In this issue

Park Ridge Panthers Cricket

Park Ridge Panthers Cricket Club is offering an invitation to join the most successful club in the Logan area for junior Cricket for ages 8-17 year old boys and girls to play in the MSW Cricket Association, having 136 teams in ages from U10-U16 competitions playing Saturday Mornings between 8-11.45am.  Park Ridge has three turf wickets and we are the only Club in Australia that have a Turf wicket for U10’s.  We have Australian Cricket Academy at the Club to assist in Junior Cricket development.  Join on Sunday 11^th  and 18^th  August from 9-12am at 157 Hubner Road, Park Ridge, or sign-on online, or call Lewis Mills on 0413 656 058.

Roadworks Update

4597_New Beith Rd Upgrade_WN

Moon Lee Tae Kwon Do

Colin Garrick is currently conducting Moon Lee Tae Kwon Do self defence classes in the Baskerville Centre, Parklands Christian College, on Monday afternoons 3.30 to 4.30pm.

There is currently space for another 10 students.  He is offering a FREE Uniform (value $60) to all new  participants.
The first class is a FREE trial class and we have generous  family discounts.

Free Dental Care

FREE DENTAL CARE

Park Ridge Healing Rooms

Cricket

Free Hotshots Tennis

PARK RIDGE TENNIS

A new season of Hot Shots Tennis Coaching is starting soon, a free trial lesson is available so anyone can come and have a go.

All new pupils receive a Free Racquet & Hot Shots T-Shirt on sign up.

We have lessons that run every afternoon, for all ages & levels.Mini Hotshots for 4-7 year olds, Hot Shot programs for 7-12 year olds & advanced groups for 12-17yr olds. For adults we have Cardio Tennis, Social  comps and lessons every week night & now a new Fast 4 comp for players starting or getting back into tennis, the Fast 4 format goes for just over an hour.

To book in or to arrange a free trial phone Paul or Steph on 32000354.

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%

Parklands Outside School Hours Care is situated within the school grounds of Parklands Christian College in the Prep Building Area.  The service operates for before school, after school and vacation care.  Before and after school care offers a nutritious breakfast/afternoon tea and children are able to engage in a variety of activities based on their interests.

During the school term the service operates from 6:30-8:30am and 3:00-6:00pm (with office staff available from 2pm), and vacation care from 6:30am-6:00pm.  Parklands OSHC have qualified educators and encourage parents and families to pop into the service to discuss any care needs, suggestions or ideas or alternatively via phone 3297 0577 or email:  parklandsoshc@simrick.com.

We currently have limited spots available for before and after school care and advise families that a current 2019 enrolment is required to accept all bookings including emergency care bookings.

We look forward to assisting with all your care needs.

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 2020

Term Dates 2019

School Days only

The Friendlies

Save the date, you don’t want to miss the Primary Spring Dance! A night filled with fun, games, dancing and lots of laughter. Hope to see you there!

We are excited for a chance to be out and about in the community by holding a BBQ at Browns Plains Bunnings on Saturday 14^th September 2019. This is an excellent opportunity for us to be able to showcase our school and share the love of God! We would love to see you all to so why not drop in and say hi!

The Friendlies are families of the Parklands Christian College school community who endeavour to bring the love of Christ and encourage lifelong relationships within the school community. We provide opportunities to connect and fellowship at various events that we have throughout the year. We would love for you to join with us in strengthening one another.

All families within our Parklands community are always welcome to come to any of our meetings. Our next meeting is on Friday 9^th August 2019 at Park Ridge Maccas from 6.45pm.

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

Tuckshop in need of volunteers

There is an opportunity for parents to contribute to the life of the school by volunteering their time in the tuckshop.

The tuckshop has been growing since moving to the new facility and with growth in sales we would really love your help!

