Dear Families

It is hard to comprehend we are three weeks in to our 2021 school year.

Last Friday, school student leaders, staff, special guests, past and present students and principals came together to commemorate the foundation of the school at the 150th Foundation Assembly. This was a highly moving ceremony of reflection and gratitude. Special guests spanning the generations of years gone by, represented the many faces and stories of a much loved school. On behalf of the community, I acknowledge and thank the 150^th Celebration Committee Chappy Jenny, Juliet Brooks and Carla Walker and look forward to the many events planned this year to involve the wider community.

I trust you have made opportunity to attend the parent information nights held this week and next. The Prep-Year 2 nights were well attended on Wednesday night. Our Year 3-6 Information Nights to be held next Wednesday 17 February not doubt will be equally well attended. I look forward to seeing many of you there. These evenings, whilst not really an opportunity for you to speak with your class teacher one on one, it is certainly an opportunity for you to meet the teachers and other parents as well as hear important key messages relevant to your child’s classroom this year.

This coming Tuesday evening is our first P&C meeting this year. The PandC is not only vital for raising funds to improve the facilities and learning programs at the school, but for managing important services such as Outside Hours School Care, tuckshop and uniform shop to support families. We are very fortunate at Yeronga State School to have a driven and talented group of parents who work tirelessly to ensure these services are the best they can be. Please consider coming along on Tuesday night (look for details in the newsletter) and finding out about the many projects and programs our PandC have in store this year.

Last night I met our new Parent Representatives for the 2021 year which was a delight. I thank Parent Representative Coordinator Jodie for a comprehensive induction (me included). At YSS every class has two parent representatives who volunteer to enhance the communications between school and home. Be sure to look out for their communications to you each week.

Following the slower pace of the school holiday period, week three is typically the week you may notice signs of fatigue in your child/ren such as irritability, tears and protests. The novelty of starting the school year, meeting new classmates and exploring new environments starts to wear off and the rhythm and repetition of the school routine sets in. Fatigue places extra demands on the pre-frontal cortex and ability to regulate emotions and solve problems. It’s a busy pace for most modern families and a busy pace at school as teachers engage every student with the rigours of the Australian Curriculum teaching, learning, assessment and reporting cycle. It is any wonder we must now slow down a little in order to finish the term strong.

At school we encourage slow play options such as nature play and loose parts play as an opportunity for all students to engage in open ended, unstructured play necessitating them to, slow down, connect and create. Yeronga State School is a leader for its inquiry approach to learning. Supported by a skilled and passionate curriculum team, teachers engage students in deep learning that allows time for reflecting and exploring ideas. This balance of structured and flexible/open ended engagement is critical to not only learning, but thriving and wellbeing.  I encourage you to consider the routines you can establish at home to support this slowing down. You may relate to some of the suggestions in Slow Living with Children written by child development expert and author of Simple Happy Parenting, Denaye Barahona.

Have a slower and wonderful week four!

Sincerely,

Eunice Webb

Principal