Glenealy School Newsletter
10th May 2017
Message from Brenda
Fidget Toys - Please keep your toys at home!
Glenealy School classrooms integrate a number of strategies and fidget toys into the classroom to help some students concentrate and focus. Many children and adults benefit greatly from these and they will continue to be used for this purpose. However lately these have become mainstream toys for all and are becoming a distraction in many classes with children bringing their spinners and the like from home to play with at school. We will continue to have toys like this available in class for those students who need them but ask that all personal fidget toys are kept at home please, starting from tomorrow (Thursday).
Teachers will be telling their classes today, please help us by asking your children to keep all toys at home.
Screenagers movie and discussion evening is on Tomorrow - Book Now!
Between iPads, mobile phones, laptops, video games and social media, many families are struggling with issues relating to technology. Just how much screen time is acceptable for our children? What is the impact on young minds? How do we protect them as they explore their lives online?
Screenagers is an award-winning documentary which seeks to open up a conversation between parents, children and educators as we face the challenges that technology has brought into all our lives. Delaney Ruston is a Stanford trained physician and social change documentary filmmaker who got the idea to make Screenagers while struggling with her kids over screen time. Combining real life stories, expert academic opinion and sometimes surprising insights from current research, Screenagers offers options for families as we seek to empower our kids to safely navigate the digital world.
Glenealy School will be showing Screenagers on Thursday, 11 May 2017 in The Centre from 6.00pm. Year 6 Parents are encouraged to attend with their children. Older siblings may also attend with you. Parents in other year groups are also encouraged to attend. Following the film, a brief discussion session will offer the opportunity to share views on some of the issues raised. We anticipate the evening finishing no later than 7.45pm.
Please Note: The film is not recommended for children under 10, as it contains some images which younger children may find confronting. We urge parents to respect this recommendation.
You can watch the trailer for the film here. Tickets are priced at $59 per person (including booking fee) and can be purchased here. Password is Glenealy.
Congratulations to our Year 6 Team
Just before the long weekend the year 6 students presented their Exhibition to fellow students and families of the school. The powerful introduction from the students, through song, video, prose and the stunning shadow puppet theatre was very moving!
The ‘Peace our world back together’ theme connected to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and was informative and meaningful. The students made connections with the UN goals and were serious about their involvement and committed to making a difference.
Parents and guests were impressed with how confident and articulate the Glenealy students were as they willingly and passionately shared their learning at their exhibits and through their passion to action projects. One guest commented “If we want the 17 goals to transform our world, we will all have a role to play and your Year Six students should be very proud of the part they are already playing. Inspirational!”
Congratulations to the Year 6 teachers for the huge commitment, creativity and the way you facilitated the whole process to ensure it was student driven and a meaningful and engaging experience. Thanks too to Mrs Oliver for the exceptional video and banners and to all staff who helped out along the way.
Dynamic dancers!
Mrs Matthews trained a group of Year 5 students to perform a sophisticated routine for the ESF Celebration of Dance held at Kowloon Junior School which had participants from primary and secondary schools. It was a fantastic evening and our dancers performed with flair, character, rhythm, passion and feeling - they were a delight to watch. Congratulations girls!
Download the Glenealy App
We are trialing the use of the Glenealy App with Years 1 and 5 until the end of this year. The parents of these students will receive all of their communication through this method. If you would also like to download the app please click here for more information.
Please note that if you are not in Year 1 or 5 you will also receive newsletters and other communications through email for the rest of this year.
Kind regards
Brenda
Dates for the Diary
Thursday May 11th
Screenagers screening @ 6pm
May 17th - 19th
Year 6 Shenzhen Trip
Friday May 19th
Year 1 Hawaiian Summer Bake Sale - after school
Thursday May 25th
Last day of Uniform Shop opening 8.20 - 8.45am
Monday May 29th
Glenealy CPD day - school closed for students
Tuesday May 30th
Public holiday - school closed
Thursday June 1st
Deadline to submit student withdrawal form for leavers
Friday June 16th
Year 4 'Games Galore' fundraiser
Friday June 30th
Last day of school - school finishes at 12pm
PTA News
Uniform Shop End-of-Term Closing
Please be advised that the PTA Uniform Shop will close at the end of May for stocktake and audit. The last day of opening will be Thursday, 25th May 2017. All stock items have been reduced to at or below cost. Please stop in for a bargain!
The Quiz & Curry Night has been postponed due to scheduling conflicts. More information to come in the new school year.
From the Medical Room
- Medication must be accompanied by a consent form, which you can download below under 'Useful School Forms'
- This form must be completed and signed by the child's parent/guardian and handed directly to the nurse with the medication by an adult
- Students should not bring medication into school themselves
Glenealy Top Tech Tip
Meditation and Mindfulness Apps for Kids
Many parents say meditation is a helpful tool for their kids. It can be a good way to help all kids cope with stress and “quiet the mind”, especially at the end of a busy day.
By fully concentrating on what is in their mind or surroundings, a person can center themselves and feel a sense of calm.
Here are seven apps to introduce your child to meditation.
Also, take a look at 10 Anxiety, Relaxation & Mindfulness Apps for Kids here.Green Team Initiative - Take Action!
Sharing for a Cause - this is a student led campaign and this year they are collecting story books and Glenealy has joined the campaign!
Please check at home for any story books that are in good condition and bring them in to school.
Donation boxes will be in every classroom. Please donate before May 26th.
Let's take action and make a difference Glenealy!
Thanks
Green Team
Useful School Forms
Medical Authorisation Form - required should your child need to take medication whilst at school, on a school trip or camp
ESF 2016/17 Calendar
Please click here to view the calendar online. We do ask when planning your family holidays that you refer to the holiday periods as indicated on the calendar and try to take your holiday during these times.
Extra Curricular Activities and Camps
Disclaimer Notice: Glenealy School does not endorse or represent the accuracy, truthfulness or reliability of these advertisements placed by outside agencies.