In this issue

KRANK bookings now open for the April School Holidays!

The KRANK program runs from Saturday 6 April to Thursday 18 April with plenty of free or low cost activities on offer for Logan kids aged 5-17 years. Bookings can be made by contacting the activity provider listed.

Woolworths Cricket Blast School Holiday Flyer A4 (Logan)

VACATION CARE

Parklands Outside School Hours Care is running vacation care over the Easter holiday period including Friday 5^th April.  The service will be operating from 6.30am-6pm daily.  We currently have limited spots available for care during this time period.  Should you wish to utilize our services over the vacation care period please contact us on 3297 0577 or email:  parklandsoshc@simrick.com to discuss availability, or alternatively pop in to see us in the prep building area.

Children will be able to engage in a variety of activities based on their interests and the Vacation Care Program.

We look forward to assisting with all your Vacation Care needs.

Booking form – Friday 5th April 2019

Easter Vacation Care Program

School Fees

Are deducted from your bank account on the 17th unless received by the 10th of each month.

Please ensure funds are in your account one (1) business day before the 17th of the month.

Our Bank Account details are as follows:

BSB: 034115
Account Number: 169944

Please use your surname and initials as reference e.g. ‘J&C Smith’

Term Direct Debit Deduction Dates

• 17th February
• 17th April
• 17th July
• 17th September

Note: Direct Debits that reject from your account due to insufficient funds will incur a $10.00 fee and loss of discount. An additional late fee of $20 will apply to invoices outstanding at the end of the month.

Discounts Available

• Monthly 2%
• Term 5%
• Annual 8%

Please find attached all of the Bus routes, that have been made available to Parklands families.

Bus Queensland now offer 3 pick ups in the afternoon outside Prep with various routes.

• Departing 3:22pm
• Departing 3:31pm
• Departing 3:45pm

As this is a service offered by Bus Queensland (not PCC) please direct all further enquires to Bus Queensland on 3802 1233 or email customers@busqld.com.au

PRT Changes to School Bus Routes (effective 29-01-2019)

6013

6055

6113 (1)

6142

6155

Subject to changes – please check the College Calendar on the College website for more detailed and up to date information on the above.

Term Dates 2019

School Days only

Coming up next month we have our annual Bush Dance with live entertainment – Beefa’s Bush Band. Lock this date into your calendar now… Saturday, May 18! Sausage sizzle available to purchase from 5.30pm, and then from 6pm-8pm the live band will play.  A night filled with lots of kicking up those heels and having fun for the entire family! Admission is only $20 per family or $5 per person. (payable at the door on the night) Please note this is a non-alcoholic event and parent supervision is required.

Woolworths Earn and Learn Stickers are back! This is a fantastic program where the school receives so many valuable resources just from everyone who shops at Woolworths collecting the stickers and either filling up the official Woolworths sticker sheets and dropping them in the collection box at Student Services or at Park Ridge Woolworths collection box. You are also able to just drop your stickers into the collection boxes and we have helpers who are more than happy to place them on the official sticker sheets for you. There are also extra Woolworths Sticker Sheets available at Student Services.

Whether you are staying home or going away over the Easter break, we would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very safe and relaxing Easter. Looking forward to seeing you all next term.

The Friendlies do not have a meeting over the school holidays so due to the Easter break our next Meeting will be on Friday 10^th May at 6.45pm at Park Ridge Maccas. We do love to see new faces at our meetings, they are always open and welcoming to any families within our Parklands community.

If you are not available to come to meetings but would love to stay updated or help out at our different events just email friendlies@parklands.qld.edu.au and it will be our pleasure to add you to our email list.

Keep Smiling

The Friendlies Team

PCC Instrumental Music

Psalm 100:1 “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all you lands.” (KJV)

As Term 1 finishes, we are pleased to hear a lot of joyful noise coming from all our Instrumental Music students. All lessons are now underway, and all the students are learning new things & making good progress. It’s such a joy to see their worlds expanding, and to see the joy on their faces when they learn something new.

