Individual Learners' Blogs

Tuesday, 25 August 2015

Week 6, Term 3

Dear Parents, Caregivers and Friends

I remember one day being interrupted in an after-church conversation by my very loud, extroverted, strong-willed, middle-child 2 year old daughter coming up with her gorgeous curly blonde hair and big eyes full of determination and drama.

"Wow!" said the person I was talking to."Those headlights look dangerous!"

"Never", I thought with a chuckle, "was a truer word said!" 

You are all familiar with the term The Terrible Twos! And have all experienced it. Some of you are exhausted right now from dealing with your preschoolers!

Despite the tag this stage of 2-3 year olds gets, what is happening is absolutely critical to the healthy development of your child.

He or she is supposed to be pushing the boundaries at this stage. It is at this time that your child understands that she not only has her own body, but she has her own will and can make that will known - big-time if necessary! She is learning what her limits and boundaries are by testing them. She is establishing independence and exploring relationships with others. She is trying to work out, by trial and error, how she is 'separate', how autonomous she is and whether it is safe to explore her thoughts and her feelings.

Your example is so important at this stage as you are being watched intently as she learns how people deal with their feelings, how they get what they need and want, how they treat others who want something different from them. You are her model. 

She is also learning about consequences - what is rewarded with attention? (Is it screaming? Is it pushing? Is it poking my little sister? Is it sharing or helping that gets the most attention?) 

She is learning whether the world around her is consistent, whether she gets the same kind of attention for the same kinds of actions.

Henry Cloud and John Townsend say a few things in their excellent book, "Boundaries with Kids" that I found useful:

"You need to interpret a child's behaviour as a response to your own."

"Children will mature to the level their parents structure them and no further."

"Don't ask 'Why won't he stop....? But "What was my part in creating this problem?"

I know exactly what it is like to have stroppy little individuals demanding more from me than I have energy to give.

For many years, I found myself saying under my breath, "Grace and Patience, Lord" while engaging with my own stroppy individuals! 

But I grew up a lot through the experience myself.

Perhaps that's what it is all about!!!

Have a good week.

Helen

School News                                                                            

Policy for Sick Children
We have had a number of children sick with Strep throat recently.  Strep throat is highly contagious and must be treated with antibiotics.  If your child catches strep throat they need to remain at home until they are no longer contagious.  We ask that this happens to protect the other members of the school and to contain the spread of the infection.

It is also school policy that students stay home if they have a tummy bug.  Students need to be kept at home till they have been clear of vomiting for at least 24 hours.

We also have had one reported case of Chicken pox this week.

Hockey
The hockey draw this week is:

MCS Rockets - BYE
SB Snapdragons v ww Marlins  – 11am Field 1 /2
SB Srikers v Leigh Longfins – 11am field 3 /4


Wanted
We would like any nails that people wish to give us for the carpentry table


Assembly
This Friday, Rooms 3 & 4  will be taking assembly.   Parents, caregivers and friends are all welcome to attend.


Lynn Williams Parent Group
The next parent discussion evening will be on:
Wednesday 26th August 7 – 8pm
Topic: Homework


Praying for the school
Every Monday morning from 8.45 – 9.15 we have prayer time for the school. All parents, caregivers and friends of the school are welcome to attend.


Wanted
We are in need of some older people or mums to listen to children reading on a rostered basis. Can you, or someone you know help once or twice a week for 30 minutes to half an hour? Please contact Helen.


Parent Group
Parent lunches are on again this Friday. Order forms will be coming home with your child this week.


FUNDRAISER WOOL RUG FOR SALE - $250.00 – NEW
As part of our Minute to Win it fundraiser we were donated a beautiful wool rug.  We would like to offer it back for sale to our school community to see if anyone is interested in purchasing it at a discounted rate.

Cavalier Bremworth Foss Rug
It is 100% Wool
Light brown

Measurements are 2.9m long by 1.3m wide
RRP $400.00

Isabella can email photos of the rug if you are interested.  Please contact Isabelle at Isabelle@promosolutions.co.nz or call her on 021 985508

Community Notices                                                                  

Wired to Connect – a Fresh Look at Behaviour and Learning
Internationally renowned Canadian Developmental Psychologist – Dr Gordon Neufeld will be speaking to parents and professionals on the latest in attachment science.  He will be speaking at either The Parenting Place or Laidlaw College from Monday 9th November – Friday 13 November.

Further details can be found at www.gordonneufeld.co.nz, and tickets can be purchased from www.iticket.co.nz

Onboard Skateboard School
Onboard Skateboard School run skate board holiday programs and events.  They will be running a hub event on Sunday 13th September at the Snells Beach Skate Park, from 9am – 12noon.  They provide all the gear, and cost is $5 per person.  Register at www.onboardskate.org.nz.


Children’s writing competition
This is the term of the Children’s Writing Competition! It’s a great chance for students to see their work in print. All those whose writing is selected for publication will receive a free copy of the book, Kids in Print 2014. There are other prizes too and $50 for the winner of the Val Shearer trophy.
The closing date for the competition is Friday 11th September. Students can send in one piece of writing or they can enter in all three categories: fiction, non-fiction and poetry. The entry fee is $5, however many pieces are submitted.
Further information is available on www.HibiscusCoastWriters.weebly.com or you can email  g.k.henderson777@gmail.com.

Parenting Evening
Westminster School is running a parent evening with guest speaker Yvonne Godfrey, on Thursday 10th September 7.30pm – 9pm. 

Yvonne Godfrey is the author of Parenting Yadults.  The meeting will be held at Westminster School  - 31 Westminster Gardens, Unsworth Heights.  Gold coin donation.  Further details can be found at www.parentingyadults.com


Blue Light
The local Bluelight Organisation is organizing a trip to Rainbows End for Year 7 & 8 students on Sunday 13th September.  Cost is $35 and includes, entry, transport and a sausage.  Enquires to the Blue Light Office on (09) 423 8545.


Spring Flower Show
The Snells Beach Garden Circle are having a Sping Flower Show on Saturday 5th September, at Mahurangi East Community Centre.  Doors open at 1pm.


Kids Holiday Programme                                                                                                                        
The Presbyterian Church in Warkworth will be running a holiday programme again in the next school holidays.  The programme is for students in Years 1-6.

Theme:   “POLAR EXPEDITIONS”
October 5 – 9,  9.15 - 12.30
Suggested donation: $2 per session   
Contact  Ann Cates for more  information (425 0966)

Current Home Builders Courses:

Chris Pederson’s Baking Course
Baking ideas that will help top up those lunch boxes and bring home treats into the cake and biscuit tin. 
Date: Friday 18th of September 9.30-12.30 Warkworth

Free child minding is also provided if notified on enrollment

To enroll or join our email list contact us on Homebuilders.courses@hotmail.com, or phone 09 4257048, or text 0276226809.



No comments:

Post a Comment

We welcome your comments on our blogs. Thanks!