ISSUE 14

Things to Know

Important Dates

Week 8

R U OK Day - Thursday 8 September

School Satisfaction Surveys closes - Friday 9 September


Term 3 Staff Planning Day 2 (Pupil Free) - Friday 9 September

Week 9

Year 5 Band Excursion - Monday 12 September

Declan The Music Man Preschool Incursion Red/Purple Group - Tuesday 13 September

Year 6 Sausage Sizzle Fundraiser - Wednesday 14 September

Declan The Music Man Preschool Incursion Blue Group- Thursday 15 September

Chris Shaddock

Principal

Principal's Address

Dear Kaleen Community,


Happy Father’s Day (for Sunday) to all our dads and significant adults in our community! We hope you get spoiled rotten and spend some quality time with your families. Thank you to the team of parents who have volunteered their time and worked tirelessly to run our Father’s Day stall. It has been absolutely wonderful seeing the smiles on children’s faces while they’re choosing their special and well thought out gifts. It’s been a busy few weeks with School Review, Book Week, Book Fair and lots of fabulous learning opportunities and achievements. It was lovely to see so many of our community members attend last week’s Book Week Parade. Thank you to all the parents who have taken the time to fill out our school satisfaction surveys. The surveys are open until Friday 9 September. For those of you who are yet to complete the survey, you can click here to gain access. Please read on to hear more about our amazing school.

Super Staff


We had some feedback from families that they would like to know more about our amazing Kaleen Primary School staff. This week, I sat down with our Front Office team (Kallara Bryant, Rhani Taylor and Alice Johnson) to find out more about what makes them tick.

Rhani

Alice

Kallara

What’s your favourite food?

Alice: This is a hard question… cheese… Ainslie IGA hummus (a MUST try) but I also love spicy food, so I would have to say either Mexican or Thai.

Rhani: I love love love Sushi!!!

Kallara: Chicken Schnitzel - I once told my family who I was visiting that it was my favourite and ended up eating it for every dinner that week.


If you had a superpower what would it be and why?

Alice: The ability to be in multiple places at once - I hate FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out).

Rhani: If I had a superpower it would be the ability to time travel, I think it would be awesome to be able to go back and forth to any time and place.

Kallara: The ability to heal people so that there would be less suffering and I wouldn’t have to witness my friends and family be in pain.


Describe your typical weekend.

Alice: Cooking, cleaning and spending time with my family and friends (I have seven nieces and nephews that keep me a busy aunty)!

Rhani: Going out for breakfast with my little family, reformer pilates & relaxing!

Kallara: Brunches with friends and trips to the markets or camping and 4WDriving!


What do you love about Kaleen Primary School?

Alice: Every morning greeting the kids and walking around the school seeing their work up in the corridors. I also love my fabulous team :)

Rhani: I love coming to work being surrounded by friendly faces everyday. There is never a bad day at work!

Kallara: The Exec, Staff and Kids! It’s honestly the best work environment.


Describe your dream holiday.

Alice: I can’t go past Italy. I would go there every chance I could get. The food, the views… amazing.

Rhani: A European Holiday! I would love to visit the beautiful little villages amongst the mountains in Switzerland.

Kallara: A camping trip around Australia in my Jimny!


What makes you laugh?

Alice: Listening to some of the things the students say - it is often priceless!

Rhani: My Daughter! She has just turned 1 and she is hilarious!

Kallara: Everything? If I had to do a ‘do not laugh’ challenge I would fail immediately


Do you have any special talents?

Alice: Flowers… fun fact: I am a trained florist.

Rhani: I can do the splits!

Kallara: I recently discovered I can make a seagull sound… my 9 Year old sister brags about it to all her friends at school.


If you had three wishes, what would they be?

Alice: 1. Endless health and happiness for my family and friends. 2. The time/money to travel around the world. 3. Go back in time to relive some special moments again.

Rhani: 1: To talk to my dad again. 2: Own a private jet to fly wherever, whenever! 3. More wishes please!

Kallara: 1. An infinite amount of wishes… 2. My dream house on a big property for free 3. Unlimited first class plane tickets (I’ve heard the food is sooooo much better).


