1. Art and Diseño

GOOD SHEPHERD …
DATES TO REMEMBER
 Wednesday—Sports uniform
 Daily—Morning Reading
Club
TERM 1
 Thurs 5 Student Protection
In-service 9.00am
 Fri 6 Feb Opening of
School Year Mass 9.00am
 Fri 6 Feb Welcoming BBQ
5.00pm
 Mon 9 Feb Leadership day
 Tues 10 Feb Parent Information Night 6 –7pm
 Wed 11 Feb Parent Information Afternoon 3.30—
4.30pm
 Tue 17 Feb Pancake Tuesday
 Leadership Induction Liturgy 9.00am
 Tuesday 24 Years 5/6
Community Prayer Gathering 9.00am
 Wednesday 18 Feb Ash
Wednesday 11.15am
 Friday 20 March—
Wellbeing Day
 Thurs 2 April Holy Week
Liturgy
 Term 1 concludes.
Parish Details
Our Lady of the Southern
Cross Parish -St Augustines
Drive, Augustine Heights QLD
Email: [email protected]. net.au
Parish priest: Rev Mauro
Mass Times
Augustine Centre - St
Augustine’s Drive, Augustine Heights (situated
within the grounds of
St Augustine's College)
Sunday Masses
Saturday: 6:00pm
Sunday: 9:00am
Baptism Preparation—
2nd Sunday of the Month
at 10.30am. No need to
book, just turn up.
ENewsletter
V O L U M E
P R I N C I P A L :
3
M S
I S S U E
J U D I T H
From the Principal
Dear Families, Carers and Staff,
Welcome to Week 2 and we
hope that it is an exciting and
positive week for you and your
family. Last week commenced
extremely well and the children
settled quickly into their learning. There are many new routines that need attention over
the coming weeks and months
until these become familiar to
our children.
CELEBRATING 3rd BIRTHDAY!
Last Friday, 30 January 2015,
we the Good Shepherd community celebrated our third birthday. So much has occurred
since opening our doors in
2013 and we are proud of all
that occurred in our second
year of operation. We thank
our students, parents and staff
for their dedication and wonderful support in our second
year. We now look forward to
including new members and
growing into the future with
our inspiring community. Thank
you to everyone for making the
beginning of 2015, our third
year such a brilliant commencement to our new year.
CHANGE OF ROUTINE
As we move into our new
school year it is important for
our families to be aware of
some immediate Good Shepherd School procedures. The
newsletter and our school webSTUDENT PROTECTION CONTACTS
Ms Judith Anne Seery - Principal
Mrs Terese Shephard – APRE
Carmel Coleman – Guidance Counsellor
Prue Durre - Teacher
2
A N N E
3
F E B R U A R Y
S E E R Y -
A P R E :
2 0 1 5
M R S
site are helpful methods of
assisting you with relevant
information. For the benefit of
our 2015 school community, I
will outline a few of these procedures on pages 2 and 3 of
this edition of the newsletter:
Please read carefully.
UPDATE ON STUDENT PROTECTION AT GOOD SHEPHERD
Your children and their safety
and wellbeing are our priority.
Good Shepherd is committed
to the protection of all our
students from harm and abuse.
There have been some recent
changes to legislation in relation to reporting of student
protection matters by schools.
T E R E S E
S H E P H A R D
vant button.
Complaints Procedure - Brisbane Catholic Education has
published a Complaints Procedure for Non-Compliance with
BCE Student Protection Processes. A link to the Complaints Procedure can be
found on our school website.
Parents or students may make
a complaint via the Record of
Complaint
about
Noncompliance with Brisbane
Catholic Education Student
Protection Processes which
can be accessed on Brisbane
Catholic Education’s public
website
www.bne.catholic.edu.au
Under the ‘Students and Parents’ tab select ‘Student Protection’ from the drop down
menu and click on the relevant
button. We take all complaints
very seriously and will handle
them in accordance with the
Complaints Procedure for NonCompliance with BCE Student
Protection Processes.
Should you require information or assistance regarding
the procedures you may contact the school or the Brisbane
Catholic Education Student
Protection Team on 3033
7409.
Reporting of Concerns – At
Good Shepherd any concerns
or reasonable suspicions we
have about a student’s safety
and wellbeing or the behaviour
of a staff member or volunteer
which a student considers to
be inappropriate, will continue
to be managed in accordance
with Brisbane Catholic Education Student Protection Processes. All our staff recently
undertook training on their
reporting responsibilities. A
link to the Brisbane Catholic
Education Student Protection
Processes can be found on our
school website or they can be
accessed on Brisbane Catholic
Education’s public website
www.bne.catholic.edu.au
Continue on Page 2.
