Optimism is not just about being positive
Steve Francis (author and expert in school leadership and work-life satisfaction) argues that positive thinking doesn't just mean that you keep your head in the sand and ignore life's less pleasant situations. Rather, positive thinking is more about approaching unpleasantness in a more encouraging and productive way. You think the best is going to happen, not the worst.
Positive thinking often starts with self-talk – the endless stream of unspoken thoughts that run through one’s head. These automatic thoughts can be positive or negative. Some self-talk comes from logic and reason. Other self-talk may arise from misconceptions that one creates because of a lack of information. If the thoughts that run through your head are mostly negative, your outlook on life is more likely pessimistic. If your thoughts are mostly positive, you're likely an optimist – someone who practices positive thinking. Murphy’s Law – ‘Anything that can go wrong will go wrong’, is the antithesis of optimism.
In a book called Breaking Murphy’s Law, Suzanne C. Segerstrom, a professor of psychology, explains that optimism is not about being positive so much, as it is about being motivated and persistent. Research has indicated that a propensity toward optimism is strongly influenced by genes, most likely ones that govern neurotransmitters in the brain.
However, the way someone is raised undoubtedly plays a role, too. Many parents try to bolster their children’s self-esteem by avoiding criticism and praising accomplishments, however small. Whilst endeavouring to develop confidence and encourage a lifelong can-do attitude, this can hamper the child’s resilience and ability to bounce back from setbacks. Wrapping children in cotton wool isn’t helpful. It is important that we praise effort and persistence rather than just ability.
By encouraging hard work and persistence we develop what Dr Carol Dweck describes as a ‘Growth Mindset’. With the right guidance, many of the attributes of optimism also can be learned by adults. Dr Segerstrom eschews the popular saying, ‘don’t worry, be happy’. Instead, she endorses a form of cognitive behavioural therapy, ‘act first and the right feelings will follow’. As she puts it in her book, ‘fake it until you make it’. She wrote, “People can learn to be more optimistic by acting as if they were more optimistic,” which means, being more engaged and persistent in the pursuit of goals.
If you behave more optimistically, you will be likely to keep trying instead of giving up after an initial failure. You might succeed more than you expected. Even if the additional effort is not successful, it can serve as a positive learning experience, suggesting a different way to approach a similar problem the next time it is faced. It’s important not to neglect the power of positive thinking.
Many researchers recommend taking a few minutes at the end of each day to write down three positives that happened throughout the day, ending the day on an upbeat note. This is a practice I find beneficial. I promote for you to do the same. I also advocate for this to happen with your child/ren – maybe at dinner time, or just before bed.
Ingrid Douventzidis concluding her tenure at the end of 2023
Ingrid will be completing her tenure as Deputy Principal and APRIM (Assistant Principal Religious Identity and Mission) at the end of 2023. In her 12 years at St Joseph’s Payneham, Ingrid has made significant contributions to the community. There will be opportunity to thank and farewell Ingrid in the final weeks of this year.
The appointment of a new Deputy Principal, as well as APRIM will take place in the short term. The appointment for a Deputy Principal will happen first, followed by an APRIM.
Student Reports
All Catholic Education South Australian (CESA) schools will have a new reporting format this year (commencing this semester). The Student Reports emanate from a program called SEQTA. This means the Student Reports will look different from past years. However, for our school, there are not many changes to the previous Report style. I provide a summary for you.
The new Student Report follows a comprehensive format that assesses students' academic performance and development in all learning areas as well as key capabilities. The grading scale used is as follows:
A – Your child is demonstrating excellent achievement of what is expected at this year level
B – Your child is demonstrating good achievement of what is expected at this year level
C – Your child is demonstrating satisfactory achievement of what is expected at this year level
D – Your child is demonstrating partial achievement of what is expected at this year level
E – Your child is demonstrating minimal achievement of what is expected at this year level
IE – Insufficient Evidence
Reception students are not required to receive A to E grades. Instead, their achievement continues to be reported as: Working Towards Achievement Standard, Working At Achievement Standard, Working Beyond Achievement Standard.
