Month: May 2023

Messages from Mrs Inglis

Heidi InglisPrincipal

As I am writing this newsletter article, the weather has turned from the lovely sunshine we experienced earlier in the week to a gloomy and windy day.  I personally struggle with this time of year – with less light during the day.  I have to work a bit harder to ensure it does not impact my mental wellbeing.  What puts a smile on my face is playing music when I am cooking dinner, trying to get a walk in (especially with a friend) and I have just started reading a new book – Exiles by Jane Harper.  I hope you have strategies in your life to support you feeling good.

Education Week 

Last week, we celebrated Education Week. The theme this year was ‘Make, Motivate and Move’. We commenced the week by inviting our families to join us in a Family Fun Afternoon. We were very privileged with the weather and it was great to see our community moving around our school engaging in fun activities. On Monday we drew out three names for prizes. Congratulations to Georgia PG, Benjamin 2K and Jack 5B. 

Our school captains had a great idea to move our community during the week by playing some music. Over the week, we did the Macarena, Hokey Pokey and the Chicken Dance. Thank you to our parents who joined in the Chicken Dance last Friday morning. 

We also had a go at putting down our pens on Friday and ‘making’ when we were learning. It was a great opportunity to use concrete materials, oral language activities and being physical.  

Whilst, every week at Beacy has a focus on learning and wellbeing, it was nice to celebrate how awesome our education program is.  When you walk around our school, it is evident of the learning that is taking place and the engaging program our teachers are delivering to our students.

Volunteers – parent helpers 

Last year, we received new Child Safe Standards. As part of the new standards we need to induct our volunteers that our working at our school with information regarding the code of conduct and their duty when working with our students at Beaconsfield Primary School. 

We have designed a way to send you the information, induction video and code of conduct. You will receive an email and if you wish to be a parent helper this year, we need you to watch the video, read the information and then submit that you have undertaken the induction. Once completed you will be eligible to be a volunteer at our school. 

Your induction will last for this year and we will ask you to complete it each year. Thank you for your support and completing the induction. It is important that everyone working with our students are ensuring that they are creating a safe environment for all our students.  

School Uniform 

As the cooler weather has arrived, it is a good time to ensure that your child has a jumper or two to wear.  Please make sure that their jumper is clearly labelled with their name, and it is either a school jumper or a plain black jumper.  It is to have no writing or motifs on it. 

We also strongly recommend that your child, regardless of their age, has spare clothing in their bag. We understand that accidents happen and sometimes on a wet day, students can get wet and muddy. At school, we have a very limited supply of clothing and students also prefer to wear their own clothing. By being prepared, hopefully you will not receive a phone call to bring a change of clothes to school. Please pack socks, pants and a top. 

Sentral for Parents app 

At the end of the term, your child’s school report will be uploaded to Sentral for Parents app. Please make sure that you are familiar with the platform. You can access through an app on a mobile phone or in the browser on your computer. I also suggest that you consider logging onto a computer as this could be an easier way to view and download your child’s report. If you need any help with using Sentral for Parents app, please contact the office. 

Our office staff are trying very hard to ensure the calendar is reflecting all the wonderful activities that are happening at our school.  I hope you are accessing this resource.  Please note that our next curriculum day is the first day of next term, Monday 10th July.

Have a nice weekend (and maybe find some time to pick up a book to read!).

Heidi Inglis

Principal

Student Engagement from Mr Jeffries

Heidi InglisLearning Specialist

Running Routines

Whether it is the schedule we follow each morning, our exercise regime, or a skincare ritual, routines are an important aspect of everyday life, and their value should not be understated. At Beacy, we have done a lot of research into the benefits of establishing routines in the classroom and the way that they can reduce the cognitive load on our students.

Cognitive load is the amount of mental energy and resources that are required to process and retain information in working memory. When the cognitive load is too high, the brain has to work harder to process information, leading to reduced capacity for attention, focus and memory. Naturally, we want our students to retain as much of what we teach in class as possible, so we strive to create routines in our classrooms to help reduce this load and give them the best chance of success.

Having routines in place can assist children in many ways:

  1. Predictability – when children know what to expect, they don’t have to spend mental energy trying to figure out what’s going to happen next. This helps children feel more in control of their environment.
  • Automaticity – as children become more familiar with a routine, the actions and expectations become automatic. They don’t have to consciously think about what they need to do which helps them focus on the learning.
  • Time Management – routines provide structure and help children manage their time more effectively.
  • Familiarity – routines provide a sense of comfort. Rather than expend energy figuring out what’s going on, they can focus on learning.

Each classroom has their own morning and afternoon routines, as well as clear guidelines for when they transition between lessons. This can help reduce students worrying about what is happening next and things can flow seamlessly. Teachers also often use familiar proformas and question prompts to help allow students to focus on what they are learning, rather than how they are actually completing an activity. Whilst initially the routines require some practise, the benefits are certainly worth it.

As you would know, having similar types of routines within your family at home can also positively impact your children in so many ways. The following can be products of having strong routines:

  • Reduces stress and anxiety
  • Helps develop good habits
  • Supports self-discipline
  • Improves sleep quality
  • Helps children feel safe and secure
  • Fosters independence
  • Reduces the likelihood of negative behaviour
  • Encourages family bonding

With so much going on in today’s world, the easier we can make things for our children the better.

Chris Jeffries

Learning Specialist – Engagement and Wellbeing

Office News

Melissa KolbeckOffice

SENTRAL APP

Please check the calendar for ALL important dates

CSEF APPLICATIONS

Just a reminder that if you wish to apply for CSEF (camps, sports and excursions) you must hand your paperwork into the office before the CSEF program closing date of 23rd June 2023. Forms can be collected from the office.