Under the ‘Students and Parents’ tab select ‘Student Protection’ from the drop down .
menu and click on the rele-
From the Principal continued...
Family and Child Connect Services - The
Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services, has now established Family and Child Connect services to provide support to families.
Please make contact with Good Shepherd, if you feel your family may benefit
from contact with a Family and Child
Connect Service or a local support service.
Concerns or Further Information- Parents and students should talk to the
Student Protection Contact Team as per
the front of the newsletter, the class
teacher or the Principal if there are any
concerns about the safety and wellbeing
of any student or concerns about the
behaviour of a staff member or volunteer. We take all reports seriously and
will handle them in accordance with our
Student Protection Processes.
STUDENT PROTECTION INSERVICE
5 FEBRUARY 2015
In addition, a Student Protection workshop has been organised on Thursday 5
February at 8.50am in Ignatius Designing Place in order for parents new to
Good Shepherd who would like to volunteer in the classrooms or throughout
the school. Parents who have undertaken the workshop in previous years, need
to complete the Student Protection documents for 2015.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
We strongly encourage parents to participate in all that occurs within the daily
operation of the school. Your assistance
will be greatly appreciated. Your involvement, as partners in your child’s
education will truly reward you and
your child within his/her learning as well
as being greatly appreciated by the
staff. Teachers will alert you re your
involvement when they have settled the
children into their routines. It is important that you complete the Student
Protection In-service prior to volunteering.
LATE COMERS TO SCHOOL
It is imperative that children commence
the new school year by setting a priority
of arriving at school in readiness for the
start of their learning, which commences at 8.40am. It is very unsettling for the
class and their teacher to have children
wandering in late. Parents need to be
aware that the teachers mark the elec-
tronic roll each morning and your child
is marked late if they are not present
for the commencement of lessons.
Each child’s late arrivals are tallied and
recorded as well as added to their bisemester school reports. It is also important to remember that the electronic roll is a legal document. Children
who arrive to school after 8.50am are
to visit the Administration Office with
their parents to complete a late arrival
form, which requires the purpose for
the late arrival. This also applies with
the need to collect your child/children
early from school– as with the morning
procedure, a form must be completed
in the office.
OPENING SCHOOL YEAR MASS
9.00AM AND WELCOME BBQ 5.00PM
Please join us in celebrating our opening of the school year on Friday 6 February at 9.00am in the Undercover
Area for our Opening of the new
school Mass. All Year levels will participate in our celebration with Fr Mauro
Conte. We will catch up again at
5.00pm for our Welcome BBQ. I am
looking forward to meeting you all on
Friday for our special events.
PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT
The parent information evening will be
held on Tuesday 10 February at
6.00pm in the Undercover area for a
few important reminders. The purpose
of this evening is to provide information on the Learning and Teaching
that will occur throughout 2015. It is
important for at least one or both parents to attend this evening. We look
forward to meeting you on Tuesday 10
February. We will repeat the same on
Wednesday 11 February afternoon at
3.30pm
PREPARATION FOR THE NEW SCHOOL
YEAR
Ensure your children go to bed early and
get plenty of sleep! Settling into a new
routine can be tiring. This might apply
to adults also!
Get organised the night before
(Uniforms and lunches ready) to ensure a smoother, more relaxed start to
the day.
Allow extra time to get ready in the
morning so that you’re not rushed.
That way your child can arrive at
school feeling calm and ready.
Model calmness and confidence to
your child because this will help them
for feel calm and confident also.
Talk positively about what will happen
at school and reassure your child you
will see them at the end of the day.
Try to avoid scheduling too many big
activities during the first week back to
school. Best to include some quiet
and relaxing activities at home.
Avoid overwhelming your child with
too many questions straight after
school; instead just follow their cues.
For children just beginning school you
might like to celebrate their first couple of weeks at school with something like a special dinner or a trip to
the park.
Starting school is a transition that
continues well after the first day at
school. There can be ups and downs
until children settle, however, if you
have any concerns for your child,
please do not hesitate to make an
appointment to talk to the teachers.
DATES FOR TERM 1
In order to know what is happening
this term please add the list of dates
found on page 1 of this edition of the
Newsletter to your diary. It would be
great if you could find a way to attend
as many functions as possible. We
look forward to welcoming you to
Good Shepherd.
