WORDS MATTER

 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.".” 

Joshua 1:9

Recently I read an article about encouraging children effectively (without side effects). I wondered if there were side effects of encouragement. The article is from Parenting Brain and is entitled How to Praise a Child With Words (29 Examples) and accessible at https://www.parentingforbrain.com/words-of-encouragement-for-kids/

It is important as a parent, teacher or adult to give words of encouragement or praise to children. It builds their self esteem, increases intrinsic motivation and enhances perseverance. In any given day our students, your children receive many words of encouragement in many areas of their schooling. Encouraging words can encourage good manners, improve concentration, enhance sporting efforts, build relationships and create opportunities. St Bede’s is a very positive environment where teachers provide encouragement, but our students are very caring and encourage others. 

Of course this form of encouragement continues at home and after school activities such as piano lessons, touch football or after school care. Essentially, encouragement comes in many forms and is everywhere.

The article further suggests that not all words of encouragement are equal and the key to encouragement is how and when children are praised.

Here are 7 tips on using words of encouragement for kids effectively.

1. Praise Sincerely and Honestly
2. Be specific and Descriptive
3. Praise their Effort and the Process (not their ability)
4. Avoid Controlling or Conditional Praise
5. Avoid Comparison Praise
6. Avoid Easy-Task Praise or Over-Praise
7. Be Spontaneous

In Kindergarten and other grades at St Bede’s, children talk about filling each other’s ‘buckets’. Being a bucket filler is about being positive and encouraging to others. Let’s all be bucket fillers and people of encouragement to create a positive environment where all are valued and encouraged.

Regards

Andrew

It was so amazing to be back to a more ‘normal’ Book Week for the first time in a few years! We have had such a fantastic week celebrating books, starting with our Book Character Parade on Tuesday, where despite the very wet conditions, everyone in the school went above and beyond to come dressed in magnificent costumes based on their favourite books. We all agreed that the costumes this year were the best yet, with students choosing characters from a wide range of books – it was a real joy to see how proud they all were up on stage! Our parade was followed by our annual Book Fair. Thanks to all the families who supported our Book Fair, we managed to raise an outstanding $1100 for the school which will go towards purchasing books for classrooms and the library.

We finished up the week with a visit from Duncan Smith OAM and his daughter Jakida. Duncan read his new book, “We Are Australians”, and taught the students about aboriginal culture using stories, dances, art and music.  The students were so engaged in the sessions and we all learnt so much. Duncan would also love you to chat to your children about what they learnt today. Finally, I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who made Book Week happen this year, and especially to all the parents who contributed to the Book Fair and went to all the effort organising costumes! It has been a wonderful week for books to take centre stage and to celebrate all the amazing possibilities that books create!

Congratulations to the students in Year 4 who made their First Reconciliation on Wednesday.  It was a beautiful and reverent service led by Fr Trenton.  May the seed of faith flourish in their life as they grow as people of God.

Just a reminder that St Bede's Community Mass will be held on Sunday 28 August at 9.30am at St Peter Chanel's, Yarralumla.  All are very welcome.  Please bring a plate to share for morning tea afterwards.

Michael Mangan will perform at St Bede's on Thursday 15 September. He will present a concert to all students K-6. Our students will be engaged and will sing plenty of his songs over the course of the concert. The school will fund the cost of this performance

Michael is a composer, teacher, performer and liturgist who is based in Brisbane, Australia.  A former specialist music teacher, he has composed over 250 pieces which are widely used in Liturgy and Religious Education programmes in schools and parishes throughout Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the USA. His compositions are known for their "singability" and suitability for liturgical celebrations, especially with children.

His vibrant liturgical music leadership sees him regularly engaged as a Musical Director and Liturgy Consultant for major national and international Church and Catholic Education conferences and events. 

Michael's qualifications include: BA (Music), GradDipEd (Arts Ed), MTheol (Liturgical Studies).  He is National Chair of the Australian Pastoral Musicians Network, a member of the Australian Academy of Liturgy and on the editorial board of the journal, "Pastoral Liturgy." Michael is honoured to lead the Music Ministry team at All Saints Catholic Parish, Albany Creek  (Brisbane, Australia.)

St Bede's values the role of technology as a learning tool and appreciates that learning can be enhanced by the effective integration of technology across learning areas. We are currently reviewing the role of technology and developing a new streategy for St Bede's. The review will investigate:

• Technology as a learning tool;
• Skills-students and teachers;
• Devices;
• Financing technology;
• IT support.

As such, St Bede's will acquire a class set of Chromebooks for students to be utilised with students during lessons. This will add the the banks of iPads (K-2) and personal iPads (3-6).

We ask that Year 2 parents do not purchase an iPad or any other device at this stage in preparation for Year 3, 2023.

As previously advised, St Bede's will have a pupil free day on Friday 9 September. Care will be available from YWCA on these days.

YWCA, who are our current before and after school providers, will provide care for students enrolled at St Bede's on those days.  Parents can enrol their child/ren by contacting YWCA on 6185 2000.  

If parents need to enrol students into before and after school care at St Bede's, the website is https://childrens-services.ywca-canberra.org.au/school-age-care/

The following students received an award in Week 6:

ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

WALK IN LOVE AND PEACE AWARDS

YEAR 6

LEADERSHIP AWARDS