Crafers Primary School

Newsletter 24 February 2023

From the Principal

Dear Parents and Caregivers

Here we are moving to the middle of term 1 already! Usually, I would write to you about the happenings around the school and the activities in which the children have been engaged. Today, however, I write to you about something different but of great importance, that being attendance and punctuality.

The past 3 years have had attendance in turmoil, between restrictions, home schooling, illness and worry about illness we have seen more students stay home than we have in the past. I'm hoping in 2023, we will be able to return to higher attendance levels which in turn leads to greater happiness and higher achievement for our children. 

Classes begin at 8:50 so it's very important the children are here between 8:30 and 8:45. Punctuality is enabling; it gives the children time to unpack, connect and prepare. This is important as unpacking develops independence and organisational skills, connecting develops social skills, communication and friendship, and time to prepare means the children can focus on what is being said without their minds racing as they try to catch up before the day has even started. Whilst there is no school consequence for lateness, it is not without consequences. These may not be seen immediately but they are there, and they are affecting the children's likelihood for success.

Attendance or lack of attendance has an amplified impact. Days away from school have a social and learning impact. Friendships are formed through time spent together, regular absence can leave children feeling disconnected and without a strong friendship or peer group. Learning is layered, new learning builds on old learning. When children are away, there are gaps in their learning, making connections more difficult. So much learning occurs through hearing and observing in the classroom, this cannot simply be made up by 'sending work home'. Attendance is empowering; it gives the children the possible chance of learning success as they have access to all available information.


  • Habitual absence is when a student has 5 to 9 absences for any reason in a term (average of 1 day per fortnight)
  • Chronic absence is when a student is absent for 10 days or more in a term for any reason (average of 1 day per week).
  • International research shows that this sort of non-attendance is an early warning sign that a student could have significantly lower learning and wellbeing outcomes throughout their life.


I know we all want much more for our students. Our community was extremely supportive, cooperative and wise last year, keeping unwell students at home. This is not something we are looking to change - unwell students should be home. I ask, however, that any unnecessary time away from school is carefully considered as we hope to support our students in all ways possible.

 

Kind regards

Chan

An update from Ebony

The start of the year has brought with it many big emotions for students, families and teachers. New beginnings and unknown experiences can evoke big feelings in all of us.

Naming emotions out loud when we can see children experiencing big emotions can help their brain process and cope with that feeling (this can be helpful for us too). Each week I find myself saying to children ‘it looks like you are feeling sad/happy/proud/mad’ or ‘I can see your body is looking sad/happy/proud/mad’, followed by discussions about what their body is experiencing or externally looking like (head down, hands in fists, smiley face) to help increase vocabulary and understanding about big emotions and how to mange them.

Another effective strategy in teaching children about big emotions is sharing examples of times that you, as the adult, have experienced this big emotion and how you have coped or overcome it. Children learn so much from the adults they look up to, and learning how to understand and process their big emotions is no different.

Empowering children with the knowledge that we all experience big emotions can be game changing for them as they find themselves feeling less alone when they experience them.

Event positions vacant!!

Are you an event manager by trade, or interest?? Do you love to volunteer and get involved in fundraising for the school?? Do you have talents or connections we can tap into?? I am looking for committee members to take on responsibilities along the way. Your involvement may be big or small, all help is greatly appreciated. Meetings will occur twice a term.

The first committee meeting will be held on Tuesday 28th February in the Ruth Beare Hall at school, 7.00pm. All welcome.

 

Other ways to get involved…

If you are interested in face painting, crafts, gardening, cooking; please think about propagating and donating some plants or baked goods for the cake stall or get involved and display your skills on the day.

Are you involved in a Hills community group (eg: Scouts, sporting club, dance…)? We invite you to book a demo time or promotion stall at our Spring Fair.

We are also looking for donations of books and toys that we can sell at our second-hand stall. All profits are collected for school. Please put your items aside throughout the year; we will collect them via school much nearer the date!

 

Please contact Cara Oosterbaan with any questions, bookings or other.
caraoost@gmail.com

Room 1 Reception News

Room 2 Receptions - Counting

The reception students in Room 2 have been practicing their counting in many different ways. 

First we made sure that we had our numbers in the correct order. We sang songs and built Unifix Cube staircases. 

Next we counted things we found around us like the number of students in our class, gumnuts, fingers and toes. 

Lately, the students wanted to take their maths into their art thinking and they produced these wonderful gumnut drawings. 

Please enjoy! 

Year 1 Self Portraits

Year 2 - Room 4 are Happy!