Supporting Kids with Anxiety


Since the Covid19 pandemic began, we have been noticing higher levels of anxiety with some of our students. The school has recently changed our specialist programs to include a focus on Wellbeing and Social Emotional Learning (SEL). As a part of our ‘Be You’ (PBL initiative) we are using the MindUp curriculum, Everyone Everyday and Grow You Mind resources to teach SEL across the school. In the coming weeks, we will continue to share information in the newsletters about what parents can do to support their children in this area. Please read on to learn more.


What is Child Anxiety?

All humans experience anxiety, it serves as a means of protection and can often enhance our performance in stressful situations. Children who are able to experience the slight rush of anxiety that often occurs prior to a maths test or a running race often can enhance their performance. However, experiencing too much anxiety or general nervousness, at inappropriate times, can be distressing and interfering. Although children have fears of specific objects, the feeling of anxiety is more general…children may feel constantly “keyed up” or extremely alert. Given the wide range of tasks children must accomplish throughout their childhood, it is important to be sure that their level of anxiety does not begin to interfere with their ability to function. If it does, it is important that they begin to learn some skills for coping more efficiently with their anxious feelings.


Which of my child’s fears are normal?

Most children, when asked, are able to report having several fears at any given age. Some research shows that 90% of children between the ages of 2-14 have at least one specific fear. If your child’s fear is not interfering with his/her daily life (e.g., sleep, school performance, social activities), or your family’s life, then most likely you will not need to bring your child to a psychologist for help. Here is a list of fears that are found to be VERY COMMON for children at specific ages:


INFANTS/TODDLERS (ages 0-2 years) loud noises, strangers, separation from parents, large objects. PRESCHOOLERS (3-6 years) imaginary figures e.g., ghosts, monsters, supernatural beings, the dark, noises, sleeping alone, thunder, floods.


SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN/ADOLESCENTS (7-16 years) more realistic fears e.g., physical injury, health, school performance, death, thunderstorms, earthquakes, floods.


Will my child’s anxiety go away naturally or does he/she need treatment?

Many childhood fears are normal developmental phenomenon. Fears tend to rise and dissipate at predictable ages in a child’s life. For example, a child might develop a fear of the dark at age 4, which dissipates by the time the child is 6. However, no matter how old your child is, if he or she is experiencing a fear that is beginning to interfere with aspects of his or her functioning, such as academic functioning, social functioning, or family functioning, then these fears may warrant treatment. Very often, successful short-term therapy can help to alleviate your child’s fears and help your child return to healthy functioning.


I'm an anxious person. Is it possible that I gave this anxiety to my child?

Although research has shown that anxiety may be heritable, there are many other ways that fears may be acquired. For example, your child may have a more anxious, inhibited temperament, which may make him or her more vulnerable to feeling anxious. Or, fears are often acquired through the media, through modelling from others, or after children have experienced some form of trauma. So, although you may feel you are anxious, it is not likely that you simply could “give” an anxiety disorder to your child. However, importantly, there are ways that you may interact with your child that may function to increase his or her anxiety. It is important to examine such factors with a trained professional, and there will be aspects of behaviour at home that your child’s psychologist will want to discuss with you, so that you can continue his or her learning of appropriate responses out of the therapy sessions.


What is the difference between cognitive-behavioural treatment and other treatments for anxiety?

Cognitive-behavioural treatment is focused on teaching children and parents specific skills for changing their fearful thoughts, anxious, tense physical feelings, and avoidant behaviours. Other types of therapy are more focused on using play therapy techniques, using talk therapy techniques, etc. to produce change. There is much research evidence suggesting that cognitive-behavioural techniques are quite successful with reducing anxiety in children.


How long will it take before I see a change in my child?

This will depend on your particular child’s problems. Children are typically treated within 7-12 sessions for difficulties such as specific fears, panic disorder, generalised anxiety disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, etc. In some cases, however, additional sessions are needed to help a child make the maximum progress.


If you would like to learn more about the supports available, parents can access ACT Education Central Telehealth by calling 6205 1559 between 9:00am and 4:30pm. Or alternatively, use the ACT Education Central Telehealth online booking form link: https://forms.office.com/r/0zRwGpF3Hm


Mr Shaddock’s Joke of the Week


Q) What did zero say to the number eight?


A) I love your belt!


Thank you for your ongoing support.


Bye for now,


Chris Shaddock

Principal

Happy Book Week! From author visits and writers workshops to buddy reading and dress up day, we have done it all! So much fun!

Celebrating Book Week Kaleen Primary Style!

Virtual Assemblies

Take a look below at this week's virtual assemblies!

