Our Lady of The Rosary Term 3, Week 3 - Newsletter August 1, 2013 Message from the Principal

Mrs Jenny May

Last Friday we had our tree planting day; this was a wonderful community day. With the help of a number of parents we were able to plant three hundred trees at the back of our school oval. We would like to thank John and Roz Bradbury from Kyneton Toyota for sponsoring this day and thank their staff who attended on the day. Thank you also to Brendan Smith who provided the trees and shared his expertise with the children. Next Tuesday August 6 Michael Salmon, a famous children’s author, will be visiting our school. The cost of this incursion will be covered by the school. Session One 12pm – 1pm Prep – Two Session Two 2pm – 3pm Three – Six Parents are welcome to attend these sessions with the children. Books will be available for parents to purchase at the end of each session and Michael will be available to sign the books. Next Tuesday we also have a group of boys and girls travelling to Bendigo to participate in the Cobaw District Basketball Competition. We wish the children all the best for the day. Thank You: This year we have managed to raise $1068 for Caritas Australia. This was a generous display of compassion by our children who donated coins to our project compassion boxes. A big thank you to all for your efforts in making a difference to other’s lives. Out of Hours School Care: As mentioned in the previous newsletter we are continuing to work on the provision of this service. An information session will be held early Term 4 for all interested parents. I will give families the date as soon as it has been confirmed. School Dance: This week we were able to finalise the date for our school dance. This will be in Qambi at Sacred Heart College on Thursday September 5, 2013. More information will follow in next weeks newsletter. Congratulations: At the end of last term the Meocevic/Carapina Family welcomed twin babies, a brother and sister for Madelyn. Can you help: We are looking for a parent who might be able to rake the soft fall in the children’s playground once a week. If you are dropping children off in the morning and have 15 mins to do this we would be most grateful. Could you let Belinda Ryan or myself know if you are able to help? Play Areas: Could we please remind parents that the play equipment outside the prep rooms is for children in Years 36. Children in Prep to Year Two should not be playing on this equipment before and after school. We are working on relocating the senior play equipment and making this play area more appropriate for the Junior school. Condolences: to the Walsh Family, Liz’s dad passed away on the weekend. Amelia and Mietta are in Prep, we ask you keep the family in your prayers.

Important Dates: Fete Meeting Tuesday August 6 @ 7pm P&F Sub committee Wednesday August 7 in the Staffroom @ 9am School Board Meeting Wednesday August 7 at the Presbytery @ 7pm Garden & Maintenance Wednesday August 7 in the staffroom @ 5.30pm

Jenny

Student Wellbeing

Mrs Belinda Ryan Supporting Children’s Friendships

Parents, carers and school staff have important roles to play in helping children develop friendships. They set examples for children to follow through the ways they manage relationships. They can also act as coaches and mentors for children, teaching them helpful social skills and talking through friendship issues to help with solving problems. As they learn how to manage social situations, having opportunities to talk about relationships with parents, carers and teachers helps children feel supported and develops their communication skills. Provide children with opportunities to play with peers Children gain experience and learn important social skills from playing with friends. For children who are still learning how to get along, it can be helpful to plan what to do before having a friend over for a play. This could involve deciding whether to share all of their toys or only some, or encouraging them to think about what games the other child would like to play when they arrive. Teach positive social skills Observe your child to work out which negative social behaviours your child uses too often and which positive social behaviours your child could use more. Little things like smiles, looking at the person, knowing names and using a confident, friendly voice can make a big difference when making friends. Being able to better control negative emotions and paying attention to the needs and wants of others are also very important. Teach one behaviour or social skill at a time and make sure your child is able to do it before introducing another skill. Show your child what to do. You may act out the situation and even demonstrate what to say. Take turns ‘acting’ until your child can demonstrate what to do. Make it a fun experience. Be a coach Coaching is critical for helping children use new skills in real-life situations. Coaching involves prompting, reminding and encouraging (but not nagging!) children to use the skills they have learned. Coach your child to practise positive social skills in everyday situations with family members and friends. Support children’s learning by giving positive feedback and praise. Help children solve friendship problems Talking problems through with a supportive adult helps children to think about what happens, how they feel about it and what to do next. Thinking things through helps to build more mature social skills and helps children to become solution finders. Taken from Kidsmatter : www.kidsmatter.edu.au