Please contact our Tuckshop Convenor, Marie Rushin, on 0422 637 370 or email tuckshop@parklands.qld.edu.au

Its 8:42am here in Cebu on a Monday morning.  My kids have been up since 5:30 this morning to log onto their lessons and join their Australian classmates online through Brisbane School of Distance Education.  They do this every morning without prompt or complaint, and I marvel at their self discipline and positivity. I would never have been that motivated at their age. So far today I have navigated the crazy Cebu traffic, taking 30 minutes to travel 2km, and never made it out of second gear, said “maayong buntag” (good morning) to the girls on the early morning baking shift, opened up the office, consumed the days first coffee and discussed its calibration, participated in devotions, worshiped, and now I sit at my desk typing this short article while the girls are exercising, which is part of our weekly Monday morning routine. As I look out my window on the second floor of the Henry Hotel where Bloom’s offices, sugar room and devotions space reside, I see a dusty city coming to life.  The traffic, which has built to a congested state of utter turmoil, passes ever so slowly along the main road that feeds Cebu City from out-lying Talamban to the North.  The locals make their way on Jeepney of all shapes, sizes and states of decay, which are lovingly decorated with various themes ranging from Disney, Avengers, Batman and Star Wars.  My favorite is the “Frozen” Jeepney that passes Bloom several times a day, and proves that great artistic feats can be achieved here, and that Disney should look for its artists here in Cebu. Jeepneys  really do add an impressive splash of colour to an otherwise drab city landscape.

As I peer out my window, I have to look through the thousand black electricity and data cable in various states of disrepair.  Most cables are bunched together and cable tied in bundles as thick as your leg, with many strands hanging down into traffic, on pedestrians and tangled in trees.  All cabling here is insulated, but I do worry when I ride my bike through the busy streets that one day I might receive a kick from dangling cables if I don’t stay vigilant. Between dangling electrical cables, roaming dogs and hundreds of busy pedestrians all competing for road space, driving is an exhausting activity only performed by the brave. On my motor bike there is an extra danger that I have come to be aware of…spitting.  Spitting here is far more socially accepted.  In fact, the noisy collection of spit and its subsequent expulsion can be heard wherever you are. My particular fear however is when passing cars on my bike.  Me and/or my bike have been spat on several times as I have been dodging and weaving through traffic, and Jeepneys are a real threat as they carry a dozen potential sources of sputum projectors. Needless to say, I am very careful as I pass vehicles or pass under bridges.

As I continue to look outside I notice an elderly little man walking down our street carrying two stainless steel bucket with lids, balanced on a pole over his shoulder.  He calls “Taho“, and people stop to buy a little 5 peso snack.   Taho is soft tofu, which is processed to a consistency that is very similar to custard. Brown caramelized sugar is added giving it sweetness and it is topped Sago pearls. I really like it, but it is an acquired taste and is unlike anything I have tasted in Australia.  Actually, I can confidently say that about much of the street food here, which ranges from harmless snacks like corn and peanuts to things like cooked chicken embryo “balut”.  I have attempted to consume balut many times, convincing myself each time that it will be okay, it is just chicken.  Alas, every time I bring that egg to my mouth and look at the chicken embryo contained therein, complete with a few feathers, head and little beak, I inevitably change my mind, much to the laughter of the locals trying to coerce me to eat it. I pride myself on my ability to try almost anything, and I have eaten spiders, cockroaches and crickets, but I draw the line at unborn chickens still in their eggs.

Our café is open by now, and slowly but surely Bloom will start serving coffee, cakes and sandwiches, if we are lucky we might even take a large cake order today.  The café usually gets busy before and after lunch, and it is increasingly exciting to see more and more customers returning for our products.  Our staff and students are amazing at what they do, and I am so very proud of their professionalism and progress. It’s a real honour to be part of their professional and personal growth, and to see the team mature into a competent and confident cohesive unit. I look back over the past few years that we have been in Cebu and can’t help but feel privileged and even a little proud of what we have all accomplished.  I am amazed at how God has used our humble gifts and talents to create Bloom Cebu, and in the process bless us one hundred-fold with experiences that have shaped our perception of the world, of ourselves and of His great love for humanity.

Soon we hand over to our national leaders, and entrust Bloom and its precious staff to them.  Now they are the ones to start the day, check the coffee, open the office and run devotions, and as they increase, so we must decrease. As we count down, and with less than 50 days to go, we step back in a far more significant way and hand over our ‘baby’ to the people it was always intended to serve.  What an honour.  What a privilege.  And what a heart ache!

Mr Gary Cully

Work Experience

Welcome to Term 3! This is a very busy term for our College musicians & singers, with many performances happening this term as well as the Year 4 students preparing for the 2020 Give It A Go! Band Programme. We hope to see many of you at some of the performance events this term.

