Deliberate Optimism

I have been reading about the idea of ‘deliberate optimism’. With all that is happening globally, (and I must add my experience is trivial compared with the horrific realities for the people caught up in conflicts as well as family members here in Australia), with armed conflicts in Ukraine, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Sudan as well as years of a global pandemic, we can feel overwhelmed. So, in the effort to cultivate a response that is more helpful and productive, I am interested in developing strategies for our students that sustain them to build a better future for our world. After all, one of the greatest privileges of working in education, is to contribute to a more progressive society by cultivating compassionate and creative young individuals that value and contribute to their communities.

The five principles of deliberate optimism are:

1. Attitude or Dispositions: There is a lot of negativity when we turn on the news or watch a ‘reality’ tv show and on social media platforms. Couple this with the fact that we possess a hard-wired tendency to have a negative bias- The negative bias is our tendency to register negative stimuli more readily but also to dwell on these events. This bias means that we feel the effects of a criticism more powerfully than we feel the joy of commendation - But it doesn’t always serve a purpose. The impulse can be to chime in and get into an unproductive cycle of blame and rumination. Attitudes are contagious. So, whilst cynicism is contagious, so is hope!
2. Control: It’s important we acknowledge that some things are outside our control. Worrying about things that are beyond our control does not achieve anything and is not good for our health.
3. Find and acknowledge our power and strengths: Many of us have a lot more power than we realise. Acknowledging what we can do is much better than throwing up our hands in defeat.
4. Goal setting: The point is to do something; no matter how small. Engaging in challenging tasks brings a sense of excitement as well as a sense of accomplishment.
5. Own it! Speak up. Just as we need to support each other, we need to hold each other accountable. This always needs to be done respectfully; honesty without kindness can be harmful.

(Reference: Steve Francis).

International Women’s Day

March 8 marked International Women’s’ Day. The 2022 campaign theme is: #BreakTheBias

Imagine a gender equal world.
A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.
A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
A world where difference is valued and celebrated.
Together we can forge women's equality.
Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.

Class Dojo

A reminder to sign up for Class Dojo so you can keep up to date with your child’s learning in real time. The 5/6 team will also post from camp on a daily basis next week. Links for classes can be found on Compass or here:

Junior Team

• Prep A (Rachel's Class): https://www.classdojo.com/invite/?c=CB6YK9B 
• Prep B (Josiah’s Class): https://www.classdojo.com/invite/?c=CN5TUN9 
• 1/2A (Kathryn’s Class): https://www.classdojo.com/invite/?c=CLHSC96 
• 1/2B (Samantha’s Class): https://www.classdojo.com/invite/?c=CZ6Z68G

• 34A (Cynthia & Simon’s Class): https://www.classdojo.com/invite/?c=CRPWG7Q
• 34B (Laura’s Class): https://www.classdojo.com/invite/?c=CX6UZUR
• 34C (Sam Fenton’s Class): https://www.classdojo.com/invite/?c=CXVPZ4S

• 56A (Yasmin's Class): https://www.classdojo.com/invite/?c=C3TX8V6 
• 56B (Harriet's Class): https://www.classdojo.com/invite/?c=CCG2ZW6 
• 56C (Sam Lucas' Class): https://www.classdojo.com/invite/?c=CWEV4VY 
• 56D (Natasha's Class): https://www.classdojo.com/invite/?c=CSVHTKB 

COVID Update

We thank families for the care you are showing each other by keeping your children home when they are unwell and by undertaking the rapid antigen tests twice a week. The rapid antigen test program will continue until the end of Term 1.

Thank you to the parents and carers who have been adding details to the Student COVID reporting portal if their child is COVID positive.

We have several families being impacted by COVID at present (as are most other schools) and we cannot emphasise enough the importance of continuing to regularly administer the Rapid Antigen Tests twice a week. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any queries.

