Welcome to Term Two
I trust everyone enjoyed the school holidays and children are feeling refreshed and ready for the second term.
Kindness
We hear about the importance of being kind to others. We show gratitude to those who are kind to us. We feel better when we demonstrate kindness.
Soon after the tragic events which recently took place at Bondi Junction in Sydney, I heard the NSW Premier, Chris Minns, speak to the media, and one of his messages caught my attention – ‘Be kind to one another’. It sounds quite simple, but for ‘different reasons’, it doesn’t always happen.
Most days we hear of news stories involving tragedy, misfortune and even hate. However, and often not reported, there are also many stories of kindness. Affection, gentleness, warmth, concern, and care are all associated with kindness. People who are kind and compassionate are usually positive and admired.
As I have communicated previously, kindness is an interpersonal skill and can be learned through trained repetition. Being kind to others improves our well-being, connectedness and makes us happier (Lyubomirsky, 2008). There are many ways to bring about the benefits of kindness into our lives. We can be deliberately kind towards others, when we notice an opportunity, or even write down when people show kindness to us.
Another powerful way for us to foster more kindness in our lives is to think of times that we ourselves have been kind to others. In a study done by Wharton Business School (2013), people who were asked to remember the times they themselves had been kind, gave more generously to others than those people who were asked to remember times when others had been kind to them.
Recalling our actions of kindness helps us reinforce and build a vivid self-image of ourselves as a kind person. We then find ways to live up to the ‘kind person’ image and become, simply, more kind!
Parent/Teacher Interviews
A reminder about Parent/Teacher Interviews taking place in Week 2 (and Week 3) of Term Two – please refer to the letter that was recently distributed. On Monday 6 May (the start of Week 2), there will be a 1:00pm finish for students. Interviews on this day will start at 1:30pm. If you are unable to collect your child/ren early on the Monday, this is fine, as all students remaining at school will be supervised by school staff, until 3:00pm, with usual pick-up procedures in place. OSHC will also be available as per typical routine as well.
Arts Incursion
An Arts incursion, for R-6 students, by Musica Viva, called ‘Da Vinci's Apprentice’, will be occurring on Tuesday 7 May. Funding for the incursion has kindly been covered by the school’s Parents and Friends.
Mother’s Day morning with guest speaker, Friday 10 May
As has been previously advertised, on Friday 10 May, at 9:15am there will be a Mother’s Day morning for all mums and significant women in our school community. Guest speaker will be Paris Olympics bound, Jessica Stenson (nee Trengove). Jessica is a world-class long-distance runner who won the gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. She also represented Australia in the marathon event at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. Jessica is a proud South Australian and a mother of two young children. Please come along to this free event. RSVP by 6 May to info@stjopayn.catholic.edu.au if you will be attending. I thank the P&F for the support provided to host this event.
School Uniform
Wearing the correct uniform brings a great sense of belonging to the community as well as pride in one’s appearance. Let’s work together to ensure it is sustained. The start of 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 are required to be wearing the Winter Uniform. Please take note of the following:
- For the formal school uniform, either the navy formal trousers, or the navy formal shorts can be worn.
- The wool ‘v’ neck jumper or new formal jacket can be worn with the school uniform (no other parkas, jackets, etc. are to be worn).
- For the sports uniform, either the navy sport track pants, or the navy sport shorts can be worn.
- The school tie no longer needs to be worn with the uniform.
Hairstyles and Accessories
- Ribbons/Scrunchies/Head Bands – Navy Blue or in uniform fabric.
- Clips – need to be simple and plain.
- Long hair (shoulder length or longer) must be tied up at all times.
- Hair is to be clean, neat and tidy and out of the eyes.
- Streaks and hair colouring (permanent or temporary), as well as razor cuts or patterns cut into the hair are not permitted.
- Cutting/shaving/gelling of the hair that leads to a mohawk or mullet style, as well as rat tails are also not allowed.
Jewellery and Makeup
Any jewellery worn by a student to school is the responsibility of that student. The only jewellery permitted:
- Wristwatch.
- Earrings (either small sleepers or studs), and only one in each ear.
- If a student wears a chain, it must be worn inside the uniform.
- No makeup or nail polish is to be worn.
- No tattoos allowed.
Condolences
I extend my sympathies to:
- The Forte family (Christian, 2GG, Isaac, Preschool and OSHC Director, Karina), on the passing of their maternal great grandmother and grandmother, Maria.
Wishing you well!
Simon Mechis
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