Religious Education

Mrs Catherine Moore A Wonderful Story of Selfless Love and Total Giving

THE GIVING TREE

by Shel Silverstein

Once there was a tree..... and she loved a little boy. And every day the boy would come and he would gather her leaves and make them into crowns and play king of the forest. He would climb up her trunk and swing from her branches and eat apples. And they would play hide-and-go-seek. And when he was tired, he would sleep in her shade. And the boy loved the tree.......very much. And the tree was happy. But time went by. And the boy grew older. And the tree was often alone. Then one day the boy came to the tree and the tree said, "Come, Boy, come and climb up my trunk and swing from my branches and eat apples and play in my shade and be happy." "I am too big to climb and play," said the boy. "I want to buy things and have fun. I want some money. Can you give me some money?" "I'm sorry," said the tree, "but I have no money, I have only leaves and apples. Take my apples, Boy, and sell them in the city. Then you will have money and you will be happy." And so the boy climbed up the tree and gathered her apples and carried them away. And the tree was happy. But the boy stayed away for a long time... and the tree was sad. And then one day the boy came back and the tree shook with joy and she said, "Come, Boy, climb up my trunk and swing from my branches and be happy." "I am too busy to climb trees," said the boy. "I want a house to keep me warm. I want a wife and I want children, and so I need a house. Can you give me a house?" "I have no house," said the tree. "The forest is my house, but you may cut off my branches and build a house. Then you will be happy." And the boy cut off her branches and carried them away to build his house. And the tree was happy. But the boy stayed away for a long time. And when he came back, the tree was so happy she could hardly speak. "Come, Boy," she whispered, "Come and play." “I am too old and sad to play," said the boy. "I want a boat that can take me far away from here. Can you give me a boat?" "Cut down my trunk and make a boat," said the tree. "Then you can sail away...... and be happy." And so the boy cut down her trunk and made a boat and sailed away. And the tree was happy.... but not really. And after a long time the boy came back again. "I am sorry, Boy," said the tree, "but I have nothing left to give you. My apples are gone." "My teeth are too weak for apples," said the boy. "My branches are gone," said the tree. "You cannot swing on them.” "I am too old to swing on branches," said the boy. "My trunk is gone," said the tree. "You cannot climb." "I am too tired to climb," said the boy. "I am sorry," sighed the tree. "I wish that I could give you something------ but I have nothing left. I am just an old stump." "I don't need very much now," said the boy. "just a quiet place to sit and rest. I am very tired." "Well," said the tree, straightening herself up as much as she could, "Well, an old stump is good for sitting and resting. Come, Boy, sit down. Sit down and rest." And the boy did. And the tree was happy.

News and Events Canteen This week in the Tuck Shop we have received another pumpkin from our school vegetable garden, so the cake of the week will be pumpkin tomorrow. We will also be selling tomato soup for $1 per cup, available for over the counter purchase only. For those children who like our pizzas we are now offering Salami OR ham on the pizzas, just specify which one you want on you lunch order bag. Finally tomorrow is Pie Day: Beef or Shepherds Pies or Sausage Rolls for $2 each. Louise Conron

Important Dates Thursday Sept 5 Saturday Oct 5 Saturday Oct 26

School Dance P & F School Social Function Parish Fete

School Closure Days for 2013: Monday Nov 4 & Tues Nov 5 Professional Development Religious Education & new Australian Curriculum Wednesday Dec 18 Final day for students Thursday Dec 19 Moving classes in preparation for new building project Friday Dec 20 Final Day for Staff

Uniform New in Stock:

Navy tights—lovely blend—$5 each

Sizes 3-5, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12

Uniform reminder: Girls: Mon, Tue, Fri

Tunic with navy tights, blue polo, winter jumper and black shoes OR Navy pants, navy socks, blue polo, winter jumper and black shoes

Boys: Mon, Tue, Fri

Grey pants, grey socks, blue polo, winter jumper and black shoes

Sports: Wed, Thu

Navy trackpants/shorts, burgundy polo, sweatshirt and runners

Garden and Maintenance Meeting Wednesday August 7 at 5.30pm in the staffroom. We will be making plans to plant out garden areas next to the MPH and planning jobs for a working bee in coming weeks. All welcome.

News and Events

Aussie

Hoops 8 Week Basketball Skills Program Skill development programs for primary school aged students. Children develop individual skills, run drills, and learn offensive and defensive plays and teamwork. All participants receive a merchandise pack which includes a reversible singlet, bag, water bottle and basketball.

Kyneton Toyota Sports & Aquatic Centre Registration: 25 July Program: 1 Aug–19 Sept Cost: $90 Bookings: 5421 1477 Contact: Sam Thorpe Phone: 5421 1477 Email: [email protected]