8 November 2023

From the Desk of the Acting Principal

Week 6, Term 4 

Trusting Schools to Manage Behaviour: Fostering a Supportive Learning Environment

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, the issue of behaviour management remains a central concern for school staff and parents. Parents often suggest that we should “punish” students more harshly, have them write lines, give them after school detentions, or make them pick up papers.

In recent years, the conversation around behaviour management in schools has shifted from punitive measures to a more holistic approach that emphasizes trust, support, and student well-being. This shift recognizes that behaviour issues are often symptoms of underlying problems that extend beyond the classroom. While there are still situations that warrant harsher management,such as suspensions, these are a last resort rather than the first step.

It is important that parents trust schools to manage behaviour, however it doesn't absolve parents and the community of their roles. Parents still have a responsibility to teach children respect, how to follow rules, and how to be a positive influence.

The crucial factor is collaboration - between schools, parents, and the community - to create a cohesive support system for students. Trusting schools to manage behaviour involves acknowledging their central role in creating a conducive learning environment. Key aspects of this approach include:

1. Building Positive Relationships: Schools are now encouraged to prioritise building positive relationships with students. When students feel respected and valued, they are more likely to exhibit appropriate behaviour.

2. Trauma-Informed Practices: Many schools are adopting trauma-informed practices that take into account the emotional and psychological well-being of students. This approach acknowledges that some students may have experienced trauma and require additional support.

3. Restorative Justice: Some schools are moving away from punitive measures and implementing restorative justice practices. This approach focuses on repairing harm, making amends, and helping students understand the consequences of their actions.

4. Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Incorporating SEL programs into the curriculum can help students develop skills in self-awareness, emotional regulation, and interpersonal relationships, which are essential for good behaviour.

Trusting schools to manage behaviour offers several benefits:
1. Improved Student Outcomes: When students feel supported and understood, they are more likely to thrive academically and socially.

2. Reduced Suspensions and Expulsions: A focus on trust and support can lead to a decrease in suspensions and expulsions, allowing students to remain in the learning environment.

3. Enhanced School Culture: Schools that prioritise trust and support tend to foster a more positive and inclusive school culture.

4. Lifelong Skills: By learning to manage their behaviour in a supportive environment, students can develop essential life skills for future success.

In conclusion, trusting schools to manage behaviour represents a positive shift in education, recognising that students' behaviour is often a reflection of their well-being. By building trust, implementing supportive practices, and working together, schools can create an environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed.

Maxine Nolan

AP

mnolan@gstsv.catholic.edu.au

From the Desk of the Acting Assistant Principal Administration

Term 4, Week 6/7

Talofa lava parents, carers and students!

Please see below for happenings around our school in curriculum, sports and events.

Curriculum News 👩‍🏫🍎📖

This Friday, to commemorate Remembrance Day, the school will be participating in Draw To Remember, run by the RSL. All classes will participate in learning activities about Remembrance Day and will create chalk art on the concrete between the library and the shed to mark Remembrance Day through art. 

A reminder that students are able to purchase poppies for a gold coin for the remainder of the week from a stall outside the staffroom. 

Special thanks to our wonderful Defence Mentor School Officer, Mrs Brennan and President of Thuringowa RSL, Jeremy Brown, for the time, energy and resources they have contributed to support us in commemorating this significant day in such a meaningful way.

Sports News ⚽️ 🏀 🏈 ⚾️ 🎾 🏐 🏉 🎱

Miss Foord, supported by Mrs Shaxson has been busy running lunchtime training sessions for our netball, touch and soccer stars in preparation for a number of upcoming gala days.

Touch Gala Day – Friday 17th November

Primary School Futsal Cup – Wednesday 22nd November

Schools Netball Carnival – Friday 24th November 

Teachers have also been in strict training lock-down at a secret location in preparation for the annual Teachers versus Senior students’ basketball game. We can’t wait to win! 😊

School Events 📅🗓📆

Have a wonderful week ahead and please come and say talofa or hello when you see me around!

Rebecca Rowan

AAPA

rrowan6@gstsv.catholic.edu.au

From the Desk of the Assistant Principal Religious Education

REMEMBRANCE DAY

Saturday 11th November is Remembrance Day and as a whole school we will
commemorate this with a special prayer service at Assembly this Friday. It will be a time to give thanks to God for the wonderful land in which we live and to remember those who have fought in wars around the world to defend our freedom.

Loving God,

who embraces those who suffer from war,

teach us your ways so that we may walk in your path,

cultivating peace and compassion for those whom we encounter,

inspired always by the loving model of your Son,

our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen. 

