We have been conducting Aboriginal Dance lessons in Gawura for the past 3 weeks. In an exciting opportunity our students have been invited to participate in the NRL Indigenous Round to perform the dance that they have been learning. It will be on Saturday 29th May at ANZ Stadium in the pre game entertainment before the Rabbitohs v Eels match. Students and parents who choose to attend are asked to arrive at 3pm for rehearsal. Kick off is at 5:30pm. Each family will receive 2 free adult entries and once the dance is completed the children will be seated with their parents for the game. If you would like to attend then please refer to the email and texts which have been sent and complete the online permission form.

Please see the attached flyer below from our First Nations Community Engagement Officer, Aunty Sharon for an event titled Different Colours One People celebrating the upcoming Reconciliation Week through Indigeneity, Truth, Story, Culture, Dance and Song.
Have a wonderful and safe fortnight ahead.

John Ralph
Head of Gawura

For Reconciliation Week this year (Thursday 27 May – Thursday 3 June) all students in Kindergarten to Year 6 will be exploring the theme: “More than a word. Reconciliation takes action.”

Each grade will discuss steps they can take towards reconciliation and contributing an element to the whole school reconciliation display. We celebrate Reconciliation Week as it is an important week that contributes to healing our nation’s history, while showing respect for our First Nations cultures, traditions and the contributions First Nations’ Peoples continue to make to Australia.

Anastasia McGrath
Gawura School Teacher

Celebrating Mothers

We hope that the Mothers, Grandmothers, Aunties and special women within our SACS community had a special day on Mother’s Day. Mother’s Day originated from humble beginnings in 1908 as a simple tradition to honour all mothers, living and deceased. However, it did not take long for florists, confectioners and card companies to jump onboard and commercialise the day, much to the disappointment of its founder, Ann Jarvis.

Mother’s Day is a good annual reminder to say thanks to the mums and other special carers who play an important role in our lives, but it is essential we mark the day with love and sincerity. This year is especially important due to the recent pandemic, where mothers played multiple roles over recent months providing care and support to those they love under difficult circumstances. Mothers will often put the needs of others above their own, so it is paramount to remind them to take care of themselves also, especially when it comes to mental health.

Research has shown that women experience some mental health conditions more so than men and at much higher rates. There are many factors that can impact a woman’s wellbeing physically and emotionally. Seeking effective treatment can enable her to engage more readily in everyday activities and fulfil the needs of her children and family.

This Special Report highlights the role mothers play in the developmental growth of her children and the importance of self-care for good mental health. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

Here is the link to your special report https://sacs.nsw.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/celebrating-mothers-day

SchoolTV is a SACS P&F funded initiative to support the parents and caregivers of our students.

Bronwyn Wake
Wellbeing Coordinator & Counsellor

National Simultaneous Storytime

National Simultaneous Storytime is on Wednesday this week. This year, the featured book is "Give me some Space!" by Philip Bunting and amazingly, the book will be read by NASA Astronaut Shannon Walker from space! Our school will be celebrating this event with an entire week of STEM activities in the library during lunchtimes and on Wednesday19 May at 11am, the whole Junior School will gather to watch the book being read from the International Space Station.

Celebrating the amazingness of our universe.

Nicole Cotter
Coordinator of Digital and Information Literacy – JS & GS

For those who are new to SACS, Showcase is our flagship annual music concert in Sydney Town Hall, an exciting night of student performances that provides the SACS community with the opportunity to share in the breadth and excellence of our music program.

This year will be an extra special concert to celebrate Dr John Collier and his love of Jazz, during his final year as Head of School. It is also with great excitement that we look forward to welcoming special guest James Morrison, Australian Jazz virtuoso, who will be spending the entire day on Thursday 10 June with our students, rehearsing in Town Hall, before performing in several items at the concert. All students in Senior Music ensembles and Year 7 students will be involved. Students now have added reason to be on time to rehearsals and practice their parts at home!

Your personal video invitation to attend the concert is from James Morrison – please view it here.

If you’d like to see the incredible versatility of Mr Morrison, watch this video of him playing every wind instrument, double bass and piano in a jazz big band.

Tickets go on sale Wednesday 19 May at 12pm. Visit the website for more details and to book your tickets.

Dr Christian Watson
Director of Performing Arts

Cross Country

On Tuesday 4 May, the Junior School and Gawura held their annual Cross Country carnival at Queens Park. For the majority of the carnival it was perfect running conditions, with a cool temperature and slight breeze. Unfortunately the rain that was forecast got to us earlier than expected and the senior age groups got rather damp during their respective races. Credit to all students who were involved, they took it in their stride and for many the wet weather made it more fun! It’s always impressive to see students push themselves in a cross country and our students didn’t disappoint. Congratulations to all that participated and particularly those who have now qualified for the ASISSA Cross Country in the coming weeks. Good luck!

Tony Dunseath
PDHPE Teacher, Head of Co-curricular K 6

Fostering respect in children

We are continuing looking at Character Strengths this term. In particular with regard to The Learning Pit. I love The Learning Pit image as it honestly shows the different stages of how we all learn in all areas.

Recently, we have been working through placing our Character Strengths on this image. We are encouraging the students to discuss and explain their placements. Several of the character strengths align with respect – principled, caring and self-controlled. The UR Strong topics we are also covering, talk about The Friendship Cycle with it’s two main ideas of Trust and Respect.
                          