Rainbow Lap-a-thon

This whole school event is on the morning of Monday 21^st March. Students wear the colours of the rainbow and complete laps around the school for fun and health as well as raise funds for our Kitchen Garden program. Copies of sponsor sheets are in the office, or you can print directly from Compass. Prizes for participants. Parents encouraged to volunteer on the day. Contact Jo Burbidge at: jojoburbidge@yahoo.com

‘Hearts and Crosses’ Strategy during Play Breaks

We have noticed several students attending first aid without informing yard duty teachers. This is an important step to ‘triage’ ailments to ensure we can prioritise injuries and illnesses. Students are encouraged to attend first aid with a first aid cross (collected from a yard duty teacher) so Leanne can focus on attending to individual students. If the child is experiencing a relationship or play issue the yard duty teacher will be informed so that they can manage the situation. If the issue is not easily resolved, then they will receive a ‘heart card’. The student will then hand this card to their classroom teacher to address a social and/or emotional problem.



World’s Greatest Shave

Our very own Rose G. in Year 6 is participating in this year’s World Greatest Shave. Every single day, over 50 Australian families will receive a devastating blood cancer diagnosis. The money raised will provide these families with the special care and support that they need.

You will also help brilliant research scientists continue their search for better ways to diagnose and treat blood cancer more effectively, and ultimately find a cure. To support go to:

http://my.leukaemiafoundation.org.au/rosegotlib

Child Safe Policies

We are so looking forward to welcoming parents and grandparents and guardians to volunteer in the classroom and at events such as excursions and kitchen garden. The requirement to obtain a Working with Children Check where a person wants to engage in child-related work (including volunteering) is one of the key compliance measures to protect and promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people in Victoria. You can find all Yarra Primary’s child safe policies on our website, and you can apply for the check here: https://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au

School Council Declaration of Poll 2022

I am pleased to announce we received the same number of nominations as there were positions on school council. I congratulate and acknowledge School Councillors for 2022 – Peter Brace, Matt Gill, Emily Hughes and Brandi Bugh. Our staff representative is Rachel Tan. They join Mike Whitlock, Elizabeth Davis and Valetta McDonald. We warmly invite parents to come along and observe meetings. We are keen to include interested parents as a few vacancies will open next year. Our first meeting is March 21^st at 6.30pm at the school. Please contact Saraid for further details.

Yours In Partnership,

Saraid

INTRODUCTION- ANNOUNCING THAT THE KIDS ARE TAKING OVER by Lucy S

Hello fellow parents and teachers, I’d like to inform you with some very important and exciting news. 

DRUM ROLL PLEASE………. THE KIDS ARE TAKING OVER THE NEWSLETTER. 

This means that from now on you will get the kids' perspective of school.

Don’t expect any fancy words, you'll only see that from the staff at this school, oh wait… kids are taking over, never mind.

SPECIAL TALENTS SECTION by Hugo B

On 8/3/2022 I interviewed Jayden T about what he likes about tennis. 

He likes to play tennis with his cousin and his brother. He has played tennis for about a month now. 

Jayden plays it outside of school every week. He likes the sport because it is fast paced and fun to play. 

He encourages people to play the game because it’s really fun and you might pick up some new sport skills.

I hope that this has inspired you to pick up a racket and have a match with your friends!

KID’S CORNER by Hansini V 

Hi! My name is Hansini. 

I would like to turn my perspective on the first day of school. Many people might feel a bit nervous on the first day of school. Like me, I first thought it would be nerve racking, coming to a new school where I didn't know anyone,but as soon as the teacher introduced me to my classmates I felt more welcomed. 

Then I started talking to some people who supported me in different activities and I began to meet more people. 

For any new students out there don’t be afraid to make some new friends and get involved with the school community!

SVT Section by Amelia N

A week ago I interviewed Eliza.R and Amy.M about the lesson the Preps to 4s did on what it means to be a SVT and the responsibility it came with.

First they came up with a list of expectations that the SVT would be expected to do during their time serving and what they would do to represent the student voice.

After that they came up with a list of qualities the SVT would have, things like kindness and good listening qualities.And before the session ended they talked about what the SVT would look like, sound like and act like. 

It is now my pleasure to announce the new SVT’s of Yarra Primary!

Prep A: Zoe K and Dylan H

Prep B: Ollie C and Elissa M

12A: Teddy M and Charlotte R

12B: Rose S and Cleo M

34A: Saskia D and Kayla S

34B:Jaun L and Eliza R

34C: Alice M and Zoe S

Congratulations to all of you and I know you will be great Student Voice Leaders for your class.

