From the Principal

Firstly, can I say the question that all at one time hounds, inspires and perplexes me is this: ‘How

can we achieve the goal of having every single student learn and progress?’ That question can keep

me awake at night - and still gets me out of bed each morning. It’s the question that keeps me, and I

suspect every other teacher, focussed on improving what we do and how we do it.

Many knowledgeable educators have written about the approaches, processes and principles that create

conditions to bring about this desired outcome. Over Easter last year, I attended the INTASE Conference in

Singapore at which Alan Blankstein was a keynote speaker and workshop presenter. I was very impressed with the

direction his life has taken after a rough start and especially the motivation behind that direction. Paralleling the name

of his foundation, his message was full of HOPE; it was also full of passion and purpose. In his book, ‘Failure is Not

an Option’, he names six guiding principles that move schools towards achievement for every student:

Common mission, vision, values and goals;

Achievement for all students through prevention and intervention systems;

Collaborative teaming focused on teaching for learning;

Data-based decisions for continuous improvement;

Active family and community engagement; and

Building sustainable leadership capacity.

In this newsletter I intend to address Number 5, ‘Active family and community engagement.’

This principle does not necessarily mean what we think it means at first hearing. As Alma Harris and Janet Goodall

write in ‘Do Parents Know They Matter?’ ‘There is a major difference between involving parents in schooling and

engaging parents in learning. While involving parents in school activities has an important social and community

function, it is only the engagement of parents in learning in the home that is most likely to result in a positive difference

to learning outcomes.’

Findings by multiple researchers (quoted by Blankstein) conclude that ‘the most accurate predictor of student

academic achievement is the ability of the student’s family to create a home environment that encourages learning; to

communicate high, yet reasonable expectations for achievement; and to stay involved in the student’s education in

meaningful ways.’ Parental involvement ‘doesn’t necessarily mean that they are present at the school for meetings

and events. Rather, it means they play an active role in the home reinforcing the importance of learning and the value

of education for their child.’ Such interest and support does not require money or expensive resources. It does

require home and school sharing a common goal: student success, both academically and in life. It also requires a

little time spent engaging with young ones around learning.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the importance of school attendance and the message sent to children when a

casual approach is taken in these matters; when they are regularly brought late and taken early and when they are

able to miss days without good cause. These instances, over time, contradict any verbal support given by parents to

the importance of schooling. Supporting regular attendance is a simple and effective way to convey support of

learning.

Having said that, it’s also extremely important for us, at school, to realise that many families face challenges that impact their ability to support their children’s learning to the extent, and in ways, that they would like. Tiredness after

12 May 2015

long work hours, multiple jobs, complicated custody arrangements, the struggle to make ends meet, baggage carried from

one’s own school experiences, serious health issues of a family member and difficult relationships, to name a few, can cause

stress in the home. Under such conditions, day to day survival, understandably, becomes the primary intention and focus.

Please know that we understand that many families are doing their best under a range of difficult circumstances and I would

like to assure you of our practical support where possible.

We want all our families to feel welcome and appreciated in the school environment, especially those whose school

experiences were not positive, encouraging or inclusive. Positive partnerships begin with relationships built on mutual

understanding and trust which begins by knowing and believing in the goodwill of the other and sharing common goals.

Knowing that it is not possible for many parents/carers to be physically present at school, we must find ways that allow parents

to be informed and active in support of their children’s learning as well as whole school developments. To this end, we are

very grateful to Brisbane Catholic Education for the development of the Parent Portal and for ongoing improvements and

extensions to its capacity to provide this support and insight. At the level of classroom, Prep D (Bernie Baillie’s class) and

Year 5C (Mercedes Clear’s class) have volunteered to trial the introduction of class sites within the portal which will enable

parents to remain up-to-date, from home, with learning and information. What a great opportunity it presents for a child to sit

down with a parent at home and have a conversation about their learning while looking at their class site. With all families

having internet access, this additional service provides a simple, cost-free way to engage with children about their learning. All

class information will be available on the site, including homework, helpful hints, school-home messages and reminders,

excursion information and permission forms, as well as photos, video and text related to classroom learning.

