Newman News Term 2 Week 6: From the Deputy Principal Primary
Key Dates
College Calendar Link – In recent times, our school calendar has changed regularly.
National Simultaneous Storytime
National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country.
Mr Finneran, aka Outback Jack, read this year’s book “Family Tree” by author Josh Pyke to all Marian Campus students. This has become a highlight of the Marian Campus calendar, and Mr Finneran’s performance of the story this year did not disappoint. It was lovely to see the children enthralled in the story and performance, and further consolidate their love of literature.
Marist Solidarity Fundraiser – Soccer competition
Last term, our Year 5 students organised a soccer tournament to raise funds for Marist Solidarity. This tournament was held last week, at lunchtime and into the afternoon. With Year 6 students as Referee’s, the Year 5 Teams had mini-matches until they reached a Grand Final with some very deserving winners.
Mr Finneran also joined in the matches, however, much to his disappointment, it was not his team that were declared champs! This event raised over $200 towards the Marist Solidarity cuase, and the Year 5 students should be commended on their efforts and initiative in organizing this.
Year 5 Amazing Race
For Project Based Learning this term, we have been learning about North and South America in geography. Each group of Year 5’s made an Amazing Race for the Year 3’s. Each group had to make 4 challenges on different countries in South and North America. They all completed the Race and had a lot of fun collaborating together. Two pairs of Year 3’s raced against each other for a prize. The challenges included making tacos for Mexico, digging in the sand for Bahamas, and playing Basketball for USA. The Year 3’s also had to kick soccer balls in to the goal for Brazil. For five weeks we had been working on the fun project for the Year 3 students. They had a great time and all that hard work was worth it. Every student participated in the race and the Year 3’s loved the challenge. By Grace P, Ella G and John (Year 5)
Marian Campus Assembly
It was so lovely to be able to have our first face-to-face Marian Campus assembly for 2022. The students of 2 Green led our assembly with a fantastic performance about their Science topic of mixtures. The many budding Scientists showed us how water and oil don’t mix, how to build a model volcano and how Science is everywhere in our daily lives.
Congratulations also to all our Merit Award winners and our Marcellin Award winner.
Lavalla Campus Assembly
3 Green students took us on a trip to the zoo, where we learnt all about the different types of animals, their features and classification. Who knew that a panther could run at 120km/hr? Well done Miss Donnelly and 3 Green students. It was thoroughly entertaining and very informative.
Congratulations also to the Merit Award winners, and the students who participated in the Synergy Solar Car Challenge.
National Sorry Day
Every year on 26 May, National Sorry Day remembers and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, which we now know as ‘The Stolen Generations’.
In acknowledgement and respect of National Sorry Day, students were invited to wear purple accessories (hair ties, socks, etc) with their normal winter uniform and undertook activities in their classroom to learn about this important day.
Frenemies
The topic of friendship can be very tricky for some students. In fact, for some parents and families, it is the number one concern. After all, we all want our children to enjoy being at school, to be liked, and to enjoy the company of others.
Sometimes in school, children can encounter a phenomenon known as the frenemy. This is someone who claims to be your friend but can also show mean or unkind behaviours. They might:
- say ‘brutally honest’ things that are hurtful or unkind
- put pressure on you to do things you don’t want to do
- laugh at you, or encourage others to laugh at you
- deliberately exclude you from group chats or activities
- talk about you behind your back
- make you feel bad about yourself.
What should I do if my child has a frenemy?
First of all, it is important to note that many frenemy behaviours may not be deliberate. Sometimes children do things without knowing or even realising the impact they are having.
The first thing that you should tell your child is that the problem isn’t them. A frenemy’s behaviour might make you feel bad, but it is them that needs to change, not your child. You should encourage your child to calmly, and without accusation, tell their friend how they are feeling. It is important to be specific. For example, “I feel upset that you always try to get me out in handball” or “I really don’t like the way you say I can’t sing.” If your child might find this hard, a teacher can help facilitate this conversation.
Remind your child that is very common for their friends to not even realise they may have done something wrong, so it is important to come from a place of support and understanding. A good friend will be sorry that they made you feel bad, and not do it again. A frenemy is more likely to say you’re overreacting or blame you for how they treated you.
If your child does this, and they find their frenemy is still making them feel bad despite what they’ve told them, it might be considered bullying behaviour. If this is the case children should talk to their parents and teachers about how they can be supported.
I would encourage families to chat with their children about their friendships this week. You don’t need to interrogate them on every little detail, but it might help you to be aware of what occurs in the future.
If you have any concerns about frenemy-type behaviour around your child don’t hesitate to reach out to myself or your child’s teacher.
Stuart McClorey
Leader of Wellbeing PK-6
