Middle & Senior School News

Issue 05/ 04 April 2014

The story of Easter is the story of God’s wonderful window of divine surprise. ~Carl Knudsen

By the time you receive this Bulletin, Term One will be of-ficially finished and we will all be enjoying the Easter break. The Term seems to have passed by so quickly and yet as I re-flect on all that has been accomplished, both in and outside of classrooms, I am truly thankful for the many blessings we have enjoyed this year thus far. I hope that the holiday time ahead brings with it an opportunity for your family to relax and enjoy some quality time together.

Reports and Parent Teacher InterviewsThe Term One Report was posted home today and Parent Teacher interviews will be conducted for Middle School and Senior School students on Tuesday 6 May from 3.30pm to 8.00pm. The report contains an ‘Achievement’ grade and ‘Effort’ grade for each subject and an indication of the way in which your child has approached the important areas of ‘Class Participation’, ‘Class Conduct/Attitude’ and ‘Meeting Work Requirements’ in each of their subjects. The Achievement grades are averaged to generate a Grade Point Average (GPA) out of 15 and the Effort grades are averaged to generate an Effort Point Average (EPA) also out of 15. Where a result is indicated as NA, it is not included in the calculation of the average. Details about booking interviews can be found in your child’s report envelope. The report is intended to give you to a brief overview of how your child has settled into their studies and the interviews with teachers are a great opportunity to explore concerns and areas for further improvement. Students should attend the interviews with their parents. Please discuss this report with your child and help him/her to set goals for the start of Term Two.

ANZAC Day MarchAs has been the custom for a number of years, students from St Andrews are invited to march behind the College banner in the Burleigh Heads ANZAC Day March on Friday 25 April. Students who would like to join us are asked to wear their full school uniform (including hat), and meet on the corner of James and West streets by 9.00am, in prepa-ration for the march which begins at 9.30am. We will then sit with other schools for the service at the Cenotaph, which should conclude by 10.30am.

Staffing UpdatesA few weeks ago, Mrs Terri Myles joined our teaching team to replace Mrs Lynda Galway in her role as Head of De-partment – Business during Mrs Galway’s absence for the remainder of 2014. An experienced teacher of Business, Accounting, and Social Sciences, Mrs Myles is sure to be a blessing to our community. Next term we welcome back Mr Rob Luxton. Mrs Kulari Harris, a specialist Science teacher who was replacing Mr Luxton in Term One, will look after Mrs Lotz’s classes while she is on Long Service Leave until the middle of Term Two. We also welcome back Mrs Lucy Briggs to our Student Services team, and Mrs Marita Wilson to our LOTE Team this term after maternity leave.

Thank you for your ongoing support throughout first term. Have a happy and blessed Easter.

Virginia Warner Deputy Principal Head of Secondary School

Senior School News

Positive Psychology – Wellbeing and Flourishing through PERMAPERMA is a handy acronym used by Martin Seligman to describe the elements that contribute to wellbeing and in-cludes positive emotion, engagement, relationships, mean-ing and accomplishment (2011). Huppert & Johnson (2009) define wellbeing as “the combination of feeling good and functioning well” and to flourish requires a combination of emotional, psychological and social wellbeing (Keyes, 2005). At St Andrews we are shaping our Senior School Pastoral Care Program around the concept of PERMA and the students are participating in activities that aim to develop these elements of wellbeing. This may be using the

gratitude letter to enhance positive emotions or targeting engagement and accomplishment through understanding how grit, mindset and goal setting can impact on academic achievement. Seligman believes that well-being should be taught in school on three grounds: as an antidote to depression, as a vehicle for increasing life satisfaction, and as an aid to better learning and more creative thinking” (Seligman, Ernst, Gillham, Reivich & Linkins, 2009). If we can teach our young people the skills that will enable them to live lives with more joy, gratitude, hope and greater resilience as well as the necessary academic skills then the positive psychology journey has been worthwhile.

There are some great information sites on all things that affect young people. One you might want to subscribe to is Generation Next. The latest newsletter includes informa-tion on anxiety and the Gold Coast Seminar is on 25 July. We will continue to focus on activities that promote PERMA next term.

