From the Primary School

Meghan Carroll – Acting Deputy Head of Primary

Congratulations to all students on another fantastic week in the Primary School. The Primary teachers and staff are very proud of everyone for supporting each other and using ‘put-ups’ to show others you care. Well done!

Next week we will host the Year 6 Leadership Experience, a 2-day program for Year 6 students to reflect on their roles as leaders of the Primary School. Some of the workshops look at attributes of effective and influential leaders and other workshops are tailored towards the student leadership portfolios. With this in mind and to add to one of my focus areas from Monday night’s Meet The Teacher, I spoke to a number of Years K-6 students this week about leadership and the qualities of a good leader. Here are some of their responses:

What does it mean to be a good leader?

“As a leader my job is to help others move forward in the right direction so they can achieve their goals.”
“Good leaders encourage everyone.”
“My mum and dad are good leaders.”
“Leaders come in many different sizes and ages. Everyone can be a leader.”
“Being confident in yourself and believing in others.”
“Not giving up no matter how hard it gets.”
“Being a respectful, responsible and doing the right thing.”
“Trying to set a good example, especially for younger kids.”
“Don’t bully, stop others from bullying.”
“Being supportive of one another and listening to others.”
“Helping others if they are finding something difficult.”
“Being a friend to someone who is sad or who doesn’t have anyone to play with.”
“Being in charge and leading yourself.”
“Setting goals for yourself and encouraging others to set goals so everyone can achieve more and be successful in different ways.”
“Trying your hardest to be the best leader that you can be.”

I encourage you to discuss this concept along with the the 7 Habits at home with your child over the next few weeks. What ways can you support your child to be a leader? How can you empower your child with the skills and knowledge to be a 360-degree person who acts on his/her dreams and make what they want happen?

Meet the Teacher

Thank you for attending our Meet the Teacher event on Monday night. It was lovely to meet many of you and welcome you to the new school year. We hope you enjoyed learning more about the goals and focus areas for the Primary School this year as well as meeting your child’s teachers.

Primary Swimming Carnival

This week Year 3 commenced their 7-week swimming program at Allsorts Fitness and Wellbeing Centre. On Tuesday 27 February (Week 5) we have our Years 3-6 Swimming Carnival at Des Renford Aquatic Centre. Students need to arrive at school as normal. Buses will depart from school at 8.30 am for a 9.30 am start at the Aquatic Centre. Students will return to school by 3.00 pm. Parents are welcome to attend the carnival. Students must wear their swimming costume and sports uniform with House shirt to school. Students are to bring a towel, underwear to change into, plastic bag for wet items and goggles (optional). Please send vegetarian recess, lunch and a water bottle. Parents are asked not to purchase food from the shop at the Aquatic Centre. If you have any questions regarding the Swimming Carnival please contact Stuart Taylor (staylor@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au).

Year 4 excursion to Muru Mittagar

On Tuesday 13 February the Year 4 students and teachers visited Muru Mittagar to learn more about Aboriginal people and culture. I spoke to some of the Year 4 students and asked them to share their experiences. Here’s what they had to say:

“I loved the experience because we got to learn about how the Aboriginal people use plants in interesting ways. We saw a paperbark tree which the golden web spider helps to seal deep cuts like stitches. Termites do the same thing. You can also use paper bark for baby nappies. The Aboriginals also have totems. You can have a personal totem and a family totem.” Jessica Smith

“I learned about the Lilly Pilly berry. It tastes like sour apple but the jam is sweet. There is a plant called Grass Tree or the Black Boy. Its black because you have to burn it. Every 12 months a long spear-like flower grows and Aboriginal people use it as a spear. It’s like bamboo. An emu egg weighs as much as 12 chicken eggs! Lemon myrtle is a plant and Aboriginal people use the leaves to help cure the flu.” Elke

“When Aboriginal people went fishing they would sometimes leave fish scales and bones on rocks. Others would know not to fish there. We also learned about personal and family totems and how these are determined.” Leo Masnick

“We learned how to throw a boomerang. You have to throw it at a 45 degree angle from your shoulder. We learned that you need at least 3-4 people to make a boomerang. The left and right boomerangs are shaved differently so it makes it easier to hold and throw.” Jake Isenberg

Years 3-6 Instrumental Program

The Instrumental Program (IP) for Years 3-6 commenced this week. Years 3 and 6 have IP on Tuesdays and Year 4 and 5 have IP on Wednesdays. When students arrive at school they should take their instrument and IP practice books down to the Music Department. If you have any questions regarding Years 3-6 IP please contact Diana Springford (dspringford@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au).

The Lion King Jr

We are thrilled to have announced that this year’s performance will be The Lion King Jr and we can’t wait to get into the spirit! Mrs Buzo, Mrs Springford and Mrs Rosenfeld are already busily planning the upcoming auditions and rehearsals for the main roles for Years 5 and 6 students. All students in Years K-6 will be involved in the performance.

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Assembly schedule

Years 3-6 assemblies are held on Fridays at 2.00 pm in the Millie Phillips Theatre in Week A. Years K-2 assemblies are held on Fridays at 2.00 pm in the Millie Phillips Theatre in Week B. We will only have 1 Years K-2 assembly in Term 1 due to various school events and closures. We welcome parents to attend on Friday 9 March to watch the Infants Strings Program and Cello demonstration.

New Parent Welcome Evening

We hope to see and meet many new parents in Week 6 at the New Parent Welcome Evening. Please join us on Monday 5 March at 7.00 pm. Please email marketing@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au by 26 February to confirm your attendance.