Rebecca Kershaw

APRE

rkershaw@gstsv.catholic.edu.au

What's Happening in Year 1

Year 1 has been exploring the past, present and future this term. Students have listened to, viewed and retold Dreaming Stories. Creating their own Dreaming story book has been a highlight for the students, with them exceeding our expectations with their amazing writing and drawing abilities! Students are excited to take these home to read to their families.

We were lucky enough to have Bayelli’s Nan Cathy, Nan Hillary and TAIHS colleague Amy come into the classroom to teach us about Indigenous artwork, instruments and tools from the past. The students loved being able to see the materials used to create the artwork in the past and the type of surfaces it was painted on compared to now. Students really enjoyed learning about the musical instruments and were blown away that you can get electric didgeridoos now. We extend our gratitude to Cathy, Hillary and Amy for their wealth of knowledge and generosity. 

In Week 8, Year 1 will be visiting the St Vincent’s Aged Care Facility to perform Christmas Carols to their residents. We look forward to bringing some Christmas cheer to our community!

Deadly Learners

This term we’ve had some exciting sessions wrapping up our Deadly program for 2023.

Did you know we have many native/bush tucker plants right here at Good Shepherd?

Deadly students loved the opportunity to bake with Lemon Myrtle and make some delicious biscuits. We’re not sure if many samples made it home to families?! They were yum!

Our Year 4-6 classes went on a scavenger hunt around the school to locate some of these beauties and learn some of the First Nations uses and benefits of these plants. 

We’ve also tested our knowledge with a Kahoot of all of our learnings during our Deadly sessions throughout the year.

Preparations are well underway for our upcoming Deadly Showcase on Tuesday 21st of December at 9:00am in the BBC. Join us as we reflect, celebrate and perform. 

All families and friends are welcome to attend. We hope you are able to make it!

Breakfast Club and Running Club

Both Clubs will run every morning. Breakfast Club will run from the Tuckshop from 8:10am and Running Club will be held on the Junior Oval from 8:10am as well.

The Good Shepherd Way

Term 4, Week 6

This week our Good Shepherd Way Gospel in Action value is Hope where I see good all around me. 

Our Hope prayer is below:

Term 4, Week 7

The Good Shepherd Way Gospel in Action for Week 7 will be Inclusion where I involve and accept others.  

Our Inclusion prayer is below:

The GSCS Way

The GSCS Way is our positive behaviour support program here at Good Shepherd Catholic School.

All in our community are encouraged to:

• Give My Best
• Show Respect
• Compassion and Care
• Safe Responsible and Fair

Each week we focus on a different area of our matrix.

This week we are focusing on: In the eating area. 

In Term 4, Week 7 we are focusing on: On the playground. 

Parent Library Borrowing

Environmental Tips

Threatened Species 

Be aware of and respect all creatures and their environments.  Avoid products that result in a loss of habitat for threatened species. 137 species of plants and animals are estimated to go extinct each day – that’s 50 000 species each year.

Tuckshop

Wednesday - Thursday - Friday

Please contact the school office or Ann-Maree at Tuckshop with any enquiries.

CUTOFF time to order TUCKSHOP
from FLEXISCHOOLS
is 8:30am.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL ORDERS ARE TO BE PLACED ONLINE AT THE LINK BELOW. Please visit the website to set up your account if you are new to Flexischools.

Flexischool How To Guides for Parents and Caregivers
• Online help is available any time at Flexischools via the link below.
• Phone between 8am - 12pm (AEDST) on weekdays or on the parent phone line (1300 361 769). 

How-To Guides for Parents
Flexischool has spent some time over the holidays developing some quick how-to guides for  parents. If you'd like to see these, please click the link below.
They include: 
•    Introduction to Flexischools;
•    How to Register; 
•    How to Top-Up;
•    How to Place an Order. 

Teacher Contacts

Parent Portal

If you have any problems accessing please send an email to the school office at rsmssn@tsv.catholic.edu.au. 

The Parent Portal allows you to:

View your child’s timetable and the school calendar
View up to date attendance information for your child
Enter details of upcoming absences or explain past absences or late arrivals for your son or daughter
Access your child’s Semester reports
Make bookings for Parent Teacher Interviews
View a news feed of school announcements, alerts and updates
Provide consent for school events/excursions
Communicate by email with your child’s teachers
Update your contact details (email and mobile phone number).

The parent portal is a web-based system that can be accessed by clicking this link:

An app called Compass School Manager is also available for both iPhones/iPads (via the App Store) and Android phones/tablets (via the Google Play Store). When you have installed the app, search for “Good Shepherd Catholic School – Rasmussen”.
The browser version of the Parent Portal contains more features than the app.  Please click the link below to access the Compass website which has an online guide and video for the Parent Portal.

Community News