JS News: 17 August 2022
By Tracey Markovic, Assistant Head of Junior School Operations & Systems
Building positive relationships between home and school remains a priority in the Junior School.
We support parent engagement by building partnerships to connect learning at home and school. Unfortunately, COVID-19 restrictions have meant we have not been able to invite parents and carers in for parent evenings recently. We are excited to say that we are making up for lost time!
Please see below for a number of upcoming offerings for parents and caregivers.
The Men’s Project – attitudinal change
Radford College is partnering with The Men’s Project to host workshops for all interested parents, as well as Radford staff, about positive attitudinal change, focussing on some of the societal pressures facing our young people and the impact these pressures can have on their wellbeing.
Reserve your spot – There will be two workshop options for parents:
Option 1
- Parent presentation at 7pm on Thursday 18 August (60 minutes) in RA Young Hall.
- RSVP here
Option 2
- Parent presentation at 7.45am on Friday 19 August (60 minutes) in RA Young Hall.
- RSVP here
We look forward to sharing useful, insightful and practical information for you to incorporate into your lives, particularly as parents.
For the full Nexus article please click here.
Years 5 and 6 Sexuality and Relationships Education program
All students in Years 5 and 6 will be commencing a Sexuality and Relationships Education program.
This program meets the needs of our school community and the national curriculum.
As part of the program students will be involved in three Puberty and Personal Development workshops facilitated by Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT (SHFPACT).
The SHFPACT sessions cover the following topics:
- Private body parts
- Developmental changes that occur during puberty
- Reproductive systems
- Personal identity
- Health relationships
- Consent
- Boundaries
- Understanding own and others’ emotions
- Managing strong emotions through puberty.
Parents and carers are the primary sexuality educators of their children. Students will be encouraged to ask questions and talk with their parents and other trusted adults about information covered in this and other Sexuality and Relationships Education programs.
Parent session: In preparation for these student workshops, the SHFPACT educators will be delivering a parent session on Tuesday 23 August at 5.30–7pm in RA Young Hall. During this session, we will discuss sexuality and relationships education – what it is, what it is not, and why it is important both in schools and in the home.
We will address some common concerns parents hold, discuss effective communication strategies and provide practical tips for supporting your child through puberty and beyond. We will also outline activities and content of the education sessions SHFPACT will be delivering to students.
- Would you like to attend this parent session? Please click HERE to RSVP.
Cyber Safety and Digital Nutrition
Year 4-6 parents have the opportunity to attend a free online webinar next week with psychologist Jocelyn Brewer, exploring a balanced approach to the use of digital devices and offering practical strategies for communicating with young people about device use. Further information can be found in today’s Bulletin at this link.
In last week’s Bulletin there was an article titled ‘The Cyber Safety Project’ (Radford Bulletin 10 August 2022). The article outlined a number of ways that families can keep their children safe online. The Cyber Safety Project will be presenting to Radford students and families in 2023.
Further information will be shared closer to the time.
Learning Connections – save the date
In Term 2, our Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten staff participated in the Learning Connections professional learning. Families were invited to come along to a parent session to find out what was involved.
We are excited to announce that this term our Years 1 and 2 staff will undertake the same professional learning, and we invite all interested parents and carers to come along to the parent information session and learn more about it.
The purpose of this session is to provide parents with an overview of the Early Years Program and how it helps prepare children for learning.
Key topics include:
- What skills will your child need to be school ready?
- What is the Learning Connections Early Years Program?
- Tips for home: increasing play and movement, managing screen time, and tips for diet and meal times.
The parent session will be held on Thursday 1 September, 6.30–7.30pm in RA Young Hall
Further information will be provided via Nexus in the coming weeks.
Year 3 Camp 2022 parent information session
In Term 4, our Year 3 students will be heading to Camp Cottermouth for their first Radford camping experience.
All parents and caregivers are invited to come along to RA Young Hall for a parent information session on Tuesday 6 September, 7.30–8.00am.
More information will be provided via Nexus in the coming weeks.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – parent information session
Keep an eye out for an invitation to attend the following parent session occurring early in Term 4.
Dr Allana Weir (Radford staff member and clinical psychologist) will be hosting a 60-minute parent information evening (Date TBC) about Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Dr Weir will debunk common myths about ADHD, explain the executive functioning challenges commonly experienced by children with ADHD, discuss the assessment process, and provide a wealth of home-based strategies and recommended classroom supports.
Date to be announced soon.