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SILKWOOD NEWSLETTER 3 NOVEMBER 2017 1 | P a g e
39 Shepherd Hill Lane, Mount Nathan QLD 4211 PO Box 760, Nerang 4211 Phone: 07 5655 0300 [email protected] www.silkwood.qld.edu.au
Vision
A community supporting young people to realise their potential: forever learning, forever teaching, in the service of humanity.
Mission
To provide a unique, learning-centred environment that progresses young people through an integrated and developmental approach to education.
Through meaningful student engagement in learning, we aspire to develop interpersonal, intrapersonal, physical and cognitive competencies, empowering young people to lead purposeful, fulfilling lives.
QUICK SCHOOL CONTACTS
Student Absentee Notification P: 5655 0300 before 8.30am E: [email protected]
School Fee Account Enquiries E: [email protected]
Outside Hours School Care – Bookings/Enquiries P: 0475 824 342 E: [email protected]
Class Matters Please contact your Class Teacher or Syndicate Learning Manager through the School Portal
ABSENCES FROM SCHOOL
Parents are asked to telephone the School before 8.30am on the morning of absence on 5655 0300 or email [email protected].
Unexplained absences will be investigated. The School requires a medical certificate when a student is absent due to illness for three or more consecutive days.
What’s coming up at Silkwood?
Thursday, 9 November Blue Light Toxicity Parent Information Session 6.30pm – 8.00pm @ Main Hall, Nerang Bicentennial Centre
Tuesday, 14 November Screen Safety and Innovation Meeting 9.00am @ Hinze Dam Café – all welcome!
Wednesday, 22 November Summer Music Concert 5.30pm – 7.00pm @ Bellevue Park Primary School
Thursday, 23 November SWAY - The Silkwood Way Annual Yarning 6.00pm – 8.00pm @ (venue to be advised)
Thursday, 7 December Last day of Term 4 Summer Festivals – information to be provided soon
Tuesday, 30 January First day of Term 1, 2018
SWAY - THE SILKWOOD WAY ANNUAL YARNING
Being an innovative learning environment, we are constantly working on the edge of new educational ideas. This naturally creates an evolving and changing learning program.
To help our families keep up to date with changes, we are establishing a parent information refresher course we are calling SWAY - The Silkwood Way Annual Yarning. This will give us an opportunity to explain in more depth the rationale behind changes and how it aligns to the school vision and give you a chance to discuss changes with us.
This year we have launched our own Teaching and Learning framework which clearly defines The Silkwood Way. We have not had this before and in developing this for our community we have incorporated the advisory approach and student passion/interest learning of the Big Picture design into our Primary School learning model. These are new additions to our approach, so we would like to invite families who have not attended one of our Parent Introductory Courses (PIC) this year to come to our first ever SWAY course.
TIME: 6.00 – 8.00pm
WHEN: Thursday, 23 November
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL: Contact the School Office [email protected] / 5655 0300
We have begun some small steps with integrating these new student-centred approaches this year. However, in 2018 we are integrating this more fully in Years 1 – 6, so it is important for our Primary School families who have not attended a PIC course this year to come along.
Issue 2 – Term 4 , 2017
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CLASSES IN THE SPOTLIGHT THIS ISSUE…
YEAR 1 WATTLE NEWS
What have we been up to…
We have finished our Aboriginal Animal Tales last week. We enjoyed the challenge of string games and making animal sounds on the clap sticks for our friends to guess. After echoes that our recorder song was too tricky, it was lovely to see the children master Frѐre Jacques, a great lesson in persistence.
In Math, we have been learning how to measure with non-standard units. We incorporated this with our fairy tale theme by growing beans for Jack that we will measure, and also measuring out the capacity of bowls for Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
In English, we are writing our own stories. For inspiration, we went on an interactive story walk and listened to Rosie’s Walk. We were then able to identify the plot. We have been investigating letters that are rule breakers and make sounds other than their own, such as the ‘o’ in come. We have created our own word jail for the words. We are always on the lookout for words that break the rules to add to our jail!
Thankfully, it is not too hot in the mornings for our HPE lessons. We are working through athletic skills. This week we tackled long jump and practised landing on two feet. Next week we are trying hurdles.
