Natanya Milner – Head of Primary School

Leadership Training

Last week’s Year 6 Leadership Training was a three-day event filled with learning, team building activities and fun. It was such a joy to see the children learn the theory of leadership and then apply it as they attempted to complete challenges in groups. They were also able to work in their leadership teams and plan events that fit under their portfolios. The ruach sessions were wonderful and the children were so enthusiastic and engaged. I look forward to seeing what these children are able to achieve in the Primary School this year!

A huge thank you to the team who organised this event including the Year 6 teachers; Dale Kessler, Eamon Lukins, Barnaby Wilbury as well as Adam Carpenter, Josh New, Mia Shapiro, Carrie Thomas and all the staff who mentor Year 6 leadership teams.

ASISSA swimming

Good luck to our ASISSA swimmers for next week’s carnival. I know you have been busily training and I look forward to seeing a day filled with great swimming and sportspersonship! 

Reading

I just wanted to offer encouragement for families to focus upon their children reading for pleasure. Some of our children are avid readers and regularly borrow multiple books from the library. This is wonderful. Some of our children are not choosing to read in their spare time and I wanted to highlight the value of developing these behaviours.

Children who read for pleasure consistently:

• Learn to read more quickly over time
• Perform better on language and literacy measures and have stronger vocabularies
• Have greater general knowledge
• Have greater empathy and understanding of the perspectives of others
• Stimulate optimal patterns of brain development
• Build skills in concentration, memory and creative thinking
• Develop improved skills in comprehension, critical thinking and analysis
• Can reduce stress and promote sleep readiness.

Some of you may be wondering how to encourage these patterns, especially if your children aren’t used to a reading routine. My advice is to start with a ‘hook’. The best hooks include a completely gripping book, an interesting article or lovely time together when it’s reading time. Perhaps it’s a snuggle on the couch while you all read books and drink hot chocolates or perhaps it’s sharing the reading with your child (you would be surprised how many upper Primary students love to be read to by adults). An audio book on long drives can also be a lovely way for children to become engaged with stories. It can be helpful to mix up the offerings including novels as well as briefer newspaper articles, short stories and non-fiction texts.

For reading suggestions and tips, please feel free to ask your class teacher or Samantha Rogut our Head of Library and Information Services. Enjoy!