NEWSLETTER Term 1 – 2019 Issue 2 W WHAT’S COMING UP AT SILKWOOD? Friday 1 March SPACE Business Networking Event 5.00 - 8.00 pm @ High School Courtyard/Amphitheatre Monday 4 March Cyber Safety Course for Parents & Carers 6.00pm for a 6.30pm start @ Year 9/10 space Tuesday 12 March SCCA Meeting – all welcome! 6.00 – 8.00pm @ High School Staff Room Wednesday 20 March Year 6-10 Project Based Learning Information Night 5.30 – 6.30pm @ Year 9/10 space Thursday 4 April Last day of Term 1 Tuesday 23 April First day of Term 2 Thursday 25 April ANZAC Day (Public Holiday) FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of the Silkwood Community in making the start to the School Year a very smooth beginning. This time of year can be frantic and sometimes overwhelming for the young people beginning school and those transitioning from Primary to High School. I have been impressed with the way in which all sectors of the Silkwood Community have worked together to ensure that the transition has been smooth for all. Thank you to the SCCA, our School Site, Administration and ICT teams, as well as our Learning Communities, for the wonderful effort in providing the platform for engagement of our learners and their families. It is timely we are reminded that we have a duty of care to the children of Silkwood to ensure that students arrive and leave the school campus safely. The school also has strict council conditions on traffic flow in and out of the school. Our School Drop-Off Policy and Procedure, as outlined in the Parent Handbook (available on the School Website), is designed to manage this flow effectively and ensure students are safe when arriving and exiting the school. The School has three clearly signed Set-Down areas for morning drop off (times and details below). These areas are clearly marked and are the only areas where students can be dropped off. We ask that the driver remain with the vehicle in these areas. We have lots of new families, so we thought it was a great time to put out a few reminders that you can help us with in keeping our traffic flowing and everyone stress free: We ask families to do their best to minimise parking by using our drop-off and pick-up systems (detailed below). This will allow parking spaces to be available for those who need it for meetings, children who need support and class events. Primary School families are welcome to use the High School site parking when the Primary School spaces are full. Having your child/ren’s names clearly written on an A4 piece of paper, placed on dashboard to sun visor, is a great help to our driveway attendants at pick-up. The school has very strict traffic conditions which only allow parking for our families on our premises, in our designated car spaces. Parking on Shepherd’s Hill Lane is a NO-GO zone for our families. Not only do parents risk getting a fine, but the school also faces heavily penalties for breaching these conditions. Refrain from using mobile phones in drop-off / pick-up zones, park in a designated car space if you need to make or take a call. Families with siblings are to use the area designated for their youngest child: Primary School Entrance - Prep-Year 1 students (and their older siblings). High School Entrance - families with students in Years 2-12. MORNING SCHEDULE Drop Off Times Between Set-Down Area School Start Time Years 2-12 7.45 – 8.20am High School Set-Down area 8.30am Year 1 8.00 – 8.20am Primary School Set-Down area, before the first bridge 8.30am Prep 8.30 – 8.40am Outside of Prep 8.45am
Transcript
NEWSLETTER Term 1 – 2019
Issue 2
W
WHAT’S COMING UP AT SILKWOOD?
Friday 1 March SPACE Business Networking Event 5.00 - 8.00 pm @ High School Courtyard/Amphitheatre
Monday 4 March Cyber Safety Course for Parents & Carers 6.00pm for a 6.30pm start @ Year 9/10 space
Tuesday 12 March SCCA Meeting – all welcome! 6.00 – 8.00pm @ High School Staff Room
Wednesday 20 March Year 6-10 Project Based Learning Information Night 5.30 – 6.30pm @ Year 9/10 space
Thursday 4 April Last day of Term 1
Tuesday 23 April First day of Term 2
Thursday 25 April ANZAC Day (Public Holiday)
FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S DESK
I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of the Silkwood Community in making the start to the School Year a very smooth beginning. This time of year can be frantic and sometimes overwhelming for the young people beginning school and those transitioning from Primary to High School. I have been impressed with the way in which all sectors of the Silkwood Community have worked together to ensure that the transition has been smooth for all. Thank you to the SCCA, our School Site, Administration and ICT teams, as well as our Learning Communities, for the wonderful effort in providing the platform for engagement of our learners and their families.