In our water unit, we have been doing a variety of experiments. We investigated how rain falls through clouds. We collected water from leaves, created precipitation and made a cloud. The class are enjoying choosing the adventures for Whizzy the Waterdrop to follow.
REMINDERS
It is important to arrive to school on time. Our reading occurs at 8:30am.
Please continue to bring in sight word folders.
Kyra
YEAR 3 NEWS
What a wonderful start to the term Year 3 has had so far. In English, we have been delving deep into our Poetry Unit and exploring different forms of poetry including limericks and quatrains. We have also been experimenting with literary devices such as onomatopoeia and alliteration to bring our poems to life. We have just about mastered the art of telling time to the minute in our Math sessions, so this week we have moved on to measuring length and presenting the data we have collected into graphs.
We thoroughly enjoyed our Wisdom of the Great Spirit Integrated Unit. Some of the highlights have been our totem art workshop and dream catcher making. On Thursday, we kick off our Dwellings Unit with an overnight excursion to Midginbil Hill. We can’t wait!
We have also produced some beautiful artwork this term by combining our observational drawing skills with watercolour to create monochrome landscapes and watercolour butterflies.
Courtney, Lou, Steff and Kate
YEAR 6 NEWS
It is hard to believe we have just a few weeks left in Year 6 this year, but we are certainly going out of 2017 in style with a jam-packed itinerary.
Our Year 6 students are preparing themselves for the transition to our High School and will consequently be attending our Transition Camp in Week 9. Our Transition Camp presents some challenges and opportunities for students to practice a number of problem solving skills, communication skills and build resilience. The perfect way to finish our year!
The students have been participating in our Interacting with Chemistry Integrated Unit, which has seen them observing, questioning and experimenting with elements and states of matter. This week they trade in their Scientist hats for Armour and Shields as they delve into the World of the Medieval Crusades. Rules, regulations and political overthrows…oh the injustice of it all!
In Proficiency, our students have been diligently working through their individual programs on Maths Pathways. In addition to this, students have been applying their understanding of Measurement, Number and Money to establish and maintain their own Theme Parks. There are some very interesting designs going on!
Year 6 has also been utilising their innate love of drama and honing their use of figurative language devices in our Term 4 Poetry Unit. We are looking forward to seeing their published pieces of work at the end of term.
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Our experiential phase in Term 4 is action packed in Year 6. Students have been working on numerous design challenges as part of our STEM Unit, encouraging students to unleash their creativity and develop Science and engineering skills. We have also been developing our Genius Hour projects, creating String Art and enjoy a musical ‘Jam Session’. We even manage to sneak in some Paddle Boarding to sharpen our balance and core in HPE (It’s also ridiculously good fun).
We are thoroughly looking forward to the remainder of 2017!
Nikki, Janaya and Rhys
YEAR 11 NEWS
Week 1 of Term 4 kicked off with a whole class excursion to the Pop-Up Globe Theatre production of Othello in Melbourne. This was a spectacular culminating event in the English Authority Shakespeare study that the students had completed in Term 3. It was a wonderful opportunity for the students to see a professional theatre production and consolidate their understanding of the play.
The Year 11 cohort is especially proud of Harry who is going to be one of the Commonwealth Games baton bearers. Harry’s impressive résumé of extensive community volunteer work saw him become a very worthy recipient of this honour. In fact, he was invited onto the podium to rub shoulders with the Premier and other dignitaries at the official ceremony to announce baton bearers.
The students have begun a series of optional workshops as part of their learning program including Jamie Oliver’s Ministry of Food, politics, financial literacy and wood-fired pizza oven construction.
A recent highlight for Year 11 was to join Year 12s in a special pop-up workshop in “Futures Mapping” facilitated by Relative Creative who are preparing an exciting, experimental, speculative, critical and futures-oriented project called, “See Change Sand Tracks” which will premiere at Festival 2018 during the Commonwealth Games. Students were challenged to use sand and paint to map their ideas about the past, present and future in relation to important global issues.
Rosalie
NON-STATE SCHOOLS TRANSPORT ASSISTANCE SCHEME (NSSTAS)
The Non-State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme (NSSTAS) Committee have set the new weekly threshold for Semester 1, 2018.