On Tuesday 6^th August some of our GIAG students will perform some small items at Primary Chapel. This is a great chance for them to show what they’ve learned this year, & for the Year 4’s to see & hear the instruments they’ll be able to play next year. On Wed 14^th August the Secondary Choir will perform at Secondary Chapel. These students have been working hard on some really challenging repertoire this term, so come along and hear them show what they’ve done.

Thursday 15^th August is our 2020 Give It A Go! Band Programme Parent Information Evening for Year 4 parents, starting at 7pm in the Student Services Function Room. Please mark that in your diary and come along to hear about how the GIAG programme works.

On Thursday 29^th August we are holding our first Instrumental Evening, an early evening concert as a chance for our performance groups & some soloists to perform. There will be a fundraising sausage sizzle to support the Friendlies starting at 5pm in the courtyard outside the Church Auditorium, & the concert will begin in the Church Auditorium at 6pm. Students who are performing will need to arrive by 5:30pm in full academic uniform with their instrument & music where applicable. You will have the chance to hear both our Primary Choirs, both the Give It A Go! Band & the new Wind Ensemble, and a range of other small group works. We hope you can join us for an evening of fun & fine music.

Give It A Go! Band Programme in 2020

Students in Year 4 will begin to consider in Term 3 how they might like to be involved in the 2020 Give It A Go! Band Programme. There will be a GIAG Parent Information Evening in week 5, on Thursday 15^th August at 7pm, which will give everyone an idea of how the programme runs, so we hope as many Year 4 parents as possible can make it to that. Later in Term 3 the students will have the chance to try the instruments out & tell us which ones they think they’d like to do, before offers are made early in Term 4. We can’t wait to share the fun of music with more students!

All weekly rehearsals will continue in Term 3 as normal:

Give It A Go! Band: Wednesday 7:30-8:15am
Wind Ensemble: Wednesday 7:30-8:15am
Primary Junior Choir: Wednesday 7:45-8:15am
Primary Senior Choir: Wednesday 2:30-3:10pm
Secondary Choir: Friday 7:30-8:15am

It’s never not too late to be part of the Instrumental Programme in 2019 – here’s how your child can be involved:

1. 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.

2. 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

Getting Dressed for Success

The Parklands Uniform is specifically designed so that student’s would not only appear handsome but would also be comfortable. Furthermore, we encourage students to wear their uniforms proudly as school representatives.

Parents are responsible for ensuring that their child is in full school uniform each day. In the event that this is not possible we would greatly appreciate if you could please contact uniformpass@parklands.qld.edu.au to notify the school of the discrepancy (alternatively please feel free to write a note or phone ahead ). If an explanation from home is not received parents will be contacted via email or phone so that a plan to rectify the issue can be discussed.

Please take the time before purchasing any new items to review the primary and secondary uniform policies which can be found on the school website https://parklands.qld.edu.au/uniforms/

If you have any queries about this policy please contact an RTP facilitator on 33804219.

2020 will be upon us in a few months’ time and with the New Year often comes the purchase of NEW SHOES.

Primary Academic and Sport Shoes

• Academic shoes are to be plain black academic, upper leather (including the tongue)
• Leather upper (including the tongue) shoes should have black laces.
• Sports shoes are to be leather upper (including tongue) cross trainers, which provide support during active play and are predominantly white.
• Skate shoes, Dunlop Volleys, Suede and casual footwear and alike are not sufficient.
• There should be no mesh sections on sports shoes.

Secondary Academic Shoes

• Academic shoes are to be plain black academic, upper leather (including the tongue).
• Open top shoes are not permitted.
• Leather upper (including the tongue) shoes should have black laces where appropriate.
• Skate shoes, Dunlop Volleys, Suede and casual footwear and alike are not sufficient.

Secondary Sport Shoes

• Sports shoes are to be leather upper (including the tongue) cross trainers, which provide support during active play.
• Skate shoes, Dunlop Volleys, Suede and casual footwear and alike are not sufficient
• There should be no mesh sections on sports shoes.

CSSAQ Netball

Congratulations to all the girls who competed in the CSSAQ Netball Competition on Friday 2nd August. The girls had a great day of fun, competing against schools from across Brisbane. They worked hard within their teams, communicated with each other well and grew in their skills across the day. The girls can be especially commended for their sportsmanship. They showed the love of Christ encouraging one another and the other teams.

