Week 9, Term 2

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Friends,

I couldn't help but share with you another photo I took on my way to school last week. Honestly this must be one of the most beautiful areas in the country! 

My thoughts this week have turned to the issue of developing resilience in our learners. It is a wonderful thing to observe those children in our school who have a pretty solid sense of self. These children tend to be relaxed and happy while generally doing their best, able to articulate their ideas and preferences without being demanding, confident to give something a go even if they might fail, able to pick themselves up from a fall of whatever kind without ongoing drama designed merely to gain attention, able to acknowledge others' strengths without feeling threatened or insecure themselves, able to show empathy and care for others, able to have a good laugh at themselves and with others rather than at them, and ready to meet a problem with prayer and positivity.  

In our school community we see these qualities. Not in any child all the time but in some children most of the time. 

So how do such children get developed?

From my observation, here are a few ideas:

1. Provide them with lots of love and affirmation about their character

2. Notice and affirm any examples of the above that they are growing in. You will be amazed at the      power of such phrases as:

    
'I can see you are getting so much more mature these days. I notice how you are caring for your little sister so much better now' 'Some children (of course not them LOL) really haven't learnt yet how to think about others but I saw you sharing your toys and I think that is very generous and that you are growing up' 

3. Separate your own need for hugs from your child's. Give him or her a chance to not cry and not need a hug from you when he falls over or does something new. Take a deep breath, watch and wait. Then celebrate increasing courage and confidence. 

4. Talk before a potential problem about the ways they might be tempted to think, speak or act and what they might do instead.  'What might you say or do if ---------- happens?  What else?' Practice. Then celebrate success when they remember.

5. Discuss other children's poor behaviour or attitude with empathy rather than judgement. 'Yes it is a shame she hasn't learnt to speak kindly to other people yet. I am sure she will learn and you can show her how to do that.' 'Mm. When he does that it might be because he has had something else happen to him that made him upset. You know that, if what he says is not true, it is his problem, not yours.'

6. Frequently and consciously encourage your child to take risks and have new experiences. Intentionally and gently push them just out of their comfort zones. Don't allow shyness or stubbornness because you were shy or stubborn as a child and certainly don't let them hear you endorsing shyness or stubbornness that closes their world down because you were like that. Expect your child to take more 'risks' in their learning than you did and praise them for overcoming the temptation to say no to opportunities to learn and grow.  

7. Pray with your child when they share a problem with you. 

8. Encourage gratitude. Learn to look for the best in people, and to thank God for the good that can come out of any situation - if the good is only new learning, it might be more precious than anything else in the longer term. 

It really is a delight to see open-faced, happy children who are confident they can fall and rise again regardless, and who have the grace to support others as they try to do the same. 

We love seeing that in children and love seeing them 'mature'. 

In all assemblies going forward, I will be awarding principals certificates for children who I notice growing in these ways. 

Encourage growth with me!!

Helen Pearson


School News 

Assembly

This week’s Assembly will be lead by Room 4.  Bruce and Jenny Eirana, will be our guest speakers, sharing about their work with Wycliffe Bible Translators

Parent Teacher Interviews

Parent Teacher Interviews will be occurring next term on Wednesday 22^nd July from 1.30 – 6.30pm.  Information will be coming home in the next week about booking times to see your child’s teacher.

Teacher only day

We will be having a teacher only day on Monday 27^th July, which is the second week of Term 3.

Wanted:

Newspaper

Mrs Allen is looking for old newspapers to use in her classroom.  Please can you drop in any old newspapers into Room 1.

Hockey

The hockey draw this week is:

MCS Rockets – BYE this week.

SB Snapdragons vs M Eagles – 11am Field 3 / 4

SB Strikers vs ww Sharks – 10.10am Field 1 /2

Community News

Accomodation Needed

Wanted a 2-3 bedroom house in Snells Beach, Warkworth for 1 adult and 2 children.  Please phone Rachel on 021 038 6356

Harbour Hockey – Hooked on Hockey Holiday Programme

Harbour hockey will be running a hockey holiday programme on Monday 13^th July and Tuesday 14^th July from 9am – 3pm. Details can be found at http://www.harbourhockey.org.nz

Kip McGrath

Kip McGrath Warkworth have English and maths tuition aligned to the NZ Curriculum. Programmes designed to suit individual learning styles for Year 1-12.  Phone Anne Cook on (09) 422 2305.  Website  Kip McGrath Warkworth

Te Whau Coastal Reserve planting

The Goodall - Te Whau Committee and Auckland Council’s Sustainable Catchments Programme invite you to come and help out with planting beside the walkway that runs through this reserve. This planting will enhance the walkway construction project starting this year. The walkway will improve access between Goodall Reserve and Dawson’s Landing, giving the community an opportunity to enjoy the sheltered coastal beauty of this part of the world

When: Saturday 4th July, 10am – 12pm

Rain date: Saturday 11th July

Refreshments to follow the planting.

Where: Meet at the bridge at the Cornel Circle entrance to the reserve.

What to bring Bring a spade and gloves if you can.

Forensics at Kristin

Forensics@Kristin is a high quality, high energy, non residential  holiday camp experience for gifted students from all over New Zealand. A completely student-led programme, the camps involve tremendous fun and new friendships with like-minded students from a wide variety of places and backgrounds.

There are three divisions: Junior Forensics (Year 3-6), Middle School Forensics (Year 7-10), Senior Scholars (Year 11-13)

Registrations are now open so go to http://www.kristin.net.nz/

for further details.