The Non-State Schools Transport Assistance program aims to provide financial assistance to families who pay more than a nominated weekly threshold on eligible bus/ferry fares to transport their students to a non-state school located outside the Brisbane City Council boundary.
The weekly threshold for Semester 1 in 2018 has been set to: $20 per week per family (or $15 per concession family - those applicants who hold a current Health Care, Pensioner or Veterans’ Affairs card).
The Guidelines for eligibility for the Bus Fare Assistance Program are available at: https://www.schooltransport.com.au/docs/BFAPGuidelines20170119V2.pdf .
Further information about the scheme in general is available from www.SchoolTransport.com.au
SUMMER MUSIC CONCERT
Join us for a heart-warming inspiring concert, performed by our talented Silkwood students
Wednesday, 22 November 5.30pm – 7.00pm
@ Bellevue Park State Primary School - School Hall Slatyer Avenue, Ashmore
Come and be delighted by the wonderful groups at Silkwood as they present a diverse evening of entertainment
including all the Choirs, Intermediate and Senior String Orchestras, Year 3 Strings and Guitar Ensembles.
All music students to attend, as all choirs, orchestras (including Year 3 beginner strings) and guitars will be
performing.
Light refreshments will be available to purchase.
Thank you for your support, Melanie and Sarah
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2017 SILKWOOD BUSH DANCE
The 2017 Silkwood Bush Dance was a great success. Much fun was had by both adults and kids as we kicked our heels up to the music and calling of 'Bushland Boogie’. There was a great variety of food stalls and we came away with full tummies and exuberant from all the dancing! Thanks to all the Dads that helped with the SCCA sausage and hamburger sizzle and to the three wonderful Year 10 students who volunteered their time to sell tickets and food. We hope to see more of you there next year!
Amanda Beattie, SCCA Events Team
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SILKWOOD SPORT
As our school year winds down, we are able to reflect on what has been a great year of Sport for Silkwood School. Well done to all our students for participating in our Interschool Sport Gala days. It is so exciting to see increasing numbers of students participating in a growing number of sporting opportunities at our school.
Congratulations also to those students who represented our school with pride at District Trials and Events. We have had many of our students achieving personal success in their chosen sporting fields throughout 2017 and look forward to seeing them continue to achieve their goals in 2018.
Stude nt A ch ievements
Ryan Baker – Year 5
Congratulations to one of our Year 5 students, Ryan Baker, for his achievements in Martial Arts. Ryan recently competed at the World Championships, placing 1st in sparring and 2nd in Sword Combat, which is a fantastic achievement. Congratulations, Ryan, on your hard work and dedication paying off at the pinnacle of your sport.
Toby Cruikshank – Year 3
Our Year 3 student, Toby, trains in a local Hot Shots Tennis program and recently won a competition to travel to the Shanghai Masters Event. This awarded Toby the opportunity to meet the likes of Tennis idols, Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer. What an amazing experience!
Toby Thompson – Year 8
Congratulations to one of our Year 8 students, Toby Thompson, whose passion and commitment to biking has seen him accomplish some impressive feats this year.
Tobi’s Mountain biking achievements so far this year have been:
• 2017 Schools National MTB Champs: Gold, Silver & Bronze medals in XCR (Enduro), XCO (Olympic), XCE (Eliminator)
• 2017 MTBA National Championships: Bronze medal
• 2017 Oceania Continental MTB Champs: 4th place
• 2017 MTBA National Series (7 events across Australia): 6th place overall
• 2017 Qld MTB State Champs: 4th place
• 2017 SE Qld MTB Series: 3rd place overall
Toby trains most days before school and is a shining example of how persistence can pay off in the pursuit of your goals. Well done Toby!
What ’s on…
Surf Life Saving Sign on Although most clubs have now had their sign-on days for the 2017/2018 season, it is still not too late to join a club! Go to the Surf Life Saving QLD website to find your nearest club.
Gold Coast Active and Healthy Program The Gold Coast Active and Health Program run a wide range of various fitness, health and sporting activities for all ages. Browse through the categories to find hobbies and activities of interest all around the coast http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/community/active-healthy-program-27969.html
If you are looking for a local sporting team or event for your child
to participate in, please let me know 😊
Nikki Fields – [email protected]
WHY DO WE TEACH MUSIC?
