Discovery

Our new Continuous On-line Reporting process began in Senior School this week with the publication of the first piece of formative feedback on SEQTA. All Senior School parents should have received a letter earlier this week which explains the new reporting system. Our recent parent information nights also provided a rationale and important details about our new reporting system. If you missed the information night, you can hear what Mr Townsend (Head of Teaching and Learning) had to say by clicking on the link below;

Reports Update Video Link

http://www.caseygrammar.vic.edu.au/docs/Information Videos/2020-Reports-Update.mp4

 At the information night, parents also heard about the Senior School Wellbeing Program from Mr Shepard (Head of Student Wellbeing). If you would like to hear his talk, please click on the link below;

Wellbeing Video Link

http://www.caseygrammar.vic.edu.au/docs/Information Videos/2020 Well-being Growth.mp4

Over the Labor Day long weekend, our maintenance team will be busy moving School Reception. From next Tuesday, School Reception will be located on the ground floor of the new Junior School building. Reception and school administration staff will remain in this location for the rest of 2020 while the new administration building is completed.

As part of our commitment to a holistic education, we have seen a variety of curricula and co-curricular programs begin this term. The Year 12 Physics class enjoyed their study of physics at Luna Park, while our Science enrichment students learned more about STEM when they spent some time in labs at the Casey Tech School. The cast and crew of the Queensland production tour are busy rehearsing and preparing for their tour and the new Casey Grammar Dance group are enjoying their rehearsals in preparation for their competitions later in the year. Our Senior School debaters had their first debate this week as part of the Debating Association of Victoria (DAV) competition and our Grade 5 and 6 students are busy preparing themselves for their camps in a weeks time. I am aware that there is some anxiety regarding the Grade 6 tour to Canberra. I want to reassure all parents that we have been vigilant in our risk management for this excursion and are monitoring travel advice on a daily basis. We are working closely with our tour operator and, at this stage, we are confident it is safe to travel to Canberra. If travel warnings in Australia should change over the coming week, we will heed the advice and postpone our trip. It is worth noting that today's advice regarding travel is as follows;

With the situation regarding the coronavirus is continuing to evolve, Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has issued updated advice that overseas school excursions should cease, except to New Zealand and Canada.

Last week our Year 8 students enjoyed their four days camping in The Otways. The camp program is designed to facilitate important lessons in leadership, teamwork, problem solving and resilience. The camps also promote an appreciation of the outdoors and outdoor activities, sustainability, indigenous culture and social bonding. They are an integral part of the educational package offered by the school.

A reminder that all students in Senior School should be wearing their school blazer as their outer garment as they travel to and from school. Students are permitted to remove their blazer once they in the school grounds although they are required to wear their blazer to school assembly. Hair that is shoulder length or longer should be tied back at all times. Shirts should be tucked in at all times.

Chewing gum has been a problem in school over recent weeks and I would like to remind everyone that chewing gum is not permitted at school under any circumstances.

On 26 February 2020 I sent a letter to all families. To ensure everyone is kept fully informed, here is an extract from that letter;

Dear Parent & Guardians,

I am writing to update you on a matter I informed you about, in my letter of 19 February, regarding a claim made against one of our staff members, who was alleged to have struck a student.

As you will recall, we immediately reported this allegation to the Commission for Children and Young People. We also engaged an external investigator to conduct an independent and thorough examination of the claim, which was strongly denied by the staff member.

That investigation has now been completed, and has found the claim was unsubstantiated.  As a result, the staff member will be returning to work.

Once again, I want to reassure you that our approach to this matter has been based on our commitment to protect the welfare and safety of all of our students.

I am confident that we have acted in accord with our legal obligations and codes of conduct, recognising the rights of all involved – including the staff member.

I am sure you will understand that there are limits to what I can say publicly about this matter, in order to protect the privacy and confidentiality of all involved.

 Mrs Fiona Williams

Acting Principal 

All our Junior School students celebrated Shrove Tuesday on Tuesday 25 February by enjoying pancakes while raising much needed funds for the Bushfire Appeal. I’m proud to announce that we raised $520. Thanks to every student and teacher who contributed and special mention to Averia Mangano who generously donated $20 of her own pocket money. Mrs Monique Riviere-Pendle once again championed the cause and worked tirelessly to ensure the occasion was a success.

