June 20th - Millicent North Primary School

Term 2 Week 8— 22nd June 2016
Dear Parents/ Caregivers,
appreciate your child’s good points. Try to
This term in staff meetings, staff have focussed avoid comparing one child to another, because
this can lead to feelings of resentment or
on giving effective feedback to students.
create unrealistic expectations.
Effective feedback is
 Encourage good behaviour with praise,
rather than pointing out the bad. This means
goal related
trying to do more praising than criticising.
real and transparent
 It takes a lot of praise to outweigh one
actionable
criticism. Experts suggest trying to praise
user-friendly (specific and personalised)
children six times for every one time you
given as soon as possible
criticise them.
ongoing and
 Look for little changes and successes. If you
wait until your child has done something
consistent.
perfectly to give a compliment, you might find
Research has shown that by giving effective
yourself waiting forever.
feedback students’ performance and level of
 Accept that everyone’s different, and love
those differences. Encourage each child to
achievement increases. While the feedback
develop and feel excited about particular
teachers give is important, as the parent, you
interests. Help your child develop a sense of
are the most important adult in your child's
pride and confidence in their choices or
life. The feedback you give them — what you
activities.
say and do about their abilities — will have a
 Surprise your child with a reward for good
lasting impact on your child's self-confidence. behaviour. For example, ‘Thanks for picking up
the toys – let’s go to the park to celebrate’ or
Be encouraging and praise your child for the
‘Thanks for helping me prepare dinner. You can
amount of effort put into a project. See
choose what we have for dessert’.
setbacks as opportunities to grow. Emphasize
Praise effort as well as achievement.
that doing their best is what counts.
Recognise and praise how hard your
child is trying – for example, ‘You
Here are some tips:
 When you feel good about your child, say
worked really hard on that essay’ or
so. See if you can give your child some words of
‘Thank you for remembering to hang
encouragement every day. The small things
your coat on the peg’.
you say can build up over time to have a big
effect on your child.
Long Service Leave
 Describe what it is that you like. This is
Mrs Carolyn Rayson and Ms Leanne Scudds will
called ‘descriptive praise’. When you say
be taking long service leave for the last week of
exactly what you’re happy about, your child
this term. We welcome back Mrs Leeanne
knows what you mean. For example, ‘I like the Higgs to replace Carolyn and Mrs Zoe Goode in
way you’ve organised your room. You’ve found Leanne’s class
a spot for everything’ or ‘I love the picture you
Lost property
drew. You really know how to put colours
together’. And describing what you like is much Please check the lost property bins for any
more genuine and convincing than vague
misplaced items. The bins will be sorted at the
praise such as ‘You’re a good boy’.
end of the term and un-named items will be
 Praise your child for their
donated to charity.
strengths. Children have their own unique set
Kind regards, Graham & Di
of strengths (and weaknesses). Try to
Dates To
Remember
→ 22/6/2016 Governing
Council 6.30pm
→ 28/6/2016 Canteen
Lunch Special
→ 5/07/2016 Round
Robin Basketball Yr 4&5
→ 7/07/2016 Round
Robin Basketball Yr 6&7
→ 8/07/2016 Last day
Term 2:Early dismissal—
2.25pm
Casual day
School Terms 2016
→ Term 2
2/05/16-8/07/16
→ Term 3
25/07/16-30/09/16
→ Term 4
17/10/16-16/12/16
Principal: Graham Slarks
Governing Council Chairperson: Heather Douglas
Parents and Friends President: Jess Ellis
MRS RAYSON & MRS LOVEDAY’S YEAR 2/3 CLASS
This term we have been problem solving in design and technology. We initially began by using skewers and blu tac to build 3D
structures. From this we learnt that triangles are the strongest shape when building. We then used pop sticks to design a bridge that
would span two desks using triangles as a base. The bridge needed to be strong enough to hold a glue stick. Finally the students
were given small plastic cups, small wooden blocks and pop sticks. They were asked to build a structure using one cube only as the
base. Their next challenge was to use either cups, pop sticks or blocks as the base to build the tallest structure that they could and
their last challenge we asked them to build the widest structure as possible. It was wonderful to see all the students challenging
themselves and working cooperatively with others in these engineering activities.
Respect Pride Responsibility
MISS SCUDDS YEAR 6/7 CLASS
Unit Writing — Each Wednesday,
Thursday and Friday morning,
Miss Scudds and Mrs Gellion’s
classes combine for unit writing
lessons. At the recent STEM
conference, we were inspired to
link our writing more closely with
other subject areas in our
curriculum, and we heard about
an
interesting
unit
called
‘Flanimals’, so we decided to give
it a go! What it involves is
students studying a particular
environment and habitat, and
creating
new
animals
(or
‘Flanimals’) that have the physical
characteristics required to live
there. Students then write
information reports based on
their ‘Flanimals’.
The first thing our students did
was select the habitats they
wanted to study. Five options
were decided upon, including:
ocean,
rainforest,
swamp,
grasslands and frozen. The kids
created word banks of technical
language they might need, as well
as literary language appropriate to
the text type. They then found
pictures of the environment to
ensure they: a.) had a clear,
united vision of their habitat, and
b.) were prepared for presenting
the visual component of their
reports.
Students then set about creating
their ‘Flanimals’. They drew
detailed pictures and annotated
any
special
physical
characteristics. Working in their
teams, students then wrote about
the habitats, and created food
chains using all the Flanimals.
At each step along the way, a
different
portion
of
the
information report has been
introduced and they are beginning
to take shape. Over the next two
newsletters, we will present the
work we have created in
sequential order, culminating in
our final assessment piece: a
highly detailed information report
on three ‘Flanimals’ that could
survive and thrive within their
habitat.