Mrs Thompson’s Junior Team came 2nd within their pool and played in the finals coming 4th overall. Mrs Swinn’s Intermediate Team came 3rd in their pool and played in the finals coming 6th overall. Mrs Bryant was very proud of the girls Open Team for their perseverance and giving their best in every game.  A special mention goes to Rachel Swinn who received a trophy for the ‘Most Valuable Player’ for her division. Congratulations Rachel! You played competitively with skill and showed great sportsmanship!

Mrs Bryant, Mrs Thompson and Mrs Swinn

The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood Production

Secondary College Production 2019

“Let a feast be prepared and let a proclamation be made that the curse is lifted, the ogre is dead, the princess lives, and there is going to be a wedding!”

And so, after many months of rehearsal and three fantastic shows, it was with a loud cheer in celebration that the curtains closed on our 2019 secondary college production, “The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood.”

For those who came to watch one of the three performances, we thank you for your support and encouragement (with a note of special appreciation to those who might have been drawn into the action by harbouring some sharp and unsafe objects, hindering the escape of the rotten fairy Carabosse and her broom, or bouncing a beachball around the auditorium).

Above all, we would like to commend all the students and staff who invested many months of hard work and dedication into the preparation and rehearsals of this production to make it a successful and enjoyable show. We are truly so proud of you. The show allowed many students to form and develop friendships and create long-lasting memories, whilst also demonstrating some of their gifts and talents, and having the opportunity to learn new skills.  Across Years 8-12, there were 40 students in the onstage cast, 8 backstage crew, 4 technical crew, and 6 in the hair and makeup team. There were also numerous students who assisted in other ways, including set construction and painting, hospitality and ticket collection. They were guided by 8 performance and backstage staff members, as well as 6 staff members who led the construction and visual design for the sets and props. A huge thank you also goes out to the staff who coordinated and volunteered with the catering for all events. These events are so important for nourishing our sense of community and giving all staff and students a chance to work together.

But now, it is time for the sets and costumes to be packed away, and for Wednesday afternoons to return to normal. Perhaps however, a line from the script, a melody from one of the songs, or a memory from the time together might linger in our minds for a little longer and make us smile. And above all, may we be reminded frequently about the power of Love and its ability to overcome any ogres we might face.

Tuckshop in need of volunteers

There is an opportunity for parents to contribute to the life of the school by volunteering their time in the tuckshop.

The tuckshop has been growing since moving to the new facility and with growth in sales we would really love your help!

Please contact our Tuckshop Convenor, Marie Rushin, on 0422 637 370 or email tuckshop@parklands.qld.edu.au

Year 1

Year 1 is experiencing a wonderful start to Term 3 and despite many winter illnesses, most of the children have returned ready to learn in the classroom.

Year 3

Year 2

This term Year 2 is engaging in many discussions about the world around them. Our science lessons involve investigating Chemical reactions through science experiments. Learning about God’s wonderful creation has been exciting, and sparking many questions.

We are also learning all about the continents of the world this term. With the help of a funky rap we are beginning to remember all 7 continents! There is also a world map in our rooms which shows where each of our families come from in the world and it’s so surprising to see that we don’t all come from Australia, but as far as Romania, India, or the United Kingdom! Learning about the differences in cultures has been very interesting seeing how different God has made each of us, but how similar we all really are.

Senior News…

I trust you are all keeping warm and healthy for these final moments of our Brissie winter! August has rolled around, which brings with it busyness for all our senior students. As I’m writing this article, there is just 3 ½ weeks before the commencement of the Year 11 two week exam block commences just and 4 ½ weeks for Years 10 and 12 Examination period. Attendance is so very important. It makes a significant impact on learning when days are missed. If sickness or extenuating circumstances arise, and an exam or assessment deadline is missed, medical documentation, dated the day of the missed assessment, must be submitted to the Coordinator of school.

Thank you for encouraging solid attendance rates and for not planning family holidays or day trips in term time, especially as we get well into the business end of the school term.

Year 10

Year 10 have settled well into Semester 2, their “pre-senior” semester, prior to the official stages of senior schooling start in Year 11. This is not the time to trial subjects and be settled into subjects that lead directly and smoothly into Year 11. We promote minimal movement of subjects in Year 11. Year 10 teachers are currently delivering Year 10 Australian Curriculum and Settled into Semester 2 pre-senior

Year 10’s have a presentation this week, “Red Frogs: Identity seminar. We value a quality education but value the person more. This talk aims to give young people information and tools to help them understand their worth and value in the hope they will then make choices based on this understanding rather than choices that could potentially harm them. Pastoral Care teachers will follow up this talk by sharing about our worth and value in Gods eyes.