It is timely we are reminded that we have a duty of care to the children of Silkwood to ensure that students arrive and leave the school campus safely. The school also has strict council conditions on traffic flow in and out of the school. Our School Drop-Off Policy and Procedure, as outlined in the Parent Handbook (available on the School Website), is designed to manage this flow effectively and ensure students are safe when arriving and exiting the school. The School has three clearly signed Set-Down areas for morning drop off (times and details below). These areas are clearly marked and are the only areas
where students can be dropped off. We ask that the driver remain with the vehicle in these areas.
We have lots of new families, so we thought it was a great time to put out a few reminders that you can help us with in keeping our traffic flowing and everyone stress free:
We ask families to do their best to minimise parking by using our drop-off and pick-up systems (detailed below). This will allow parking spaces to be available for those who need it for meetings, children who need support and class events.
Primary School families are welcome to use the High School site parking when the Primary School spaces are full.
Having your child/ren’s names clearly written on an A4 piece of paper, placed on dashboard to sun visor, is a great help to our driveway attendants at pick-up.
The school has very strict traffic conditions which only allow parking for our families on our premises, in our designated car spaces. Parking on Shepherd’s Hill Lane is a NO-GO zone for our families. Not only do parents risk getting a fine, but the school also faces heavily penalties for breaching these conditions.
Refrain from using mobile phones in drop-off / pick-up zones, park in a designated car space if you need to make or take a call.
Families with siblings are to use the area designated for their youngest child:
Primary School Entrance - Prep-Year 1 students (and their older siblings).
High School Entrance - families with students in Years 2-12.
MORNING SCHEDULE
Drop Off Times
Between Set-Down Area
School Start Time
Years 2-12 7.45 – 8.20am
High School Set-Down area
8.30am
Year 1 8.00 – 8.20am Primary School Set-Down area,
On the first day of after school pickup we had a friendly Police Officer visit. We have never had a Police Officer work in our school zone before, so this was a bit of a surprise. He spoke to us about parents parking on Shepherd Hill Lane and crossing solid white lanes inappropriately. The Police Officer indicated that the Traffic Unit would be returning to our school zone in the future and infringements would result in enforcement notices.
In closing, I remind parents that the details of the Cyber Safety Parent Evening is contained in this Newsletter. We again welcome Brett Lee, a former undercover internet detective and police officer of twenty-two years, who will bring us up to date information and the online risks to children.
Additionally, I found Brett Lee’s Book – Screen Resolution very informative – and the importance for children and parents to know that they can be charged for cyber-bullying. I learned from Brett’s talks and book that one federal offence involving “any person using a carriage service to menace, harass or threaten” does not say “an adult person” or ”a person who is not a student” and that students cannot hide behind the veil of “I didn’t know”. So, I encourage all families to register for the event which will be held next Monday night (4 March) at the High School. Please look for further details in this Newsletter.
Terry O’Hanlon-Rose PRINCIPAL
CYBER SAFETY COURSE FOR PARENTS & CARERS
DATE: Monday, 4 March TIME: 6.00pm for a 6.30pm start (see Agenda below) WHERE: Silkwood High School, Year 9/10 space BOOKINGS: Contact the School Office
If your young person is engaging in the digital world, we ask you to prioritise this date as we need your attention.
We are pleased to have secured for you the best speaker in this field, Brett Lee, Cybersafety Detective and Expert.
Brett will provide strategies about protection and prevention to empower you to reduce online risks within your home. He will also be speaking to the Year 5-12 students and teachers during the day to ensure an aligned approach both at school and at home.
Childcare will be available at the venue for those who cannot organise babysitters.