The next exciting thing in Term 2 will be the start of Band rehearsals. Both the Give It A Go! Band & our new Wind Ensemble will begin rehearsals in Week 1 of Term 2, and parents should have received email notification of rehearsal times & venues by now. They are as follows:

Give It A Go! Band: Wednesday 7:30-8:15am, Student Services Function Room
ALL STUDENTS BRING: Instrument & book

Wind Ensemble: Wednesday 7:30-8:15am, Music Centre Studio
ALL STUDENTS BRING: Instrument & display folder

Please make sure your child arrives at school at 7:20am so they are ready to begin playing at 7:30. There is always setup to do at the beginning, and many hands make light work. The first rehearsal is on Wednesday 24th April.

All choirs are continuing to rehearse and are starting to sound wonderful. Secondary Choir meets on Friday 7:30 – 8:20am in S1, Primary Junior Choir rehearses from 7:45-8:15am on Wednesday, & Primary Senior Choir rehearses from 2:30-3:10pm also on Wednesday. New members are always welcome!

It’s never too late to be part of the Instrumental Programme in 2019 – here’s how your child can be involved:

1. Give It A Go! Band Programme – Year 5 students only

This is a one year programme for Year 5 students, giving them the opportunity to learn a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument in small groups during school time.

2. Private lessons – all ages

Private lessons are available for piano, guitar, drum kit, most woodwind & and all brass & stringed instruments. Lessons are scheduled mostly during school time, & fees are billed by & payable directly to the instrumental teachers at $30/30mins.

3. Shared lessons – all ages

Shared lessons are available for all of the above instruments except piano. Lessons are again scheduled mostly during school time, & fees are also billed by & payable directly to the instrumental teachers at $18/30mins for a Group of 2, or $14/30mins for a Group of 3, pending availability.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions on instruments@parklands.qld.edu.au

Thanks,
Alison Harbottle

Celebrating our students

Jayden Tiainen trainee flyer

Having a driving licence may give you an edge when applying for an apprenticeship or a traineeship

In some trade areas employers are more likely to take on an apprentice who has a driver’s licence. This is especially true in the construction industry where there are multiple and changing worksites. Having to depend on parents and/or public transport to get to the worksite may not be practical or even possible.

If you are interested in applying for an apprenticeship, especially in the construction industry, consider applying for your learner licence when you become eligible (16 years of age). Once you turn 17, have 100 hours or more of supervised driving experience and pass the practical driving test, you will be issued a provisional licence. This licence allows you to drive unsupervised. Visit the Department of Transport and Main Roads website to find out more about obtaining a driver’s licence.

Concentration – how to improve it

Concentration is the ability to focus and control your attention. Some people seem to be born with it, the rest of us have to learn how to do it. The good news is that anyone can improve his/her ability to concentrate. The following are strategies to help you get there.

Make sure you get plenty of sleep. It is difficult to concentrate when you are tired. Regular exercise and healthy eating are also important.
Set realistic and specific study goals for yourself (e.g. I will go up one grade in English next exam)
Develop regular habits of study – same desk, same time, etc
Work in a place that is free of distractions (in front of the TV is probably not the best place!). De-cluttering your desk will help too
When you sit down to study, make a plan of what you want to achieve that session and cross off items as you complete them
Begin working immediately – don’t wait for inspiration
Attend to one thing at a time
When you start to lose focus, get up and take a walk

Careers and Employment Expos around Queensland

There are a number of Careers and Employment Expos around Queensland in 2019. The Brisbane Careers and Employment Expo is a leading careers, training and education event in Queensland. The event offers the opportunity for students, job seekers and career changers of all ages to connect with organisations for guidance, and opportunities in relation to career and the events pages below:

Upcoming Events:

20/07/0201 to 21/07/2019
Tertiary Studies Expo (TSXPO) and QLD Work Skills and Career Expo
Brisbane

15/05/2019 to 16/05/2019
Gold Coast Careers Festival
Gold Coast

23/05/2019
Cairns Youth & Careers Expo
Cairns

24/05/2019 to 25/05/2019
Brisbane Careers & Employment Expo
Brisbane

23/07/2019
Sunshine Coast Daily Careers Expo
Sunshine Coast

05/08/2019
Townsville Careers Expo
Townsville

TAFE Queensland Open Days

Tafe Queensland provides opportunities for future students to see and experience their campuses and courses through specific information sessions, open days, career expos and industry networking events. As event dates become available information will be provided in the future bulletins.

