Deputy Principal's Post
Can I suggest that you instead ask your child a different, but much more relevant question, at the end of the day or over dinner, “What did you learn today?” The question “What did you learn today?” requires students to deeply think about their day and share with you what they learnt in a more meaningful way.
As a parent I have started to ask this question and have been pleasantly surprised with the dialogue that my children have engaged in as a result of changing the question. I encourage you to ask this question from time to time and see if you too find that this question provides an avenue for you to discuss your child’s understanding of what they are learning, rather than listening to a list of things they did throughout the day.
Parents/carers who are wishing to learn more about the assessments or who would like to assist their student/s to prepare for the technical requirements of the assessments can find more information at the below hyperlinks:
PBL & Social-Emotional Learning
Craigslea State School is a Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL) school. PBL is a whole school approach for creating a positive, safe and supportive school environment in which students can learn and develop. This approach involves the school community working together.
PBL is implemented to improve the learning and well-being of all students in all school settings. The entire school, including the classrooms, tuckshop, oval, playgrounds, swimming pool and school grounds, are all considered part of the total learning environment.
Each fortnight on parade, we introduce the following fortnight’s behaviour focus for the whole school. During the next fortnight, students spend time in class discussing the expectation and doing activities related to the expectation.
The focus for the fortnight is:
It is important for all children to be safe whilst at school, this also includes before school and after school.
Being in the right place before school means:
Prep and Year 1 wait with the teacher aide in the Year 1 shed – Teacher Aides will dismiss Year 1 when it is time for class and walk the preps to class.
Year 2 and 3 students wait in the 2/3Covered Play Area (CPA) and Year 4, 5 and 6 students wait in the 6Covered Play Area (CPA).
At the right time means:
Our wonderful students do not need to be at school prior to 8:40am unless they are attending OSHC or a before school activity such as running club, book club, chess or band practice.
There is a bell that rings at 8:55am, which is a signal to grab their bag and head off to their class, ready to begin their day.
Doing the right thing means:
Prior to 8:40am waiting and sitting quietly in the Year 1 shed, 2/3CPA or 6CPA. No play at this time.
At 8:40am, when the bell rings:
Prep and Year 1 children may get up and move about and play in the shed or on the grass outside the shed. NO play on the equipment.
Year 2 and 3 children may get up and move about and play in the 2/3CPA. NO play around buildings.
Year 4, 5 and 6 children may get up and move about and play in the 6CPA and cool courts.
All children can go to the hub or office to hand in notes etc.
The area between and the Year 1, Year 2 and Year 3 classrooms and the Kubbi is out of bounds.
Running/chasing or tackling games are not appropriate play before school.
At 8:55am, when the bell rings, we strongly encourage children to visit the bathroom and get a drink on the way to their class.
After school, it is an expectation that children head straight to their pickup spot and head straight home. There is NO play on equipment or around buildings. If any child is still waiting to be picked up after 3:15pm, they will be taken to the office and families contacted.
Explicitly teaching children these expectations help us to create a safe environment for everyone before school and everyone understands that they need to be in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing before school and after school.
BridgeBuilders
Peer Mediators
Yesterday, Thursday 23 February, our 2023 group of Peer Mediators had their day of intensive training in preparation for their important roles in working with children in the playground. Jocelyne Chirnside, program developer and trainer from BridgeBuilders, was glowing of the group of Year 6s who worked with her.
Our mediators will head out next week into the Prep, Year 1 and Year 2/3 playgrounds. Peer mediators are tasked with the responsibility of guiding children through the process of conflict resolution when they encounter problems in the playground. They only deal with the small conflict - friendship issues, game disagreements etc. Anything major such as physical or strong verbal misconduct will be referred to an adult on duty. Our Peer Mediators can be identified in the playground by the yellow hi-vis vest they wear.
Please talk about the Peer mediators - commonly known as the Bridge Builders - with your child at home. Building familiarity by talking about it means they are more likely to seek help and ultimately build their conflict resolution skills.
Teachers of Years Prep, 1, 5 and 5/6 have almost set up the Bridge Builders online learning program. There will be some explicit teaching around the lessons in class time with follow-up in homework time. I have heard a number of stories where families have adopted the language and strategies with great success. Spending time with your child as they work through the follow-up learning really helps set them up with successful conflict resolution skills.
Our Year 2, 3, 4 and 6 students who are not subscribed to the online learning will continue to receive explicit teaching on a fortnightly basis. This includes proactive learning, as well as responsive teaching of skills.
Staff Learning
As we are all lifelong learners, our staff were engaged in their own learning this week. Teachers participated in a workshop run by our Metro Regional Behaviour Hub and presented by our External PBL Coach, Jo French, called Calming the Crisis.
This was a great opportunity to reflect on and learn more about how and why students behave the way they do. Learning and discussions focused on:
- Identifying a range of responses to student behaviour.
- Identifying non-verbal and verbal techniques that help prevent or de-escalate inappropriate student behaviour to minimise a crisis occurring.
- Understanding the importance of looking after yourself in order to maintain and provide optimal support to complex students in your care.
Active School Travel
Walking Wheeling Wednesdays are BACK!!
Wednesdays at Craigslea SS are Walking, Wheeling Wednesdays, and they’re back for 2023!!! Walking, Wheeling, Wednesdays are our day to actively travel to school to help increase physical activity for kids as well as reduce congestion on the roads around our school. This is a part of the Brisbane City Council’s initiative – Active School Travel or AST for short.
In 2022, Craigslea SS won school of the year for our work on Walking, Wheeling Wednesdays, a big effort from everyone involved. In 2023, we are hoping to have another amazing year of active travel.
Wednesday last week, was our first special Walking Wheeling Wednesday for the year. It was our Healthy Hearts, Happy Hearts Walk and what a wonderful morning it was. Our next special AST day will be Wednesday 8 March where we will be doing a litter walk as a part of Clean Up Australia.
We know that everyone is different, and there are many ways you can actively travel to school. How will you actively travel next Wednesday?
Sarah Abdy & Natalie Marhinin