Junior School News T2 W6 2022
FINISHING WELL
As we head into the last weeks of Term 2, I find myself reflecting on the power of our community at Faith. Together, we guide and grow your child/ren to CREATE and FLOURISH as part of the journey to become the very best “ME” that they can be. Our kids continue to show their passion, commitment, determination, courage and care each day, both inside and outside the classroom. All of this has happened because of our dedicated staff and supportive families.
Together we are part of something great, something that we call the ‘Faith Difference’. Community isn’t about everything going smoothly, it isn’t about everyday being amazing – it is about being there for one another, lifting each other up with our words and remembering that our community is our culture at Faith. Culture is not something that just happens, it is something that each and every person connected to Faith builds and is responsible for. You play an integral part in creating, building and maintaining the Faith difference. So, let’s stand with each other, inspire and encourage each other and take time to connect with one another. As you get tired of making school lunches or your child loses their hat just one more time, remember to reflect on how far they have come this year and how much they have grown. Remember to say thank you to a staff member or parent that has helped you over the past 2 terms or just been there to share a smile with you on a tough day. Remember that we have the Faith Difference because of what you do and say as part of our community every day.
CAFÉ FLOURISH PREPAID COFFEE CARDS NOW AVAILABLE AT THE OFFICE – Need a coffee after drop off? Café Flourish is open each Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning from 8:00 – 8:20am, so if you have time take a moment to connect with another parent or a new family in the school. If you find yourself never having cash or a gold coin available, pop by the office and purchase a $10 coffee card, which entitles you to 5 coffees at the cafe. We look forward to seeing you there to connect with someone before the holidays commence!
READING IS A DAILY ADVENTURE
In this rainy weather it is a great time to bring more reading and books into your family time. Here are a few tips to help find some new and interesting ways to foster a love of reading and help build comprehension of stories as well:
- Helping with Meal Time: Have your kids read recipes aloud to you while you’re cooking dinner. From ingredient lists to cooking directions, this kind of family reading will help build vocabulary, fluency…and tasty food!
- Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner? While your family is eating together, discuss what favourite book characters you would like to have over for dinner – Geronomo Silton could crave some cheese! Incorporating characters from books your child is currently reading is a delicious way to promote deep thinking about character traits and motivation.
- Story Charades : Choose a story your family knows well — like a well-read book or fairytale — and act out the beginning, middle, and end of the story. This activity helps readers re-examine and understand story lines and details.
- Who Am I? Choose one of your child’s favourite book characters, then describe his or her personality traits, problems, and physical descriptions until she guesses the character’s identity. This game is a fun way to pass time when you’re stuck in traffic or at a bus stop.
- Reach Out and Read : Boost family reading by involving loved-ones who live far away. Using Skype or another video conferencing program, have your child share a book with relatives. Make sure the book is one that your reader has read a few times already; repetition is a fantastic way to enhance reading skills. Younger readers love to show-off their fluency, and oral reading builds confidence. Grandma will be thrilled as well.
- Kid Karaoke : Download songs and their lyrics for a family karaoke night. Seeing words and singing them at the same time is a fun way to develop vocabulary…and practice your singing voice!
NATIONAL SIMULTANEOUS STORYTIME
This week we took part in National Simultaneous Storytime. It was a fabulous moment where our school day paused, read stories together and connected as we engaged in activities to help us understand what we had read together. Reading is a fabulous adventure that connects students and adults of all ages – a definite highlight of the week this week!
Jodi Blackwell
Head of Junior School
