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- Positive Behaviour for Learning
- From Melissa Boyle Principal
- From Sarah Abbot Deputy Principal P - 2
- From Pam Kondys Deputy Principal 3 - 6
- From Mel Loban Head of Curriculum
- From Sarah Moscoso Head of Inclusion
- From Steve Bloxsom Sports Facilitator
- From Kaye Molloy Guidance Officer
- Tuckshop and Uniform Shop
PBL Behaviour Focus
This fortnight our Wondall learners are focusing on RESPECT, specifically 'Respecting others and their belongings by keeping hands and feet to self'. Each student has participated in a classroom lesson, with the aim to increase respect among peers and strategies around self -management. Staff will be on the look- out for students demonstrating Respectful behaviour and these students will be rewarded with the infamous Dougie Dollars!
The Premier has announced that from Monday 11 May, 2020, students in Kindy, Prep, Year 1, Year 11 and Year 12 will be able to return to their school and community kindergarten.
Children of essential workers and vulnerable children will continue to be able to attend school for supervision.
For students in Years 2 – 10, the current home-based learning arrangements will remain in place. If low COVID-19 transmission rates continue, students in Years 2 – 10 will be able to return to school from Monday 25 May, 2020. Confirmation of this step will be made by 15 May 2020.
Term 2 learning has been very different for all of us. It’s nice to know that while we’re separated we’re still together.
We’ve put together a short video of our teaching staff, Separated but Together: https://youtu.be/9psZbLMlC_k
Click on the links below to see how some of our classes are learning:
Many students have been sharing their learning from home:
- Thomas R, 3A, sent Mrs CRANITCH a PPT he made on cubes, 3D shapes was an area of learning for the week.
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Jamie, 6C, has a terrific experimented he shared with Mrs Smith.
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Emerson, 3B, shared her learning from home.
I loved seeing all of the Lego towers that were sent through to Mrs Abbot.
I thought I’d share some links for mindfulness music:
Relaxing Music - Meditation Music, Study Music, Stress Relief https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xJua-jisaY
Relaxing Music #2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZYbU82GVz4
Relaxing music with piano
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02RlIhQeAkg
Rainforest calm (with birds)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x30YOmfeVTE
Please click on the link Anzac Day light Up The Dawn 2020 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0gGqh-jtMo&t=25s
Workplace Health and Safety guidelines requires each school to engage in a drill for lockdown or evacuation each term. On Thursday, we had an evacuation drill, we successfully evacuated students and staff in 7.27 minutes.
These drills are critical to teach children what to do in the event that we needed to evacuate or lockdown the school.
Today’s growth mindset quote of the day …
You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it.
Margaret Thatcher
ANZAC BISCUITS
I hope everyone enjoyed the recipe and videos shared on the EdStudios in week 1. Thank you to those families who sent in pictures of their children making ANZAC Biscuits. I hope they were delicious!
LEGO WEEKLY CHALLENGE
Last week, the challenge was placed to build a tower, taller than yourself. So many fantastic photos were sent in. It is wonderful to see children being creative, problem solving and having fun whilst learning. Thanks to everyone who sent in photos of their towers, it has been a pleasure receiving and replying to all photos sent!
This week, the challenge is to create a maze with your Lego (or another household materials). If you send it in, I’ll try and solve your maze! I look forward to sharing more photos on Facebook and in the newsletter in weeks to come. Stay tuned for Week 3’s challenge.
THE LEARNING PIT
As we approach schooling in a very different way, it is easy and understandable to feel frustrated with the process of having to learn a new way to do things. But did you know…the frustration you feel is a natural step in developing new skills and knowledge!
This year, both teachers and students at Wondall Height SS have begun to engage with James Nottingham’s Learning Pit, to understand the complexities around deep learning and developing a growth mindset in knowing challenges will pass, as new learning occurs.
According to Nottingham, ‘Learning occurs when you step out of your comfort zone. And yet, many people are hesitant to make this step for fear of making mistakes or revealing their weaknesses. That’s when the Leaning Pit can help: to encourage and reassure learners that taking risks, asking questions and trying new things can help them develop their abilities and deepen their understanding.’
Please see images below, from James Nottingham’s ‘Challenging Learning’ website to explain the Learning Pit in more detail:
https://www.challenginglearning.com/learning-pit/ .
Please visit the website to find out more.
All images:
Copyright – Challenging Learning Ltd.