University Open Days in Queensland in 2019

It is highly recommended to attend an open day event at the university (or universities) you wish to apply to for studies next year. The open day gives you an opportunity to talk to lecturers and current students about the courses you are interested in. You can also check out the campus, the support services offered and social and cultural activities available. Open days usually occur between July and early September each year.

Indigenous Programs

Australian Indigenous Education Foundation

The Australian Indigenous Education Foundation provides scholarships that enable Indigenous students in financial need to attend leading Australian schools and universities. The program is founded on the belief that students will have the greatest chance of succeeding at school if the decision to enrol is one made by the family and the student in conjunction with the school.

Indigenous Accountants Australia website

Indigenous Accountants Australia is a combined network of the major accounting bodies in Australia – CPA Australia and the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. They raise awareness of the benefits of accounting within Indigenous communities and connect Indigenous students to careers in the business world. Together they work with some of the major employers in the business world to promote accounting as a profession and offer support to all Indigenous students undertaking business, finance and accounting studies.

To find out more, visit the website.

Allied Health Services at Parklands Christian College

Katie-Leigh Paulsen
Senior Occupational Therapist

In Sync Kids OT are located in the Ark room at Parklands. In Sync Kids aim to make every child successful at being a kid by nurturing their foundational skills, encouraging confidence and increasing independence at school and home.

Occupational Therapy can assist children who experience: difficulties with self-regulation and attention, poor coping and participation in the classroom, delays in gross motor (sports) or fine motor skills (handwriting), challenges with visual tracking or visual perceptual skills and social/emotional difficulties.

Contact Katie to discuss to enquire about occupational therapy services for your child on 0424142404 or email Katie-leigh.paulsen@insynckidsot.com.

You can also check out the website www.insynckidsot.com more information.

A student’s speech, language & communication skills form the foundation for all learning at school.

Does your child experience difficulties in any of the following areas?

• Understanding/Comprehension
• Talking/Language Expression
• Pronunciation
• Reading and writing/literacy
• Listening
• Learning
• Grammar
• Spelling
• Voice
• Fluency/Stuttering
• Socialising and friendships
• Behaviour

If so, it may be the result of an underlying Speech and Language difficulty. Speech Pathologists study, diagnose and treat communication disorders, including difficulties with speaking, listening, understanding language, reading, writing, social skills, stuttering and using voice. Speech Pathologists assess and provide life-improving treatment, support and care.

Michelle Sparg is an independent, mobile, private, certified practicing Speech Pathologist with over 23 years of generalised & highly specialist Speech Pathology experience having worked very successfully with Kindy, Primary & High School students across many varied contexts in 3 countries.

Michelle is in her 8th year of working successfully at our school alongside students, parents, teachers & learning support staff to maximise learning potential within the classroom.

Assessment & therapy are offered at school within school hours. It is convenient for busy parents as well as for students who can be seen during school hours when they are not too tired to learn.

Therapy goals are planned according to the student’s current strengths and needs in the light of their current curriculum demands in collaboration with school staff.

For further information on this highly valued service currently offered at our school, please contact:

Michelle Sparg on sparg4@bigpond.com or 0435 492 716.

Greetings to you and your family! My name is Gayle Moore and I am a counselling psychologist, registered with AHPRA. I am pleased to offer my services one day a week at your school to help your child with difficulties and challenges that may be impacting their mental health.

The types of issues I typically help children and adolescents with include: managing anxiety or low mood, improving social functioning with peers, finding constructive ways to deal with stress, adjusting to new family situations, assertiveness around conflict, increasing resilience and self-esteem, addressing self-harming or suicidal thoughts, and creating healthy boundaries both online and in real life.

What we work on depends very much on the experiences, thoughts and emotions that your child brings on the day, as well as their age and developmental stage. In the first session we ascertain what the goals of therapy are, both for the child and for the parent, and work together to build a plan on how to achieve these goals. I always approach these goals with a focus on empowering your child to believe that they can succeed, and so that they feel like they have a strong voice in this process. We use expressive ways for your child to address their challenges, including the use of role plays (for example, when trying out assertive responses), as well as play therapy, games around understanding emotions, and the use of imagination in relaxation and emotion regulation. My approach is to engage your child creatively so that they can generate helpful thought processes and understand their emotions in a way that makes it easy for them to remember what they have learnt. There will also be sessions where children prefer to ‘just talk’ and ‘let it all out’, and times for quiet reflective listening. Depending on the age of your child, I would encourage you to talk with them about what they have learnt or spoken of, with respect for greater independence and privacy in the older grades.

