Annual General Meeting
The Saint David’s 2019 AGM is being held on Tuesday 26 March at 6.30pm in the staff room.
Election of School Board Members will take place at the AGM and nominations should be received by Friday 22 March 2019.
The Board ensures that the voice of our school community is represented. It meets twice per term and deals with matters such as policy development, master planning, facilities and finances.
If you would like to nominate yourself for the School Board or the Parents and Friends Committee at Saint David's Parish School, please complete and submit the e-form that can be located on our Skoolbag App.
Strategic Plan
As part of the process for developing our Strategic Plan, there will be an opportunity for your input with community consultation taking place on Friday 29 March at 9.30am and 2.30pm in the MacKillop Room.
‘Fit for School’
This week marks the halfway point of our longest term. In some ways Term 1 is the hardest term to get back into routines and establish good work habits. When visiting classes on Mondays I am concerned to find a few children yawning and looking very tired. I understand that, particularly for the younger children, it does take a few weeks to get their ‘school fitness’ to a level where they are able to concentrate for 6 hours a day over the full five school days, however, like physical exercise, mental exercise realises the greatest benefits when supported by a good diet and adequate rest. A good night’s sleep is proven to: increase children’s attention span, assist children to be less impulsive and assists in mood management. Sleep also boosts learning for children of all ages as it is when we sleep that the brain hardwires our longer-term memories, or ‘knowledge’ of the world. Making sure families get enough sleep isn't easy, especially with parents working longer hours, more elaborate after-school activities, bedrooms full of electronics and the pressure to pack more into every day. With all of this going on, the reality is that our children are sleeping less than we did at their age and unless we try to get that sleep time back, their mental and physical health will suffer.
Research has always shown us that children need their sleep. So, what is the recommended amount? sleepfoundation.org
Pre-schoolers 3-4 years: 10 to 13 hours
School aged children 5-13 years: 9-11 hours
Farewell
Last week the OSHC staff and students farewelled Teresa Feo. Teresa has been a long-standing staff member at Saint David’s for seventeen years, and prior to that a parent at the school. We wish her the very best in the future and thank her for her time and dedication to the children of St David’s.
Camp
As I write this newsletter our Year 6 students, teachers and willing volunteers have safely returned from camp. I had the opportunity to squeeze in an overnight visit and was very impressed by their sense of adventure, willingness to try new things and overall engagement while on camp.
At Saint David’s, students are blessed to have an opportunity to attend camp from Year 3, through to Year 6. The experiences provided as part of an outdoor education program cannot be replicated in the normal school environment. It is always wonderful to see students develop different relationships and learn new things about each other.
Camps also provide students with a wonderful opportunity to build resilience and learn they are capable of looking after themselves away from home, with supervision and assistance from adults. Attending camp is part of our curriculum and really helps develop the social and emotional skills needed to thrive in our world.
Camps rely heavily on the willingness of staff and volunteers to leave their families and supervise students while they are away. I’m extremely grateful we have generous staff and volunteers who also see the value of camps.
If you have any concerns about your child going on camp please speak to the classroom teacher, as accommodations can be made.
Please enjoy the week, and hopefully it remains a little cooler.
Regards,
Leanne