Leo Club and Holiday Community Service Opportunity for all StudentsOur Leo Club has had a very busy and productive start to the year and have barbecued their collective weight in sau-sages to raise over $2000 this year so far. Great job, Leos. Over the holidays they will continue to run the Saturday BBQ’s at Officeworks on Kortum Drive as well as assist the

Lions with two BBQ’s at the ever popular Bunnings. Interested in technology and helping others?

Another exciting community service activity that our Leos will be assisting with is an intergenerational learning program – in short teaching our 60’s and Better to use iPads. This will occur in the last week of the holidays and first week back at school. This opportunity is not limited to members of Leo and we are looking for any students who have a basic knowledge of how to use an iPad and an inter-est in helping others. Please contact Ms Stewart (tanias@salc.qld.edu.au) ASAP if you would like to assist. All volun-teers will receive training on Tuesday 8/4 at 2.00-3.30pm and teach the 60s and Better on Tuesday and Wednesday 15 & 16, 22 & 23 of April from 2.00-3.15pm. Afternoon tea will also be provided and the course is held at the Southern Gold Coast 60 & Better Program, 34 Guineas Ck Rd, Elanora.

Wrap UpIt has been an incredibly busy 10 weeks and hard to believe that Term One has come to a close. Thank you to the staff

Middle School News

By the time this edition of the Bulletin is available it will be the first evening of the school holidays and I will be watch-ing my beloved Broncos (hopefully) lining up another win. As usual it has been a hectic first term with many routines learned and new subjects undertaken. Please take a mo-ment during the holidays with your child to reflect upon the first term and to set some goals for the coming term. Interim reports will be received over the break and should give an insight into how your child is progressing in their various subjects.

Clubs/Activities/OpportunitiesPerhaps one of the goals that your child will set for the coming term is to participate in one of the various morn-ing or lunchtime offerings at the College. Fitness, book club, creative writing, philosophy and chess are all catered for as part of the College’s extra-curricular programme. Unfortunately debating is closed for this season but public speaking will begin shortly. It is through an engagement in the world beyond the classroom that a student’s life at the College is truly enriched and I encourage all students to actively seek opportunities beyond their timetable.

Supporting CausesOne of the greatest joys in working with adolescents is observing their growing awareness of a world beyond themselves and their subsequent willingness to explore and participate in any associated causes. Middle School students are currently organising old furniture to be sent to needy schools both in Australia and overseas, raising funds for refuges for the homeless and donating books for disad-vantaged children. Recently Jacinda Mulholland and Sophie Butler (Yr 8) along with many St Andrews students raised a significant amount of money for the Leukemia Foundation’s Greatest Shave Campaign and supported former student Abby Martin as she shaved her head for the Campaign. I encourage all students to seek opportunities available through the College for these local and international acts of community service. The College’s Leos group is an excellent place to start finding out about these chances.

for all their hard work in teaching and supporting our young people. Thank you to the students for their efforts to achieve their goals and Personal Bests. I hope that everyone has a restful break and we return in Term Two ready to pursue our own versions of excellence. We look forward to meeting with families at the Parent Teacher interviews com-ing up in week three.

If you have any concerns or queries please contact me on tanias@salc.qld.edu.au

Tania StewartHead of Senior School

Partnerships for LearningOur first Partnerships for Learning evening explored ways in which parents can help their child’s learning and the latest research on adolescent learning. Thank you to those parents who attended and I hope that the evening was of benefit. Our next evening will be held on April 30 from 7pm to 8pm in the CRC and will discuss the research on children and the digital world. Additionally we will exam-ine ways that parents can assist their children in becoming good digital citizens and some practical strategies to remain vigilant about this growing field. TimTams will once again be in ready supply.

Tom CaseyHead of Middle Schooltomc@salc.qld.edu.au

Reviewing Term 1 - Engagement, Goal Setting and Ac-complishmentAs the Term draws to a close, students should review their goals for Term 1 (on page 39 of their diary). Some have started this with parents and in class already and others may begin early next term. As we desire to partner with you as parents in supporting the education of our students, could I ask that you please review your children’s goals for Term 1. As part of this process, please focus the discus-sion and action plan on ‘what students can do or improve upon,’ focus on actions which may have become habits that are ensuring improving effort and accomplishment and discuss how to minimise habits that detract from effort and accomplishment.

