Week 7 is at an end. Tell me it isn’t so. We have some exceptionally busy times coming up over the next few weeks.
This week saw our staff released to continue their development in writing. 7 Steps to Writing Success coach Pina from Melbourne has worked with our staff and learners over the past two days sharing her wealth of knowledge. Our staff will continue to develop their own skills in this area as our year continues. Ask your children about Planning for Success, Sizzling Starts, Tightening Tension, Dynamic Dialogue, Show Don’t Tell, Ban the Boring and Exciting Endings. These are, of course, the Seven Steps to Writing Success.
Reports
Student mid-year reports will be handed out on Wednesday of Week 10. These should be viewed as an assessment based on the learning the students have experienced so far this year. It could quite easily differ from previous results. Our teachers put many hours of work into this process, much of it on the weekends and after school finishes.
Public School Awards
We have been very fortunate to have a number of our staff nominated for these awards. This year there has been a large increase of nominated staff. We would like to thank our wonderful community for recognising the valuable contribution the staff at St Leonards makes to your children’s lives
Uniform
The Uniform Committee will be starting the process of updating our school uniform. This process will happen over the remainder of the year and will involve extensive consultation with our parent community, staff and of course all of our learners.
We hope to have some designs ready by the end of the year and begin the roll out during 2020. We will look to phase out our existing uniforms by the end of 2021. Up until that time, both uniforms will be accepted.
Dave Henty-Smith, Principal
Jo Meredith, Deputy Principal
Kathy Baker, Inclusive Education Coordinator
Week 8
Monday
Tuesday 18 June
Week 9
Monday 24 June
Tuesday 25 June
Wednesday 26 June
Friday 28 June
Due to a family emergency, our lovely Katrina has to close the canteen for the last three weeks of Term 2.
We would like to open during recess with support from parents. This would be a limited menu offering cash sales only for packaged goods. For example chips, Moosies, fruit boxes etc.
We realise this situation is not ideal, however we are trying to offer something during this time.
We hope to open during recess on the days where we can get volunteers. Volunteers would be required from 10:20am-11:20am, All volunteers need to have an in-date DCSI screening.
Please fill in the table below if you are able to help.
We have commenced the Annual Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (‘the Collection’).
This will involve the collection of:
Under ‘the Collection’ model the definition of disability is broad and includes learning difficulties, health and mental health conditions.
If your child is identified for inclusion in’ the Collection’, the required information about your child will be included in this year’s data collection.
If you have any questions about 'the Collection' please contact Kathy Baker on 8294 9811 or via e-mail at kathy.baker287@schools.sa.edu.au
Further information about ‘the Collection’ can be found at: http://www.education.gov.au/nationally-consistent-collection-data-school-students-disability
We have created a Facebook page for sharing information that the group might find useful. We have meetings once a month at 2:00pm on a Tuesday. If you would like any information please contact me in the Wellbeing Office.
Kathy Baker, Inclusive Education Coordinator
Room 11B were scheduled to host the School Assembly, Friday Week 9. However, unfortunately there has been a timetable clash, and we will be attending an excursion. As a result we will not be able to host this Assembly. Room 8 and 6 have kindly offered to host the Assembly in place of 11B and Room 12. Room 11B and Room 12 will now be hosting their Assembly in Term 3, Week 6. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Hayley Phillips
Parmi and Pint Mens' Night in less than two weeks. Buy your tickets now!
Call 8294 9811, visit the Cash Office or order on the Qkr! app to book your tickets.
OSHC FEES
Please note, as of Monday 1st July 2019, the full fee OSHC session rates for the 2019/20 financial year will be as follows. Families eligible for Child Care Subsidy (CCS) will have entitlements applied towards these charges.
Session Full Fee
Before School Care, BSC (1hr) $15.00
After School Care, ASC (3hrs) $23.00
ASC, Early Closure 2.05pm (4hrs) $25.00
Vacation Care, In House (10.5hrs) or
Pupil Free Day, In House (10.5hrs) $47.00
Vacation Care, Visitor (10.5hrs) $52.00
Vacation Care, Excursion (10.5hrs) or
Pupil Free Day, Excursion (10.5hrs) $62.00
Recycle Tip
Household composting is an effective and simple way to help reduce landfill waste and minimise the production of harmful greenhouse gases such as methane.
Not so obvious household compostable items include teabags, tissue paper and shredded paper. Even grease soiled pizza boxes can be placed in your green lid kerbside organics bin.
OSHC Team
 |
Premier's Reading Challenge Form Download |
We will be increasing the information being communicated to families via the app. This will also include an eNewsletter that can be downloaded or viewed on the app and has the ability to be translated into many languages. The newsletter will continue to be emailed. We will keep you informed as new features become available.
