KEEPING MRS. PATERSON IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

Thanks to all those who have offered their prayers and kind words of support to Mrs. Paterson as she works through a very tough and emotional time with her family. Mrs. Paterson will be taking some leave over the coming weeks and I will keep our community posted on any changes that may occur.

SCHOOL CALENDAR

Please scroll to the bottom of the newsletter to see the school calendar that has been updated with future dates in term 4.

2022 CLASS STRUCTURES

Each year when we begin the process of setting class lists for the following year we invite parents to let us know if there are particular educational needs their child has which might impact class placement. Over the past few years the majority of requests we receive are regarding the child's social group or a parent preference for a particular teacher.

School is the formative place for young people to begin to explore a world beyond the home. They begin to discover the differences between being friends and being friendly, how to work with people that might have different views and skills, how to develop positive, respectful relationships with a broader range of people and how to deal with change.

The hope for all parents and educators is that we can best equip our young people for a world where they can be effective and affective, can work to bring change in the world and demonstrate a respect and care for all. They will move into a variety of working lives and research shows that each is likely to have a much larger number of jobs and job types than their parents.

For a child changing classes at the end of the year brings uncertainty, a little reluctance, a little excitement, a little nervousness and a little anxiety. It also brings opportunity to practice the skills they will need to enter a new workplace and form effective working relationships with co-workers.

As adults we are aware that a change of workplace means leaving those friendships we have developed in our work life. Some friendships are strong and continue outside of our work life and are nurtured and maintained in our social life. Others are replaced by new working friendships which support and engage us in our new workplace but may or may not last beyond that placement.

This is exactly what children have an opportunity to learn as they change class. Being kept with only the same group, or the same teacher robs them of the learning about how to experience change, to grow relationships, to become more quickly comfortable in new situations and to take control of what is possible in their environment.

We hope that our parents trust that we know our students well; both individually and collectively. We plan classes with great care and discussion balancing the wellbeing, learning and social aspects of each child and class. We consider teacher skills and styles, support requirements and opportunities as well as the requests of the children as to their preferences for peers in their new class.

When the conversations in your house turn to next year please look at the opportunity given to you to discuss how changing workplaces is a reality and how we grow as people each time we form new working relationships with peers and bosses. Talk to them about your experiences, about the things that worked well and please avoid tales of woe!

 2022 CLASS REQUESTS

Class requests for the 2023 can be completed on the following google form. Please do not make assumptions that previous years requests will be honoured. It is best to put everything in writing again. Please understand that these requests are not guaranteed. 

FOOTBALL COLOURS DAY

This Friday, the last day of term we will be having a footy colours day. On this day students can come dressed in their favourite football team colours. If they don't follow footy please encourage them to wear an alternate sporting team clothes (Soccer, Netball, Polo, etc). The money raised by the school will go towards cancer support.

END OF TERM ASSEMBLY

We will have an end of term assembly starting at 12.00pm in the school hall this Friday. Please feel free to attend, we just ask that you wear a mask or social distance where required. If you intend to take your child home after the assembly please ensure you let your child's teacher know via ClassDojo or in person before leaving the school. (Signing out at the office is not required after the assembly)

School concludes at 2.20pm

ST ITA’S VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We are seeking 15 volunteers to waitress at the Baw Baw Big Blokes BBQ on Friday, 14 October held at Lardner Park. Two sessions available 11am to 2pm or 12noon to 3pm. The committee has kindly agreed to donate money to the school in return for the waitressing. No waitressing experience is required. If you can assist, then please contact the school either via email admin@stidrouin.catholic.edu.au or phone the school on 03 5623 7222.