Agenda for the evening:
6.00pm Arrival and welcome
6.30pm Terry O’Hanlon-Rose
How the school and parents can work together on Cybersafety
6.45pm Brett Lee
Cybersafety Tips for Parents
8.15pm Sandra Lipinski
Silkwood’s policies: social media, cyberbullying, filtering, mobile phones and e-safety government website resource
8.30pm Q & A Panel
All speakers available to answer questions
9.00pm Tea/Coffee/Chat
LEARNING COMMUNITY LEADER NEWS FROM THE HIGH SCHOOL
Thank you to all families who have participated in Personal Learning Plan meetings with their student and Advisor. We have met with 90% of families in Years 9-12 so far, and we know that there are a few parents still to book in who have been traveling for work.
The Personal Learning Plan meetings are a crucial element of our advisory approach at Silkwood. It is where you gain an understanding of what your student plans to focus on in their personal learning time and how the student and advisor will work together to support their development in Core English/Maths, Integrated Units and Experiential Units. Families can assist by offering links to people in your network in the community who may be able to mentor your student in their area of interest.
If you have not yet met with your student’s Advisor, please make a time to do so; phone and skype appointments are available if you are unable to attend the school.
We look forward to seeing you all again at the end of Semester 2 in Exhibition Week, where you can see the outcome of your student’s Personal Learning Plan. We appreciate families making this time commitment to support students pursuing their passions. Being accountable to their families, peers and advisors is a key motivator for students to complete the project cycle. From this exhibition, students can then review their work and set their direction for the following term’s learning plan in terms of where they would like to take their learning next. Learning is a continual cycle!
Over the weekend we had eight representatives from Silkwood School enter the annual Inter-School Tennis Tournament.
With close to 100 teams nominated across four divisions, our students represented our School in three of those divisions, against some fierce competition from all over the Gold Coast.
All our teams played three matches throughout the day, with all our teams winning at least one of their matches, an incredible accomplishment.
The Silkwood School spirit was in full force, with our players valiantly covering for one another across divisions due to injury and illness.
We would like to congratulate the following students for their achievements at this tournament.
Sarah D (Year 5) Eden G (Year 5) Rhys T (Year 5) Teo D (Year 5) Xavier P (Year 6) L’iel G (Year 6) Eden D (Year 7)
A special mention also to Tobey C (Year 5) who unfortunately had to pull out due to illness.
We are so proud of our Tennis Representatives and look forward to seeing their sporting achievements throughout the year.
Nikki Fields
2019 Q1 STAIR CHALLENGE
On Sunday 10th March Silkwood students will be participating in the Q1 Stair Challenge, running / walking / crawling up all 77 floors of the Q1 building.
As part of our challenge we are also raising money for Rosies. This is a great charity that helps vulnerable people within the local community.
If you are keen to donate and help us reach our fundraising target, please do so by clicking on the link below:
Great news! We have recently hired two new drivers who will start in the next couple of weeks.
This will mean we can add a new central morning bus and we can adjust some bus stops and increase capability on the southern Bus Service.
I am happy that we can support over 70 families with the school bus service and hope we can improve on this in the future.
We still have a few practical issues to resolve around bus sizes, parking and pick-up areas, before we can realise our full potential.
The Bus Minder system has proven to be very useful in tracking students, however, we are aware that the payment system needs some improvements. A new booking and payment process will be introduced prior to Term 2. Information will be emailed to families soon.
Please ensure order bags are clearly written with student name, year level and order, contain correct money and are in the class basket before 8.30am each morning.
Menus are available from the Tuck Shop window.
Late Orders
Orders cannot be placed after 9.00am. However, we know things can be forgotten and we do not want children to go hungry, so emergency packets of crackers and sultanas, are available for $2 per packet (from Tuckshop window or Primary School office).
High School Tuck Shop ordering
High School students can make tuck shop orders by placing a lunch order bag with money in the basket at the High School office each morning.
Year 9-12 advisories will assign weekly monitors to collect the lunch orders at 12.40pm and bring to the High School Office for collection by Year 7-12 students.