Respect Pride Responsibility
MISS SCUDDS YEAR 6/7 CLASS
Of their habitat, those in the Ocean group wrote: Our area of the ocean is located along the Queensland coast. There are beautiful
coral reefs, and dark, mysterious caves. Many fish live in the rocky shelves. Our amazing reefs drop into deep, deep ocean below the
Continental Shelf. Crustaceans hide in the crevices of rocks, and slippery, slimy seaweeds and corals abound. Fish camouflage
against the different colours, and ride the fast-flowing currents. The temperature of the water changes from warm to cool as the
water deepens.
The swamp group wrote: Our swamp is located in Florida, USA. It includes 3 distinct levels which are home to many mysterious animals. In each of the 3 layers, diverse ecosystems can be found. At floor level you can be easily trapped in the dark, thick quicksand
and washed away by deep, brown, fast-flowing waters. Big, hollow tree trunks and dark, mossy vines cover the upper of the swamp
habitat. Within the water there are fallen branches sticking out and green lily pads covering the surface. Mud and reeds mark the
entrance to the dark, murky water. It is very hard to see what hidden unknowns await below.
Rainforest students wrote: The Amazon rainforest, located in Brazil, is home to a variety of fauna and flora. Some animals live in the
emergent layer – mostly birds, and some animals capable of climbing high. The canopy of the rainforest harbours the majority of
climbing animals. The understory is home to many of the insects, which hide amongst the vines and moss. The forest floor is covered with rivers, streams and creeks. Most animals depend on the water to survive. Diverse ecosystems are found at each layer, and
abnormally large flora grows there, including many types of flowers ranging in size and colour. The Amazon is home to vibrantly
coloured flora and below the surface of water are many underwater carnivores.
In the open grasslands of Africa, lives a large variety of flora and fauna, with thick, brown grass swaying in the wind. The distant
rocky mountain, with steep drops down to the river bed, line the horizon. Algae-covered watering holes are dotted around the land,
and large, jagged ravines drop to rocky surfaces. The tall, brown trees sway and creak with the wind, and the sharp, pointed grass
provides places to hide from small animals. Occasional patches of sand can be spotted.
The final group was the Frozen habitat, and they wrote: Huge, frozen cliffs overlook the sub-zero degree waters below. Massive,
glistening chunks of ice and snow float on the icy water. Long, sharp icicles – like exposed stalactites – hang from frozen cave openings. Water pools below as the sun from the day slowly melts the ice, only to re-freeze as darkness falls. Naturally-formed crevices
and holes litter the ground and mountain peaks. Whiteness so stark it looks blue from the reflection of the sky and water stretches
as far as the eye can see. Misty clouds roll in across mountain peaks and the snowy, icy ground. Cracks and snaps are heard for
miles as icebergs crack and fall into the ocean, causing ripples of waves to lap at the ice.
Respect Pride Responsibility
WOOD RAFFLE
BASKETBALL ROUND ROBIN
We are running a wood raffle to raise fund for the Zoo
Notes, money and lunch orders are due for the Basketball
Snooze and Naracoorte Caves camps. A huge thankyou to Round Robin days. NO LUNCH ORDERS will be accepted
Tony Humphries for supplying a trailer load of wood for
the raffle. Please return all books and money to the front after the end of the day on Thursday 24th June.
office by Friday 24th June.
DISCO
CHANGE OF DATE - The disco that was to be held next
Friday, 1st of July has been cancelled. The next disco will
be held in Week 1 of Term 3, on Friday, 29th July.
CASUAL DAY
The Student Voice committee will be holding a casual day
on the last Friday of this term.
KINDY VISIT
Children from Millicent North Kindergarten
came to visit our school last week. They had
a busy day, beginning with a performance
from some of our music students. Mr Todd
organised a fun circuit of activities in the
gym and then they joined Miss Newsom’s
Reception class for a story. The children had
their fruit snack and enjoyed a play on the
playground to finish off their visit with us.
CANTEEN
Lunch Special – Tuesday 28th June
Please return individual orders for each child
to Front Office as soon as possible.
Orders returned by Thursday 23rd June
1 sausage with bread and sauce
1 extra sausage $1.00
AND
$3.50
Tick your choice
1 Chocolate chip muffin
Student Name: ____________________ Teacher: ___________________
Respect Pride Responsibility
ASSEMBLY
ASSEMBLIES
Assemblies are held on Wednesdays at 2.50pm on odd weeks of
the term. At each assembly two classes present items that they
have been working on. Students enjoy presenting to family and
friends as well as their peers so it would be great to see everyone
come along to enjoy their achievements.
ASSEMBLIES Term 2
Week
9
Classes presenting items
Gellion/Mariager
Science
Scudds
COMMUNITY NEWS
Athletics
Calling all Athletes age 10 and Up
We are holding a coaching session Saturday the 25th and Sunday the
26th of June
9:00am to 4:30pm Saturday and 9:00am to 12:30pm Sunday
Mount Gambier High School
This will be a strength and conditioning training for dedicated athletes
who are looking to turn their passion for Track and Field into more
than just a hobby. This will include plyometrics and some event specific training with Adelaide coach Don Brown.
Lunch will be supplied Saturday
Event is being provided Free of Charge by Little Athletics with the help
of the Junior Sports Assistance Fund.
Please email your intention to attend to [email protected] by
Tuesday 21st of June
Keep your kids smiling
SA Dental Service
At the School Dental Service,
dental care is FREE for all babies,
children not yet at school and most
children to age 17.
The School Dental Service is a Child Dental
Benefits Schedule provider.
Call us now for an
appointment!
Millicent School Dental Clinic
Phone: 8733 3957
Respect Pride Responsibility