Dear Parents and Carers,

We've had a really productive couple of weeks and I thank you for your engagement in the day-day life of our school. Your support of our efforts to improve the outcomes for your children is greatly appreciated. Our success at the Regional Swimming Carnival has been a highlight. Thank you to Gordon Cooper for the fabulous gallery of photos taken on the day.

Over the last fortnight, Mrs Loring and I have started to work through some behaviour challenges with students that occur mainly in the playground. I believe it is important for parents to understand our professional response to these situations so that the school receives their full support and engagement in working through to solutions. It is also important that our parents understand the concept of bullying and do not brand students as 'bullies' without a full knowledge of what it means to be a bully, and of the circumstances around events that may occur at school. It is equally important that if you believe your child is being bullied, to discuss it with your child's teacher immediately so that the school can work through our processes and to encourage your child to do the same. It takes a collaborative effort and respectful relationships to achieve a high standard of behaviour in any school. 

How our staff manage playground behaviour

On the playground, our teachers initially follow the guidleines set out in our current policy. They remind students of the rules if there is a problem and reidrect them to make a better choice. Our school appreciates parents informing us of concerns that may be mentioned at home because we are committed to dealing with behaviours that impact our positive learning culture.

If the behaviour continues, the teacher may decide that sitting a child out for a couple of minutes or asking them to walk and talk with them is appropriate. Our staff endeavour to find out what is driving the behaviour - is it a relationship problem, someone not following the rules, a prior issue etc.

Depending on the nature of the behaviour, escalation may result in the child spending time in the reflection or time out room. This year, Mrs Loring is almost always the teacher in this setting. This is an opportunity to spend time reflecting with the student to find out what was going on before, at the time and after the event, and to discuss the options for behaviour that may have resulted in a more positive solution. The students are asked to consider their behaviour, who was impacted and what they plan to do in the future. The teacher is also thinking about the social skill that the student may need to develop in order to be more successful next time. We consider the reflection room an opportunity for the student to manage a change in their own behaviour and to build resilience in this aspect of their social functioning. A letter to parents is forwarded if the student attends the time out room. 

For more serious or repeated scenarios, Mrs Loring, our Assistant Principal may be invited to work through challenges with the students. This almost always involves the parents as we build perspective on a plan for the future. In Mrs Loring's absence or for more serious behaviours, I will become involved. Again, this almost always includes the engagement of the families. 

There are a number of behaviours that would result in suspension of a student from the school environment, however the main reasons include repeated poor behaviour, and/or verbal or physical assault of any member of our school community. Parents are always engaged for behaviours of this nature. For me, it is really important that the parents of the Holy Name community understand the time that we take to speak with the students in more serious incidents and to speak with all students involved to gain a picture of the events. The truth is always somewhere in the middle of the many perpsectives we gather. We change enviornments, staffing and seek specialist support for students to develop the necessary skills to allow them to be successful on our playground. Our students, your children, will make mistakes in the school environment but it is the lessons they learn and carry with them into adulthood that are important during these early years. The mistakes our children make are not necessarily a reflection on your parenting, they are just mistakes. 

It was my privilege this week to chat with one of our senior students about a mistake that they made. I told this young person that my belief in them as a leader actually grew because of the way they handled themself when they made the mistake. Such an important trait to develop.

I hope that you all feel comfortable to have a conversation with us when things do go wrong and to share in the creation of a positive school culture. We need your belief in our practices and support along the journey if we are truly going to create a positive learning environment. 

Canteen 

This term we started our partnership with the team from Plunge in the provision of a school canteen. In order for this option to be viable, the operation of the canteen had to change. We operate during the first lunch only, delivering online orders at first lunch, between 10:45am and 11:00am. The menu is completely based on healthy options and includes substantial meals as well as snacks. Where possible, all foods are delivered in biodegradable packaging. The canteen is open all days except for Wednesday and our parents, carers and friends are welcome as volunteers between 9:00-11:00am to assist in the food preparation.

As promised, we would like your feedback, as without your support, the canteen will cease to exist. It is now time to let us know your suggestions about ways we could make slight changes to improve the service for families. Please respond to this simple survey to provide your feedback.

Canteen survey

Staffing update

Miss Spinks has taken leave indefinitely and will be replaced by her job share partner, Miss Redding and Mrs Judy Cusack. Our Yr 3 parents were informed last week that we are all praying for Miss Spinks who has had some complications with her pregnancy and remains in John Hunter hospital. Mr Hassett will replace Miss Spinks as Pedagogical Mentor and will be off class each Wednesday working with the Leadership Team and teachers in their classrooms. Mrs Arrow will coordinate sport while Miss Spinks is on leave.

Last week, Mrs Brown informed me that her family are moving to Western Australia and she will finish up on March 6. We thank Mrs Brown for the flexibility she has shown in taking on different roles within our school and wish the family well as they take off on this new adventure. Mrs McKinnon, who already teaches 3 days each week on this class will now take the class full-time. 

This week, I also received the news that Mrs Maureen Nicholls, our Pastoral Care Worker was resigning. Mrs Nicholls has done some amazing work with our Mini Vinnies groups, coordinates breakfast club and initiates many positive experiences for the students and families within our school. We will adevrtise shortly for this position but it is going to be hard to find a replacement. We wish Mrs Nicholls well for her future. If you know someone who is interested in working approximately 14hrs per week in a pastoral support role in our school, please encourage them to apply. This position is funded and therefore depends on government funding each year.

Kiss n'Drop zone

I have been asked to remind families that the Kiss n' Drop zone in Carawa Street is for short stops and not for parking. Please try to adhere to these rules. 

Warm wishes,

Brooke Stephens