Our first Junior School Award Assembly was held last Thursday and it was a privilege to present certificates to approximately one hundred of our Year 1-6 students. Each award recipient should be very proud of their accomplishments. I’d also like to acknowledge and congratulate those students who were honoured with our Principal’s Award. One student from each year level is recognised for upholding our school values and treating others the way they like to be treated. Well done to:-

Year 1   Sascha Lee

Year 2   Kimi Dun             

Year 3   Vrinda Sharma

Year 4   Skyla De Silva

Year 5   Lucas Trainor     

Year 6   Stella Kinna Tillbrook 

Last week we were indeed fortunate to present a Maths parent session to our P-2 parents. Mrs Sue Fine, our Maths consultant, presented the session and it was wonderful to welcome more than 40 parents to the event. I’m sure our parents all gained a greater understanding of how we teach Maths in our Early Years at CGS. Thanks to Mrs Fine for her great presentation, Mrs Sandra Torcasio for organising this event and our many parents for making the effort to attend. Families and schools that work together have a greater impact on student achievement.

Mr Mal Dunkley, Mrs Charlotte Bouman and a wonderful parent of the school, Mrs Kate Hancox, recently worked with our students to produce many entries for the Berwick Show. These all involved produce from our garden. Incredibly, almost every one of our exhibits won ribbons and we are very proud of all our students. Sincere thanks to Mrs Hancox for her expertise and many hours of assistance and our wonderful gardening group of dedicated parents.

Last Thursday evening our Heads of House, Mrs Bronwyn Kyne, Miss Laura Dascoli, Miss Bridgette Reale and Miss Sarah Nolan and our Head of Upper Primary, Mr Shane Bell, organised a Twilight House Sports event. Despite the cool, windy weather, our students and families enjoyed an evening of fun races and House Spirit. Thanks to our ever reliable PFC, led by Mrs Nicole van Brakel, who provided a sausage sizzle and icy poles for our families.

It was with great regret that we made the difficult decision last Friday to postpone our annual Junior School Athletics Carnival. Despite our students’ obvious disappointment, we felt that the correct decision was made as it rained steadily from 7:00am until at least 10:30am that day. The day was quite cool too and the track was already very wet underfoot when Mr Jeff Batey and Mrs Belinda Roffey visited Casey Fields at 8:00am. I’m pleased to say that we have secured the venue and will now run a Year 3-6 Athletics Carnival at Casey Fields on Friday 1 May. Our Year 1&2 Athletics event will now be held onsite on the CGS oval on Tuesday 24 March. Here’s to wonderful weather, much fun and some fabulous athletics.

Congratulations to the nineteen students who qualified to be members of our Junior School Swimming team. Earlier this week they proudly represented CGS at the District Swimming competition. Much enjoyment was had by all and everyone performed well. Mr Batey and Mr Newham were impressed by not only our students’ swimming prowess but also by their behaviour and team spirit.

Yesterday our House assemblies commenced with Booth House putting on an incredible show for our Junior School. Our audience was entertained by all the characters in the spectacular story representing someone ‘green’. The assembly focused on ‘Believing in ourselves and being happy with who we are’.  The stage was filled with wonderful green costumes and some very talented dancers and actors. Bravo Miss Nolan and your band of merry green Booth students!

Mrs Melissa Roberton

Head of Junior School

Myself, along with many of the Junior School staff, had the pleasure of witnessing Aaliyah Thomas have her hair cut for charity on Saturday. Her beautiful hair will now go to the Variety Victoria for their ‘Hair With Heart’ programme, to be made into a wig. Thank you to Mr Greg Newham, Mrs Leanne Evans, Mrs Virginia Duell, Ms Jessica Burns, Miss Natalie Burns and Mrs Vanessa Morwood for coming down to show their support. It was a wonderful day and we are truly inspired by Aaliyah’s generosity and compassion!