Important things to note:
- The HS tuck shop basket will be kept at the HS office. - Orders must be placed by 8.30am, before school commences. - Lunch order collection point will be outside the HS office
(monitors are not to distribute orders on their way to the HS office).
To set up a Tuck shop account Fill in a tuck shop bag with:
- Child's/children's name - Year Level - Your name and mobile number - Amount put in bag (generally $50, depending on frequency of
orders)
The tuck shop bag can either be delivered directly to me at tuck shop window or dropped in to School Office.
You then just place orders as usual, by filling in a tuck shop order bag - with a note in brackets saying (ON ACCOUNT).
I will send a 'top up' text message when your account is low.
There is fee for maintaining the account of $5 per term.
If you would like to know more about the account system or menu, please contact me on [email protected] or phone 0415 907 888, or visit me at the tuck shop window (next to Primary School office) between 8.30am-1.30pm Monday-Friday.
Joanna Tuck Shop
CLASSES IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS ISSUE…
YEAR 2 NEWS
Year 2 has started off with a bang! We’ve dived straight back in to our core work and have blasted our way through nouns, verbs and adjectives, as well as three-digit numbers and number bonds! We’ve learned an Irish tune on the recorder and can give you an Irish blessing! (Just ask us for one if you need one.)
Last year the children were really engaged during some of our elective afternoon activities around experiments, so we now have one afternoon a week of STEAM in our experiential program. STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths. We follow the process of Ask, Imagine, Create, Improve, and Share on these afternoons, and work with a partner or small group to answer a question. “Can you make a bird’s nest?” was a fun afternoon, and many of our nests lasted for a week outside in the weather! We’ve been challenged to make a spider’s web that could stay up on its own, without us holding it. (If you come around the back of our classrooms you will see some are still there!) And we had an Art and Science challenge to imagine a creature and then create a suitable habitat for it. It’s been so much fun!
In art, we have been studying different artists and their work. We’ve looked at the artwork of Laurel Burch, Vincent van Gogh and Roy Lichtenstein. All their works are so different, but all of them have parts that we like. We’ve had a chance to create our own artworks inspired by these artists, and we are realising that sometimes art is a process, rather than just a finished piece at the end.
Donna-Lee, Clare and Cynthia
YEAR 3 NEWS
Year 3 are currently wrapping up our first Hebrew Tales 1 Integrated Unit (IU), which draws on stories from the Old Testament to inspire dramatic retell, written work and artistic interpretations. The students have loved hearing stories about Noah’s Ark, Jonah and the Whale and the story of Joseph and his brothers. As Hebrew Tales 1 is ending the excitement is building in the classroom for our next IU, Gardeners, with an excursion planned in the coming weeks for the Botanic Gardens.
Throughout our core Math and English sessions, the students have been learning all about place value and representing 4-digit numbers. We have also been learning about narrative writing and the students across Year 3 have been building a strong understanding of descriptive language. We are continuing to expand our vocabulary through using our senses.
We have been deepening our understanding our class Totem, the Eastern Water Dragon and exploring stories that help us to move through changes that happen in our lives.
We have also been learning about the concept of community, studying the diversity of people and places. We have been focusing on how people participate in their communities. As a result, the children have been engaging in a variety of projects based in their advisories. Deep reflection upon their own understanding of the concept of a community has been essential throughout our learning. Here are some interesting definitions of ‘community’ conjured up by the students:
- “A community is a group of people.”
- “A community is a group of people serving a purpose.”
- “A community is a group of people working together to help each other.”
Lucy, Lou and Savannah
Advisory 4 Class Pets - “They help us feel connected as a group.”
YEAR 5 NEWS
Year 5 has had a fantastic start to the year. We have been learning lots of new and exciting things, building new friendships and relationships and learning new routines!