Basketball Clinic
The Basketball clinics held for the Reception - Year 4 students were a huge success. Thank you to Branimir for coordinating this in Heidi's absence. The children enjoyed learning new skills and interacting with the players.
SAPSASA
There are still some SAPSASA uniforms outstanding. Please return washed uniforms to Heather as soon as possible as they are needed for upcoming events.
Lunchtime Equipment
Sports equipment is available at lunchtimes. This is being run by the school sports captains.
Children’s University students created compostable art using lentils and recycled cardboard for World Environment Day. The leaves were then turned into a tree which is displayed in the hallway.
When the tree is taken down the leaves can be collected by students or composted in the school Kitchen Garden.
Hi Everyone, I hope this note finds you well, warm and happy!
I’ve been thinking a lot in most recent times about how we as individuals cope with things that crop up, sometimes when we least expect them to, often times, catching us unaware and unprepared.
It might be something from our past, something (or things) that we’ve been trying desperately to ignore or push down into the dark recesses of our minds, never to see the light of day. Things we don’t wish to think or talk about, to unpack, or in many cases, to even acknowledge. You might know what I’m talking about perhaps?
Life is a journey (cliche, I know) but we are all travelling our own path during our time here on earth and often the path is littered with hurt and pain caused by decisions and choices we’ve made in the past, consequences to actions that have had far reaching ramifications for not only ourselves but others around us, often namely our children and families. The fallout can be painful, deep and far reaching, so it’s no wonder we might decide to ignore issues and situations and try desperately to move forward causing (hopefully) as little impact to our often fragile lives as possible. What I have learnt though, is that invariably, all we are doing is putting a bandaid on what is often at times, festering, open wound.
Our precious children are always watching how we handle situations in general. Imagine if the skills they learn (or mirror based on what they witness) about how to handle the big life stuff, is to live in denial and to try to push down the emotions and move forward without acknowledgement. How that will set them up for their life? For children, their big stuff at the moment may not be what we might consider to be huge, in fact sometimes it might seem (to us) trivial, almost silly at times. Make no mistake, how we help our children to work through the emotions attached to their ‘stuff’ at this age and level, will to a large extent determine how they manage the really big things that will undoubtedly happen in their life as they grow older.
I used to mistakenly think that to be brave meant to ‘put on a stiff upper lip’, to get on with things, to move forward and not make a fuss or garner attention, I’m here to tell you that’s a big mistake!
I have learnt in most recent times, that to be brave, courageous and resilient is very often, the opposite. It takes extreme courage to face things that lurk in the deep, dark recesses of our minds and hearts, to be completely vulnerable and for a time, at the mercy of our emotions, to show the greatest courage and commitment to heal from past hurts and pain. Always, if you are contemplating doing any such healing work, make sure you have a support network around you to care for you, look out for you, and crucially, to monitor your health and wellbeing. Such things are of utmost importance to your mental health, ensuring a positive outcome for both you as an individual and for your family and those closest to you. Checking in with your GP, counselor, psychologist or other mental health practitioner regularly, is of great importance.
Just know, it takes more strength, courage determination and bravery to travel down a path towards healing and freedom, than to bottle things up, repress emotions and ignore any signs that might mean your mental health is suffering as a result. Help is all around. If you are struggling in any area of your life, particularly with regard to mental health issues, please seek help, taking the first step can be the most challenging, but rewards await you, if you are willing to do the work involved.
Your GP or Doctor can provide initial assessment, medical treatment, psychological or 'talking' therapies, and/or referral to mental health specialists. (Psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists specialise in various talking therapies, while psychiatrists specialise in medical treatment and talking therapies).
If you’d like to speak to myself or Kathy Baker at any time regarding any such issues or challenges, you’re most welcome. You’ll find us in the Wellbeing room most times during the day, or to make an appointment, please email or phone during school hours.
Please remember, you are not alone (even though at times you may feel like you are) and to take the first step to getting help for you, your children or family member is most likely the most courageous and wonderful thing you can do.
Organisations for consideration when needing help
If you or someone you are caring for needs emergency care or assistance please phone either of the following services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For life-threatening emergencies (Police, Fire or Ambulance): Call 000 and for Police attendance: Call 131 444
Please take care of yourself and those you love, you are doing an amazing job, and remember, YOU matter, YOU are worthwhile and valuable beyond words! Have a great week.
Karen Thorogood, Pastoral Care Worker
Learning Together
Respect, Resilience, Readiness
"Building a community that inspires curious, creative and innovative thinkers."
Principal: Dave Henty-Smith
Deputy: Jo Meredith