At a school level, the ILC (Innovative Learning Centre) will also highlight exciting lunchtime activities and developments as well

as class and year level project support. If you haven’t visited the library (now the ILC) lately, please drop in when you have the

opportunity. You are very welcome.

Have a great week everyone. Glenda

Hunter Oval Play Equipment Changes to the rules around playgrounds and the age/height of children have meant that Year 3 students are able to use the

equipment on Hunter Oval. Last week we let students know that the following schedule of use is in place: Monday Year 3,

Tuesday Year 5, Wednesday Year 4, Thursday Year 6 and Friday Year 3 (for the remainder of Term 3).

No Assembly this Week Due to NAPLAN testing this week, there will be no Assembly (and therefore, no Principal’s Awards) this Thursday.

Mothers’ Day Stall Thanks A big thank you to Leanne Dowe and helpers for the great work on the Mothers’ Day Stall again this year. What a thoughtful

service to our families. Thanks so much!

RAINBOWS PROGRAM If you would like your child/children to be included in the Rainbows program please collect an enrolment form from the front

office, or preferably download a form from the Parent Portal. Any questions please contact Donita Sullivan, Rainbows

Registered Director c/o Stella Maris school.

Dear Parents/Caregivers,

This fortnight’s Virtue of Thankfulness has been highlighted for me in this past week because of the number of people who are supporting the Care Pantry through generous donations of food. We have had a number of families of late that, through circumstances that were out of their control, needed to

draw on the resources of the Care Pantry and to this date we have been able to meet all their needs.

However, circumstances are at present that we need to restock the freezer and come up with some creative strategies to meet the needs of some families in our community who just need a helping hand, perhaps for just a short while. I was reminded during the week of the importance fresh fruit and veges in one’s diet, and concluded that this is an area which may suit some people who do not have the time to do extra cooking, but may be able to see their way clear to provide uncooked goods which would certainly help our families. Some thoughtful person brought in some large packets of cereal and rice which we were able to distribute along with frozen meals. This gesture has prompted me to ask for donations of uncooked goods – vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, onions, beans and peas, as well as fruit that will last outside the fridge for a

few days. Tinned goods would be very welcome as well –tinned vegetables, soups, fish/meat and fruit.

The pantry will be open each morning this week from Wednesday to Friday to accept any donations.

Having come from a family of eight children, I know how difficult it can be sometimes to provide for the necessities of life – food, shelter, education and relaxation. A bit of a helping hand can turn these circumstances around so that opportunities present themselves that show we support each other in good times and in bad and that the combined resources of a few can

benefit so many.

I would really appreciate it if you would contact me at school – 5409 8908 – if you are able to help to assist in the pantry for 1/2 hour each morning for the next week from 8.15am to 8.45am or to provide goods which may go some way in alleviating

the distress of these families in the short term.

I would be most thankful if you find that you are able to help even in a small way.

God bless you all. Kind regards,

From the APRE

Judith. You are invited to an ‘Early Years’ Prayer Celebration

for Under Eight’s Day. Where: In the hall

Time: 9.10 am

Date: Friday 22nd May

Why: Under 8’s Day - Theme - ‘Voices of children’

We are thankful for how fortunate we are in our community so we pray for the children in the world who do not have a voice.

Who: All welcome.

Christine Craig - Guidance Counsellor/ Psychologist

email: ccraig@bne.catholic.edu.au

From the Guidance Counsellor

10 Ways to Jump Start Your Happiness

1. Savour life’s joys. Pay close attention to life’s momentary pleasures and wonders, and share them with others through writ-

ing, drawing, music, or photography.

Tip: Commit to taking a photo every day of something that captures your attention. Try it for a week, a month, or even a

whole year if you’re feeling ambitious.

2. Drop grudges. When we forgive those who have wronged us, we feel better about ourselves, experience more positive

emotions, and feel closer to others.

3. Get moving. Regular exercise increases self-esteem, reduces anxiety and stress, and may well be the most effective instant

happiness booster of all.

