Forthcoming Events
From JSPA
Bullying
Prof. Carr- Gregg

2 June 2000 No. 16

From the Head of Junior School

Congratulations are extended to Mr Matthew Dickinson and the boys of Bradshaw House for a wonderful Chapel on Thursday, covering the theme of Talents. A number of boys presented readings, prayers and thoughts, encouraging us all to be confident in using the talents that God has blessed each one of us with.

Our Suzuki string players shared their talents with girls from Strathcona today and I look forward to hearing of the day's activities. We were pleased to catch up with our past Head of Junior School Music, Mrs Penny Byrne, who is enjoying her involvement at Strathcona.

Boys in Year Three are very busy in making their final preparations for their 'German Concert" next week. I wish all boys and staff well as they look forward to this exciting event, to be held next Wednesday afternoon.

Many thanks to the JSPA who hosted an evening lecture, presented by Michael Carr-Gregg on Wednesday evening. Unfortunately I was unable to attend but I have heard wonderful reports from Michael's presentation. Michael's presentation outlined how parents can assist their children through difficult times, and made special references to current research into Bullying.

Parents will be aware that our Junior School has a detailed policy on this issue and are open about how we deal with harassment and bullying. I have encouraged and will continue to encourage parents and boys with any concerns, to share these with the school in order that specific situations can be dealt with quickly and in the best interests of all involved.

Overall, I am delighted with the happy nature of our playground and I give great credit for this to the boys who regularly seek our help when things do not go right and I encourage them to continue to assist us in this area by confidently sharing their concerns, by being vigilant and being aware of the needs of others.

My theme for this week has been Thankfulness.

I encouraged boys to be receptive of God's gifts to us; to appreciate their gifts instead of envying those of others; to see the difficulties of their life as opportunities to learn (and that it is okay to make mistakes!!); to expect their best in everything they attempt; to count their blessings regularly and to give thanks to God, our Creator, for giving us everything.

Guy B Mason

The following poem was sent to me via email a couple of weeks ago and I share it with you as my thought for the week....

If I Knew (Author Unknown)

If I knew it would be the last time that I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly and pray the lord your soul to keep.
If I knew it would be the last time that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word, so I could play them back day by day.

If I knew it would be the last time, I could spare an extra minute or two to stop and say "I love you."

If I knew it would be the last time I would be there to share your day,
well I'm sure you'll have so many more, so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance to make everything right.

There will always be another day to say "I love you,"
and certainly there's another chance to say "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong, and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, young or old alike,
and today may be the last chance you get to hold your loved one tight.

So, if you're waiting for tomorrow, why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes, you'll surely regret the day
that you didn't take that extra time for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone what turned out to be their one last wish.

So, hold your loved ones close today, whisper in their ear.
Tell them how much you love them and that you'll always hold them dear.

Take time to say "I'm sorry", "please forgive me", "thank you", or "it's okay".
And if tomorrow never comes, you'll have no regrets about today

Forthcoming Events

7 June - Year 3 concert at Bayswater Nursing Home

9 June - Exeat

12 June - Exeat - Queens Birthday

From JSPA

I hope that all who attended the lecture by Professor Michael Carr-Gregg on Wednesday evening found it a rewarding experience. Amanda Derham's report follows

The club 150 ball on 16 June is filling up fast, but there is always room for another table. If you would like to come but haven't quite got around to sending in your RSVP please contact me or Astrida Cooper. We can place you on a table with your year level.

Also a couple of prizes from the Mothers Day lunch are yet to be claimed. Please contact me to arrange collection.

Susan Hughes, President JSPA

What Parents and Schools can do about Bullying

A lecture by Assoc. Prof Michael Carr- Gregg -

On Thursday night Prof Michael Carr-Gregg shocked and alarmed, reassured and informed over 70 Junior School parents and staff who braved the weather to listen to his lecture. Most importantly he left us with an action line.

For PARENTS

• Continue to talk openly with the teachers and head about premeditated, continual, malicious, power differentiating plays that disturb your children, even if they have sworn you to secrecy. Your school wants to hear from you;
• Equip your child with a '6-pack' of strategies to deal with bullies. An indispensable guide is the book Bully Busting: How to help children deal with teasing and bullying by Evelyn M. Field, Finch Publishing, 1999, ISBN 1 876451041;

For SCHOOLS

• Be the agent of social change;
• As bullying happens in most schools establish when (e.g. recess, lunchtime, class time) through a survey. A Rolls Royce Bullying policy survey available on the internet at www.education.unisa.edu.au/bullying/srapdemo/index.htm
• Highlight the issue with an anti-bullying conference day;
• Increase teachers in the playground in lunch and recess time;
• Put the bullying policy in a laminated page in each child's Homework Diary;

Questions from the floor included delighted parents who had sought the help of Scotch and those fearful or doubtful about approaching the school. Prof Michael Carr-Gregg stated clearly that bullying is about the mental health of young people. It cuts to the core of education as you cannot teach a child who is intimidated.

Amanda Derham, SCJSPA Committee Member