One of the biggest changes in Year 5 is BYOD. We have now entered the world of digital technologies throughout Integrated Unit, Bits n Bytes. We have been getting to know our computers and the different programs available. On this journey we have already learnt about cyber safety and cyber bullying as well as viruses and scams. We’ve discussed proper e-mail etiquette and what it means to be a digital citizen. During our project ‘Big Names in Computing’ we looked closer into researching and Power Point presentations. This week we are focusing on ‘iPad Etiquette’ as well as learning how to properly use our portfolios. Next week we will enter the world of Ancient Egypt and we can’t wait!
Each advisory has been undertaking different activities during their Discovery sessions. Our primary focus is creating an inclusive, safe and happy learning environment in Year 5. We have begun to explore Rock & Water, using our Habits of Mind, understanding what it means to be mindful and how we can apply different strategies throughout the day, as well beginning to read Wonder- which we explore the central theme of kindness and empathy.
In Week 3 students shared their speeches for Advisory & Class Representatives. We are so proud of everyone who gave it a go – everyone all did such a great job. Congratulations to the following students:
Eloise & Leathan: Chantal’s Advisory Representatives Balin & Nova: Kath’s Advisory Representatives Hugo & Ava: Eva’s Advisory Representatives Carmen & Hugo: Class Representatives.
We are looking forward to what the rest of term brings to us!
Chantal, Kath & Eva
Year 5 Term 1 Representatives
YEAR 6 NEWS
Over the first half of this term, our integrated unit has included students researching and reflecting upon what being Australian is to them. We have investigated how Australia was colonised and the impact this had on those who migrated. An important aspect to this unit is that the students gain an understanding and acknowledge the impact colonisation had on the Indigenous peoples of Australia.
In English, we have been producing some very creative spooky stories throughout our cohort as our focus this term is the narrating writing genre. By the end of the term we are hoping to be able to create our own Year 6 book of spooky stories to share with the future year 6 students. To accompany this, we have been
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NEWSLETTER Term 3 – 2018
Issue 2
focussing on narrative stories in our guided silent reading program.
Students have continued their learning journey using the Math Pathways program. They have been working through their individualised modules at their own pace. They have routine basic facts speed testing which is showing great results with each member of the class.
Other exciting events happening this term include a Twin Falls walk with Numinbah Environmental Education Centre. This ties in perfectly to our next integrated unit, Landforms and Landscapes. We are also counting down the weeks till our Year 6 Canberra trip. Students are starting to get excited about visiting the Capital city and all the historical landmarks it has to offer.
Rhys, Janaya and Wanda
SCCA NUTRITION TEAM – RECIPE OF THE WEEK
Healthy lunch box idea by Julie Phillips, from the SCCA Nutrition Team.
If you have a recipe your children love, am sure others would love you to share it please email myself [email protected] or the school office so we can include it here.
Anzac Biscuits
Wholesome version of a classic – based on recipe by Naturopath Georgia Harding
100 grams butter (or coconut oil) 85 grams (¼ cup) raw honey (or rice syrup) 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 30 grams (¼ cup) rapadura or brown sugar (this is optional if you need extra sweetness) 60 grams (½ cup) flour of choice (wholemeal, buckwheat, gluten free, almond etc) 50 grams (½ cup) desiccated coconut 115 grams (1 ¼ cup) rolled oats (or quinoa flakes) 70 grams (½ cup) ground seeds (ie sunflower seeds or pepitas) 30 grams (¼ cup) sesame seeds 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder, ground 1-2 teaspoons of ginger powder, ground
Method
Preheat the oven to 180℃ and line a large biscuit tray with baking paper.
In a large pot, gently heat the butter and honey or rice syrup until melted. Remove from the heat. Add the bicarbonate of soda and mix very well.
Add the rest of the ingredients to the pot and mix until well combined. The mixture should feel wet and sticky but presses together.
With wet hands roll the mixture into approximately golf sized balls and place well apart (they do spread) on a large biscuit tray. Flatten very slightly with the back of a wet fork and bake until golden (approximately 10-20 minutes).
The longer they are baked the crispier they become. So, if you like a slightly chewy biscuit remove just as they start to brown. For a crunchy biscuit, leave a little longer.
