Term 4, Issue 32 Fri 30th October

In This Issue Principals Report

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Highlights of the Week

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Community Development

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Making Happy Families Documentary

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Closet Cleanout

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Poppy Appeal

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QKR Tip of the Week

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Being a helpful Bystander against Cyber Bullying

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2016 Mad on Music Enrollments

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10th Anniversary Stall Application Form

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Upcoming Events Fri 30th Oct

Community Singing Group in the PAC @ 3.30pm Grade 1 Bush Dance. 5.00pm—7.00pm in the Gym

Tues 3rd Nov

PUBLIC HOLIDAY—Melbourne Cup Day

Wed 4th Nov

Prep Taskforce Workshop

Fri 6th Nov

Grade 6 Interschool Sports Community Singing Group in the PAC @ 3.30pm

Mon 9th Nov

Grade 5/6 Rugby Gala Day Grade 4 Assembly—In the PAC at 12.30pm Grade 1 Assembly—In the PAC @2.15pm

Tues 10th Nov 2016 Prep Transition Grade 6 Summer Lightening Premiership Day Wed 11th Nov Remembrance Day Wed 9th Dec

School Christmas Carols on the Oval @ 5.00pm—7.00pm

Monday 2nd November—Is NOT a curriculum day Please be aware that Monday is a normal school day, therefore if you are planning for your child to be away you will need to notify either the teacher via email or the office.

GRADE PLACEMENT REQUESTS FOR 2016 Closing date is Friday 30th October Parents and carers are invited to put in writing any special information/requests about your child/ren that you want considered as staff go about forming new grades for 2016. The information you provide should focus on their special needs (whether they be academic, physical, emotional or social) and the type of person that you believe they respond to best. Please refrain from identifying a specific teacher as it may lead to disappointment for you. Using that information we can then endeavour to select the teacher who we think will best meet your child/ren’s needs as well as the needs of their 2016 classmates. Your requests should be written to me via email ([email protected]) or given to your child’s teacher. Page 1 - Berwick Fields Primary School Newsletter

Principal’s Report Hi, As the year flashes by we are getting closer to the time where we say good bye to our year 6 students , wishing them all the best for their next stage of learning at secondary school. There is much to consider for parents and schools in preparing children for the change to a new environment, where the emphasis is well and truly on students being independent and responsible for their own learning. Here are some helpful hints provided by a highly regarded person in the area of parenting. I think this article is relevant for all parents because, before you know it, your child and you will be in this position! Regards,

Stephen

School Transition by Michael Grose (Author of ‘Parenting Ideas’) Starting secondary school presents new experiences which place many demands on children. Children move into secondary school at the same time that they go through puberty. This double whammy means parents need to handle kids with consideration and care. Being at the bottom of the pecking order where you are unsure of the rules of the playground is just one adjustment to make. Dealing with more than one teacher, changing classrooms for each subject, reading a timetable, altering eating habits and carrying a load of books around is difficult enough without the added task of meeting new people and making friends. Some kids take these new experiences in their stride but it is natural to experience some difficulty making the transition from primary to secondary school. Here are some positive ideas to help young people make a smooth transition to secondary school: 1. It’s time for some supportive parenting. Talk to your child about change and reassure him or her that it is normal to feel unsure and anxious in new circumstances. Let your child know that any difficulties faced will only be temporary. Some kids may brush you off with a ‘she’ll be right’ attitude but don’t be fooled by the bravado. Most will be feeling fairly unsure of themselves. 2. Prepare thoroughly for the first day. Have the correct uniform and books and familiarise your child with transport arrangements. 3. Pair them up with a sibling or a peer. If your child doesn’t have a sibling at the school try to pair him or her up with a friend if they walk or use public transport on the first day. 4. Share some of your own memories of starting secondary school, but steer away from any horror first-day stories. It can be reassuring for a child to know that you went through a similar experience and survived. Disclosing in this way shows that you understand how they feel. 5. Confidence is catching. Children often take their cues from their parents so show confidence in their ability to cope. 6. Listen to children in the first few weeks of school. Ask about the new subjects or interesting activities they are doing, and try to shift their focus to the positive aspects of school. 7. Make contact with your child’s year level coordinator if you have concerns about how they are settling in. Don’t wait for a parent-teacher night. N.B. If it is your eldest child who is starting then secondary school will be relatively new for you, too. It will take some time to adjust to the school’s culture and communication methods. You can learn a great deal by talking with your child and encouraging him or her to share experiences. In times of change what you and your child need most of all is to communicate with each other. Page 2 - Berwick Fields Primary School Newsletter

This weeks Highlights

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Community Development Strengthening Families Making Happy Families

This fantastic Australian documentary follows the lives of three families who want to change how they relate to one another by strengthening their relationships with one another. To achieve this families are taken to a retreat where, with the support of two psychologists, work towards building positive relationships and supporting and respecting another. The first episode aired last Tuesday at 8.30 and can be watched again on the ABC’s iView. The next episode will air next Tuesday at 8.30 pm. Must see T.V

Making Happy Families The families learn the power of both kindness and positive stress. The McDonalds face crisis and threaten to withdraw, while the financial worries affect the Watsons. The Camerons are at loggerheads over parenting.

CLOSET CLEAN OUT We have had a fantastic response to this fundraiser. there is still time to bring more bags in. Nov 12th is the dead line.

Thank you so much to all the families who have donated so far! Page 4 - Berwick Fields Primary School Newsletter

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YOUR CHANCE TO ENROL FOR TERM

All Gr 2-6’s – Do you want to learn KEYBOARD, GUITAR or SINGING? This is your CHANCE to enrol for Term 1, 2016!! Go to our website at www.madonmusic.com.au Fill out the online enrolment form and click the submit button Mad On Music will contact you once you have received your place To save disappointment, please enrol by the end of Term 4 2015. (Mad On Music does not take enrolments for Term 3 & 4 lessons)

All Prep & Grade 1’s Enrolments are NOW being taken for Prep & Grade 1 students to commence in Term 2, 2016!! Go to our website at www.madonmusic.com.au Fill out the online enrolment form and click the submit button Mad On Music will contact you once you have received your place To save disappointment, please enrol by the end of Term 4 2015. (Mad On Music does not take enrolments for Term 3 & 4 lessons) Page 7 - Berwick Fields Primary School Newsletter

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