MORNING GATHERING AREA PROCEDURES
Each morning we
gather before
school, down stairs in the undercover
area. The children have a designated
area to place their school bags behind
the A3 photo of their teacher and the
name of their class i.e. Rebecca AE 2 –
Prep. Once bags are in place the child
moves to a group of students being
read to by either a student or a parent. A few minutes prior to the bell
the children will be asked to thank
their reader and return the book to
the tub.
Before School Reading is a lovely opportunity for the children to learn the
art of listening or to increase their
reading skills. We encourage reading
groups across all the year levels. We
From the Principal continued...
commence the day with the Good Shepherd Prayer and if there are any messages
these will be announced prior to dismissal. Parents are encouraged to stay for
prayer, messages and dismissal. The blue,
cement and timber seating are available
for Parents as well as the cement seating.
We encourage the children not to sit with
their parents during prayer time, however to join their classes for prayer. This
gathering is also a great opportunity to
pass on messages and reminders to parents. We look forward to you being part
of our morning community gatherings.
END OF THE DAY PICK-UP PROCEDURES
Our school has grown somewhat since
last year and as a result there is a need to
put into place more concise practices that
are safer and protective for each child. I
ask for your patience and support during
the process of establishing the procedures. This practice is not new to schools
as it is a requirement by Safe Schools
Queensland.
Each afternoon, teachers will walk classes
out to the designated area. Parents are
encouraged to use the drive-through
method (DROP, KISS GO area) to pick up
their child by placing the family name on
the down turned visor. (We are currently
having more professional names printed
with the school logo, however could not
place our order until we had completed
our enrolments). We also have two buses
that pick up each day, so I encourage you
to keep a look out for them.
Thank you to everyone for supporting our
school safety program over the past few
days. You are to be congratulated, and
thanks to the staff for their consistency
and dedication to the safety of our children. Please see over Queensland’s Safety Website. Parents may also pick up children from the following collection areas:
1. By parking in Springfield Central
Boulevard and walking down the front
Springfield Central Boulevard stairs
and waiting in front of the stairs for
your child to come by from Assisi or
MacKillop. If your child is in Ignatius—
please let them know in the morning
where you are going to collect them
2. By parking outside the school and
walking into the collection point.
3. By parking in the carpark and walking
over to collect your child.
4. Walking or riding to and from school.
CARPARK AND TRAFFIC PROCEDURES
This is a reminder that it is important to
park your car in one of the parking bays
in the car park if you need to come into
school.
We encourage you not to park at all in
the drop-off, pick-up zone or the bus
zone and leave your car. This is not a
parking area. The drop-off and pick-up
areas are designated specifically for the
purpose of dropping off and picking up,
so please do not leave your car. Thank
you for your courtesy in relation to the
above. It is greatly appreciated and promotes safety for all concerned with our
community.
There are arrows throughout the carpark area, please follow them for the
purpose of safety to all. Last week, it
was reported that some parents were
driving against the traffic. This is an accident waiting to happen. We all need
to exercise respect and courtesy.
SOCIALISATION
Parents who like to meet for a chat can
continue to do so by parking in one of
the middle carpark areas, and walking
across to the collection point, however
for the benefit of practicing our new
procedures for the children over the
next couple of weeks, it would be great
if you could support the pick-up procedures during its infancy stage, so that
the children understand what they
need to do.
Should you stop for a chat parents, I
don’t need to remind you of the importance of modelling road safety by
crossing at the zebra- crossing and collect your child/children from the designate area.
Good Shepherd respects the Queensland School Safety program which promotes a safe environment for drop offs
and pickups.
Thank you for the great discussion at
the FACE Meeting yesterday regarding
the new procedures. See minutes.
TAKING DAYS OFF SCHOOL
Parents taking their child out of school
will be considered as a serious matter
this year. Please see information from
the National Education Minister. Leaving school 10 minutes early adds up to
hours of valuable learning being lost.
This year, I would appreciate that appointments be taken outside of school
hours. Thank you for your support in
this important matter of respecting
your child’s learning. See page 6 for
information. Some children missed over
20% of their education last year.
HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION
PROCEDURES
Each Wednesday, unless otherwise
advised, sports uniforms are worn to
participate as part of the HPE Curriculum. The teachers are responsible for
the teaching of all aspects of the HPE
which will occur each Wednesday.
The following is taken from the
ACARA Website.
