End of Year Events

Please ensure these dates are noted on your calendars:

• 1 December – Kindergarten 2022 Orientation Morning 2 (students only)
• 6 December – Year 6 Graduation, only parents of students allowed to attend – (parents must be fully vaccinated)
• 6  December – Year 6 Graduation Dinner @ Terrigal SLSC (no parents attending)
• 6 December – Students meet new teachers and class for 2022
• 7 December - Primary Thanksgiving Services (No parents attending)
• 8 December – Beach day for Years 3-6 and Activity Day (possibly movies) Years K-2 - Last day for students (9:00am- 12:00pm)

Thanksgiving Services

Due to the requirement to keep cohorts of students separated, we will be having three, stage-based Thanksgiving Services. At this stage, under current restrictions, parents are not allowed to attend these Thanksgiving Services. Please understand this is entirely due to the need to remain compliant to the current restrictions and we will make every effort to photograph all prize recipients for future memory keeping.

Cyber Diligence

The Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found that screen time has gone up markedly since the outbreak of COVID-19. I don’t think anyone would be surprised by this. A pandemic that leads to shutdowns forcing school at home for students and working at home for adults doesn’t leave too many options outside of using screens more, and there are negative outcomes associated with that increase.

On returning to school we have seen many students with increased dependence on screens, as well as increased exposure to a variety of online platforms they have experienced or become proficient in over the lockdown period.

To help you counter these challenges, there are these three ideas:

1. Not All Screen Time Is Created Equal

• Screen time that is passive and revolving around consumption is the equivalent of eating digital junk food (games, movies, social media). A little can be fun. Too much may be concerning when it comes to wellbeing.
• Screen time that is active and revolving around connection and creation is likely to be good for mental health. It’s positive! It’s constructive!

2. Make Decisions Intentionally

If your children’s screen usage (or yours) is habitual, unintentional, passive, consumption focused, it’s probably not helpful and is likely to be displacing time spent on:

• Physical activity
• Building relationships
• Proper rest and recreation
• Developing talents (art, music, etc)
• Sleep

The answer is simple; start living intentionally and encourage your children to do the same. We do that by developing boundaries.

3. Communicate Boundaries Effectively

If you want to create limits around screen usage (not screen time) – and I think it’s a worthy decision to do so – it’s so important that you do it with and not to your children.

First, explore why screens matter so much to your child. Second, explain why you’re concerned. Third, empower them to develop boundaries with you

The thing is, these devices are just tools. They don’t need our attention like people do, yet some of us (and our children) give screens more attention than the more precious others in our lives.

Head of School Awards

Congratulations to the following students who achieved the Head of School Award for Week 8: 

Kalli H, KDL; James S, KJ; Amelia W, Kiera Y, KG; Anthony A, Evie M, 1B; James C, 1PH; Ethan A, Lauren B, James T, Alex T, Dylan E, Josie R, 2D; Charlotte E, Grace G, Harper H, 2P; Lilliana G, Jagger B, Charlotte H, Ulrich E, Orlando G, 3B; Ruben D, 3D; Allegra N, Mia V, Hannah T, 4M; Noah H, Saffron B, Charlie S, 4G; Stephanie R, Lucas M, 4B; Xavier R, Fletcher J, Ethan W, 5P; Zoe O, Seulah K, Grace M, 5L; Blake L, Amelia S, 6S; Rhyder S, Noah D, Emily F, Benjamin J, Reigan E, 6M; Sophia B, Anna O, 6T.

Students will now be issued with a canteen voucher for the Head of School Award that they can redeem at the canteen.

Year 6 Bushwalking Adventure

On Friday 19 November, Year 6 took the school’s brand new bus and went for a bush walk from Pearl Beach to Patonga. The weather looked a little dreary at first, but it turned out to be perfect hiking weather. After a pretty constant 45 minute uphill walk, we were rewarded with panoramic views of the Hawkesbury River mouth out to the sea while we enjoyed a break and morning tea. Then it was on to single track trails and a steep, rocky descent into Patonga for lunch on the beach and a swim. Everyone had a great day with a good mix of hard work and fun. It was nice to just enjoy God’s amazing creation together as a grade after the ups and downs of 2021. Mrs Munro, Mr Sneyd and I would love to thank Mrs Styles, Mr Oldfield, Mrs Kratochvil and Mrs Sirone for coming along and of course, thanks Year 6 for being an amazing grade of beautiful, adventurous and caring kids.

Mr Turner