KEITH AREA SCHOOL

KEITH AREA SCHOOL

Tolmer Tce Keith SA 5267 P: 08 8755 1177 ACHIEVE - COURAGE - COOPERATE - RESPECT

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

No. 1 of Term 2, 16th May 2017

Volunteers

Diary dates

At Keith Area School we love to welcome volunteers to help out in a range of ways. There are many ways volunteers help us. Some include:

Term 2, 2017

         

Listening to reading Transporting students to events Helping on camps and excursions Being on a committee e.g. Ag Committee, Parents and Friends, Finance Committee, Facilities Committee, Canteen Committee Helping make cakes, props etc. Helping in the library or reading room to manage books and resources Helping to cover books Preparing food and serving in the canteen Helping out with Breakfast Club Mentoring students

I want to say a BIG Thank You to all our volunteers for their generosity, time and selflessness in supporting our students and school. We have our own celebration planned to thank our wonderful volunteers. Stay tuned.

May  18h May Open Day  23rd Yr 8 Immunisations  24th May Year 8 –12 assembly at 2:15pm  26th May Year F—7 assembly at 9:0am  29th May Pupil Free Day  31st May Oakbank cross country June  2nd—5th June Year 12 Drama production at 7pm  6th June Uni expo at Keith  6th June Uni Parent info session  12th June Public holiday  20th June F—12 Assembly at 2:15pm  26th—30th June Year 10 Career Camp  26th—30th June Year 11 exams July  3rd—7th July Year 10/11 work experience  3rd—7th July Year 11/12 exams  6th July USE year 8—10 mixed netball  7th July L:ast day of term Early Dismissal

Junior Primary We can’t emphasise enough the importance of a strong start to school and how the early years (F-2) set up the foundation for success in the remaining school years. These early years are maximised by good school/home relationships and routines. Regular practice of reading and site words is crucial to developing those foundational literacy skills. Well done to the many families who are making this a priority at home and providing that 1:1 time with their child. We can see clear differences in outcomes for students where this support from home is regular and routine. Keep persevering with the home support and know that you’re making a difference. At school, we use a range of strategies and learning experiences to develop reading, one of these includes utilising volunteers to listen to children as often as possible. Some of our learners are vulnerable and at risk, and thus, daily reading at school with a volunteer can make the world of difference. Unfortunately, we’re struggling with volunteer numbers in our JP area to listen to reading or generally be a helper in the class. From across the 3 JP classes there are around 4 regular volunteers (mainly in the Foundation class). Please consider volunteering, we’d love more mum’s, dad’s, grandparents, neighbours or anyone with some spare time and desire to help out to volunteer. To get started please visit our front office or speak to our Volunteer Liaison, Cathy Dix. SAPSASA Athletics Well done to the following students for being selected to represent the Upper South East in the Athletics Carnival in Adelaide in September. Well done to all for trying their best and the best of luck to those off to represent our school and district. Zanna Spence - discus, Jozie Wendlebourne – relay, Oskah Stanfield – high jump/long jump/ shot put, Tillee Jones – 100m relay, Sophie Makin – high jump/discus, Meg McAuley – 800m, Ethan Wood – shot put, Ethan Rushbrook – 100m relay/200m, Jack McAuley – 800m, Melanie Makin – relay.

FEEDBACK At Keith Area School we value the input that we receive from parents and community members. If you would like to provide the school with some feedback there are many ways that you can get in touch with us. In person, speaking to a teacher, leader or another staff member. You can also provide us feedback in writing via a letter or email to [email protected].

Ava Bunnett did a project and made a replica of the Coonalpyn Silos. This is currently on display in our Front office.

From the Principal FROM THE PRINCIPAL continued….. 2017 Public Education Awards Nominations are open for the 2017 Public Education Awards which aim to recognise the achievements of teachers, leaders and support staff across our site and system. Some of the award categories include: Teachers Health – Leadership – principals, preschool directors, deputy principals and manager-level roles in regional and corporate offices Secondary Teacher of the Year – secondary level teachers (years 8 to 12) Credit Union SA – Primary Teacher of the Year – primary level teachers (years R to 7) Early Years Teacher of the Year – early childhood educators (birth to 8 years) School and Preschool Support – support staff in any school, preschool or early childhood centre Community Engagement – any employee, including teams and individuals Innovation in Practice – any employee, including teams and individuals Public Educations Award nominations close on Wednesday 31st May and can be made via www.decd.sa.gov/awards. Nominees will receive a certificate and an invitation to apply for an overall award.

