Primary School Academic Games

As we have always done in the Primary School in a year of the Olympic Games, albeit postponed until next year, all boys will compete in events across the academic and creative domains over the next six weeks. Each class is now a country, and each class member must participate in one of the twelve events. As Pierre De Coubertin (founder of the games) says, ‘the most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle; the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well’.  This quote sums up perfectly the Primary School focus on Growth Mindsets, where effort is seen as the pathway to mastery.

The philosophy behind the Academic Games is to highlight the importance of the academic and creative domains as areas worthy of recognition, and to be seen in the same light as the sporting domains. In keeping with the College’s Strategic Plan-2016-2020, these games align beautifully with the Learning and Teaching goal of ‘fostering a culture of engagement, learning and creativity through the delivery of a differentiated, innovative, challenging and accessible pedagogy’.

The Primary School SRC has met over the past three weeks to design the events, rules and protocols with the first event, ‘Spelling Bee’ taking place on Wednesday. This was followed by Theatre Sports on Thursday. The twelve events are: Spelling Bee, Theatre Sports, Times Tables Race, Musical Talent Quest, Sizzling Story Writing, Maths Problem Solving, Design and Make Challenge, Poetry Recital Monologue, Art Challenge, Technology Innovation, Debating and Connect 4.

Good luck to all competitors and … Let the Academic Games begin!

Congratulations to our Spelling Bee event winners: Gold – Nicholas Gillam (5K), Silver – Zane Langton (6B), Bronze – James Sneary (5K)

Positive Education

As part of the Primary Schools’ Positive Education Program and results from recent data collected from the ‘Safe School Student Survey’, the boys have been learning strategies to cope with anger. In the recent survey there was clear evidence that this was an area that needed addressing. Being able to self-regulate and manage emotions are important components of the Pos Ed Program. So, what can you do to calm the emotional brain when it is blocked by worry and anger?

1. Breathe  

2. Talk to someone – spend time with a friend, see a teacher   

3. Positive self-talk – don’t blow things out of proportion   

4. Positive action – find a time-out area, find something fun to do, write your thoughts in a journal

The College takes a serious view of any student who resorts to aggressive behaviour rather than adopt the strategies we have been learning about in class.

Homework 

I have written much about homework over the past five years. I hear the collective sigh of many parents who battle each night to get their children to complete homework, which in many instances they can’t do, and has no relevance to them. The homework debate has been around for decades with many parents embarrassed if the 2-minute speech they have been working on with their child isn’t up to scratch!

The school which has gone down the path of no homework is in fact still doing homework, albeit disguised as Project Based Learning. Giving children choice in their learning is a great way of building relevance and autonomy, something all good schools endeavour to do. The advocates of homework would argue that it develops good study habits, routine and consolidates what has been learnt at school during the day. Those opposed to homework would say that it creates stress at home, it gets in the way of ‘family time’, has no relevance and is ‘a one size fits all’ model.

Putting on my conservative hat, I sit in both camps. Students need to consolidate and revise previously learnt concepts and have the discipline to sit down and routinely organise their time to complete set tasks in a designated time. Whether this is achieved through set homework or self-directed projects is a decision for schools to be made in consultation with parents.

I would be very interested in your thoughts. Please email if you have any thoughts one way or the other:  twalsh@saintaug.nsw.edu.au

Surfing Champion

Congratulations to Ben Zanatta Creagh from Year 6 for achieving First Place in the recent Havana NSW U/12 Surfing Championships. This places Ben as the top ranked surfer for his age in NSW. Congratulations Ben!

Merits

Attollo Awards

Terry Walsh
Head of Primary School