I had the greatest day recently listening to Dr Anita Collins talk at a Professional Development day. She is a music teacher who has spent many years working alongside neuroscientists to research the effects of music on the developing brain. She is also a TED-Ed presenter and has written the following clip https://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-playing-an-instrument-benefits-your-brain-anita-collins
Since this was made, however, more evidence has been released and I would like to share some of this with you.
Did you know?
• Playing an instrument uses EVERY part of the brain simultaneously (the ONLY activity to do this).
• The skills used to learn speech, reading and writing are all developed better in those children who have had rich interactions with music.
• Piano and stringed instruments give the best outcomes for brain development. However, all aspects of music will help develop the brain. Singing in a choir also has the added benefit of increasing immunity and reducing anxiety.
• Having regular formal music lessons and playing in an ensemble for a minimum of three years will result in PERMANENT changes to the brain. Obviously, the longer the better, but after only three years, the person will experience lifelong benefits. Some of these include:
o better executive function o better memory o better reading skills o better language and communication skills o better concentration and focus o better ability to listen acutely and hear in fine detail o increased gross and fine motor skills
• Research has now proven that students who learn an instrument will be at least 25% more academically advanced at the end of their schooling than those who do not learn an instrument.
• Studies have also revealed that the benefits last until old age where there is very little memory loss or Alzheimer’s disease in those patients who learnt an instrument. In fact, they are now encouraging patients in nursing homes to start learning the violin to prevent further decline in brain health. To date, this has been 100% successful.
• People who have studied music have a physically bigger brain than non-musicians (about 30% bigger).
• Neuroscientists have described musicians as having a “super-sense” and that they experience the world differently due to the higher level of brain activity.
• Students with ADHD and other learning needs can improve their brain function considerably, without drugs, by learning an instrument.
I bet you all want to take up an instrument now and I would encourage you to do it! It is never too late to start, and the benefits are quite remarkable. It is important to note that this research applies to students in formal music lessons (learning to read music notation) and not to those people who play by ear (although I am sure there are still benefits to this). The best results are seen with a weekly music lesson, a weekly ensemble rehearsal and multiple practice sessions during the week.
SILKWOOD NEWSLETTER 3 NOVEMBER 2017 6 | P a g e
If you would like to check out more SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN evidence of why EVERY student should have a music education, then please check out the face book site “Bigger Better Brains.”
I am off home to start practicing. Have a great week 😉
Sarah Larmor
WHAT SORT OF START IS YOUR CHILD GETTING?
Just a little bit late doesn’t seem like much, but…
He / She is only
missing…
That equals…
Which is…
Over 13 years of
schooling that’s…
10 minutes per day
50 minutes per week
Nearly 1 ½ weeks per
year
Nearly ½ a year
20 minutes per day
1 hour 40 minutes per
week
Over 2 ½ weeks per
year
Nearly 1 year
Half an hour per
day
Half a day per week
4 weeks per year
Nearly 1 ½ years
1 hour per day
1 day per week
8 weeks per year
Over 2 ½ years
Did you know your child’s best learning time is at the start of the school day?
That’s when every minute counts most!
SCCA SCREEN SAFETY AND INNOVATION UPDATE
We had a great turnout for the Brett Lee Cybersafety Course for Silkwood Parents last week – a huge thank you to every parent who attended and is making a difference with keeping our children safe with technology! Thank you also to the SCCA for funding and organising this very important event. Brett shared an amazing resource he uses for his own family of four children that installs parental controls on six devices and up to three children in and out of the home until the age of 18 years of age. If your child has their own laptop, phone, or devices that are connected to the internet and you don’t have parental controls installed on all of them, we highly recommend checking out FAMILY ZONE, it only costs $49 a year for the full program and also comes with an amazing booklet of contracts, checklists, and practical guidelines to help your family stay informed and set boundaries with the internet. www.internetsafeeducation.com/familyzone/
The Workshop was recorded, so his wisdom and practical tips can be seen again (click link below to watch the 45 minute video). If you would like copies of the handouts from the night, please email SCCA Secretary [email protected]
Brett Lee Internet Safety Talk You can also stream his free pre-recorded webinar here Embracing an online world - understanding and managing the risk.
