Dear Families,
I am trusting everyone had a restful and rewarding holiday, and now ready to embrace the learning and challenges that the new term will hold.
Risk taking, failure and independence
On the morning of Good Friday, I turned on the television aiming to briefly catch the morning news headlines. Instead, the news anchor was reflecting on the 2018 rescue of the Thai boys, who became trapped in a cave, as conditions quickly changed and hence their unfortunate predicament. As we know, it ended up being a good news story, as the boys (all part of a junior soccer team), were rescued.
One of the central people credited for rescuing the boys was Dr Richard Harris – a South Australian anaesthetist and cave diver. You may recall that Dr Harris was also named 2019 Australian of the Year, for his integral part in the rescue.
After introducing the story, the journalist crossed over to Dr Harris, for a live feed. The reporter commented on Dr Harris’ uncomfortable status with the attention since the 2018 rescue. Dr Harris focused his conversation about courage, and how he has needed to demonstrate this trait in his life. He further spoke about the importance of risk-taking (including for children), to achieve goals.
Dr Harris associated risk-taking as the ability to be involved in activities where mistakes, embarrassment, falling down, even failure may eventuate. However, it is through taking risks that we build courage and independence skills. If we only go for the safe options and don’t put ourselves out there, growth will be minimal.
Moreover, Dr Harris talked about his risk-taking passion for cave diving. However, his message was how there are many activities which involve taking risks; but the personal satisfaction and internal rewards are deeply gratifying when giving such things a go (of course, certain risks which put one’s life at risk are not the reference point here).
Consider risk-taking to an activity a child may want to try, such as climbing a tree, or riding a skateboard. Not to try for the fear of failure (a core message from Dr Harris), is suppressing the opportunity to learn, explore, discover and experience. These characteristics alone promote courage and independence – elements needed in our world.
In closing, I leave you with an abridged version of a personal favourite saying, by former US President, Theodore Roosevelt (quoted in 1910), as I believe it captures Dr Harris’ sentiments:
“….. The credit belongs to the one who strives valiantly, who comes short again and again; because there is no effort without error and shortcoming ……. and if one fails, at least fails while daring greatly….”
School Uniform, Term Two
Term Two is when the school Winter Uniform is worn. We always have a two-week transition period. However, by the start of Week 3 all students need to be wearing the Winter Uniform. If you are unsure of any school uniform requirements, please speak with your child’s class teacher, or the Front Office.
If waning to purchase a uniform item from the second-hand uniform shop, the usual hours are Thursday afternoons, from 2:30 – 3:15pm, and Friday mornings, from 8:30 – 9:15am. Lastly, if you have any school uniform items that are no longer required, these can be donated to the school.
Annual Parent Survey
If you could please spare a few minutes to complete the Annual Parent Survey (link underneath). A similar Staff Survey has been communicated and the Year 6 students will complete the Student Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GDQF6S8
COVID-19 Update
To keep ourselves and others safe, in line with SA Health, please ensure you:
- continue to have your child focus on good hygiene and hand washing;
- do not enter classrooms when children are present (unless absolutely necessary), and in which case, please wear a face mask;
- wear a mask when indoors (as this rule still applies in schools for the time-being);
- keep your child(ren) home when they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms and have your child tested, notifying us as soon as possible if your child does test positive for COVID-19; and
- please note that from Saturday 30 April 2022, asymptomatic close contacts no longer are required to quarantine, but instead are required to take 5 Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) over seven days. This means staff and students who are asymptomatic close contacts may continue to attend school, though anyone over the age of 12 is required to wear a mask. Close contacts who develop symptoms are still required to get a PCR test and isolate until a negative result is received.
Traffic Study
I have been approached by the City of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters, to promote a traffic study about student safety. The purpose of the study is to develop an integrated transport system that meets the needs of the residents and visitors as pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and public transport users, and to support more liveable and sustainable neighbourhoods.
If you are interested in participating in this traffic study, please click on the link here, and follow the directions as asked: https://npsp.mysocialpinpoint.com/may2022/map#/
Congratulations
I share with you the following ‘good news’ and offer my best wishes to the Heitmann family (Dallas, 2W) on the birth of a baby girl, ‘Elsie’.
Mother’s Day, Sunday 8 May
I wish all the mums, carers, grandmothers and significant women in our community a splendid Mother’s Day this Sunday. Hoping you will be spoilt and share quality time with your loved ones.
Lastly, a big thank you to Aly Giannitto who organised the wonderful Mother’s Day Stall for the community, and also to her helpers on the day.
Wishing you well,
Simon Mechis
bookings must be made each week via Qkr App.
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