Take Care,

Tobias O’Connor Principal

Our Amazing Library Mural by Julia Davis

Finance News—Budget Highlights for 2017

GENERAL EXPENDITURE Our 2017 Budget includes carry forward balances for special groups, and funding for projects including: Carry forward balances: SRC – Secondary SRC – Primary BIL/ACE Student Cinema Ag/Farm Committee Projects include: Ag Shed (carry forward amount) New Play/Climbing Structure Continue painting exterior of school Student Driven Projects Professional Development IPads and Storage cage STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths)

From the Deputy Principal

Pastoral Care Worker—Matt Jaeschke Hi everyone, Matt the Pastoral Care Worker here. It’s good to be back after the holidays and start getting into the routine of school again. It is great to have my days filled with chats with our students, staff, parents and community members. One on one and group catch ups with students who have sought support for various reasons. Programs, Lunch Clubs and Brekky Club are also some of the highlights of my weeks. I am at school every day of the week due to also having the IT manager role this year. If you would like to contact me call the school and ask to speak to me or send me an email at [email protected] I’d like to thank everyone who provided some feedback last term through my review process, this has been helpful for me and will shape how I approach my role.

Wellbeing Wednesday Is all about getting students involved in doing something a little different at recess or lunch. This has commonly been doing things like just dance, colouring in, twister, playdough, Duplo and other activities in the Hall. In week two we had a wellbeing Wednesday outside where there was the face painting, skipping, music and ball games. Many great and some scary faces were painted onto students and everyone looked like they were having lots of fun.

Computing Club The brand new Keith Area School IT Club has started this term. This is a lunchtime club that invites students in year 6 -12 who are interested in computers and technology to come along and learn about computers. Together the students have made a list of some of the things they’d like to do. Last week we pulled apart an old computer and learnt how to identify the different parts and what they do.

Breakfast club Help wanted! If you are free Thursday mornings please consider giving some of your time to help run the breakfast club. On the day we make toast for anyone who wants some, it is a lot of fun. We are still looking for a few more people to help out. Each week we start at 8AM and are finished by 9:30AM.

News from our Sub School Leaders

Year 6/7s learning about ANZAC Day In term 1 Mr. Wade’s 6/7 class went to the local RSL branch and heard from living legend and war veteran, Frank Mugg. Frank is a World War 2 veteran and provided the students with some great stories, interesting artifacts and some insight into Australia’s military history. Following this the students worked on a variety of World War 1 and 2 visual displays to present on ANZAC Day. During the school holidays Emilee Stone, Bella Fiebig, Henry Ryan, Bianca McLeavey, Max Kamp and Tane Donaldson presented the work at the Keith ANZAC Day breakfast. The students read a poem, presented a diorama depicting a war scene and also some posters showing off the work they had done. They did themselves, their school and community proud on the day. The students would also like to thank Frank Mugg for giving up his time to speak to them and Laurence Oliver and the RSL club for making it all happen.

Students spoke at the community Breakfast on ANZAC Day.

Mr Frank Mugg Bella, Max, Henry, Tane and Emilee with their work.

The Year 3/4 class celebrated Mothers Day

Indonesian with Ashleigh Davis

Year 6/7’s have been busy translating and writing pen pal letters to students at Naracoorte Primary School

The Indo Club has been working hard to create a bilingual friendly school, with some signs around the place.

The Year 2/3 class has been telling folktale stories using shadow puppets.

Our primary classes have been making up some funny stories and retelling these in Indonesian.

Students

Community News

Students

Community News

Students

Raising a Child To Have Empathy The ability to display empathy – that is, feeling, understanding and sharing each other’s emotions – is a very noble personality trait. Quite frankly, a personality trait that this world needs much more of. Desperately… just take a look around. The only way that we’re going to effectively promote the ability to empathize, for future generations, is to teach children to do likewise. To accomplish this, we – as mature adults – must be willing to take on the responsibility. Of course, much of this responsibility rests on the shoulders of the most influential people in a child’s life: the parent(s). But, children are immature (albeit, some more than others). It’s just the nature of being a child, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Taking this into consideration, instilling a value, trait, characteristic, etc., can be a difficult task.

More specifically, the child may be less willing to share emotions after being interacted with in such a way. Instead, just acknowledge the child’s feelings and keep the door of communication open. Emphasize and practice gratitude The ability to express gratitude is a common trait among happy people. In a study conducted by Dr. Robert Emmons, researcher at the University of California-Davis, expression of gratitude increases happiness levels by about 25 percent. Parents can teach and encourage gratitude in their children by simply displaying it themselves; or, asking a child to think about the good things in their life. Simply asking a child what their favorite part of the day way can build the foundation for a life of gratitude.