Cool on the tray (they will harden as they cool) then put in an airtight container for up to a week. They may also be frozen in an airtight container or bag.
PARENT EDUCATION ARTICLE
Encourage kids to help at home (every day without pay)
By Michael Grose (www.parentingideas.com.au)
Confident kids are competent kids. Past experience has taught them that they can be successful. The easiest (and most neglected way) to help develop competency is to give kids opportunities to help out at home. Don’t overburden them with jobs. Sensibly allocate chores according to their age, interests and study requirements.
Expect children and young people to help without being paid.
Provide pocket money but avoid linking it to chores. Helping in exchange for money develops in children a notion of ‘What’s in it for me?’, which is a self-centred view of life.
However, many parents tell me that they can’t get their kids to help unless they pay them. Those parents have made a rod for their own backs. It’s time for a change of tune. Don’t wait until they are old enough to help. Start now, regardless of age. Toddlers and teens and all ages in between should be expected to chip in and help.
Here are eight ideas to help you get your kids to help out at home without being paid:
Keep jobs real
Kids can sense it when parents give them jobs to keep them busy. Make sure the jobs you apportion make a real contribution to their own the family’s well-being.
Balance the personal chores with family jobs
Chores are generally divided into two areas. Jobs such as keeping a bedroom tidy benefits a child and jobs such as setting the table benefit the family. By doing this, kids learn to contribute positively to family-life.
Place more difficult tasks on a roster
The children can refer to it when needed, which takes the load off you and removes the need to remind them. Rotate the unpleasant tasks frequently. And here’s the key to making rosters work – place yourself on the roster too! Kids are generally more willing to help when you as a parent are involved.
Use Grandma’s principle to make sure jobs are done
Grandma’s principle means you do the less pleasant tasks first. That is, make sure jobs are finished before mealtimes or before starting pleasant activities such as watching television.
Avoid doing jobs for children
When children get the message that no one will do their jobs for them they will be more likely to help.
Make a fuss when they help so they know that their contribution to the family is valued. If you do it often enough they may even show their appreciation for all you do for them!
Keep your standards high
Don’t accept half-hearted efforts or half-completed jobs. If you think your child is capable of putting the cat food back in the fridge and placing the spoon in the dishwasher then insist that he or she does just that, rather than leaving the cat food on the sink. A job properly done is valued in the world of work, which they will eventually enter.
Rebrand the term ‘chore’ as ‘help’
The term ‘chore’ definitely has an image problem. Use the term ‘help’ as it is easier on the ear and really does indicate what you want from your kids.
Michael Grose
Michael Grose, founder of Parenting Ideas, is one of Australia’s leading parenting educators. He’s the author of 10 books for parents including Thriving! and the best-selling Why First Borns Rule the World and Last Borns Want to Change It, and his latest release Spoonfed Generation: How to raise independent children.
The Silkwood School has a Buy Swap and Sell Facebook Group where parents can sell or give away their second-hand goods including second-hand school uniforms. Please click on the link to join. This is an SCCA initiative.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/700798820062787/
COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
CARPOOLING REQUESTS
- I am looking for someone living in Lower Beechmont to take my 2 children in Year 5 at Silkwood to school each morning, as I have to leave early for work. If you are able to assist, please call Jane on 0413692568
- From Crescent Ave, Hope Island; Year 7 student; both morning and afternoon; contact Caroline [email protected]
- Cottesloe drive in the Mermaid Waters / Robina area; can do
mornings, but need help with afternoons; happy to help and contribute money for fuel and time; contact Stefanie and Dustin on 0406242746
- We are hopeful to arrange a carpool for our daughter, Blaine (Year 3), leaving Brisbane. We are in Camp Hill but can meet at a more central location. Please contact Melanie Bickford if you can help. [email protected]
DISCLAIMER The advertising sections of this newsletter have been submitted by individuals. Silkwood School does not take any responsibility for the content. The opinions expressed in the advertisements and notices do not necessarily represent the views of the school.