Miss Bridgette Reale

Head of Trist House Junior School 

The School is a constant buzz of activity. Classes in numerous disciplines all day, and extra activities like; Dance team training, Robotics and Programming excursions, Fundraising sausage sizzles, Outdoor Education field trips, SIS Sport and Parent Teacher Student Conferences. Sometimes there can be so much going on, it’s a challenge for every young person amongst it to find their way – to find what it is that makes them tick. The long weekend may give a moment to pause and think – perhaps re-set some learning goals – and just consider their progress up to this point of the year. An interesting way to think sometimes is to think about thinking itself – and try to work out what it is that makes you tick! Metacognition is having awareness and understanding of one’s own thought process, and it’s a very useful skill.

I recently read, to my 4 year old son, the book All the ways to be Smart by Davina Bell. It’s a beautiful book that celebrates all the various strengths young people have. The book won the 2019 Australian Book Industry Children’s Picture Book of the Year. It includes phrases like;

‘Smart is not just ticks and crosses, smart is building boats from boxes. Painting patterns, wheeling wagons, being mermaids, riding dragons …’

Similarly, but very differently, I also recently read an article titled Understanding emotion is nearly as important as IQ for students’ academic success by McCann, Minbashian and Double. (2020)

They stated that ‘Some define emotional intelligence as the ability to perceive, use, understand and manage your own and other people’s emotions. This is called “ability emotional intelligence.’ Furthermore, they provided evidence that while IQ can explain about 15% of the difference in student grades, emotional intelligence (EI) can explain about 12%. These are quite close percentages, and while much is often made of IQ, an implied inherit academic ability, not much is usually made of the importance of EI.

They went on to explain the two most important emotional skills for academic success were, understanding emotions and managing emotions. Students who understand emotions and can then regulate their own emotions and well placed to manage stress and maintain good social relationships, and are therefore likely to succeed academically. These articles show that there are significant benefits for students if they, supported by their teacher and their parents, continue to focus on developing emotional skills not only for their general wellbeing, but also their academic success.

If you would like to read the whole article it can be found here: https://theconversation.com/understanding-emotions-is-nearly-as-important-as-iq-for-students-academic-success-131212

More information about the children’s book All the ways to be Smart can be found here: http://www.davinabell.com/books/all-the-ways-to-be-smart

While we all remain extremely busy, it is important to make time to pay attention to our thinking and our emotions, and continue to develop our emotional skills. As adults, it helps us to be better communicators and role models. For the children and students, it provides a wonderful foundation for understanding themselves, their own ‘smarts’, what makes them tick, and enables them to better relate to others and the world around them.

Mr Peter Shepard

Head of Student Wellbeing

On Wednesday 19 February the Senior School travelled to Nobel Park Aquatic Centre to take part in the annual Casey Grammar House Swimming Carnival. The weather was not in our favour to begin with, but students and staff braved the elements and wore their House colours with pride. I am incredibly proud of all students who attended on the day, supporting their Houses and fellow competitors, even in inclement weather. Well done to all of the students who took the plunge and participated in individual and team events. A big congratulations to Reid House who took home the House Cup for Swimming, and a very special mention to Trist who came second, and did a fantastic job with participation.

Congratulations to all of the Age Group Champions, Runners Up and Record Breakers who were presented with their medals and certificates at assembly and are also listed below. 