Please contact me on gayle@grace-psychology.com.au or 0430 515 527 to request further information and a registration pack. Wishing you all the best for 2019!

If you would like your child to access any of these services you will need to speak with your child’s GP to gain a Mental Health Care Plan (MHCP). This allows the service to bill Medicare directly on your child’s behalf after each session. After 6 sessions on the MHCP, your child returns to the GP for a review, at which point they may be granted another 4 sessions for the year.

News from the Cully’s

We have some big news to share… the Cully Family will be returning to Australia at the end of this year!

As we make plans to leave Cebu, we feel sad to say goodbye to somewhere that has so thoroughly become our home.   Our time here has been precious to our entire family and we will miss Cebu and the friends we have made here very much.  It has been an honour and privilege to serve with Bloom, and we trust God will continue to bless this vital ministry long into the future. In January 2020, I will be returning to Parklands Christian College to work with the Principal of the College to see it continue to  be a significant ministry in Logan City.  It is another ministry that I love and enjoyed being a part of for 14 years.  I never really anticipated returning to Parklands, however, the opportunity to return to be a part of the leadership team at Parklands has been offered to me, and for a range of reasons we believe the timing is right to return to Australia.  At this stage Hannah is yet to decide what she will be doing when back in Australia, and is considering her employment options and direction.

We leave Bloom Cebu in very capable hands, and are very proud of our competent, professional and compassionate leadership team.  The Bloom Leaders have been a true God-send to our organisation, and an amazing blessing to us personally. They are our colleagues and our friends, and we will miss them dearly.  We have every confidence that this team will be able to run Bloom and care for its beneficiaries with care and compassion and they have our full support and encouragement to shape Bloom into all that God would want it to become.  To this end, I would like to announce the appointment of Miss. Ivy Aloy, as the new General Manager of Bloom Cebu.  We want to train, equip and transition Ivy to General Manager throughout the second half of the year and see her functioning as GM prior to our departure.  We are delighted that she has humbly accepted this position, and look forward to helping her prepare for this role.

As I look back over the past 3 years, I have seen God work in my life, and the life of my family, developing in us a love for His people and a commitment to serve.  We have been stretched, challenged and blessed beyond our wildest dreams, and we return to Australia changed. Hannah and I have particularly enjoyed our learning journey as managers, educators, counsellors and sometimes-parents of our Bloom beneficiaries.  These precious girls who we came here to serve have left an indelible mark on our lives and has taught us so much about life and its challenges.  Above all else, we will miss them and our Bloom leaders, yet we know that even though we may be many miles apart, we are uniquely family now and share a bond that will last a life time.

Thank you to our supporters at Parklands who have kept us here serving in Cebu, we couldn’t have done it without you. We remain ever thankful for your generosity in prayer, encouragement and in financial giving, we are truly humbled by your faith and belief in us, and we love and appreciate you all. As we navigate the rest of the year, we look forward to sharing more of our stories.  Keep praying for our ministry in Cebu and the exciting things God is doing through Bloom.

Reflections on Term One

Term one is such a busy term.

Students are getting use to a new format of schooling, carrying their books for each session with them, different and exciting teachers, new subjects, new classrooms, new friends and new academic content and assessment methods.

At the beginning of the term the Year 7’s were encouraged to set achievable goals for this term. Their goals could be related to organisation: academic achievement; engagement with classes; setting a mindset of learning; being mentally prepared for class; or they could work towards a personal goal to develop firm friendships; meet new people or interact with their peers and staff positively. Now that term has come to an end, I encourage you to talk with your child about their established goals and ask:

• What positive choices did you make that helped you achieve your goal?
• What can we improve on so that we achieve success next term?
• What do you need me to help you with?
• What will achieving your goal look like?
• Let’s set up a plan to help us achieve this goal?

Helping you child establish their learning goals for next term is such a powerful tool in being able to engage with their learning and help them feel and know that you back them and want to achieve success with them.

