Emma Clemens – Deputy Head of Primary

Child wellbeing and parenting, part 1

Over the summer holidays I read a fantastic book called The Bonsai Child by Judith Locke. Locke is a clinical psychologist and former teacher who specialises in parenting and child wellbeing. Whilst the content was at times quite confronting, Locke provides many incredibly insightful and helpful tools for parenting and teaching.

There has been considerable research into the most effective parenting and teaching approaches. Baumrind, Maccoby and Martin all identify two key factors that determine parenting style:

•  Responsiveness: Tendency to be loving and responsive to a child’s needs
• Demandingness: Using rules and consequences to demand appropriate behaviour

 High and low levels of these two factors have different outcomes for children. Authoritative parents and teachers are loving but also expect children to act and behave appropriately. This is the ideal method of parenting and teaching. It builds resilience, security and enhanced wellbeing for children.

Locke discusses how she has observed a shift in the expectations, rules and consequences for children of the 21^st century. We have a tendency to be highly responsive to children, where any hint of anxiety or lowered self esteem becomes cause for great concern. Also we can be extremely demanding, expecting our children to be the most popular, achieve the highest results or be the most successful athlete. Conversely we can be extremely low in demandingness, expecting our children to do very little. Locke believes these changes to demandingness and responsiveness can cause a chain reaction for children. Being responsive to children and having high expectations is excellent for children. However, being overly responsive, having extreme expectations or over helping children can be unhelpful for children.

Judith suggests a range of strategies to foster authoritative parenting and teaching. Some of these include:

• Develop confidence: Belief in yourself gives greater strength to cope with adversity. Confident children do not rely on other’s responses or require constant praise.
• Assist with self-regulation: This is the ability to choose constructive and appropriate behaviours and emotions particularly when faced with opposition or disappointment.
• Step back so they step up: Help children develop responsibility and maturity by gradually encouraging them to become more independent.
• Develop resilience: The capacity to bounce back from adversity is assisted by confidence from loved ones. But it is primarily developed through facing challenges and learning to cope.

Primary swimming

This week, Year 3 students commenced their swimming program at Allsorts Fitness and Wellbeing Centre. This program runs for seven weeks over the course of Term 1. Next week on Thursday 16 February 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 for a 9.30 am start at the Aquatic Centre. Students will return to school by 2.45 pm. Parents are welcome to attend the carnival. Students must wear their swimming costume and sports uniform with House shirt to school. House swimming caps will be provided at the carnival. 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 for their children. If you have any questions regarding the Swimming Carnival please contact Stuart Taylor (staylor@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au).

Years 3-6 Instrumental Program

In Week 3 we commence our wonderful Instrumental Program (IP) for Years 3-6. Years 3 and 6 have IP on Tuesdays and Years 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 (dpsringford@emanuelschool.nsw.edu.au). All music ensembles and private tuition will commence in Week 3.  For further information please refer to the Ma Nishma page from the Head of Music.

Meet the Teacher

On Monday 13 February you are invited to Meet the Teacher. This is an opportunity for you to meet your children’s teachers and hear about some of the initiatives at Emanuel for 2017. Please see the timing and venues below:

• 6.00-6.45 pm: Years K-2 meetings in classrooms
• 6.45-7.30 pm: All parents to hear about whole school initiatives in the Lehrer Family Multi-Purpose Hall (MPH)
• 7.30-8.15 pm: Years 3-6 meetings in classrooms
• 8.15-8.45 pm: Northern Territory Information Evening for Year 6 parents in Year 6 classrooms

Assembly schedule

Years K-2 assembly will commence in Week 4 and Years 3-6 assembly will commence in Week 5. We welcome parents to attend Years K-2 assembly on Friday of Week B (even weeks) at 2.00 pm in the Millie Phillips Theatre. The Years K-2 Assembly schedule with class items will be published in Ma Nishma in the coming weeks. At this stage the 1^st class-item is likely to be towards the end of Term 1.

Upcoming dates

• 13 February: Meet the Teacher, classrooms and MPH 6.00-8.45 pm
• 15 February: ASISSA Basketball, St Andrews Cathedral 1.00-2.15 pm
• 16 February: Y3-6 Swimming Carnival, Des Renford Aquatic Centre commencing 9.30 am
• 17 February: London Klezmer Quartet Performances for Years K-6
• 22 February: Years 6 and 7 Bar/Bat Mitzvah Parent Information Night, Maria Tirabosco High School Library 7.00-8.30 pm
• 23-24 February: Year 6 Leadership Camp, Allsorts Fitness Centre and Emanuel School
• 24 February: Crazy Hat Day
• 24 February: P&F Camping Trip commences, early leave for participating students at 1.10 pm