“Health and Physical Education offers
experiential learning, with a curriculum that is relevant, engaging, contemporary, physically active, enjoyable and developmentally appropriate.
Integral to Health and Physical Education is the acquisition of movement
skills, concepts and strategies that
enable students to confidently and
competently participate in a range of
physical activities. “In Health and
Physical Education students develop
the knowledge, understanding and
skills to support them to be resilient,
to develop a strong sense of self, to
build and maintain satisfying relationships, to make health-enhancing decisions in relation to their health and
physical activity
participation, and
to develop health literacy competencies in order to enhance their own and
others’ health and wellbeing. Validation of the F–10 Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education
achievement standards commenced
on 17 July 2013. The purpose of validation is to ensure that the achievement standards provide a clear progression of achievement across each
band of learning in the revised curriculum”. Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority
(ACARA).
Wishing you a smooth journey into
the 2015 school year. May you enjoy
the blessings of this week and we remember in prayer all those who may
find life difficult throughout the week.
Judith A. Seery - Principal
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Dear Parents/Caregivers
The small things in everyday life
are no less sacred than the great
issues of human existence .
(Thomas Moore)
In part our Mission Statement
reads that we are called by name
to be open and welcoming, recognizing that we are all made in the
image and likeness of God.
Tony Ryan, learning consultant
and writer, speaks of the ‘Ripple
Effect’. We have all seen this
effect when we have dropped a
stone into water and watched as
the circles grew in ever widening
arcs around the centre.
We too create ripples. A ripple is
the inside-out release of energy
generated by our thoughts and
actions that eventually affects
the lives of others in some way.
All those little things you do in
every moment of your life can ripple out to create endless changes
in the lives of others, and there is
no need to become a politician, or
a social media star, to have such a
powerful effect. One of your tiny
actions this very day could ripple
out and make a positive change in
the life of another. It can be as
simple as looking that other person in the eye and smiling!
Unfortunately we can send out
negative ripples too. How easily
that word or action can hurt.
How fast that negative gossip
spreads.
2015
FROM THE APRE
PAGE
4
As part of our Positive Behaviour 4 Learning at Good
Shepherd, children are
taught that everyone needs
to be treated with dignity
and respect, regardless of
whether they are your
‘friend’ or not. Our Good There is a transcendental indefinable
Shepherd Way of Being Com- mysterious power that pervades everything in the universe, from the smallest
munity also reflects this.
particle of matter to the biggest form of
life.
If it is not you who is going
to make a difference, then One tree can start a forest;
who else is likely to make the One star can guide a ship at sea;
effort? Remember that eveOne candle wipes out darkness;
ry change on this planet begins with a human being One sunbeam lights a room
somewhere, somehow. It may One path leads to home
as well be you.
One vote can change the destiny;
Loving God, source of all creation, you have made us in
your image. You welcome all
to share in your love. Give us
the grace to recognize and
welcome all in our community.
Help us to bring about a
sense of acceptance and
openness.
One spark can start a fire;
One song can spark a moment;
One bird can herald a spring;
One handclasp can lift a soul;
One word can frame the goal;
One touch can show you care
One voice can speak with wisdom;
One smile begins a friendship;
One laugh will conquer gloom
If you think you are too small
One life can make the difference.
to be effective, you have
never been in bed with a mos- One gentle word, one warm smile, one
act of love from someone can start a
quito. (Bette Reese)
chain reaction.
Kindest Regards,
Terese Shephard APRE
One person... One action.. One belief...
could start something...and make a difference.
It is up to me to discover how great I can
be.
Each of us holds the key to the power of
one to make a difference.
Each one of us has the power within to
inspire those around us to make a difference..
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Additional Information—Reminders
Safe school
travel
Each year, a number of students are injured as they travel to and from school.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads is committed to reducing student
injuries and fatalities and providing the safest possible journey to and from
school for all road users.
If a school community identifies a safety concern it should establish a safe
school travel committee. The committee should include the Principal, parents/
carers, teachers and other interested parties (for example, local police or a local government representative). Schools should contact their local Road Safety
Advisor ( http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/About-us/Contact-us/Specifictopics.aspx ) who will assist the safe school travel committee and provide relevant resources, information and application forms if appropriate.