Reading is still important!

I love reading and most flat surfaces in our house are littered with books, both fiction and non-fiction, that I am planning too or currently reading.

I encourage you to continue to inspire and encourage your child to read during this holiday break. Have siblings read to each other aloud, have your child read to you whilst making dinner or driving.

Whilst reading you could ask your child the following questions to help make reading an ‘active’ skill rather than passively reading the words on the page. Active readers engage with texts, the concepts and ideas behind the page and comprehend what they are reading.

Ask

• What do you think will happen next? What evidence makes you think that?
• What do you think is the theme of the novel thus far?
• What has our main character learnt and how is their character developing?
• Are there any parts of the text that confuses you (If so, let’s look for the answer together!)
• Can we make a connection between this event to our prior knowledge of other books, our lives, the world? (The ability to make connections from a text to other mediums and life is so important)

Easter Blessing

I wish you and your family a safe and happy Easter break.

Lord, the resurrection of Your Son
has given us new life and renewed hope.
Help us to live as new people
in pursuit of the Christian ideal.
Grant us wisdom to know what we must do,
the will to want to do it,
the courage to undertake it,
the perseverance to continue to do it,
and the strength to complete it.

School Holiday Activities

Colour Weave Collaboration at the Museum of Brisbane – Sat 6 April

Add your own weave to our collaborative artwork installation for a fun creative experience the whole family will enjoy. Inspired by the designs and pattern making techniques in The Designers’ Guide: Easton Pearson Archive, this paper weaving project enables all ages to connect and share in the joy of making. https://www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/colour-weave-collaboration-brisbane/2019-04-06/

The Boy, The Bear, The Baron, The Bard | New Farm – Sat 13 April

Whilst this is not on the Southside – it is worth the trip!  The Lord Mayor’s Children’s Concerts are a new series of fun and engaging free performances taking place during school holidays! When a boy jumps the fence to retrieve his rogue soccer ball, he unwillingly finds himself on the stage of the world’s most famous theatre with The Bard by his side. What follows is pure midsummer magic framed by a whimsical chase through the streets of Elizabethan London. The Boy, The Bear, The Baron, https://www.familiesmagazine.com.au/event/the-boy-the-bear-the-baron-the-bard-new-farm/

Ukulele for Beginners at the Logan Library

Have you ever dreamed of learning the ukulele? If so, join us for a free hands-on workshop. Suitable for ages eight and over. https://loganlibraries.org/whats-on/event/ukulele-for-beginners/

Green Screen & Action Figures at the Logan Library

Create your own pocket-sized animation studio with pipe-cleaner action figures and pocket green screen. Learn how to use some free apps for easy animation. https://loganlibraries.org/whats-on/event/green-screens-and-action-figures/

Performing Arts Classes with NIDA

NIDA Open is inviting children and young people to put their imagination into action over the autumn holidays, with performing arts classes designed to excite and inspire.

https://www.brisbanekids.com.au/family/fly-trapeze-learn-circus-circus-arts-school-holiday-program/

Griffith Sports School Holiday Program

The Griffith Sport Active Kids School Holiday program is designed to show your kids all the different ways they can keep active plus teach them some pretty cool skills along the way. https://www.brisbanekids.com.au/family/griffith-sports-school-holiday-program/

Brisbane City Football Club Holiday Clinic

All clinics are full of exciting football games, technical exercises, competitions and small sided matches/tournaments, run by our Youth & Academy Football Director – David Minnis.

https://www.brisbanekids.com.au/family/soccer-clinic-school-holidays/

Year 1

We cannot believe that we have completed our first 10 weeks in Year One! We have already learned so much and have all worked hard to keep up with our busy daily routine.

This term was all about routines and relationships – getting to know our teachers, getting to know our friends and learning to manage ourselves in various situations. While doing all these things, the children have also been stretching and growing their brains as we focused on reading, writing, math and all other learning areas.

We have experienced working in different situations, such as, whole class, groups, partners and sometimes by ourselves.

A highlight over the last few weeks has been creating our habitat dioramas! The children have loved getting ‘crafty’ and can’t wait to bring home their creations at the end of term.