Each student has a page for goal setting in their diaries for all four terms this year, as goals setting should be part of constant review of results and strategies and the feedback should be used to plan strategies. Please move to page 61 and discuss strategies for Term 2, actions that can be undertaken to build good habits and agree to review these at the end of semester also.

The Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) affirms that parents sharing an interest in educa-tion, learning processes and love for learning is far more important than particular grades on particular tests. So please engage with this process and value its ongoing nature, model this attitude to your children. Other ena-bling structures may be part of this discussion, such as a reading light next to the bed, leaving mobile phones in the kitchen during study and at other times needing focus or engagement, helping young people define a space in which study routine can be supported. Consider also, the weekly planner and yearly planner (on page 123-125) as graphic organisers that students need help filling in and commit-ting to. Discuss how family activities, leisure, work, church and other activities fit into a week and what windows are open for effective study. If you need any assistance with using these planners effectively or accessing other planning materials, please contact your child’s Year Level Coordinator or myself.

James NelsonDirector of Student Developmentjamesn@salc.qld.edu.au

International Competitions & Assessments (ICAS) For Schools 2014Your child is invited to take part in the 2014 Australasian Schools Competitions. A letter to all parents can be found in the TASS Parent Lounge. To book please follow this link to TryBooking http://www.trybooking.com/77036 or via the College Website. Parents have until Friday 4 April to reg-ister and pay. PLEASE NOTE: Entries cannot be accepted after this date.

Year 12 University ShowcaseLast Wednesday afternoon all Year 12 students attended the annual University Showcase at which they received valuable information about studying and living at university. This event always triggers enormous student interest in university courses and students are encouraged to continue to consider all possible options open to them by visiting the QTAC website, bookmarking university websites, visiting campuses and talking with students currently at university. Appointments to discuss tertiary options can be made with Mrs Wrigley. The 2015 QTAC Guide which will list all the courses on offer in Queensland for 2015 will be available at the end of Term Two and each Year 12 student will receive his or her own free copy. A visit to the QTAC website at http://www.qtac.edu.au/ can give students and parents very helpful information. Of special interest is this year’s schedule of Open Days at the various tertiary institutions and Careers Expos at http://www.qtac.edu.au/Schools/OpenDays.htm and at http://www.qtac.edu.au/InfoSheets/InstitutionScholarships.html there is an excellent summary of the main scholarships on offer. Whilst most scholarship and application details for 2015 become available in Term Three, it is a good idea to keep checking individual univer-sity websites for information based on 2014 opportunities.

Careers News

Student Development

Once specific details about scholarships, early entry and direct entry schemes are released for 2015, information will be passed along to students and parents.

During Term Three, Mrs Wrigley will run several QTAC ap-plication workshops aimed at helping Year 12 students with their university applications. The online application at QTAC opens this year on AUGUST 5th and will remain open until late SEPTEMBER .

For students who are planning to go to university, but are not sure what they would like to study, there are two online self assessment surveys which can help Year 12 stu-dents to focus in on their study preference areas, namely, MatchMySkills at (http://www.qut.edu.au/study/under-graduate-study/match-my-skills and the Career Architect at http://latrobe.custhelp.com/ci/documents/detail/2/ca2012)

On THURSDAY 8 MAY the annual GOLD COAST CA-REERS EXPO will be staged at Royal Pines. All Year 12, 11 and 10 students are encouraged to go this event with their parents after school. The Expo runs until 7pm. Representa-tives from local employers, tertiary intitutions and recruit-ment agencies will be present for students and parents to gather information and ask questions.

Parents Frequently Asked QuestionsQueensland University of Technology has a four page brochure that serves as a guide to help support your son or daughter as they make decisions on life after school. Visit: http://www.qut.edu.au/study/undergraduate-study/are-you-the-parent-of-a-school-student

Queensland University of Technology: STEM Camp29th September – 3rd October.High achieving Year 11 Students will have an opportunity to attend a free five day event where they will experience real university laboratories and learning spaces at QUT’s Sci-ence and Engineering Centre, while interacting with current QUT STEM students, academic staff and leading researchers to find out what life is like on the university campus. The online application portal is now open. http://www.qut.edu.au/study/undergraduate-study/do-you-advise-school-students/resources-for-schools/stem-for-schools/vice-chancellors-stem-regional-camp