Safe school travel resources include:
School crossing supervisor scheme ( http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/Schoolroad-safety/Safe-school-travel-safest/School-crossing-supervisorscheme.aspx )
School zones ( http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/School-road-safety/Safeschool-travel-safest/School-environment-safety.aspx )
School zone speed limits ( http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Safety/School-roadsafety/Safe-school-travel-safest/Speed-limits-in-school-zones.aspx )
Related downloads are available below:
National guidelines for the risk assessment of school transport routes (PDF, 15
KB) ( http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/Safety/Schoolroadsafety/Safe%
20school%20travel%20safest/
national_guidelines_for_risk_assess_school_trans_v2.pdf )
Guide to the management of rural school bus routes and bus stops (PDF, 1.62
MB) ( http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/Safety/Schoolroadsafety/Safe%
20school%20travel%20safest/
rs_school_management_of_rural_school_bus_routes_and_stops_v2.pdf )
Trial of seat belts on school buses – final report (PDF, 1.3 MB) ( http://
www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/Safety/Schoolroadsafety/Safe%20school%
20travel%20safest/Pdf_rs_school_seat_belt_trial_report.pdf )
Planning for safe transport infrastructure at schools – technical guideline (PDF,
2.86 MB) ( http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/Safety/Schoolroadsafety/
Safe%20school%20travel%20safest/
PlanningforsafetransportinfrastructureatschoolsTechnicalGuideV4a.pdf )
Road advertising – Electronic Variable Message Signs at schools (PDF, 170 KB)
NUDE FOOD
Good Shepherd is endeavouring to do our
best for the environment as we are all
stewards of our land. As a result we are
asking the children to bring their food in
lunch boxes that do not require plastic
wrappers or throw away containers etc.
Should you find that you need to send
your child to school with wrappers on
sandwiches etc, we ask that the children
take these home along with any uneaten
food. Uneaten food provides parents with
an idea of what is being consumed. Regarding bought containers containing milk
elements. etc, common sense prevails ,
children are asked to wash these out prior
to returning it to the lunchbox. As we continue to improve our practices to care for
our earth, there will always be some
teething problems. Thank you for your
support in this matter.
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Additional Information—Reminders
STUDENTS and parents face a blitz on school attendance in a bid to arrest Australia’s slide down the
international rankings of academic performance.
Federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne said they will use this data to keep finding ways to keep
children in school. Source: Supplied January 05, 2015 12:00AM
The Federal Government has ordered twice yearly publication of attendance figures for
every school in the country in a new campaign aimed at slashing absentee rates.
Families also have been warned against pulling their children out of Naplan tests amid fears rising numbers of withdrawals
could compromise the National Assessment Program , Literacy and Numeracy. Educators are battling on several fronts to keep
students in school including parents who pull their children out to take early holidays when flights and accommodation are
cheaper or skip classes to go shopping. About 33,000 children are absent from school every day, according to Education Department data, and in extreme cases parents are taken to court and prosecuted. Attendance figures for some schools can be as low
at 65 per cent.
Global studies show Australian primary students are beaten by Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and Korea in the major disciplines
of maths, science and reading. And researchers have found that a 10-day period of unauthorised absence from school in a year
is sufficient for a child to drop one performance band in Naplan.
From this year attendance data for every school will be updated twice on the My School website along with a new measure of
the proportion of students attending classes more than 90 per cent of the time. The figures collated by the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) will separate out average attendance rates for indigenous and nonindigenous students. Federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne said the data was part of a “stronger focus required to keep
kids in schools”.
“I look forward to the use of this data over time to identify and implement effective strategies to improve student outcomes,”
Mr Pyne said. Schools are also warning families in their newsletters to take students’ attendance record more seriously. Toronto
High school near Newcastle has issued strong reminders that “attendance every school day is required under the Education Act
unless formal permission is given by the principal prior to holidays or as a result of illness or misadventure”.
In its newsletter the school told parents: “This includes the last day of each term. Please ignore your child when they say, ‘But
no one else is going to school’, as this is not true. “Staff continue to teach normal programs to the last day of school.”
One frustrated high school has reported “incidents where students have had a small dispute with friends or staff and have decided to go home”. The school said in its newsletter: “This may have occurred with or without parents knowing. “This places the
student at risk. It will also be treated as truancy by the school.”
ACARA said it was concerned about the rising number of students withdrawn from the annual Naplan tests following criticism
they were stressful for children. The 2014 Naplan report reveals the level of withdrawals, where a child is deliberately kept from
sitting the tests, are at an all time high.
The withdrawal rate for Year 3 reading has jumped by almost 1 per cent to 2.7 per cent nationally. ACARA chief executive officer
Rob Randall said: “Parents who withdraw their children from Naplan tests are choosing not to benefit from a second set of eyes
on how well their children are doing.”