We pray everyone has a wonderful holiday break and a most blessed Easter as we remember all that Jesus has done for us!

Happy Easter from all of us. Looking forward to a fruitful term 2!

Year 2

This term the Year 2 classes have been learning about Forces and Transportation. All of which culminated into a fun morning of Rocket Science.  In English we have been learning about rhyming poetry. The students did a fantastic job on their poetry presentations. They have also been building their critical thinking skills in Design and Technology with the creation of a ‘Balloon Powered Car’. The students enjoyed their swimming lessons throughout the heat of the summer and trained hard for their Cross Country run. This year we have added Touch Typing to the curriculum which has been a big hit with most of the students enjoying their lessons. Along with more access to technology came the important lessons on Internet Safety. Year 2 excelled at leading the whole primary school in worship at Chapel. It has been a wonderful start to the year. We wish you all a safe and blessed Easter Holiday and look forward to seeing you all return for Term 2.

Year 3

Wow! What an amazing term 1 we have had in Year 3. This term we looked at what life was like in the ‘olden days’ in Logan and compared photographs of then and now to see the similarities and differences. The highlight of this term for the students was our excursion to the Beenleigh Historical Village. This excursion allowed the students to understand what it was like to live in the Logan area in the ‘olden days’. The students got to experience washing using a washboard, what school was like when their great-grandparents were in school, timber cutting and life as a fire fighter.

We hope that you all have a safe and fun Easter break.

Mrs Abbot, Mr Kennedy and Mrs Kissick

School Photo Day is fast approaching

Have your child’s school memories captured forever on Tuesday 30th April, 2019
Your photo order envelopes were sent home via your child week beginning Monday 25 March. Please start planning your purchases and payment options.

Remember these helpful points:

• Read all relevant instructions for your preferred payment method. All payments are due on photo day.
• You may pay by cash, or place your order online using your child’s individual ‘shootkey’ listed on their envelope and pay with your credit card.
• Please enclose correct money as no change will be given.
• Sibling photo envelopes are available at Student Services upon request. SIBLING PHOTOS WILL BE TAKEN BEFORE SCHOOL, ON PHOTO DAY AT 7:30AM IN THE FUNCTION ROOM.
• Please instruct siblings to attend the photo studio at this time. Photographers are unable to search for students who do not attend.
• Do not seal envelopes inside each other. You may include payment for all children in one envelope, however please indicate on this envelope the names of all the children you are paying for.
• All students are to wear their CORRECT AND COMPLETE ACADEMIC UNIFORM. Students who arrive in sport uniform will not appear in their class photo.
• Year 10-12 students are to wear their correct winter academic uniform (blazers for all and males to wear long pants and their tie).
• Year 12 students must bring their senior jersey.

For any enquiries, please feel free to contact MSP Photography 3848 3946 or email admin.seq@msp.com.au

Uniforms Term 2

Can we please ask that you assist us in ensuring the students are correctly dressed in the right uniform each day? We have experienced students wearing their sport uniforms when not required and have also noticed that some students are starting to mix and match their uniforms. If unsure about uniform items or correct uniform requirements, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher, the RTC or check our website for details.

Please ensure that ALL uniform items, water bottles and lunchboxes are clearly labeled you’re your child’s name.

Sports Uniform Prep – Year 6:

Average sizing (generally speaking) is size number per age (a 6 year old is usually fitted with a size 6, an 8 year old size 8 etc.) Polo shirts must be long enough to cover hips when arms are raised.

Sports Shorts must be of modest length (not too short).

Girls Primary Tunic/Dress Year 1 – 6 (Kids sizes 4 – 18)

Average sizing (generally speaking) is size number per age (a 6 year old is usually fitted with a size 6, an 8 year old size 8 etc.) up to size 18.

Length – should be on the knee and not be above the knee.

Boys Primary Uniform Years 1 – 6 (Kids sizes 4 – 18)

Average sizing (generally speaking) is size number per age (a 6 year old is usually fitted with a size 6, an 8 year old size 8 etc.) up to size 18.

Shirts must be long enough to cover hips when arms are raised.

Shorts must be of modest length (not too short).