Copyright notice: the materials contained in this website are copyrighted, and the availability of these materials does not constitute a transfer of any intellectual property rights. James Nottingham encourages users to download, customise and use these materials in educational settings but the materials and any derivatives created by users may not be sold or distributed without the written consent of James Nottingham or Challenging Learning Ltd.
On the Learning Challenge website, there is also a new section ‘Learning at Home’. Activities are provided to stimulate thoughtful conversations and problem-solving approaches to learning. The resources provided teach students HOW to think, rather than what to think.
https://www.challenginglearning.com/home-learning/
I want to send out a thank you to all parents, carers, staff and students. I’m corresponding daily with families and I appreciate how different and difficult this is. I just want you to know that you are not alone and you are all doing a wonderful job. We will get through the Learning Pit and be equipped with a whole lot of new skills and understandings, some of which, we never thought we’d need or want!
Zones of Regulation
This week I will be discussing the Red Zone and how you can support your child to understand how their emotions.
I will also be reading When I’m Feeling Angry by Trace Moroney to the students.
Online Learning
Staff are working tirelessly to provide learning opportunities for our students through the Edstudios.
I am proud of the effort our school community has shown over the last month. The activities and learning that I have witnessed is highly impressive. We appreciate the time and effort that families are going to ensure that students continue their educational journeys. It has certainly been a learning curve for all of us.
Year 3 activity - Sorting hardware and software
Roll Marking
Last week I sent an email to clarify the roll marking procedures. There was a system error and late Friday afternoon I received a number of undelivered emails. I apologise to those people who did not receive the email of the updated roll marking system. The changes to the system were made by the department and we appreciate your support throughout this process.
What to do if your child is Learning At Home?
If your child is learning at home, please send a text message daily by 9.30am to 0429924861 OR log learning at home through QParents.
Please message “at home learning” with your child’s name and class daily by 9.30am. When sending the text please do not include any dots, dashes, symbols or emojos as the departmental system dislikes them.
What to do if your child is learning at School?
If your child is attending school, the school will record their attendance.
What to do if your child is sick?
If your child is sick, please do not send them to school.
Contact the school absenteeism line on 3906 6460 or log your absence through QParents.
If you do not attend school and notify us through the above systems a text message will be generated as an unexplained absence. If you receive a text message please respond to explain what your child is doing (eg. learning at home, sick).
I know many of you are working hard to support your child’s learning at home. This video explains the many benefits of Visual Supports with some tips on what they are, how to develop them and some examples. I have also attached a Tip Sheet with more information and website where you can find more information if you wish. I hope it helps you keep your children focussed.
STAY HEALTHY, KEEP ACTIVE
As we all encounter something that we have never had to before, transitioning to new conditions for safety can be challenging. Missing out on doing the things we used to be comfortable with and that were part of our normal routine can annoy and frustrate the best of us. How we gradually accept and adapt to the current situation is the true measure of how resilient and flexible we are as learning human beings. I hope that it is a temporary change but some positives can come out of the change as we can treat the situation as glass half full.
There is a reason that exercise within quarantine or within living restrictions is present. Naturally, we all could fall into the trap of our regular diet where we were expending energy on a normal basis. Energy that we take in through our food and drink needs to work with our energy output. The importance of feeling some freedom particularly in regards to movement is paramount.
All year levels have physical activity suggestions for students via their edstudio platforms. Students can follow video tutorials, as well as attempt and practice in as little space as 2m squared. Branching out to other activities may require working with parents and siblings in yards or on walks/runs/rides to local parks using the grass space. Personally, I have witnessed whilst running for fitness a father riding behind his 10 year old soon teaching him path/road etiquette on a bike (staying to the left), whilst blaring positive music from a speaker and working together to overcome hill climbs (which gears to change to). I have seen several families on walks and rides together where I had seldom seen them before this crisis.
If the only thing we take out of this occurrence is the treasure of time spent with your child and sharing in life lessons that parents provide that may have been overlooked due to time constraints or for whatever reason, than that in itself is a huge accomplishment.
Please be advised that all physical activity materials are OPTIONS AND SUGGESTIONS so if you are feeling overwhelmed remember they are there for you to try, not as a must be completed. Better to have more available than not enough to stimulate our minds and bodies during this tough time.
Remember when we return from this process, physical activity will be required, so do not write it off and lay dormant during this time. Make sure to try to ‘find your 30’ daily to remain physically sound.
Here are some helpful websites to assist during this time:
https://www.sportaus.gov.au/findyour30
https://www.health.qld.gov.au/news-events/news/30-ways-to-get-active-exercise-fun