CGS 2020 Age Group Champions

U13 Boys Champion – Nick Schweden

U13 Boys Runner Up – Jaspa Adam

U13 Girls Champion – Julia Stipkovic

U13 Girls Runner Up – Ella Brown

U14 Boys Champion – Zain Wasif

U14 Boys Runner Up – Mitchell Tumino

U14 Girls Champion – Delaney Allen

U14 Girls Runner Up – Molly Thomson

U15 Boys Champion – Riley Sumanada

U15 Boys Runner Up – Jeffrey Wang

U15 Girls Champion – Jessica Sampson

U15 Girls Runner Up – Kasey Paternoster

U16 Boys Champion – Paul Butov

U16 Boys Runner Up – Campbell-Ingram Davis

U16 Girls Champion – Juna Gemmell

U16 Girls Runner Up – Zahra Akkari

U17 Boys Champion – Conor Finlayson

U17 Boys Runner Up – Jamie Wise

U17 Girls Champion – Ellen Streat

U17 Girls Runner Up – Tanysha Hogan

U21 Boys Champion – Rohan Pahwa

U21 Boys Runner Up – Nicholas Edwards

U21 Girls Champion – Maneesha Casey

U21 Girls Runner Up – Tanishka Munjal

CGS Record Breakers

U13 Girls 50m Freestyle Final – Julia Stipkovic

U13 Girls 50m Breaststroke – Julia Stipkovic

U13 Girls 50m Butterfly – Julia Stipkovic

U13 Girls Backstroke – Ella Brown

U14 Boys 50m Freestyle Final – Zain Wasif

U14 Boys 50m Breaststroke – Zain Wasif

U14 Boys 50m Backstroke – Zain Wasif

U14 Boys 50m Butterfly – Zain Wasif

U21 Boys Butterfly – Seth Gunawardane

U13 Girls Freestyle Relay – Julia Stipkovic, Isabel Williams, Fiona Ma, Ella Brown

U16 Boys Freestyle Relay – Thomas Pirie, Thomas McKearney, Riley Sampson, Paul Butov

U17 Boys Freestyle Relay – Connor Hancock, Jamie Wise (swam 3 legs)

U21 Boys Freestyle Relay – Max Murphy, Seth Gunawardane, Manvir Dhoot, Nathan Basnet

U21 Girls Medley Relay – Madison Legg, Jessica Sampson, Juna Gemmell, Jaime Wight

U21 Boys Medley Relay – Jamie Wise, Nathan Basnet, Nick Edwards, Seth Gunawardane

Over the past couple of weeks, a group of Year 8 girls have been making liners to help animals such as Sugar Gliders, Koalas and Wallabies that have been affected by the recent bushfires around Australia. I spoke to Alyssa and Ruby from 8C and Cherydan and Alice from 8A to ask them a few questions about the liners they have been making. All four girls said that they have enjoyed making the liners as it goes to a good cause and they are extremely proud that they can help the animals in their recovery from the bushfire disaster. When I spoke to the girls, they had only been making them for a short time but had accomplished quite a lot of work between the four of them making around 10 small, 30 medium and around 6 large pouches in just over a week at school and finishing them at home if needed. The girls are donating the liners to WIRES Wildlife Rescue which is a Not for Profit Organization. They are assisting with helping all of the native fauna affected in the recent bushfire crisis.

The Year 10 PDT class has also been making boxes for effected animals from the recent bushfires. The boxes are being made to provide homes for animals such as Pygmy Possums, Sugar Gliders and Microbats. The 17mm plywood to make the boxes has been generously donated by Big River Timbers in Dandenong as they were enthusiastic to support Casey Grammar in building the boxes for a good cause. 24 nesting boxes ranging in different sizes, like the pouches, are being made in class with all students contributing in a joint effort. All of the nesting boxes are being donated to WIRES along with the pouches in a few weeks.

May the Arts Be with You

Erin Mitchell

Arts Captain

Pancakes, pancakes everywhere!

Shrove Tuesday was once again marked by the cooking of hundreds of pancakes at Casey Grammar School. The Junior School acknowledged the final day before Lent by coming together to raise money for the School Aid Bushfire Appeal by enjoying pancakes. It was wonderful to see people putting in above the suggested gold coin donation, and one student in Year 3, Averia Mangano even donated her pocket money and proceeds from a Lemonade Stall towards the appeal. I was really moved to see such generosity and thoughtfulness by her. Particular thanks to the Prep – Year 2 teachers who cooked with their classes as well as the Year 6 students who assisted in the distribution for Year 3-6. Together we were able to raise the incredible amount of over $520 which was fantastic and will be distributed through School Aid.

The invitation of Lent

Shrove Tuesday is the day before Lent begins, the Christian tradition of sacrificing in some way in the 40 days prior to Easter. It is an annual time of reflection, and an opportunity to deliberately give of ourselves. This can be through fasting from a specific food or it may be through looking for opportunities to be consciously generous and kind to those around you.

