Week 7 Term 4 2020
Update from Leadership
Dear Bradshaw families,
Week 7 is upon us! We are all so close to the finish line now! We’ve all been talking to students at school about how they want to reach that finish line—strong and determined, or limp and tired? We use this analogy to guide conversations about stamina and growth mind set as the year pulls to an end and we need everyone to put in that extra effort!
Our leadership team and teachers have already started the plans for next year. Ms Nyman—our amazing PE teacher, and I have worked all year to set up an Engine Room for our school. And by Engine Room I don’t mean a dark room with machinery in it. Rather, our Engine Room uses the analogy of an engine, to help students learn how to self-regulate their emotional responses. Some of you may have already heard your children say ‘my engine is running too high’ or ‘I’m so tired today, my engine is running too low’. Our engine room looks more like a gym, and some of our students will be spending time in the engine room with support staff going through a program that helps them get in tune with their sensory needs to identify what activities help them stay alert for learning. This is a YouTube link to some more information about these type of activities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IH3i1oWAew&feature=youtu.be
Most of the activities in the Engine Room focus on heavy work and the equipment in it includes crash mats, therapy balls, ball pit, large mats, scooters and body socks.
All our classes next year will be introduced the ALERT program. This program was developed by two internationally known occupational therapists. By using the engine analogy to teach self-regulation (changing how alert we feel), we will be helping our students learn what to do if they are in a non-optimal state of alertness. We will teach students that there are five ways to change how alert we feel: put something in the mouth, move, touch, look, or listen.
Adults and kids all self-regulate throughout the day, but rarely do any of us talk about it. For example, think about what you did for your engine this morning to get up and get going. To start your day, did you drink a hot cup of coffee or drink a cold fruit smoothie (mouth category)? Before work, did you go for a jog or walk the dog (move category)? To wake up, did you take a steamy hot shower or pet your cat (touch category)? Did you watch TV (look category) or turn on the radio (listen category)?
We will teach students how to expand the use of these types of engine strategies at school and at home to be in an optimal state for learning, playing, or interacting with their friends and family.
As family members, you can help teach self-regulation by talking about your own engine. If your engine is in a low speed when you are trying to read a book, or if it goes up into a high speed when rushing to get to an appointment, share that with your child. Don’t be surprised if children who are learning about the Alert Program concepts suggest an engine strategy such as taking a deep breath, stretching, squeezing a stress ball, watching the sunset, or listening to music. Encourage the use of engine strategies to support self-regulation so your engine and your children’s engines can run just right!
Ioana Suciu
Acting Assistant Principal
Hawaiian Disco 2020
Last Thursday, Bradshaw danced the night away at the Hawaiian Disco. Bradshaw learners dressed beautifully and made our hall look so bright with all the colourful outfits. Might have been the best one yet!
Year 6 Graduation 2020
With the 2020 school year coming to an end, Year 6 Graduation is on the 10th of December 2020, 7pm. This will be held in the junior undercover area. All welcome.
Bradshaw State of Origin
On Thursday some of our Year 6 students played off in a Teachers vs Students state of origin match. A big thank you to all staff and students for participating and putting on an awesome game for all to watch. Teachers took out the Bradshaw series for this one. 3-0
Last Day of School
The last day of school is Thursday 17th December, 2020.
We are currently working on our workforce planning and class structures for 2021. For this to be successful we need to be sure if our current students are going to be attending Bradshaw Primary School next year.
Please let the front office know ASAP if you are NOT returning.
The 2021 school year will commence Monday 1st February. Keep an eye on the next newsletter for uniform sale open days in the new year.
YMCA Vacation Care
Library Book Reminder
The end of the school year is getting closer so it’s time to search at home for overdue library books. Please send any overdue books to school before the end of week 9. Thank you.
Refugee talk from Red Cross
Australian Red Cross delivered an interactive and informative incursion for the Year 6 classes <this in week 6 that taught students about refugees and people seeking asylum around the world and in Australia. During the In Search of Safety program students had the chance to imagine what it would be like to flee their homes quickly through an engaging simulation, and to hear from children their age about their experiences of seeking safety. A great opportunity for the students to learn about human rights, why people need protection and they’ve all been given an activity to practice humanitarianism at home!
3F Sun Dials
For science, 3 Fahey have been learning about sun dials and about the rotation of the sun.
Congratulations Jed!
Bradshaw learner Jed took out the Best Mini Mullet competition at the Alice Springs Drag Races over the weekend.
ARRCS lunch service
We are noticing that students are presenting to the office more frequently looking for extra food. Please ensure your child has a substantial, nutritious recess and lunch packed to last them the day. All classes across the school take part in “Crunch and Sip” at 9.30am. This is a small FRUIT snack and drink of water to keep students going until after recess play. It is really important that every child brings a healthy option for Crunch and Sip, every day! If your child presents to the front office, a phone call home will be made to ask families to bring in extra food.
Do you know about the wonderful service provided by ARRCS? At just $17.34 per week per child (that’s less than $3.50 per day), your child will be provided with a nutritious snack for recess and a meal for lunch delivered to the school daily. A simple form and it can all be taken care of for you. The payments can be made directly via Centrelink through Centrepay or Income Management.
Please contact the office on 8955 2100 for more information.
Thank you Mr Anderson!
We would like to give a big thank you to Steve Anderson for coming in and organising all of the schools cardboard and recycling and delivering it to the Envirobank for us. This has been a huge help to our school.
Christmas Raffle Donations
The annual Bradshaw School Council Christmas Raffle is on again. Families are encouraged to bring in a non-perishable item to make up the prize baskets. This might consist of tea/coffee, biscuits, sweets, anything related to Christmas, toys, baby, etc and can be delivered to the office. Tickets will be sent home in the coming weeks.