Year 5 Virtual Assembly

Have a look at the Year 5 Virtual Assembly!

Year 4 Virtual Assembly

Have a look at the Year 4 Virtual Assembly!

Year 4 Assembly Term 3 2022

Kindergarten Virtual Assembly

Have a look at the Kindergarten Virtual Assembly!

Term 3 Kinder Virtual Assembly

Preschool News

Preschool have a brand new mud kitchen. It is an amazing addition to our outdoor learning environment. It has a fantastic pump so the children can pump water into their mud creations. It is an extremely popular play space. We at preschool are all very thankful.

Rostrum Speaking Contest Update

A quick update on our amazing Rostrum finalist Pinipa L. Having taken out the school final earlier in the year, Pinipa represented Kaleen Primary School at the ACT Rostrum Quarter Finals at Harrison School. As always, she spoke incredibly well and was one of the two winners from two separate pools that both competed on the night. It was then off to the Semi Final at Good Shepherd Primary School in Amaroo and for the second year in a row… Pinipa is into the GRAND FINAL!!! Stay tuned for the last Rostrum update next term. We all wish Pinipa the very best of luck (not that she needs it!).


-Mr Shapowloff

2022 Belconnen Region Track & Field Carnival

Congratulations to the 45 students that represented Kaleen Primary at the Belconnen Region Track & Field Carnival held at the Australian Institute of Sport on Thursday 18th August.

Team members were great ambassadors for our school. Their positive attitude and conduct throughout the day was outstanding. Encouragement and support of team mates was fantastic and sporting efforts on the track and in the field, were highly commendable. All team members worked cooperatively with team managers & officials, giving their best efforts when competing. A big thank you to the parents & supporters that came along to offer their encouragement and support during the day. A special thanks to Amy Sutherland who stepped in at the last minute to assist throughout the day as a marshal.


Our girls finished 10th and the boys finished 18th out of 26 schools in the points score. Outstanding achievement Track & Field team!


The following Kaleen students placed in the top four (4) in their respective events and qualified for the ACT 12&U Track and Field carnival to be held on Thursday 8th September. Well done on your performances and all the best for the ACT carnival.


Nikki Van Huizen and Josh Fattore

(Team managers)



Heroes' Corner

On Monday, Aug. 8, Basketball without Borders Asia hosted an NBA Cares youth clinic for a select amount of boys and girls from Indigenous Basketball Australia (IBA), a non-profit organisation founded by Brooklyn Nets guard Patty Mills that provides pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth to play basketball.

Ayvah was among the chosen few to attend and be trained by some of the biggest names in basketball. NBA players ( Cam Johnson- Phoenix Suns, Coby White - Chicago Bulls, Josh Green- Dallas Mavericks and Jarret Allen - Cleveland Cavalliers and coaches attended as well as FIBA representatives.

It was an amazing experience, new skills were taught/learnt It boosted their confidence and gave them that more of a love for the game. It's definitely a memory that will last forever. We are So proud of Ayvah. Well done.

In weeks 5 & 6, Skyla Wells from 6BH swam in the ACT at the School Sport Australia Swimming Championships 2022. Skylar won a silver medal as part of a respective handicapped relay team. The teams start at staggered times based on their combined personal best time, and the team includes a multi-class swimmer. As you can imagine the finishes are very close, so it was a fantastic achievement for her.

Skyla and her mum made a video of their time as the competition.

If you would like to have your child's achievement acknowledged here, please email a short blurb to KaleenPSAdmin@ed.act.edu.au

P&C News

Wanting to stay up to date with P&C News and Meetings?

Parents can now subscribe and unsubscribe from the P&C mailing list automatically by clicking on the underlined links.

Subscribing allows parents to stay up to date with P&C News including receiving minutes from meetings with a summary of information from each meeting including the Principal’s report and questions asked by parents and citizens. let parents know that they can

If you have any questions, please get in touch with the P&C Secretary at kaleenpandc@gmail.com

Community

The Kaleen-Giralang-Lawson area has three units meeting in Kaleen on Wednesdays: 6:00 – 7.30 pm for girls 5-10 years; and 6.00 – 8.00 pm for girls aged 10+ years. Other units meeting nearby also offer alternative nights to accommodate girls who can not attend on Wednesday nights. All girls are very welcome. Inquiries to: Bev on 0417 485737.