University of Queensland: School Holiday Robotic WorkshopsUQ offers holiday workshops for kids in Robotics and Arti-ficial Intelligence (AI). The workshops are suitable for Year 7-12 students. Parents need to register students individu-ally. http://www.eait.uq.edu.au/holiday-robotics

Other NewsDefence Force University SponsorshipThe Defence University Sponsorship allows students to study an accredited degree at any Australian university, and graduate with a career in the Navy, Army or Air Force.http://www.defencejobs.gov.au/education/universityspon-sorship/

Discover Your CareerOnline information for anyone interested in the Tourism &

Hospitality industry.http://www.discoveryourcareer.com.au/

IEP Working Adventures Worldwide Information SessionsAll Information Sessions take place on Wednesday 30th April at the STA Travel Store, 243 Edward Street, Brisbane.Work USA: 6pm – 6:30pm. Work Canada and Work Canada Job Fair: 6:30pm – 7pm.Work Britain and Work Britain Visa Kick Start: 7pm – 7:30pm. To register for the information session/s visit:http://www.iep.com.au/Events.aspx

Rustic Pathways Schoolies AlternativeRustic Pathways provides cultural and adventure travel programs for high school students, school leavers and GAP year students. Their travel options include group journeys, gap year travel and alternative schoolies week.http://www.rusticpathways.com.au/

Solid Partners, Solid Futures Indigenous PortalThe Solid Partners Solid futures Indigenous Portal brings together key strategies, programs and initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people across the full spectrum of education from early childhood to employment. https://indigenousportal.eq.edu.au/

YFU Student Exchange Online Information SessionWednesday 30th April, 6:30pm (AEST). Email yfuaus@yfu.com.au or phone 1800 654 947 to regis-ter. http://www.yfu.com.au/quest/connect/information-sessions/

Tutors World WideTutoring overseas offers school leavers the opportunity to experience life in another culture, to travel extensively, to make new friends and to gain genuine life experience: all positive factors in the maturing process, along with an invaluable break before embarking on further studies. It is a move at least smiled upon, if not positively encouraged, by the majority of tertiary institutions.

Tutors Worldwide can help students seeking positions at suitable schools and by schools seeking to recruit suitable tutors. Visit http://www.tutorsworldwide.org/ for more in-formation and details about applying. Deadline for applica-tions for 2015 positions is April 10. LetzLive is another organisation that can help place stu-dents in Gap Year positions, work overseas and overseas volunteer positions. Visit http://letzlive.org for more infor-mation. Applications close April 17 for 2015 places.

APPLICATIONS for COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVES for the 2014 QCS TESTS are open now.Each year, the Queensland Studies Authority (QSA) invites expressions of interest from community members to nomi-nate for the position of chief community representative or community representative for the QCS Test. To maintain the accountability, security and proper conduct of the test, the QSA appoints members of the community to each test centre to complete duties on behalf of the QSA. This year

the QCS tests will be held on Tuesday 2 September and Wednesday 3 September.

A test centre is a secondary school, or another place ap-proved by the QSA, where students may sit the QCS Test. All test centres are located within Queensland and have a chief supervisor to administer the test on behalf of the QSA. Anyone interested in finding out more about becoming and/or applying to become a community representative should visit https://www.qsa.qld.edu.au/memos/14/024-14.pdf . All information and appropriate application forms are to be found at this link. Note that completed application forms need to be handed in to SENIOR ADMINISTRATION on the ground floor of the Main Administration building by close of business on FRIDAY MAY 23. Any enquiries about the positions and application process should be directed to Mrs Wrigley.

Christina Wrigley Director of Learning and Teaching christina@salc.qld.edu.au

Sport News

St Andrews Affiliated Sports Competitions After outstanding performances in a multitude of events, both Max Indriawan and Ieuan Watkins were recently selected in the South Coast Swim Team to compete at the State Titles.

Annika Schache (Open Soccer) and Brooke Chown (Open Touch) were recently selected in South Coast teams to play at the State Championships towards the end of May in Ipswich and Hervey Bay respectively.

Bailey Scott and James Elliott were selected in the Hin-terland District AFL u15 team and played at the Regional Championships last week.

Ben Beggs was selected in the District Hockey team to com-pete at the Regional Hockey trials.