Teaching empathy is no different in this respect. As parents, it is important to understand that empathy is also an essential social skill. A skill that builds relationships, strengthens communities, and simply be more caring and kind people. There ARE many ways that we can teach our children this valuable social skill. In fact, here are 10: Don’t suppress the child’s emotions Parents often attempt to suppress children’s emotions, saying things like “Stop yelling,” “Don’t cry,” “Be a big boy/girl,” etc. This is actually a natural tendency, as parents do not like seeing their children hurt or in pain. However, this can actually stunt a child’s emotional development.

Provide opportunities to practice empathy One great thing about children is they love to be of help to others. It makes them feel good. This is why it is very important at this stage to provide opportunities for them to do just that. Think: donating something (e.g. money, food, time) to people in need. Behavioral and developmental practitioners state that a child’s desire to help others is innate, and revolves around three main points. First, in the beginning, helping others helps the child get what they want. Second, helping others gets them praise. Finally, the ability to anticipate the needs of others develops; as it does, helping others becomes its own reward.

Allow the child to see you vulnerable Shared experiences among fellow humans is a very powerful thing, and children are no different in this respect. When they witness their parent’s willingness to share their own vulnerabilities, it helps to develop a sense of stability and normalcy within the child. This display of vulnerability can be as simple as apologizing to a child when you’ve made a mistake. Give names for feelings The development of emotional intelligence is vital to one’s success later on in life. During childhood, this skill can be developed by naming feelings that the child is having. For example, if the child is having difficulty with homework, share something like: “I know. When I can’t figure something out, I get frustrated too. You may be getting frustrated. Do you want some help?” All feelings – embarrassment, fear, shame, sadness, joy, jealously, etc., – can be named the same way. Non-judgmentally acknowledge emotions One prominent child psychologist put it this way: “Acknowledging isn’t condoning our child’s actions; it’s validating the feelings behind them.” In other words, while we may see the behavior as silly, the child is only acting on their emotions. As such, acknowledging emotions evokes a sense of communication, safety, and belonging in the relationship. Remember, childhood is a developmental phase. It’s perfectly okay to acknowledge emotions (e.g. “I understand your angry/frustrated/ hurt because…) since we just don’t any better, really, at that age.

From Wellbeing team

Raising a Child To Have Empathy (Cont) Ask about feelings hypothetically There are many times parents will observe a heightened emotional situation. We’re able to – at least to some degree – process what’s going on and maybe even the reason behind it. Children don’t have that capability. As such, it can be valuable to simply interact with a child about the situation (“How do you think he/she feels?,” “Why do you think that?”) This teaches children the importance of rationally evaluating and interpreting emotions.

Display empathy towards others Children learn by what they see and hear… it’s that simple. If parents are caring and empathetic, even to people they don’t know, the child will likely learn to do the same. Conversely, if parents are cold and repelling to people they don’t know (maybe even to do those they do), the child will likely learn that lesson, unfortunately.

See the world through the child’s eyes Children must feel safe when expressing their emotions in order for them to feel loved and welcomed. Parents, understandably so, often praise positive Discuss other people’s feelings emotions (e.g. joy, laughter) and criticize Kind of a no-brainer here, right? Children negative emotions (e.g. crying, screaming). often have difficulty understanding the However, this is not always the best way to rationale behind why someone feels the way go about it. that they do. Sadly, there are a multitude of adults that have the exact same problem. Hence, the importance of having dialogue with children about the “why behind the what” when it comes to emotions.

We, too, were children once. We undoubtedly acted impulsively and “irrationally.” But, childhood is a phase of life that we adults often forget about.

Try seeing the world through a young child’s eyes instead of your own, as difficult as that can be at times. Article from www.powerofpositivity.com

Can you Help? Do you or anyone you know, have any pre-loved Lego or Duplo that you would be willing to donate to the school? We are looking to start a lunchtime ‘Lego Club’ asap and need a big box of Lego to cater for a large number of creative builders! Donations can be left in the ‘big box’ in the front office. Many thanks. Sally Lush (Wellbeing Coordinator)

Youth Mental Health First Aid Course We are always looking for ways to support our young people, especially when it comes to their health & wellbeing. Would you like to join a group of teachers and support staff and do the Youth Mental Health First Aid Course? This course teaches adults how to assist adolescents who are experiencing a mental health crisis or developing a mental health problem. A new course is being offered from Wednesday 31 st May (48pm) and continues on 14/6, 21/6 and 5/7. $165 includes manual. Please contact Sally Lush at school or Joan Oldfield (Course Instructor) [email protected] if you would like some more information.