Dear Parents and Carers,

Pacific Boy choir Academy

We were very fortunate to have the Pacific Boychoir perform at the school last week. The PBA is a boys school in California – the only North American boychoir school outside of the East Coast, PBA offers unique and rigorous academic programs and choral training, producing confident, engaged young scholars and artists. PBA is a richly diverse community, focusing on excellence in academics and music education. (from their website).

The boys performed for an hour and sang a range of songs-classical , pop, blues, show tunes, rock n roll. Some songs were accompanied by piano or guitar, and others a capella (no accompaniment).

Our students were very impressed by the singing, as were the staff. The singing was powerful and inspiring. We were privileged to have the Pacific Boychoir at Heatherhill and it was through The Song Room’s generosity that it was made possible. Heatherhill was their first performance in Australia for 15 years and the only school the choir will visit in their three week tour. They will also perform in Shepparton, Tatura, Canberra, Sydney and Newcastle.

We welcome Miss Chantal Walker, a new teacher in the Senior School. Miss Walker is settling in well and has been made to feel very welcome by our Senior School students.

The NED Show will be performed for our students on Friday morning at 9:15. The NED Show focuses on three important messages - Never Give Up, Encourage Others, Do Your Best, storytelling, magic, humour and yo-yo tricks.

Parents are very welcome to attend.

NED means:

• Never give up,
• Encourage others,
• Do your best

The NED Show is free, however, to make it free for schools, the NED Show sells yo-yos. The yo-yos cost $8, $15, $20. It is not compulsory to purchase the yo-yos, but they will be on sale for one week. Money should be brought to school with the order form that will be sent home this week.

The NED Show website has many activities that families can share at home. www.thenedshow.com/parents.html

School Council has approved a change in date to MONDAY, AUGUST 29. I apologise for any inconvenience that the change in date may have caused.

There are vacancies for Prep 2017. If your child, niece, nephew, cousin, neighbour, turns five years of age by April 30, 2017, he/she is ready to be enrolled at school. Please come to the school to enrol your little one.

The wearing of school uniform is compulsory at Heatherhill. The school uniform creates an identity that unites our school community.

I have noticed recently that some children are coming to school with different coloured shirts, jumpers, jackets, leggings, pants, head scarves and scarves.

I am mindful that many students wish to observe their religious and cultural practices of wearing head scarves or turbans. I fully support this and ask that the turbans and head scarves that are worn to school are the the school colours, navy blue or light blue.

Thank you to the parents and carers who support the school and the identity we wish to create and maintain, by ensuring that their children are dressed in the school uniform colours.

Best wishes,
Mary Verwey
Principal

Italian Republic Day Celebrations

Last term on Thursday, 2nd of June we celebrated 'Italian Republic Day'. Thank you to all the students, parents and staff who supported this special day. Many of the students and staff came dressed in the colours representing Italy's National flag or sports - red, green, white or blue. Many of the students enjoyed eating the delicious pizzas and the Baby Gelati cones. A special thank you to our Canteen Manager, Mrs Ann Ford, for organising the special pizza lunch day. On Friday, 10th June we watched the fantastic comedy show 'La Festa' (The Festival) to learn more about the Italian culture.

Molto Grazie! (Many Thanks!)
Ms Maria Zaban
Italian Specialist Teacher

Hello everyone,

Welcome back to Term 3, I hope everyone had a wonderful break!

Firstly, I want to welcome Nithil and Dinadee in after school care.

Last week, we enjoyed exploring many activities. The children enjoyed collage pasting and they also made colourful healthy-eating pyramid placemats.

We did recycled construction and made mazes with paper plates and icy pole sticks. In dramatic play the children were involved in shop setting and enjoyed buying and selling grocery products and learning about money.

We also played team games Scare Crow, Octopus, Soccer, Tennis and board games too.

Kind regards,
Nilima

Our Extend Superstar is: Kevin for showing great creativity in art. Well done Kevin!

Monday 25 July:
Dot Painting
Tuesday 26 July:
Pasta Butterfly Craft
Wednesday 27 July:
Origami
Thursday 28 July:
Science Experiment: Sound Waves
Friday 29 July:
Making Healthy Sandwiches

PARENT PORTAL: extend.com.au

Help your child beat bullying

Bullying is common despite heightened public awareness. Recent research shows that 67 percent of children experience bullying at some stage.

Bullying transgresses a child's fundamental right to feel safe and secure. It is the selective, uninvited, intentional, often repeated oppression of one person by another person or group. It can happen at school, within the neighbourhood and, in some cases, within a family.

Children can be bullied in a number of ways - physically, verbally or through exclusion. Both boys and girls can bully although girls are more likely to use verbal means and exclusion, while boys are more likely to use physical means.

When a child is bullied he or she generally feels powerless and lacks the ability to fend for himself or herself. A child who is bullied over a long period of time can experience significant long term effects, including: learning, peer group relations and self-esteem.

Children who are bullied generally need help. They need someone to believe their story. If you suspect your child is being bullied take him or her seriously.

Sometimes the only thing a child wants is the knowledge they have their parents' support.

Gain a clear picture of what happens and help your child identify any behaviour, such as playing alone or annoying others, that may contribute to the bullying.

If appropriate, provide your child with some ideas based on the information you have gathered that will reduce the likelihood of being bullied. Resist the emotive reaction to confront the bullies yourself as this often cases an escalation and invites retaliation.

Bullying is best handled in partnership between parents and the school or other institution. Present your concerns to the relevant teacher or professional so that you can find a joint solution to the problem.

Quick Parenting Quiz

1. Effective ways to teach your chil how to handle a bully are:

2. Bullying peaks at age seven and decreases as children get older.

True or false

Answers: 1 b) c) d)
2. False. Bullying others is problematic around the age of nine or ten and peaks at thirteen and fourteen years of age. It declines towards the later years.

Vitamins for parents

Do you know the warning signs of bullying? They include:

Bright idea

Teach your child to take the sail away from the wind of a bully

Children need to react in positive rather than fearful or whining ways when they are teased. It is useful for children to have a comeback line that they can use that negates teasing or bullying tactics. For instance, a child who is teased about her appearance may reply, "Thanks for your opinion, but I happen to think otherwise." Your child should practise their comeback line at home using strong body language, good eye contact and a firm voice.

Wise and Witty Words

"Today we have somehow lost touch with the wisdom....that mothers can and do have a profound impact on the emotional lives of boys, an impact that lasts a lifetime."
William Pollack

All feelings are acceptable. Certain actions must be limited."
Faber and Mazlish

For more great ideas to help you raise happy, resilient kids visit: www.parentingideas.com.au

Parenting Ideas published by Michael Grose (03) 5983 1798. All rights reserved.

Newsletter week ending 21st July, 2016.