Upcoming Events

Reminder: Senior Subject Selection

Tuesday 13 August is our annual Senior College information evening for current Year 9 students and families (Year 10, 2020). This night is an opportunity to learn about the QCE system, about Atars and Vocational Pathways, school subjects and programs that are on offer in Senior College. Shortly after this information evening, your child will receive an email with a link to choosing 2020 subjects online. Please note that some subjects are capped, so the classes are offered on a first in, first serve basis.

Year 12 QCS Test

The Year 12 Queensland Core Skills (QCS) test will be conducted in the Function Room, located off Student Services, on Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th September. Parklands encourages all students to attend. This test is compulsory for all Year 12 students who intend to be eligible to receive an OP score for Tertiary entrance. Students who are non-OP eligible may also elect, and are encouraged, to sit the QCS test. Students who elect not to sit the QCS Test are not required to be at school for the two days of testing, as there will be no Year 12 classes. These students should utilise this time to prepare for their exams and complete other assessment requirements.

Prayers are with all our Yr12 students, who are currently in the midst of a very busy Term 3 and are in final QCS preparations. For the remainder of this year and beyond we pray that each graduating student makes choices to align with all that God intends them to be.

Year 11 Leadership Camp

Our Year 11 Pastoral Care teachers, Mr Cunningham and Mrs Smith are very excited about the upcoming Leadership camping program, which will be held from 18th to 20th September at Emu Gully. As a valued part of our college curriculum, all Year 11 school students are required to attend this compulsory camp in preparation for their final year of schooling. Please note that if your child would like to apply for a badged leadership position, they must attend the camp. All Yr11 should be communicating with employers about time off for this period of time. If you wish to discuss any aspect of the camp, please do not hesitate to contact me via Student Services or direct via email at: rwallis@parklands.qld.edu.au

School Subjects & Study beyond School

Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) has a role in operating a centralised tertiary application system. Year 11-12 students have received the “QTAC: Guide to Tertiary Courses” booklet. This resource provides valuable information about courses at public and private universities, Tafe and other tertiary centres. This is an exciting and possibly daunting time to explore the possibilities of “What Next”? The entry requirements, including expected OP’s, prerequisites and course lengths are included.

All seniors are encouraged to spend some time exploring potential courses of interest. Yr12 students are to apply online to QTAC, for offers for tertiary study after school. Registration has now opened and seniors are encouraged to keep exploring options and to make a time to meet with Mrs Hudson or Mrs Wallis for individual support in choosing preferences.

The first step is for seniors to decide what courses they would like to apply for. If your child is unsure of “What Next”, that is not unusual. It is sometimes a difficult decision, so we encourage the following:

• Talk with families, friends and employers about future job opportunities.
• Visit trade and careers expos. Mrs Hudson’s VET news contains much information on these opportunities. You can also check Uni websites and make a time to talk to University Careers advisors.
• Go back and read “The Job Guide”. This has descriptions and much information on hundreds of occupations. This is helpful in making those connections between jobs, senior subject pre-requisites, and future study required to get that job. https://www.education.gov.au/job-guide
• Read up on information in the QTAC booklet for post school tertiary study http://www.qtac.edu.au/

The Year 12 Pastoral Care teachers, Miss Grounds & Miss Matthews, along with Mrs Hudson and myself are all very happy to assist. Please contact us via email or through the College office on 3380 4200 if we can be of assistance.

Celebrating PCC Student – Brock Paine

When your hobby becomes a passion and then a reality, it’s a pretty exciting time! Brock Paine (Year 12) has enjoyed racing go-karts at his local racetrack since he was very young. As he grew, he improved and moved from racing karts to racing cars. He has now been Circuit Racing for three years and recently had an opportunity that most people would think was a once in a lifetime chance! Over the Easter break, Brock attended Bathurst as a racer rather than a spectator. Being invited to race his own racecar at Mount Panorama, in the wheel prints of the mighty V8 Supercars, was a fantastic experience that Brock thoroughly enjoyed. Only very few people are granted this chance; Brock was invited after placing second at the Queensland Championships. What a great honour for Brock, one that we hope to see repeated in the future.