“Every student should know how well he or she is doing against national standards and in comparison with his or her peers.”
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Additional Information—Reminders
CARPARK AND TRAFFIC PROCEDURES
This is a gentle reminder that it is important to park your car in one of the parking bays in the car park. When dropping off or picking up your
children you should NOT be parking in the pickup/drop off zone OR the bus zone. Unfortunately we have noted a number of parents continue
to do this.
DRIVE THROUGH
The drive through section in the car-park along the curve where the signs state Drop, Kiss, Go Zone is for the purpose of dropping off and
picking up your child/children. It has been noted that a few parents are parking in the pick up zone and getting out of their car and chatting.
Parents are encouraged to gather for a chat however, please park your car in the car bay prior to chatting. I urge you in the spirit of the Way
We are Community at Good Shepherd to respect our rules for the safety and respect of all.
ENROLMENTS for 2015 and 2016
Good Shepherd is now accepting applications for enrolments from our school families, parish and the wider community for our 2016 Prep Year
to Year 6. A child born between 1 July 2010 -30 June 2011 will be eligible for the preparatory year of schooling before commencing Year 1 in
2017. We are also accepting enrolments for students for Years 1-6. Once the application has been downloaded from the school website: www.goodshepherd.qld.edu.au or an enrolment package collected from the office, parents will need to complete and forward it or drop
the enrolment application to Good Shepherd with the child’s birth certificate, baptismal certificate and immunisation information. Our numbers
are filling up fast, however there are some vacant places for Years 3-6.
PIANO/KEYBOARD LESSON PROGRAM
Private piano/keyboard lessons are held at our school on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Lessons are conducted by Mrs Mary Orr and are of a
half hour duration, each lesson is $27. If you are wishing to attend please send or email a message to the office and your contact details will
be given to Mary. Payment can be direct debited into Mary’s account or by cash (Parents can leave the cash in an envelope at the Administration office ). Lessons are conducted in a learning space on Wednesdays and Thursdays (students are withdrawn from classes during the
school day). Each student will receive a lesson book approx. $25. Mary will be offering interested parents a special introductory lesson
rate for Prep children to commence learning the piano this term. Please contact Mary Orr - Ph: 3379 4781 for more information.
GUITAR LESSONS
Years 1 to 5—30 minute lessons for group or private are held on Tuesdays from 12:00pm – 3:00pm. Guitars are supplied free for students.
Weekly payment (direct to tutor). $13 – group, $30 – private. Adult lessons please enquire. Guitar tutor from Queensland Conservatorium Tel:
0403 645 045 or email: [email protected] or complete the form below and please return to the school office.
VIOLIN/VIOLA AND CELLO LESSONS
Violin/Viola and Cello lessons are starting up later this term. The lessons are run by Mr Stu Humphrey, Qual. Bachelor of Music Hons.
Normally the group lessons are $13 paid weekly but to start off the program, a special offer of $6 per lesson is offered this term. The instruments are available to be taken home free of charge this term as well (w. a refundable instrument bond of $50). Any enquiries please email
info@qldguitarlessons or ph Stu on 0403645045."
SPEECH AND DRAMA PROGRAM
Megan Shapcott last term, introduced private Speech and Drama lessons on a day to be confirmed for any child who is interested in gaining
these skills. Megan has a career in theatre, film and TV. Megan is now a leading voice-over artist in Brisbane and winner of four Goldie awards
for best female voice-over artist in Queensland. She has also had over 20 years teaching experience, including St Joseph’s College Gregory
Terrace and Stuartholme College. Families and students are enjoying the fruits of Megan’s experience teaching Speech and Drama. Brochures and enrolment forms are available in the Office.
READING -THE IMPORTANCE OF READING TO YOUR CHILDREN Continued from last week.
When someone reads to a child, they are exposing that child to more than just the words on the page; they are demonstrating
proper speech patterns, the basics of how a book is read (i.e., from left to right, top to bottom, etc.), and the excitement that reading can bring. Research has shown that up to one-third of children entering Prep are underprepared to learn. Heckman (2006)
found that while learning to read occurs throughout the school years, preparing children to read before they start school is better
than helping them catch up later. Pre-reading skills, such as reading from left to right, turning pages as you read, and understanding that letters make the words that make up stories, are critical for emergent readers to learn prior to their first day of school.
Continued next week.