CLASS SNAPSHOT by Sam M and Alex G

Unfortunately Sam and Alex became unwell while we were writing this newsletter so they couldn’t write for us. But we have Olive and Josh to tell us about what they've done in class!

Hi I am Olive, and I am Josh!We are from 3/4A and today we will be talking about what we have been learning.

In reading, our main goal is to make predictions about the text and what's gonna happen next.It has been a tough learning goal but very fun.

In writing we have been learning the steps to make a good narrative.

In maths we have been doing our fluid groups (groups that focus on a skill a group of children need to have some more practice on.)

And essential assessments.Thank you for reading!

CLOSING PARAGRAPH by Lucy S

Thank you for reading the first Yarra Primary School newsletter the kids wrote!

On Wednesday March 2^nd  eleven of my classmates and I went to a lawn bowls competition with our coach Sam, Bill Popi's grandfather, my dad Gary and Sam's dad Jeff, who is a very experienced lawn bowls player. The competition had us and two other teams in it, Oak park 1 and Oak Park 2.

We took advantage of our first round bye, we practised with a spare set of bowls to hone our skills, ready for the end of our bye.

When our bye ended we were facing one of the Oak Park teams (I can’t really remember which). The bowl toss which is where you roll a bowl and either call bigs or smalls, but you're probably thinking whoa whoa Aston calm down, I don't know how to play lawn bowls (if you do I apologise). Lawn bowls is a game where you roll a ball towards a smaller ball called the jack but the catch is that the ball looks different on each side, one has a small circle the other has a big. The smaller circle is waited so the ball curves making it much harder to aim it and also your goal is to get as close as possible to the jack, not hit it. Team that's closest to the jack at the end gets the end (an end is basically a point in lawn bowls).

So now you're all caught up on the fundamentals, in the bowl toss we called smalls and won which means that we get to choose how far away the jack goes. In our bye we observed that neither Oak Park 1 nor Oak Park 2 really liked bowling long ends so we put the jack long which definitely helped in the long run. Another thing I forgot to mention is that there were teams of three and a skip (who is like a captain), but altogether we make up 1 team. I was a skip along with my friends Anthony and Josh. In the first game we were playing five ends, my team and Josh’s team both won our first game but Anthony's team played two really tough games but our coach Sam helped them get back on track. I think the final score was 4-1 for my team, 3-1 for Josh's team and 2-3 for Anthony meaning we won 9-6.

The next game was much more tough, we were going up against Oak Park (still can't remember which), we won the toss again and went long. I can't really remember much of the gameplay but I remember that it was much harder. The final score was 3-2 for my team, 4-1 for Josh’s and 2-3 to Anthony's team meaning that we ultimately won 9-6. Our total score was 2 wins and 18 ends which was more than the other teams. Since we won we are through to regionals in Preston on the 23rd of March and parents are welcome to come. Lastly, some honourable mentions. I talked to the other skips and they want to highlight these people. In Josh’s team Noa for always trying his hardest, from Anthons team Popi for always consistently bowling well and from my team Joe for his great smashes. And lastly on behalf of the Yarra bowls group I would like to thank Sam, Bill, Gary, Jeff and Penny for coming with us and supportting us. I wish us luck for regionals and hope lots of parents can come and support us.

Aston - Year 6 Student

Division Swimming Competition

10 students represented Yarra at the Division Swim Comp on Monday 7th March.

3 students have qualified to swim at Regionals in 2 weeks time. Congratulations Fraser Blair, Lucy Sadler & Albert Allen. 

Lauren Thomson
Physical Education Teacher

Art News

In Visual Arts, we always start the year with a little self-reflection and a lot of self-portraits. The Year 5/6 students have amazed me with their stunning tonal drawings to create their black and white self-portraits. Wonderful work everyone!

If anyone is feeling creative and would like to come in and help in the Art room please email Justine.moore@education.vic.gov.au .  You will need a valid Working With Children Check, and proof of double vaccination to join us.

Justine Moore
Visual Arts Teacher

Upcoming Events

Further Ahead

Term Dates 2021
Term 1: 28th January - 8th April
Term 2: 26th April - 24th June
Term 3: 11th July - 16th September
Term 4: 3rd October - 20th December

Student Free Days 2022
Friday 11th March
Friday 10th June
Monday 31st October