4. Give thanks. Research reveals the enormous power of simply counting our blessings. Regular expressions of gratitude pro-

mote optimism, better health, and greater life satisfaction.

5. Keep friends close. Social connections are a key to happiness. Research indicates that it’s quality more than quantity:

Make time for those closest to you.

Tip: Think about important relationships in your life and choose one that is not as strong as it could be. Invest time and

energy in healing, cultivating, affirming, and enjoying the friendship, without laying it on too thick. Listen to what the other

person needs.

6. Get with the flow. At home and at work, seek out more challenging and absorbing experiences in which you “lose yourself,”

experiencing what researchers call flow.

7. Practise kindness. Being kind to others makes us feel good. Feed a stranger’s parking meter, donate blood, help a friend

with homework, visit an elderly relative, write a thank you letter. Altruistic acts light up the same pleasure centers in the

brain as food.

Tip: Choose a day this week and perform five acts of kindness—all five in one day. The acts don’t need to be for the

same person, the person may or may not be aware of the act, and the act may or may not be similar to the ones listed

above. Don’t do anything that may place yourself or others in danger.

8. Look on the bright side. Keep a journal in which you imagine and write about the best possible future for yourself, or prac-

tice looking at the bright side of every situation.

9. Avoid over-thinking and comparing. Use strategies to cut down on how often you dwell on your problems, and guard

against comparing yourself to others.

Sample strategies: Notice what triggers bouts of negative rumination (certain situations, times of day, people) and play

dodgeball (i.e., get out of the way); absorb yourself in rewarding activity and let obsessive thoughts recede into the back-

ground; if something needs attention, set aside time to think about it and/or talk about it with a friend and take action

when possible.

10. Recall three good things. It’s easy to get caught up in the things that go wrong and feel like we’re living under our own

private rain cloud. At the same time, we tend to take the good things and people in our lives for granted. List three posi-

tive things that happened in your day—and consider what caused them—it encourages you to tune into the sources of

goodness in your life.

From the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley. For many more science-based practices for cultivating a

meaningful life, go to the new site Greater Good in Action

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“Music is well said to be the speech of angels.”

~ Thomas Carlyle, Essays, “The Opera” ~

TIP OF THE WEEK

Compose your own music. Be sure to include a time signature, and use a variety of different pitches and rhythms. Now play it!!

ASSEMBLY

Congratulations to Mr Burr and the Percussion ensemble for their performance on assembly last week. It is wonderful to see practice out into action.

Wonderful work everyone!

TWELVE BENEFITS OF MUSIC EDUCATION

The tenth benefit of music education is:

Music study develops skills that are necessary in the workplace. It focuses on “doing,” as opposed to observing, and teaches students how to perform, literally, anywhere in the world. Employers are looking for multi-dimensional workers with the sort of flexible and supple intellects that music education

helps to create as described above. In the music classroom, students can also learn to better communicate and cooperate with one another.

DATE CLAIMERS

Piano Soiree (Mrs Quaglio) - Thursday 21 May - School Hall, 5.00pm

SM Singers performing on Assembly – Thursday 28 May – School Hall, 8.45am

Woodwind & Piano Soiree (Mrs Dean) – Tuesday 2 June – School Hall, 5-6pm

Singing Soiree (Ms Bond) – Wednesday 17 June – School Hall, 6-7pm

Guitar Ensemble performing on Assembly – Thursday 18 June – School Hall, 8.45am

Sunshine Coast Catholic Schools String Workshop (all violin, viola, cello and double bass students) – Monday 22 June – School Hall, all day with a

Concert at brief Concert at 4.30pm

Woodwind & Brass Soiree (Mr Wynyard) – Monday 22 June – School Hall, 6pm

Piano Soiree (Ms Worthy) – Tuesday 23 June – School Hall, 5.30 – 6.30pm

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC NEWS

Parents are reminded that regular and prompt attendance at lessons is essential for good progress and assists with developing important life-long skills such commitment, perseverance, team-work, discipline, confidence and improves memory and coordination. If your child is not able to attend a lesson,

please contact your tutor early to ensure lessons can be re-scheduled.

