Making decisions, staying safe and focussing on our strengths

Successful Meet the Principal/Meet the Teacher evening
On Monday evening our new Principal Mr Jonathan Walter appreciated the opportunity to share his vision for Carey, articulating his thoughts on the shifting paradigm in education. The move to prioritise depth in learning beyond just content, the need to provide multiple pathways for our students and importance of focussing on a student’s strengths, not just their deficits, resonated strongly with parents and teachers alike.

Our teachers from Prep to Year 6 also enjoyed the opportunity to meet with parents to share thoughts and exchange information about the year ahead. Parents learnt more about the curriculum and at the same time had the chance to chat and get to know each other better.

This process is an important part of our comprehensive, proactive communication policy. Direct access to teachers will always be the best way to keep in touch, but in addition to these conversations, you can also stay in the loop by becoming involved on campus where you can, reading the School’s various publications, linking into CANVAS and, of course, accessing our online newsletter. Rest assured we will respond promptly to any communications.

Decision Making – Child Safety
As teachers, parents and carers we often worry about the decisions that children and young people make. Decision-making is a skill that requires the ability to:

• Recognise the thoughts and feelings
• Consider the consequences
• Choose the best course of action

Decision making is a highly valued faculty leading to resilience, achievement, responsibility and the ability to stay safe. This week we focussed on providing clear messages about recognising thoughts and feelings and responding appropriately in an effort to maintain our own personal safety. We stressed that everyone has the right to feel safe at all times – at school, at home, at sport – indeed, everywhere.

The key messages we teach students about their own safety are:

• There will be times when you might feel upset, sad, confused or unsafe, but you have the right to ask for help.
• You need to identify your network of people who can help you feel safe.
• NOTHING is so awful that we can’t talk about it with someone – someone you trust.

For parents who are keen to support their children as they develop these important life skills, I encourage you to tap into the resources published by Michael Grose, a well-known speaker, author and educator in the field of childhood and adolescent development.

Donvale Prep to Year 6 Parent/Teacher Information Sharing Sessions
Earlier this week, Prep to Year 6 parents received an email to access the new web version of EDVAL for booking online a Parent/Teacher Information Sharing session. Parents will only be able to book an interview up until 10.00am Monday 24 February.

Information Sharing Sessions are on Monday 24 February, Tuesday 25 February and Thursday 27 February.

These meetings will be 15 minutes in duration. Students do not attend these meetings.

Should you have any difficulty managing your schedule by the online interface, please direct your inquiries to Deb McAlister on 8877 8500 or donvale@carey.com.au

Please note that some parents would have recently been invited to a PSG (Program Support Meeting) and this will replace the need to book an interview online.

Steve Wilson
Head of Junior School Donvale