Monique Holborn recently attended the first Dressage competition for the year, where she represented St An-drews in Equestrian. She received a 1st and a 3rd with high scores and against very strong competition. Monique is also competing at Grand Nationals at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre towards the end of March. We will have updated results soon.

Club Sporting Achievements St Andrews had some outstanding performers at the recent State Nipper Titles. Kieran Croker won his third successive Gold in the U13 male Board race. He also took bronze in the Beach Sprint, was unluckily knocked out for 4th in Flags and took bronze in the Board relay. His achievements were recognised by Burleigh Heads SLSC, where he was awarded a trophy for Most Outstanding Competitor.

Lachlan Fraser came third in the state for Sprints and Flags.

Tyran Sonter was recently selected for the 2014 Queens-land FFA Futsal Team that went on to become the U12 Australian Champions at the National Futsal Titles played in January at Canberra.

Chelsea Hackett and Jai Jensen have been selected to repre-sent Australia in the 2014 Muay Thai World Championships held in Malaysia in May. Chelsea has made a successful transition from Tae Kwon Do to Muay Thai. We wish them both all the best.

Andrew ManionHead of Sportandrewm@salc.qld.edu.au

Art News

Twilight Classics ConcertFriday the 21st March saw the 2nd Annual Twilight Classics Concert, featuring performances from some of our Senior Music and Music Extension students. It was a truly wonder-ful evening, where the audience got to sit, relax, watch the sunset and enjoy some beautiful performances.Special thanks to Paul Oakley-Grant for his organisation of this event and to the musicians for sharing their talents with us.

Senior Drama EveningOn Tuesday 1st April, our Year 10 and Year 11 Drama classes performed their Presenting Assessment tasks in the Ruth Butler Theatre. The Year 10s presented a range of Contemporary pieces, whilst the Year 11s presented scenes from Realistic texts, including A Doll’s House, The Glass Menagerie and The Crucible.

Congratulations to all of young actors on such wonderful performance work. Special thanks to our Year 10 musician Elliot Bayliss who was a featured guest on the night.

Jesus Christ SuperstarWe are half way through the rehearsal process for this year’s College Musical, Jesus Christ Superstar – with the finishing touches being added to Act 1. A reminder to all students involved to check the rehearsal schedules carefully and to email Miss Scott if you are unable to attend. Also a reminder that there is a rehearsal ANZAC Day 12pm – 5pm in the RBT- with all cast involved (including dancers) to fin-ish Act One.

MS Drama Festival - Audition NoticeAt the start of Term 2 we will hold auditions for our Drama Festival. Students in Years 7 and 8 are eligible to audition.The play will be entered in the Jnr Section of the Gold Coast Secondary Schools Drama Festival, held early Term 3, and will be directed by our PAT Speech and Drama teacher Cassie Zorko (cassiez@salc.qld.edu.au).

Uniformshop News

Uniform Shop Opening HoursThe Uniform Shop will be closed over the school holidays but will reopen at 8am on Tuesday 22nd April.Don’t forget you can order anytime online at www.flexis-chools.com.au and your order will be ready for pick up or delivery to your child when school resumes. Thank you to our Amazing VolunteersThank you so much to Libby Nussey, Jenny Stadler, Wendy Tetsuo, Loraine Guy, Fiona Guest, and Kristine Merrick for all your help in the Uniform Shop this term. You are all amazing to give up some of your spare time to volunteer. Sadly, we say goodbye to Wendy Tetsuo who is leaving us after more than 2 years volunteering in the Uniform Shop. We will miss you Wendy! If anyone is available to help for 1 hour on Wednesday mornings from 8am please call or email us. How to Remove Sunscreen Stains from Clothes (from Cancer Council)Add a few drops of dishwashing liquid and massage into the area. Allow it to thicken and leave for a few minutes, then add 2 drops of glycerine and rub clean. Rinse.Please note: We pass this tip on in good faith, but we can-not be held responsible for any damage caused by trying it. Get Ready for Winter - All items now in stockWinter Formal Uniform Items (not to be worn with sports uniform) Formal Jumpers $78-$85, Blazers - only for Years 10-12 (compulsory) Girls Navy 70 Denier Tights $7-7.50 eaBoys grey long pants $35 - optional Years 7-9, compulsory for Year 10-12. Winter Sports Uniform (not to be worn with formal uni-form) Tracksuit Tops $60 and Pants $35, Other Optional items: Navy Raincoat (folds up into own bag) $24, Navy Scarf with College Logo - $12.