Having your own racecar requires a lot of work and Brock has done an amazing job at focusing on his school commitments as well as attending his race commitments. He and his family have been responsible for all the costs and repairs to the vehicle, and have travelled to various race events throughout Queensland and New South Wales.
Brock has attended Parklands Christian College since Prep in 2007 and is currently completing Year 12. His friends know him as a fun and loyal person who will always offer a helping hand. Brock works hard to love out our College values and we are so proud of Brock and his achievements inside and outside of school.

Congratulations, Brock, on your wonderful achievements! We can’t wait to cheer for you in the V8’s in the future.
All are welcome to follow Brock on his racing Facebook page – BMP Motorsport.

Tracey Green
Learning Enrichment

Correct and Labelled Uniforms

A reminder to please ensure your child is correctly and neatly dressed in the ‘correct’ uniform each morning. If they are incorrectly dressed would you please provide us with a written explanation and remind them to go to the RTC to collect a Uniform Slip FIRST thing of a morning? We are also finding quite a few unmarked / unlabelled items of clothing, bottles and Tupperware, which makes it impossible to return to the right owner. Kindly assist us to ensure ALL items brought to school are correctly labelled! Thank you for your support and assistance in this regard.

eLearning in 2020 (Year 5&6)

In wishing to offer our senior Primary students every opportunity to use technology in class to assist with and improve their learning, we will continue to allow the Year 5 and 6 students to make use of or bring iPads to school next year. This follows on with the trend in education to promote eLearning and the use of modern electronic devices in senior Primary.

We will continue to promote handwriting, fine motor skills, cutting out, colouring in and written work in Prep to Year 4! Feedback from staff, parents and the Year 5 & 6 students about iPad use has been very positive.

We have organized an iPad Informative Parent Evening on Tuesday 15^th October where questions about iPad selection, process, security, resources, Apps, class use etc. will all be answered. Look forward to seeing the Year 4 and 5 parents in attendance on the night.

Listening Skills

Not sure what it’s like at home but teachers and the RTC are experiencing many students just not listening to and following instructions. This behaviour is evident in the undercover area of a morning/afternoon, in the classroom for lessons, out on the ovals or while students are running around playing! Staff are making a concerted effort to get the students to “Stop, Look, Listen and DO”

We aren’t exactly sure why this ‘non listening behaviour’ is becoming more evident but research from UQ and Harvard University have offered up a few suggestions – due to modern electronic gadgets “common communication skills” are being used less (children don’t know of or get to practise the social skills to listen, hold a conversation and follow instructions).

Children are so busy and preoccupied in this ‘instant society’ that they appear / are rushed to move onto the next experience so thereby don’t listen to or fully comprehend instructions.

In class this is what good listening has been encouraged to ‘look and sound’ like:

We are asking that parents assist us by getting their children to practice these listening skills at home and to be reminded of them daily before coming to school. Thanking you in anticipation for your support in this regard.

Communication

Can I please take this time to remind you of important information about Primary School communication procedures? Class Teachers ask that IF you have a concern or question about class work, assignments,process or procedure, class behaviour, calendar events etc, that you please contact them directly. They are your first port of call. If you require information about any of the following areas, please contact the specific staff member concerned directly:

Specialist lessons (HPE – Mr. Lewis

Music – Mrs. Patane

Art – Mrs. Bazley

Library – Mrs. Bayer

Student Services – Mrs. Oxley, Mrs. Swinn, Mrs Sampson

RTC – Mrs. Elvery, Mr.Crawford, Miss Robinson

LE – Mrs. Jo Anderson

If you don’t get resolve or wish to discuss the matter further after having spoken to a teacher or specialist, would you kindly then contact myself, Grant Jakins through Student Services? Thank you for speaking to the correct person so as to assist you best with your question or concern.

Kind Words & Friendly Actions

This semester we will again get the students to focus on using kind words to each other or saying NOTHING bad at all as well as trying to have friendly actions to one another in the Primary School! We will again be reminding students about ways to treat each other so as not to ‘bully’ because bullying is a terrible behaviour that affects many children in all schools. It breaks a child’s natural right to feel safe and secure and can affect a child’s performance, their peer relations and his or her self-esteem!

Definition of Bullying:

Bullying is not a once off incident but the repeated verbal, physical, social or psychological behaviour that is harmful and involves the misuse of power by an individual or group towards one or more persons.