Next SSI Parent Information Session: Blue Light Toxicity - What is it and how can we reduce our exposure? Please come and learn more about this important topic which affects anyone using a screen.
Thursday, 9 November – 6.30pm – 8.00pm Main Hall, Nerang Bicentennial Centre
Please come along to our next SSI meeting:
• Tuesday, 14 November, 9.00am @ Hinze Dam Café.
Please email [email protected] to receive SSI updates by email.
Join the SSI Facebook page to keep up to date with the Silkwood SSI conversation and the latest news and research about technology and children from around the world.
2017 PARENT BUSINESS DIRECTORY
Click here to view the current directory and to access an application form to advertise in the directory.
SILKWOOD NEWSLETTER 3 NOVEMBER 2017 7 | P a g e
COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD
DISCLAIMER
The advertising sections of this newsletter have been submitted by individuals. Silkwood School does not take any responsibility for the content. The opinions expressed in the advertisements and notices do not necessarily represent the views of the school.
CARPOOLING WANTED
Please contact the school office to advertise if you are looking for someone to carpool with in your area – [email protected]
Broadbea ch Wa ters area or surrounds We are new to Silkwood and looking to carpool with families in the Broadbeach Waters area or surrounds. Please contact Denise - [email protected]
Mummy of a Pr eppy s tar t ing 2018 needs your he lp
• Do you live in or near Ormeau?
• Do you pick up your kiddies up in the afternoon?
• Do you have a spare seat in the car?
Due to work commitments, I am looking for anyone who lives in or near Ormeau that can help a couple of days a week to bring my little boy home. If you can help or know someone that can, could you please call me on 0405 530 129. Thank you in advance, Sommer
The Silkwood School has a Buy Swap and Sell Facebook Group where parents can sell or giveaway their second hand goods including second hand school uniforms. Please click on the link to join. This is an SCCA initiative.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/700798820062787/
Organic and Spray-free fruit and vegies from the farmers. Collect on Tuesday afternoons just around the corner from the school. Also available are sourdough breads, large range of dairy including bath products, eggs, juices, ginger beer, Kombucha, olives, broth, tea, coffees, honey, grains, salt, oils and more. You can buy everything individually or in boxes.
Visit https://www.foodconnect.com.au/about-us or contact Jo on 0433 993 917.
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Finger Prints is owner-operated and set amongst the Gold Coast Hinterland trees of Mudgeeraba with a beautiful big natural backyard. Our Qld Government Approved Kindergarten program focuses on achieving Prep - Readiness Learning Outcomes through play, sustainability practices, organic gardening, natural craft, healthy cooking (plus garden to table), cultural awareness, intentional and child focused teaching experiences.
We are currently taking enrolments for 2018…
Please visit our website www.fingerprintscentre.com.au or call Rebekah 0405 106 750
MAGIC UNITED TRIALS FOR GIRLS 2018
I would like to inform you Magic United are looking to enter girls- only teams in the following age groups:
• Under 8
• Under 9
• Under 10
• Under 11
• Under 12
• Under 13
• Under 14
• Under 15
• Under 16
Magic would like to invite interested girls to come along and have some free coaching sessions. Girls who then wish to continue can register for the Club.
More Information
Please e-mail Magic's technical director (TD) Dean Gregory - [email protected]
Trials: Venue, Times and Dates
November - Gold Coast Knights, 181 Broadbeach - Nerang Road, Carrara, 4211
Saturday, 18 November
Under 8s to Under 11s - 10:45am - 11:45am
Under 12s to Under 16s - 12:00pm to 1:00pm
*due to maintenance work, the fields at Magic are closed until December.
January - Magic United TFA, Birmingham Road, Carrara, Qld, 4211
Friday 19th and Friday 26th January
Under 8's to Under 11's - 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Under 12's to Under 16's - 5:15pm to 6:15pm
Register here: Girls 2018
Please advise if you wish to come along by clicking on the link above. The registration will allow our coaches to plan for the sessions and meet and greet players when they arrive.
Many thanks, Andrew Robinson