Jacqui DesfossesUniform Shop Manageruniformshop@salc.qld.edu.au

P&F News

Well here we are at the end of Term 1 and holidays and the Easter break are upon us. We wish you all a happy Easter.

P&F Meeting The General P & F meeting for Term 2 is Wednesday 11 June 7pm in the CRC. We welcome any new parents along to come and find out what the P & F is all about. If you have any agenda items for discussion please email the Secretary at pandf@salc.qld.edu.au by Friday 6 June. It is a great opportunity to have input into school pro-jects which the P & F fund. Everyone is welcome.

We will soon be looking to form the Fete Committee for next year’s fete, so if you are interested in helping out, please come to the next meeting. If anyone has any sug-gestions or comments and cannot make the next meet-ing please email the P & F at pandf@salc.qld.edu.au

Picnic in the ParkThe annual picnic in the park was held on Friday 14 March from 5pm – 8pm. It was a great success with many families enjoying music from the talented students at St Andrews. A big thanks to the music team at St Andrews for organising the entertainment. The kids all enjoyed playing in the Prep area, on the jumping castle and the older kids set up a cricket match. We thank everyone who attended and make this annual event a success.

TERM 2 EVENTSMother’s Day Stall for Junior SchoolThe Mother’s Day stall will be held Wednesday 7 May and Thursday 8 May. It may also be held on Friday if we have any leftover items. We will also be holding a raffle with tickets $2 each or 3 for $5 with some great prizes, including a hamper and wine. If anyone is available to help out for a few hours on any morning, please contact the P & F at pandf@salc.qld.edu.au.

Cinema Under the COLAWe have planned a movie night under the COLA for Fri-day 16 May, with 2 movies to be shown. The first movie Despicable Me 2 will commence at 5.30pm which is suit-able for the younger kids. The second movie will be Thor and will commence around 7pm for the older kids. You are more than welcome to stay for both the movies. The cost will be $20 per family or $10 per adult and $5 per child and tickets are available now on trybooking.

Rehearsals will be Monday after school till 4.30pm in J24Those already in Musical will be able to do both.Details of auditions will be in student notices at the start of Term 2.

Priscilla ScottHead of Artspriscillas@salc.qld.edu.au

Dates to remember March

See the school website for details or the links are: http://www.trybooking.com/ERBK and http://www.trybooking.com/81832

There will be a sausage sizzle, chips and drinks for sale so bring your blanket and chairs for a night of movies and fun under the COLA.Tickets are on sale NOW so get in quick as numbers are limited. Get all your family and friends together to enjoy the first Cinema under the Cola. We would like to see this as a class event so please support us.

Daniel Renneberg pandf@salc.qld.edu.au

Tuesday 22Term 2 CommencesWednesday 23Yr 12 Art Excursion 9am to 1:45pm, Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane.Yr 11 & 12 Business Organisation & Management Excursion8:30am to 3:00pm Richlands - Coke Factory TourFriday 25Anzac Day March at Burleigh HeadsMonday 28Year 11 & 12 Geography Field Trip 8:30am to 1:00pm Kingscliff Beach.We are selling the Entertainment

Books again this year!!

New this year, you have a choice:The traditional Entertainment Book Membership that comes with the Gold Card and vouchersorThe brand new Entertainment Digital Membership that puts the value of the Entertainment™ Book into your iPhone or Android smartphone.

Entertainment Memberships contain thousands of valuable up to 50% off and 2-for-1 offers from many of the best restaurants, cafés, arts, attractions, hotel accommodation, travel and much more!

The price is $55.00 per book and $11.00 from each book goes to fundraising for the College.Books are available from Reception, Junior School Ad-ministration and the Uniform Shop.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE ONLINE NOW

Gold Coast Hospital & Health Service Child and Adolescent Oral Health Service Students in Years (Prep-10) have been provided with an offer of oral health care examination card to take home.