The Report also evaluates students' development in key capabilities, which are important skills for overall student growth. The key capabilities assessed are: Critical and Creative Thinking; Collaboration; Curiosity; Organisation; and Confidence with ICT.
Children with diverse learning needs will continue to be provided with learning opportunities that will allow them to experience success. Your child's report may include the following:
- AAS (Alternative Achievement Standard) indicates that your child has been taught their year level curriculum with adjustments; but has been assessed and reported against the achievement standard of an alternative year level.
- AYL (Accelerated Year Level) indicates that your child is accessing an accelerated year level and has been taught, assessed and reported against the year level your child has been accelerated to.
- HPC (Highly Personalised Curriculum) indicates that your child has been taught a highly personalised curriculum for one or more subjects and has been assessed and reported against the Australian Curriculum General Capabilities learning expectations.
Annual Parent/Caregiver Survey
Over the next week or so, you will receive a note with an online survey link, which will ask you to spend a few minutes to complete valuable feedback on our school’s performance during 2022. Your time to do this review is appreciated.
National Reconciliation Week
27 May to 3 June is National Reconciliation Week – a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. At its heart, reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians.
Italian and Multicultural Morning
On the Friday morning of Week 3, we celebrated the Italian culture that exists at Payneham (as Italian is the ‘Language Other Than English’ that is taught at our school). However, we also recognised and acknowledged all cultural backgrounds which make-up our community. Despite the wet weather, it was a great occasion with plenty of colour, culture and fun. Thank you to Italian teacher, Emily Parrella for organising this fantastic day for our community.
Parents and Friends (P&F) Movie Night
Thank you to those families who attended the P&F Movie Night, last Friday 26 May at the Regal Theatre. I express my appreciation to the P&F, and especially Melissa Geisler, for organising this social occasion for our community.
School Uniform
All students should now be wearing the Winter Uniform. I do ask that with your child, you pay particular attention to the following:
- shirts to be tucked in (apart from playtimes when they may come out due to physical activity);
- hair that is longer than the collar to be tied (ponytail, bun, etc.);
- jackets that are worn for extra warmth, to be plain navy blue;
- plain navy socks to be worn with school uniform; and
- plain white socks to be worn with sports uniform.
Thank you for your support in upholding the school uniform at St Joseph’s Payneham.
New School Uniform update
As has been indicated, from 2024 St Joseph’s Payneham will be endorsing a new school uniform. The Uniform Committee, together with the School Board have been working through this process. The new uniform will be ready for purchasing later in the year. There will be a transition period from the current uniform to the new. Further details will be released in due course.
Student Free Day, Friday 9 June
As per the Term Two School Calendar, there is a Student Free Day scheduled for Friday 9 June. Staff will be involved in professional learning on this day. OSHC will be available – please use the usual processes for booking if your child requires care.
Building and Infrastructure update
Stage 1
The Stage 1 build (which will house Reception and Year 1 students) is continuing to progress well. Completion of this project will be later this year.
84 Portrush Road
The construction of the car park on the corner allotment of Tarcoma Avenue and Portrush Road commenced in late March. The development should be completed in the coming months.
Pedestrian fencing at the Portrush Road crossing
There has been an upgrade to the pedestrian fencing at the Portrush Road crossing. The Department for Transport were able to extend the new fence on both sides of Portrush Road and there is now a new fence, 1.2 metres in height.
Condolences
I extend my sympathises to:
- the Forte family (Karina, OSHC Director and Christian, 1TC) on the passing of their father-in-law and grandfather;
- the Baans family (Nicole, Preschool teacher and George + Henry, PS Kanga group) on the passing of their father-in-law and grandfather;
- the Cavaiuolo family (Cleo, 5AS) on the passing of her paternal grandfather;
- the Saoji family (Esha, 2SW) on the passing of her grandfather;
- the Cirocco family (Addison, 1SP) on the passing of her maternal grandmother;
- the Braiotta and Forte families (Noah, 1DC and Valentina, 1MP) on the passing of their great grandfather; and
- the Marroncelli family (Nadia, 2TM) on the passing of her paternal grandfather.
Wishing you well!
Simon Mechis
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