Year 3,5,7&9 NAPLAN Testing

“The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. It has been an annual event for schools since 2008.  A reminder we have our annual Year 3 & 5 National Testing again next term. Staff have steadily been preparing these students for the various tests and look forward to seeing their results later in the year. Would Year 3 & 5 parents please provide their child with a good breakfast and ensure they are at school on time these days:

• Tuesday 14th May — Language conventions & Writing
• Wednesday 15th May — Reading
• Thursday 16th May — Numeracy
• Friday 17th May — Catch-up tests for students absent on 14, 15 or 16th of May.

Profile Preview Afternoon (No appointment required)

Monday 29^th April – 2.45pm to 4pm in your child/ren’s classroom. This time is used to view your child’s work, see their desk, tidy tray and ‘catch up’ with the teacher.

Profile Evening (On Line appointment required)

Tuesday 30^th April – 2.45pm to 8.30pm in your child/ren’s classroom. Please ensure you book your 15 min time slot appointment on line.

Behaviour

What is behavior? Many people associate the word behaviour to “unwanted actions” such as “being naughty” or other similar negative meanings. The reality is we are all using behaviours all day every day. Behaviour is simply anything a person Does, Says, Thinks, Feels.

Whenever we are doing, saying, thinking or feeling something we would prefer not to, we can simply say “I am using a behaviour I would like to know how to change”.

You must also understand that wanted behaviours and unwanted behaviours cannot exist at exactly the same time. Thus, the more time we spend using wanted behaviours, the less time we have using unwanted behaviours. Putting it mathematically, our goal will be to:

INCREASE OUR USE OF WANTED BEHAVIOURS WHICH WILL IN TURN LEAVE LESS TIME AVAILABLE FOR UNWANTED BEHAVIOURS TO OCCUR

Lastly you must understand that successful behaviour change CANNOT occur unless we successfully understand the reason why the behaviour is occurring in the first place. That is, it must be understood that ALL BEHAVIOUR IS HAPPENING FOR A REASON. By acknowledging this reason, we are acknowledging that behaviour is not random and to successfully understand the reason, we must understand behaviour as a science. Do not judge behaviour; rather observe it as a person’s communication tool… a communication tool to tell us “something is going on they DO NOT feel equipped to manage”.

To Change Behaviour We Can Follow 3 Simple Steps

Step 1: Listen to the body

Our body is our biggest communicator and will be the first sign to tell us we are experiencing a tension. Learning to listen to the body is a science in itself but one that is ignored by many people. Give credit to the body and listen to it as it will be your biggest support in truly changing your unwanted behaviours. A body free of tension is soft and relaxed. Anything that is NOT this means something is going on that the person is finding uncomfortable in some way.

Identify what a person’s body does to communicate they are experiencing something they do not feel equipped to manage … a Challenging Situation.

Step 2: Identify what is the Challenging Situation

What is it about the current situation that the person finds uncomfortable, difficult or challenging?

Micro analyze to find the real challenge – sometimes it’s just the smallest of triggers

What is it about this situation that a person does feel completely equipped to manage … they don’t feel like they have the skills to completely support them

Step 3: What new skills can be taught & learnt?

What skill is needed so the person can self-master the identified challenging situation?

Once the new skill has been learnt and is being used the person will feel equipped to manage the original challenging situation (thus no longer needs the use of the old unwanted behaviours).

‘Behaviour Change’ is simply about supporting people to develop the skills to manage the tensions in life they currently DO feel equipped to manage. This is relevant for ALL people and ALL un/wanted behaviours, Children – Teenagers – Adults!

By: Michael Grose

I trust and pray you have a wonderful holiday with family.

Greetings

I recently watched a TV News item which highlighted a growing trend in primary and high school students.  A Brisbane School Principal has advised all the school parents at a particular school of the concern in seeing the types of violent computer games the students were playing. The Principal claimed that primary students were unhappy when not allowed to play on their devices, and focus on school work was falling.  It listed three destabilizing influences; loss of interest in physical play, violence in the games, the inability to withdraw from the game.  Over the last eighteen years of Parklands, I have noticed that an increasing number of “gadgets” coming into everyday life for a student.  This is technology that was only in our dreams when I was young, if we could dream these items at all.   Each break through has added another dimension, and we ask, “What is the limit?”.