If your child is enrolled in one of the year levels listed above or are new to the school and did not receive an examination card and would like to arrange for your child to receive oral health care please contact the Oral Health Call Centre 1300 300 850. Monday to Friday 8.00 am – 4.30 pm Excluding Public Holidays.If your child requires disability access please identify this requirement with the Call Centre Operator.

   

Bus Passes Just a reminder that Term Bus passes are available from Main Reception. These can be purchased any time from now, throughout the holidays, and during the first week of school. TERM 2 2014AM & PM - $215AM only - $105PM only - $105 TERMS & CONDITIONS*Must be purchased within first week of school* Term pass is non refundable/non transferable* Valid only for term dates shown on pass* Valid only for student shown on pass, one pass per student* If pass is lost, please see Reception, replacement charge $2.00

by Michael Grose - No. 1 parenting educator

The choice of who empties the dishwasher in your family tells a great deal about your parenting philosophy.

If you or your partner usually do it then I humbly suggest that you maybe working too hard. You’re letting your kids off the hook.

On the other hand, if one or all of your kids (over the age of three) have this job then congratulations. You’re travelling down the road toward redundancy, and your children are heading toward independence.

Many parents would love their kids to do this task but pragmatism (“It’s easier to do it myself”), lack of faith (“They’re sure to break something!”) and unwillingness to let go (“It’s my job after all”) get in the way.

Why the dishwasher?

Good question. Here are seven good reasons:

1. These days almost every house has one, and it’s a job that just has to be done!

2. It’s fiddly and tedious, and it needs to be done right, which is a great lesson for kids to learn.

3. Kids learn that everything has a place in the kitchen, which is a great lesson for those who are organisationallychallenged. Knowing their way around the kitchen is also an important first step toward children making their own snacks and preparing meals – a worthy aim!

4. It’s emptied every morning/day, second morning/day so kids learn about routine.

5. As it needs to be emptied whether they feel like it or not, kids learn about grit (the ability to stick at a task even though it’s boring) and self-control (through delaying gratification) – two important character strengths that contribute to kids’ success.

6. If they don’t do it then who will? It teaches kids that others rely on them, as well as the other way around. Believe me, I see many young people who’ve never learned this lesson at home!

7. Kids are hard-wired to help but they need the opportunity to do their bit at home. The dishwasher is the perfect opportunity that never goes away!

There are plenty of other reasons for putting the dishwasher on the kids’ chores list, but that should be enough to get you thinking.

Okay, but does it have to be the dishwasher?

Smart parents put principles into practice to suit their circumstances.

So, if you buy into the notion that kids should routinely help at home without being paid, and that your aim is to make yourself redundant – but getting them to empty the dishwasher just doesn’t cut it in your world – find a similarly regular, laborious task that they can do that will also benefit others.

How emptying the dishwasher can build independence

2014 Michael Grose

Michael Grose PresentationsPO Box 167 Balnarring Vic 3926 p + 61 3 5983 1798 f (03) 5983 1722 e office@parentingideas.com.auAll rights reserved. For more ideas, support and advice for all your parenting challenges please visit our website.

facebook.com/Parentingideas.com.autwitter.com/michaelgrose

parentingideas.co.ukparentingideas.com.au parentingideas.co.nz

You can learn a lot about a family by knowing who clears their dishwasher. Who empties yours?

No dishwasher? You have an advantage

Of course, families without a dishwasher have a great communication mechanism at their disposal. That is, one person washing (a parent) and the other drying (a child/teenager) provides a fabulous shoulder-to-shoulder parenting opportunity. As many parents have discovered, when a child or young person’s hands are busy their tongue suddenly loosens up and the chat happens naturally.

Gradually, then suddenly

If getting kids to help is an uphill battle then I suggest you don’t let up. Keep expecting them to help. Keep working on a chores roster and keep at your kids to do the right thing. One day it will all click and helping out will become habitual, hardwired into their brains so that helping out becomes neurological as well as psychological.

That’s why ‘gradually, then suddenly’ is a really useful parenting mantra. The Australian cricket team’s recent success can be attributed to this approach. They’d been gradually improving by doing all the right things throughout 2013 without success and then suddenly it all clicked in the Australian summer. But that’s another story...

Stay one step ahead of your kids with great ideas & expert advice from Michael Grose. Join Michael’s NEW Parentingideas Club today at parentingideasclub.com.au. You’ll be so glad you did.