In the words of Sister Joan Chittister, ‘Lent is about becoming, doing and changing whatever it is that is blocking the fullness of life in us right now’. What a powerful reminder about the capacity we have to be able to invite God to change in us that which is preventing growth and positive change in our lives and relationships.

Every blessing to you and your families in the week ahead. Here is a challenge from this week’s 40 Acts of Kindness project in keeping with our Lent theme.

Give up some time to back a cake or biscuits for someone who is going through a difficult time so they know you are thinking of them. 

Upcoming event: Harmony Week

We are excited to have our third annual Harmony Week celebration in Week 7. On Thursday we will be having our whole school cultural clothing day. Students will bring a gold coin, which will be used for our fundraising efforts throughout the week. In the Junior School, this will be adding to our Bushfire funds and in the Senior School, our fundraising will support the work of providing equal opportunities for all globally. A letter has been distributed to all students regarding the shared lunch (Junior School), lunch delivery options (Senior School) and the Friday lunchtime performance (Senior School). Both assemblies will also have a Harmony Week theme. 

Mrs Monique Riviere-Pendle

Chaplain

How do I approach my ‘hostile’ child?

Last blog I discussed the difference between anger and hostility in children and teens. Anger is usually situationally based whereas hostility is a pervading attitude. Parents can usually help their angry child through empathic listening and shared problem-solving. Helping a hostile child or teen is a little trickier.

Often parents are afraid to ask their hostile child or teen to do anything because it just provokes an angry outburst. It seems that it is better just to leave the kid alone than it is to deal with the anger. This is often the purpose of teen hostility- to keep parents away. Avoiding dealing with the inappropriate behaviour tends to encourage MORE inappropriate behaviour.

There’s a word we use in therapy called ambivalence. Ambivalence is the concept of having conflicting feelings, and it’s common for kids in adolescence to have ambivalence toward their parents. Their ambivalence is that they love you but, at the same time, they ‘hate’ you when you apply consequences to their inappropriate behaviour.

You’re going to see a lot of ambivalence from your child. Sometimes parents just have to ride that ambivalence out and accept it as normal, although unhealthy, during adolescence. Kids love their parents, even when they’re acting hostile. So we need to confront the hostility even if it provokes an angry outburst in the short-run. (Confrontation does NOT equate with aggression.)

Hostile and defiant kids are willing to break things, call you filthy names, and even run away to avoid taking responsibility for their behaviour. Parents need to focus on those things over which they have control. It helps to leave alone minor issues and issues that can’t be controlled.

Here are some suggestions to deal with hostile children:

1.       Use 'If …then” statements with clear and appropriate consequences. If you do/don’t do this, then this is the consequence.

2.       Protect the rest of the family from the hostile teen.

3.       Make rules specific and clear to teens and avoid changing them as you go along.

4.       When things are calm, or your teen wants something from you, help them with coping with their anger and hostility.

5.       Seek professional assistance. For example, Relationships Australia provides very good mediation services.

6.       Be businesslike and calm when dealing with hostility. Refuse to engage when you or they are angry.

If you think you have to accept this type of hostile, defiant, or angry attitude to be loved by your child, that’s called co-dependency. In a co-dependent relationship, you have to fulfil a certain role to be loved. ‘My child will love me if I give in to them.’

Parents should try to maintain their dignity and self–respect. Remember, as I said before, kids want to love the people they respect. And they’ll find things to love about you when they respect you. But they won’t respect you if you give in to and accept their hostile behaviour.

Mr Alan Clarke

School Psychologist

The PFC would like to thank all of the wonderful volunteers that helped with the BBQs for the Junior School Twilight and Junior School Athletics Carnivals. It is great to have so many people coming together so that the children could enjoy a special sausage sizzle lunch.

On Thursday 12 March the PFC will be holding a Second Hand Uniform sale in the foyer of the PAC. Opening times 8.15am to 9.15am & 2.30pm to 4pm.

A sausage sizzle will also be held at the Senior School Athletics Carnival on Friday 20 March. Students and parents will be able to purchase sausages and cold drinks on the day.

Nicole van Brakel