RPS Chatter September 2023

And just like that……. Term 3 is nearly done and dusted!  It’s been a long, cold term, and I think everyone is ready for some warmer weather and a rest to re-charge the batteries!  For a quiet term, it’s been quite busy; camps, excursions, student free days, student conferences, 100 days of foundation, lots of learning.  Still to come we have planning week, Pizza Day and then we finish the term with RUOK & Footy colours day!  Students will be dismissed from their learning spaces at 2pm.

Today I met with the architects who will possibly tender for the chance to be the design team of our future build.  After a term of waiting, the ball is finally starting to roll…. very slowly, but it’s a start.  They all seemed very friendly and interested, so we will see what happens.  The next step is for a panel to decide on the preferred company.  I will be part of that panel together with two members of the Victorian School Building Association (VSBA), and a member from Regional Office to determine the successful candidate.  We will be meeting during the school holidays and again early October with an aim of deciding by the start of November (ish).  After that point I will hopefully have more information to share.

Speaking of the future, our 2024 school plans are well and truly on the way.  If you or anyone you know has not submitted their 2024 Foundation enrolment form, could you please do so as a matter of urgency.  We need to make sure we have the correct number of teachers and classes for the beginning of the 2024 school year.  Likewise, if you are choosing to attend a different primary school in 2024, please make sure you have informed Jake in the office as soon as possible.

Finally, I’m the sort of person that believes what was good enough yesterday is not good enough for tomorrow.  I am always trying to get better at what I do….as a person, a parent, a parent, a principal….it doesn’t always work, but at least I’m trying.  In saying that, I would like to introduce you to Dr Laurence Steinberg and his work around what he deems as being the most important things all parents should know:

• What you do matters:  It’s true, your children are watching everything you do (and sometimes sharing your behaviour with fellow students and staff during show and tell or casual conversations…(oh the stories I could share).  Try not to act impulsively.  Think about whether or not the behaviours you are displaying are what you want your child to do.
• You cannot be too loved:  Love will not spoil your child…..You will if you give them “stuff” (like leniency, lowered expectations, material possessions, making excuses for them) in place of love.
• Be involved in your child’s life:  This takes time and is hard work (and means rearranging your priorities and making sacrifices).  It is about being there both mentally and physically.
• Adapt your parenting to fit your child:  Keep pace with your child’s development…it is not a race to get them to adulthood (they’ll reach that soon enough).  Consider how their age is affecting their behaviour and make sure they are getting enough sleep.
• Establish and set rules:  If you don’t set the boundaries when they are young, you are going to have an even harder time when they become teenagers and need to manage themselves.  Dr Steinberg suggests that “at any time of the day or night, a parent should always be able to answer these three questions:  Where is my child?  Who is my child with?  What is my child doing?”
• Foster your child’s independence:  Setting limits helps your child develop a sense of self-control.  Encouraging independence helps develop a sense of self-direction….to be successful in life we need both!
• Be consistent:  Many of us have problems being consistent when it comes to parenting.  When we are not consistent, our children get confused and their misbehaviour is more about us than it is about them.
• Avoid harsh discipline:  Quite simply, there are many other ways to discipline children, including “time out”, which works and does not involve aggression.
• Explain your rules and decisions:  All parents I know have high expectations they want their child to live up to….but sometimes we over explain to younger children and under explain to adolescents.  What is obvious to us, may not be evident to a 12-year-old (even though we may assume that they are more mature).  They just don’t have the priorities, judgement or life experience we have.
• Treat your child with respect:  You should give your child the same courtesies you would give you anyone else.  Speak to them politely and respect their opinion.  Be an attentive listener and display them the same manners you expect to see from them.  Predominantly, children will treat others the way their parents treat them.  The relationship we have with our children is the foundation for their relationships with others.

To be honest, with a teenager I’m currently struggling with number 4, and 9…. because what would I know, I’m old and don’t understand!! I’m sure it gets easier at some point.  If you know when this point is, can you please let me know.  On the other hand, if you can already do these things perfectly, I’m jealous!

That’s all from me this week.

Stay safe.  Stay healthy.  Stay happy and remember to be kind to yourself and others.

Megan 😊

 

Art Compitition

Our students really blew us away with their amazing artwork in our recent art competition! It was exciting to see all of the creativity and talent on display. We’re thrilled to share some of the entries with you, and we hope you enjoy them just as much as we did!

Coming up on Friday 15th September (the last day of term), is RUOK Day. Students are encouraged to wear yellow or something that makes them feel safe and comfortable. RUOK Day is also doubling down with Footy Day, so feel free to dress up in your favourite footy colours if you prefer. Make sure you bring a gold coin donation because all profits will go to the Fight Cancer Foundation and the Kids Help Line. We have started a fundraiser page for these charities see links below.

 

Footy Colours Fundraiser: https://www.footycoloursday.com.au/fundraisers/richmondps/footy-colours-day-2023-school

Kid’s Help Line: https://hostyourown.fundraise.kidshelpline.com.au/page/RichmondPrimarySchool 

Foundation:

• Teddy R – For trying his best this week in Literacy when learning about procedure writing. Well done Teddy!
• Alfie T – Congratulations to Alfie for trying really hard in his reading and for being a fun friend.

 

Year 1/2:

 

• Dee A – For displaying a growth mindset in Maths. Even when things get challenging, you persist and never give up. Go Dee!
• Leo P – For your positive attitude and open mind. Your commitment to our open ended maths tasks this week was outstanding. Never stop smiling Leo, well done!

 

Year 3/4:

 

• Gwen W – For her fantastic positive attitude during Grade 3/4 Camp. Well Done for giving everything a crack Gwenny!
• Emily P – For the excellent effort she’s put into becoming a more fluent reader. Love your work Em!
• Maddy H – For the great focus shown in our visualizing task in Reading. You provided wonderful descriptions, Maddy.
• Sana S – For giving all your learning tasks 100% effort and always being kind and respectful to your peers and teachers. You are a Superstar Sana.
• Sadie B – For the wonderful description you gave in your visualizing task in Reading, and for always coming to school ready to learn. You are a Superstar Sadie!
• Harper H – Being all your hard work this year and the maturity you bring to the classroom. You embrace challenges and new experiences, but also know when its time to balance this with fun and silliness.
• Frankie C – Your determination and growth mindset in Maths, particularly in Algebra recently, is a great example for the class to follow. All your hard work is paying off!
• Naimara N – For consistently displaying focus towards al learning tasks and using a growth mindset. Amazing work!
• Neve E – For taking on feedback with your writing and producing excellent writing pieces.

 

 

 

At first, I thought my chiropractor wasn’t any good, but now I stand corrected.

 

 

Please see the below list of activities that you can enrol your child into for Term 4:

Drama lessons: Thursdays, Lunch Time

Music Lessons: Individual Bookings

Tennis Lessons:  Wednesdays & Thursdays, 8:10AM – 8:50AM

Dance Lessons: Wednesday’s, Lunch Time

Chess Club: Fridays, 8:00AM – 8:50AM

If you are interested in any of the above activities for your child, please see the links below for further information.

• Drama Lessons
• Music lessons
• Tennis Lessons
• Dance Class
• Chess Club