Visiting Author

On March 6, the Barbreck Library invited author Jane Godwin and illustrator Anna Walker to visit our girls and talk about their collaborative story making process. The focus of their visit was their latest book – Go Go and the Silver Shoes. Students were able to learn a lot about story writing as well as illustrating books. Visits such as these offer so many learning opportunities for our students and will hopefully inspire some future authors and illustrators in years to come.

 

Prep’s Fabulous Term 1

The transition of our new Prep students has been a delight to watch. Prep T commenced with many smiles and great enthusiasm. I am so very proud of all the girls and the confidence they have brought with them to explore and learn together. Jolly phonics continues to be a class favourite and the students have explored Mathematics through games and group work and wellbeing has helped the students create new friendships.

Here are a few quotes from the Prep T students:

Jemimah – “I enjoy my writing. I like Prep.”

Amelie – “I enjoy Jolly Phonics.”

Nina, Lucy and Samara – “I like learning to read. I enjoy reading words in Prep.”

Charlotte B – “I’m proud because I learnt to write and read. I like to go and do fun stuff.”

Isabel – “I love going outside.”

Charlotte R – “I like doing maths.”

Avalon – “I like going outside and reading.”

Jiayi (Kitty) – “I like learning in Prep.”

Soraya – “I like doing maths on the iPads.”

Eva – “I like learning French.”

Isabella – “I love art.”

Aimee –  “I love making new friends.”

Ruby – “It is so exciting we are learning letters. The more letters we practise, the more we learn!”

This Term the girls have settled into the ways of School and we cannot wait for the adventures the next three terms will bring. We are especially excited to be the first Preps in our new building.

Miss Annie Taylor
Prep Teacher

 

Morning Chess Club

This Term we have seen the introduction of a morning Chess program in Barbreck, lifting the profile of Chess in the Junior School. It has been so wonderful to see the interest and engagement from girls of all different abilities from Year 1 through to Year 6.

Each week the girls arrive at 8.00am for a quick 10-minute lesson led by Ross Neumann from Chess Ideas, before putting their skills to the test, playing one another in mini-tournaments. It has been wonderful to watch the growth in each girl as they learn and practise new strategies and skills. It is amazing to watch how quickly they absorb and apply the new learning.

As well playing just for the enjoyment of it, Chess has the potential to add great value to overall learning, both from an academic and social perspective. The skills, attributes and mindset required to learn and play Chess are remarkably in line with what recent research shows are the 21st Century skills we need to be teaching our children so they are prepared for their futures. These skills are also what employers are looking for in candidates. Chess requires a combination of creativity, communication, collaboration and critical thinking. Mentioned below are just some of the benefits:

  1. Playing the game can improve the logical and sequential thinking, analytical and reasoning skills, and decision-making ability of the child.
  2. Chess helps students understand strategy and tactic: helping them recognise the importance of foresight, and planning.
  3. Promotes sustained concentration, memory and focus.
  4. Practising Chess regularly also aids in improving the self-confidence of a child, which is extremely essential for a child’s growth.
  5. Reinforcing mathematical concepts – Chess is a game of prediction, calculation and pattern recognition. Predicting consequences and pattern recognition are key elements of Mathematics.
  6. Encourages an understanding of game play – fair play, competition winning and losing.
  7. Provides opportunities to meet new friends and find common interest.

Morning Chess Club will continue into Term 2 and we would love to see as many girls as possible come along and join. Registration will be open in the last week of Term. Also, if your daughter is showing an interest in Chess, dust off the Chess set at home and have a game. It is a lot of fun.

String Performance

At Junior School assembly last week, we were very privileged to have the Barbreck String Ensemble perform for students, parents and teachers. They have been working hard preparing the performance pieces throughout the Term. The students performed collectively with great skill, demonstrating the hard work that happens behind the scenes with the help of our talented Music tutors, the leadership of Mrs Lisa Cook, and the support of parents who provide encouragement and time for home rehearsal. All the girls involved should feel a sense of pride and achievement for what they have achieved over the Term.

Co-curricular Activities

In the final week of Term 1, parents will receive an email and mystcatherines message with details of how to enrol in Term 2 Junior School Co-curricular programs for:

  • Homework Happenings
  • Write on Wednesday
  • Morning Chess Club
  • French Club

The information will contain direct links that will take you to the relevant registration page. Please read the instructions and details carefully as you complete registration. You should receive an email notification that your enrolment has been successful. If you do not receive this, please call the office for confirmation. In instances where places are limited and the activity is filled, you should see a message directing you to contact Mrs Sharon Brinkworth in the Junior School Office, who will place your child on the waiting list.

We look forward to another term of many wonderful Co-curricular programs in the Junior School.

Managing Technology at Home

As we have been hearing in the media recently, many of the challenges of managing digital technology can occur in the home. I would like to draw to your attention to the Office of the eSafety Commission, which provides all Australians with advice and help on how to have safe, positive experiences online. If you have any concerns about something happening in the online space at home this can be a great place to start.

In addition, some simple tips to ensure technology is being used safely and responsibly at home are:

  • Keep the use of devices to common areas in the home
  • Keep devices out of the bedroom
  • Create balance and set screen time limits
  • Talk about the safe, respectful and responsible use of technology
  • Create ‘tech’ rules that suit your family and your children
  • Check and choose age-appropriate, high-quality media and technology for your child
Ms Catherine Samuel, Acting Head of Junior School