In the meantime, our children are accepting this a normal, and “killing” as a normal routine in a game.  And then we have an event like what happened in Christchurch and we are all shocked.  Firstly with the extent of the killing, and then that it was able to be streamed live into our gadgets, and thousands watched the video before it was shut down,

Sadly today, with all the media and images presented, students can easily feel that there is nothing to look forward to “because they have already seen the future and it is not nice.”

I have deliberately tried to adjust the offerings at Parklands to include Sport and Vocational Education.  These were not offered when I was at Grammar school.  These subject areas offer alternatives to just looking to technology as a “occupier of a student’s time”, and a make-believe world because one is not smart enough to go to  university. Uni is only one pathway to accomplishing a person’s career dreams. While other pathways may not appear as straight and may take a bit longer to navigate, young people should be encouraged to not give up on their dreams. Don’t rob them of their opportunities in life by just giving them a new gadget.

I started my working life as an apprentice Fitter & Turner. It became the foundation of so much that I am today.

I spoke to Senior boys last week about incorrect use of technology with the ease of photo transmission to anyone. We have watched in recent times, a senior man in a Church system, jailed for unacceptable use of cameras at school.  Along with violent games we now have phone cameras being used for unacceptable behaviour that was unthinkable and impossible in my time.  I reminded the boys that Google is on record for not deleting any data it has collected, and as such, what an embarrassment this would be if things on our modern gadgets were displayed before us when seeking a significant role or appointment in society in thirty years’ time.

It rests with all of us to use any technology wisely, and to not lose our humanness.

Education, in this social and economic context, becomes as much, if not more, about life-long learning skills and values than it does about the acquisition of specific content knowledge or technology skills. Literacy & Numeracy remain critical skills in any learning process, but other skills have equal importance. These include: the ability to think critically, problem solving, decision making, creativity, collaboration, flexibility and most importantly, right choices.

With the Australian and global workplace changing so rapidly, school must be about preparing students for life – a life in which they will need to be able to adapt, change and learn. In a world where one absolute certainty is an increasing rate of change, great strength is drawn from a faith in a loving creator God who never changes. Faith is trusting God even when all else is shifting around us.

At Parklands we strive to provide the very best opportunities we can for each individual student to become all God wants them to be. To achieve this goal we must partner with parents to develop the lifelong learning skills and values which will prepare our young people to engage in a rapidly changing world and yet remain grounded in bedrock, a solid foundation of values which help them interpret their world.

This holiday break we celebrate Easter, a time when we reflect on the death of Jesus, but also rejoice on Easter Sunday that through His resurrection, we have life eternal through our trust in Him.

In this I place my hope for the future.

I now ask you to refer to the Mission article in this newsletter to read the update from Gary Cully, my good friend and colleague, with regard to his family returning to Australia and Parklands Christian College.

God bless you all.

MrB

Year 5 and 6 students had their first out of three Gala days for the semester on March 15th. Parklands had students compete in Oztag, Netball, girls basketball and boys soccer at a variety of local venues. All Parklands teams did their best and had a very enjoyable day. Some standouts of the day were Netball A girls remaining undefeated, A Boys soccer, lost 1 and won 5. Basketball A girls and Oztag boys won all their games. Congratulations all students and we cannot wait until the next Gala day in term 2.

CSSAQ Swimming

Parklands had 40 students compete at the CSSAQ Swimming carnival on 18th March. All students gave their very best and swam well throughout the day in what was a very tough competition. Special mention to Tyger Cervenjak who came third in the 13yrs breastroke. Parklands came 9th in the Primary and 7th in the Secondary competitions.

Cross Country

The prep to year 12 Cross Country will take place on Thursday 4th April. Students have been practising in PE and HPE classes and are looking forward to what should be a great day of competition and fun. Students will arrive for school at the normal time with races kicking off at 9:00am. Prep to 3 races will finished by 10:30am and 9yrs and older races will be finished by 12:00pm then students will head back to class for the remainder of the day.

District Representatives

Parklands has had a large number of students being selected in Southern Scorpions District teams already in term 1. Some of these students have already competed at the Regional trial and others will compete week 10 term 1 and next term. Special mention to Isaac Krueger to was selected as a shadow player for the 15yr boys Met West AFL team. Isaac is only 14 so this is a great achievement.