnings

Our Prep teachers will be hosting an education session for parents in their classrooms from 4pm – 5pm on Thursday 20^th Feb. You should have already received your invitation via SZapp. For any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the school or speak to your classroom teacher directly.

This session explains to you and equips you will practical skills of how to teach the initial stages of reading. Evidence tells us that if parents are involved, then children will be given the best opportunity to become literate learners and build important Literacy foundations for their entire lives! Our teachers will also explain the homework folder in this session.

Swimming

In the last week of this term, Years 1 and 2 will be participating in swimming lessons. This will be across four days, Monday to Thursday, 31^st March – 1^st April. The cost will be approximately $40, as P and C will be subsidising a $20 amount for each student due to fundraising events. Information about swimming will be sent out shortly.

Easter Bonnet Parade

To celebrate the last day of term and all things Easter, the bonnet parade will be held in the PAC at 9:15am. Bonnets/hats are to be made at home. This is a fun and relaxed event, and we invite all parents and carers from Prep to Year 2 to help us celebrate!

Separation (anxiety) and stategies 

It is quite normal for children at some point in their lives, particular in their younger years, to develop some level of separation anxiety. If you are concerned, please speak to your teacher or one of the Deputies. Here are some general tips to support school drop offs:

• Organise a consistent time in the morning for drop offs, if possible, try and not get to school too early.
• Role play and have a consistent message that you tell your child when you say goodbye, remind them who is picking them up in the afternoon. A quick goodbye is the way to go.
• There are some picture story books that can help you with talking about these normal feelings. One that I like is called, The Invisible String,’ written by Patrice Karst. It is also narrated on YouTube. Please always watch videos before you show them to your child to ensure they are appropriate, and do not have any inappropriate pop ups or add-on images.
• Dr Golly a paediatrician in Melbourne who you may have heard about, has a practical strategy that can help some children, I have attached the clip and information here. https://honey.nine.com.au/parenting/separation-anxiety-back-to-school-hack-for-parents-dr-golly-love-heart-idea/37e12471-ed7c-4ff6-85d6-ffd1adcdc5bc
• Talk to your child about these normal feelings, and ensure that you attend to their feelings and listen to what they have to say. Starting the year in a new class can take time for all students to find their groove, so make sure you give them that chance.

Should your child have ongoing separation anxiety, please speak to a professional. This may be your GP, or your child’s GP might refer you to someone such as an Occupational Therapist. For children younger than 5, a child health nurse can also be an excellent professional to talk to. Our school has strategies and procedures in place to support students, so please talk to your Deputy or classroom teacher if you have ongoing concerns.