Bullying is not the domain of either gender. Girls bully just as much as boys but they do it in less physical ways. While boys will use physical intimidation or verbal abuse to wield power over others, girls are more likely to use exclusion or subtle verbal sarcasm to assert themselves over their victims.
Bullying is more prevalent in primary schools than secondary schools, although the type of bullying varies with age. As boys get older there is a gradual decrease in the amount of physical bullying but an increase in verbal intimidation. It would appear that bullying reaches a peak around the age of eight or nine years of age, which is true for girls and boys.
While siblings or children often tease or sometimes fight physically with each other, this bickering should not be confused with bullying. The bullying involves an imbalance of power as one person is powerless to stop the teasing or physical abuse.

Behaviours that are not bullying include:

• mutual arguments and disagreements (where there is no power imbalance)
• not liking someone or a single act of social rejection
• one-off acts of meanness or spite
• isolated incidents of aggression, intimidation or violence.

 Cyber bullying refers to bullying that is carried out through information and communication technologies. Likewise not all online issues are cyber bullying. Source: www.bullyingnoway.gov.au

We at Parklands, through the RTC and Wellbeing Team, work closely to monitor ALL behaviour and assist the students to make better choices!

Greetings

We are now past half way for 2019 and my last Newsletter advised all readers that I was making plans for next year to work with an Assistant in my role of leading the school.  Last week my wife and I had the joy of the safe arrival of our 16^th grand child, Lenny David Conwell.  I am reminded with all these moments that I am coming to the end of a long and enjoyable journey.  It is a reflective time for me as I write these Newsletters and I reach back in my memories over the past 40 years of being in leadership of a Christian School.  I would like to take this opportunity to pick up on the growing conflict between technology and the development of a child in all aspects of their life.   In these thoughts, I will reach back to the memories of my own journey and reflect on life today to draw out the foundations that has guided me through life.

I first put my fingers on a computer keyboard at QIT when the program writing was all on paper, and a saved program was punched on a tape stream.  I programmed Cooling Tower design on this first computer and thought “could it ever get better than this”.   It did with the invention of a desk top computer which I first saw at  Computer Joe’s shop in Townsville in 1984. The computer he showed me was a Hitachi Peach.  It had a colour screen and twin floppy disk drives and it ran GW Basic. He convinced me that this computer was so advanced it would still be good in 20 years.  I bought it and became an expert in GW Basic programming. As I reflect back on the days before computers; before mobile phones and before the instant camera and post to the web; I ponder on whether we have improved our lot with technology, or  caused greater stress on students that I never faced.  What is it that we as a society have done to ourselves and our children that causes this? Our society seems to be obsessed with instant rewards, instant information and “image” rather than “character”.

The Victorian Government has now banned mobile phones from school use in an effort to stop “social media bullying” and refocus students on good human interaction in their lunch breaks.  Several of my staff recently attended a conference with me where the keynote speaker spoke on these things as the key issues facing Christian Schools into the future.   I am reminded of the well-known Bible verse written in ancient times, but still so true today “ Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23

The arrival of instant access to information seems, at first glance, to be a good thing.  It means we can keep abreast of what is happening at this moment anywhere in the world.  We know exactly what all our friends are doing, and we are seeing all their pictures immediately. So the modern phone becomes our “must have” gadget otherwise we are disconnected from life. This is what the current thinking is.

In the early days we called it information overload.  There is only so much information we can hold at one time, and sadly the important things get lost in the noise of everything.

Relationships are so important in the development and sustaining of our character. Relationships are best formed in the presence of the other person, but that means less friends, inconvenience in getting together, and putting away the technology and just talking.  It has been the process of human living from the beginning, and has only changed in recent times because of technology.

Our Christian belief is that the presence of God is always within us. Our sense of self is far deeper and secure when we realise that we have a relationship with a loving God who has designed us for this purpose.  As this awareness has grown in my life, I have learnt to be at peace with who I am, and have no need to hold a profile on a social media page.  I have learnt to care for the person in my current situation in real time.  It may seem ineffective in saving the world, but it matters most to me. My resilience has come from doing life with people, and seeking to contribute in every interaction I have with others. As I look forward, knowing the trends that are developing in schools, I am convinced that the wellbeing of each child will become increasingly important as their starting point for life, and that this will only be found in good real relationships with others which was modelled so clearly in the life of Jesus.

God Bless