Prep Orientation Begins

As we draw close to the end of Term 3 it is obvious that our students in the Early Learning Centre are getting ready for the transition into Prep. Under the expert care and tutelage of Cassandra Adams and Lu Han they have developed confidence and many skills which will equip them for the challenges ahead.

Last week the Pre-Prep students and Prep students joined forces for a morning of working and playing together in the Junior School. The Pre-Preps certainly had a taste of what life will be like in 2008. This was the first step in our Prep Orientation Program.

Our Pre-Preps experienced a range of activities, including the Computer Laboratory, Maths Games and Literacy activities, Drama and Physical Education. What was especially exciting was that the Preps were leaders, carefully guiding the younger students through the activities and talking about life in the Junior School and the rules of the playground. It is never too early to demonstrate leadership!

Many comments were relayed about the success of the morning. The morning concluded with shared morning tea and a play on the Junior Primary equipment.

The Orientation program continues next term with a further three sessions which will include the new students who will join the school for Prep next year.

Last week I had the pleasure of joining the Year 6 students and five staff membereson the annual Year 6 Study Tour in Sydney. This trip is a rich learning experience for the students. The visits to the Powerhouse Museum, the IMAX Theatre and Taronga Zoo were planned to enhance the deep learning occurring in classrooms. The Beattie Bow Tour of the Rocks brought alive the novel studied by all Year 6.

By far the greatest excitement, however, was because our students stayed each night in Sydney with students who attend the Queenwood School for Girls in Mosman. This arrangement, based on friendship and cooperation, has been a feature of the Year 6 Sydney trip for many years and is definitely the highlight. Earlier this year the Queenwood students were billeted with our Year 6 families on their annual trip to Canberra. We are very grateful to the Queenwood families who took such care of our students.

Student Achievements

At the recent letter writing competition run by Australia Post for National Literacy and Numeracy Week, two of our Year 6 students, Elise Jakeman and Samantha Beattie were judged in the Top 5. This is an amazing achievement as the competition was a national one and had many, many entries.

Friendships and the School Partnership

I often refer to the relationship between family and school as a partnership. This is because it reminds us that a student’s family plays the major part in his or her growing up. It is their foundation. It reminds us too that the School is important because it both augments and builds on that foundation to foster the student’s learning and in doing so works to support and strengthen the family in its vital work. There are clear boundaries of responsibility and action and they should be understood and adhered to by both parties.

Even though my children are now young adults, as a parent, I know that bringing up children is a challenge, and it’s a challenge which most of us rise to magnificently. It is not so long ago that I cannot remember what life is like for parents today and what you are undertaking at this time in your lives: the streams of cars at weekends and late at night to ferry daughters and sons to and from gym, swimming and other sports practices, to dance and music activities and supporting the myriad of school activities their children take part in. I feel warmed by the love and dedication that this reflects. I know from this, and in many other ways, that CGGS parents are caring, loving and committed people where their children are concerned.

From time to time issues arise at school that cause concern for parents. When students experience friendship problems, it is common for these to spill over at home and for the problems to seem insurmountable. Children can be upset and as parents it is natural that we want the problem resolved and for our children to return to the calm and happy beings we know. We want our family back on an even keel.

At these times, it is good to look at the big picture. Friendship problems at school can rarely be directed at one or two children. Don’t be fooled into thinking that your child is an innocent victim, as this is rarely the case. It is much more complex. Please be reassured that the staff will be guiding the children and giving them strategies to solve the problems. It is a multi faceted approach by a range of staff. We believe the students will use these experiences to learn about making good choices and if they make mistakes, to reflect and react differently next time.

Every stage of children’s growth has its challenges and pleasures. Among the many positive experiences at school, there are also times of conflict, frustration and feeling let down. We want our students to face these challenges and to know they can overcome them and in doing so build resilience and independence. The School and home working together, our partnership, can support this positive outcome.

Shop for Your School

We are delighted to announce that CGGS was fourth in the Shop for Your School competition. The support from the School Community was outstanding and because of our efforts the School receives prizes totalling approximately $4600. These prizes will be put to good use! Thank you to all families who assisted in this effort.

The prizes awarded to CGGS are as follows: Apple Macbook 13; Apple iPod Hi-Fi; Apple 30GB Video IPod; Lexmark Colour Laser Duplex Printer and a Stabilo Pack.

National Photographic Portrait

Vikky Wilkes is a documentary photographer and artist with a Bachelor of Visual Arts in Photography. She is hoping to submit a portrait to this year’s inaugural National Photographic Portrait Prize (NPPP) run by the National Portrait Gallery. The NPPP is an annual event intended to promote the very best in contemporary photographic portraiture by both professional and aspiring Australian photographers. For more information go to http://www.portrait.gov.au/ssl/nppp/.

Ms Wilkes is interested in photographing ‘tweens’; girls aged between 7 to12 years. Ideally, her portrait would comprise of a girl, or two sisters. The style of the portrait will be a documentary approach; relaxed with some direction.

If anyone is interested in pursuing this opportunity, please collect a letter of explanation from Junior School Reception or alternatively visit www.vikkywilkes.com