Olympic Celebrations
I hope you’ve been enjoying the Olympic Games as much as I have. I look forward to this time every four years because not only is it enjoyable to watch our Aussie’s do well, it also gives the teachers a chance to teach the kids about different countries, sports, flags, national anthems and the amazing achieves of athletes, past and present.
Over the last few weeks, the kids have engaged in activities in their own classrooms as well as in multi-age groups. In week 1, they learned about the history of the Olympics going right back to the ancient games in Greece over 2700 years ago! They also discussed the meaning behind the Olympic Rings (each ring represents a continent), their colours (national flags contain at least one of those colours), the Olympic Games that have been held in Australia and some background knowledge about France. The highlight was the Opening Ceremony which was held last Friday afternoon where the kids represented a country and dressed in the national colours of that country.
It’s important we recognise significant events such as the Olympics because improving the general knowledge of the students helps them develop comprehension skills. We align our curriculum programs to concepts that relate to the Olympics, such as reading and writing about the biographies of athletes. It’s also a whole lot of fun!
Attendance update
Earlier this year I mentioned that I’d regularly update the school community about how our attendance rate is going. Here’s how things are looking so far:
- 13 students (3%) have had 0 absence days. Well done!
- 286 students (56%) have had 0.5 – 9.5 absence days
- 160 students (31%) have had 10 – 19.5 absence days
- 36 students (7%) have had 20 – 29.5 absence days
- 19 students (4%) have had 30+ absence days
Based on the way we’re tracking, it is anticipated that the average number of absence days per student is predicated to be 18.6 days. This is something we absolutely must turn around. Last year the figure was 17.
We need your help please.
I realise that this year has been a particularly bad one for illnesses. If your child is unwell, we expect they will stay home to recover. If we put medical illness aside, the next highest reason for student absence is “Parent Choice – unauthorised”. If student attendance is to be improved, the way it’s done is to ensure that your child comes to school every day and on time provided they are well enough to attend.
This brings me to late arrivals. As of today, with the exception of grade 6, every year level has already had more days late to school than all of last year. Arriving late to school has a profound effect on academic progress. Teachers do a daily review of previous learning and provide explicit instruction about new concepts and skills to learn at the beginning of every lesson. If kids miss this vital part of the lesson, they are having to play catch up and it puts them further behind.
I’d like this message to be a Call to Action. If students arrive at school every day on time, they are given the best opportunity to improve their academic, social and emotional learning.
Bullying No Way: National Week of Action
The National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence has a new name—Bullying No Way: National week of action.
Bullying No Way Week, which is happening 12 to 16 August, is Australia’s key bullying prevention initiative and connects schools and communities to find workable solutions to prevent bullying.
The theme for 2024 is ‘Everyone belongs’.
When we all feel like we belong, bullying struggles to find a place. It’s about embracing who we are, respecting everyone’s differences and standing up together against unkindness.
Belonging means we all have a role in preventing bullying. We’re encouraged to speak up and create a safe place where everyone feels supported and respected, and our voices are heard and valued.
At Boronia Heights Primary School, we do not tolerate bullying in any forms. Our approach to tackling bullying is to be proactive in educating children about how to treat each other with respect and kindness. It’s also worth acknowledging that when incidents happen that impact the health and wellbeing of students, we are responsive and develop plans to address the behaviour. Kids should know what to do and who they can talk to when bullying occurs.
Throughout Bullying No Way Week, the kids will have discussions about what bullying is and isn’t, how to recognise it and know what to do when they experience it or see it happening. It’s also important that when we talk to children about “bullying”, there is an understanding that children are growing and still learning how to interact appropriately. When they say or do things that might be mean, nasty or hurtful, it doesn’t necessarily make them a “bully”. It’s the behaviour we should focus on modifying as opposed to labelling them as a “bully”.
Ultimately, we want bullying in all its forms to stop. This week will shine a spotlight on the steps we can all take to manage these behaviours effectively.
Kind regards,
Mat Anderton
Principal