There are some changes to lesson timetables this week due to NAPLAN. Tutors will email parents direct with any changes.

Remember, if you need to contact your child's tutor, details are shown on the top left corner of the lesson timetable. If you have queries regarding

anything musical – please feel free to catch up with us before or after school, by contacting us in writing or via email.

Musically Yours Inez Durrer Todd Wynyard Classroom Music Specialist Instrumental Music Coordinator idurrer@bne.catholic.edu.au twynyard@bne.catholic.edu.au

Music News

Community News

May Tuesday 12 P & F Meeting in the Staffroom @ 6.30pm

Friday 15 Parent “Big Night Out” @ Mooloolaba Yacht Club

Thursday 21 School Board

June Monday 8 Queen’s Birthday Holiday

Tuesday 9 P & F Meeting in the Staffroom @ 6.30pm

Friday 12 Nambour Show Holiday

Mon / Tue 15-16 School Photos

Thursday 18 School Board

Friday 26 Year 4 to 7 Athletics Carnival

Last Day of Term 2

July Monday 13 Term 3 begins

Tuesday 14 P & F Meeting in the Staffroom @ 6.30pm

Friday 17 P & F Movie Night

Thursday 30 Grandparents’ Day

Hope all the mums had a lovely Mothers’ Day on Sunday! It was so nice to receive the little gifts from the Mothers’ Day Stall – a huge thanks to the ladies who ran the stall every morning last week. Don’t forget the P&F Meeting is on tonight Tuesday night (12th May) at 6.30 pm in the staff room. Come along if you can – everyone is welcome!! Tickets for the Parents Night Out will be sold for the last time this Wednesday morning before school or you can still purchase tickets online at www.trybooking.com.au/HHBV. There are over 100 people going so should be a really great night out! Have a great week everyone!

Date Claimer - Friday 26th June Week 10 Term 2 - Yr 4 - 6 Athletics Carnival

Stella Maris AFL Training for the Boys and Girls Stella Maris AFL team to compete in the Brisbane Lions AFL Cup is on Monday and Friday at lunchtime. Please bring a mouthguard, spare shirt and boots. Our first round game is on Tuesday 19th (Boys) and Thursday 21st (Girls) at Fisherman’s Road Maroochydore.

District Trials Process for District Trials - It is the student’s responsibility to collect a Coastal District "District Trial Permission Form" from Mrs Till or it may be downloaded rom the Parent Portal. This Permission Form must be completed in full by parents/caregivers and brought back to school to be signed by Mrs Till. Students must bring this signed Permission Form to the Selection Trial. NO PERMISSION FORM - NO TRIAL!

Please check the Parent Portal for updated District Trial Dates, Times and Venues

Wednesday Thursday Friday Tuesday

F Annand N Charlesworth W Coppo

T Vasloo T Seeto R Dickie

L Corcoran M Handsaker K Walsh J Stitt

J Coghlan S Wall

Group 4

A MacDonald, D Stubbs, F Annand, J Lee, K Kapolos, K Purssell, L Roberts, S O’Neal,

M Champion, N Edwards, O Furniss, S Hattingh, T Godfrey, V Maroney, D Lyndon.

Notice Board

19 May - 20 May

Fried Rice and Chicken $4.00

GF Option Available $5.50

NEXT WEEK’S SPECIAL

STUDENT TRAVEL REBATES Semester 1, 2015

Visit our website to see if you qualify for financial assistance to

help with the cost of transport and

apply at www.schooltransport.com.au by 31 May 2015.

Students with Disabilities Does your child have a

verified disability that requires transport assistance to and from school?

Has your school’s learning support teacher assessed your child’s travel capability rating as ‘semi-independent’ or more dependent?

Bus Fare Assistance Does your child attend a school outside the Brisbane

City Council boundary? Does your family spend more than $33/week* on fares to

and from school (* $25/week if you hold a concession card)?

Does your child travel on a publicly available bus not owned or associated with the school?