Respect is always a current topic in the Junior School that is visited in many lessons and in everyday conversations with students. How do we as parents and teachers foster respect? In 2018 Susan Brunk, M.A., Associate Director of Curriculum from The Stepping Stone School in Austin Texas, wrote this interesting article.

Ms Brunk suggested 5 things to consider.

1. Model Respect. Children often watch their caregivers looking for clues defining the expectations. If they see parents and teachers treating one another with respect, they will do the same.
2. Discuss Respect. As children grow, talk about the way we treat others. Focus on the words we use (yes, Mrs …yes, Mr ….please and thank you), and the attitudes we portray. Explain the expectation of respect for others demonstrated in both attitude and behaviour.
3. Teach Turn-Taking. Turn-taking is a skill needed in all aspects of life. Helping children to patiently wait for a turn to speak or have a go encourages respectful listening. Encouraging children to wait for their turn in line or their turn for a toy develops an attitude of patience and respect.
4. Teach Polite Responses. Infants and young toddlers can begin learning how to use sign language to communicate words like, “please” and “thank you.” At Stepping Stone School, staff begin teaching these signs in the infant classrooms and continue to build upon these important phrases throughout the years. As children begin vocalizing, adding phrases to their vocabulary like, “excuse me,” “no, thank you,” and “yes, Mrs … Mr ….” continues to encourage an attitude of respect.
5. Praise Respectful Behaviour: When children demonstrate good manners and respect to others, give specific praise for the positive choices they are making.

Simple but effective steps in fostering respect in children.

Joy Rohrlach
Year 5 Leader

Head Lice

It has come to our attention that a case of head lice has been identified in the Junior School and Middle School. Please take a look at this helpful link for identification and treatment of head lice.

https://education.nsw.gov.au/parents-and-carers/wellbeing/health-and-safety/removing-head-lice-and-nits

Rosemary Latter
School Nurse

The ICAS series is a competition designed to assess students' ability to apply classroom learning in new contexts, using higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills.

This year all ICAS assessments will be sat in Term 3 during August. An email will go out to parents and carers before the end of Term 2 with details on how to register your child for one or more tests. In the meantime, please save the below dates.

Students who perform exceptionally well on the ICAS assessments will be recognised in a school assembly in Term 4.

Lucy Birts
Gifted and Talented Coordinator, Junior School & Gawura School

Sports tracksuit and raincoat

New tracksuit

Introducing our new sports tracksuit for K-12.

These new tracksuits jackets provide wind protection and are waterproof and fleece lined for those cold Sydney mornings. They are light weight, breathable, durable and comfortable. They also have zipper pockets for safe storage.

The new tracksuit pants provide wind protection, with a comfort stretch for being active during the winter months.

NB. The old-style tracksuit will continue to be part of the regular school uniform with a changeover period of 2 years.

New winter jacket/raincoat

This new jacket is design for those wet winter mornings to go over your children's blazers. They are fully lined and waterproof.

All items are available from the uniform shop in store or from the webstore.

Second Hand uniform sale

Event details:
Date:    Monday 10 May
Time:    7.30am-9.30am
Venue: Sydney Square

It’s that time again! The Andrean Writer, Artist and Composer of the Year for 2021 has begun. This year’s theme is a choice between four character strengths (Hopeful, Thinking, Persistent and Caring) – to celebrate our new Character Strength images around the school. Please click the SACSConnect link here for more details. Students have been communicated this through their classes and on Schoology. Competition closes 11 October.

Semi-finals and Finale - important updates

Semi Finals - compulsory for all teams

Part 1: Student pitches

- Wednesday 9 June, 4.30pm - 7.30pm. (Students can come later if they have other co-curricular commitments). Students must wear full school winter uniform (no sports uniforms).

Part 2: Judging results and feedback

- Wednesday 16 June, 4.30pm - 6.30pm. Students must wear full school winter uniform (no sports uniforms).

Finale - compulsory for all teams
-Tuesday 20 July - students must be present from 3.30pm. Please make necessary arrangements for other co-curricular commitments (end time TBC). Students must wear full school winter uniform (no sports uniforms)

Pip Currey
Head of Innovation and Enterprise

All Year 5 and 6 parents are warmly invited to come and join us for coffee in our new Chapter House space to meet other parents, key Junior School staff and members of the Parents and Friends Association.

Event details:
Date:   Thursday 20 May
Time:   8am-9am
Venue: Chapter House
Bookings: https://sacsevents.ptly.com/event/coffeeyear56

TheirCare have released their Winter Holiday Program "Full Speed Ahead".

Date: Monday 21 June - Tuesday 13 July

To find out more, click here:

https://www.sacs.nsw.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Winter-21-flyer.pdf

Wednesday and Friday appointments available

I would like to advise you that we have secured the services of a very generous doctor in the city who is willing to see our Gawura students and their families free of charge (he will bulk bill through Medicare) if the need arises.

Dr Shuo (Shore) Zhao is located at Level 1, 70 Pitt St, Sydney. You can book an appointment with him on any Wednesday and Friday morning between 8.00am – 12.00pm. The number of the practice is Ph: 02 9233 3399. We understand that many parents already have their own doctor that they use, possibly even through the Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS) in Redfern but this is just another option for you to use if you choose to do so and one that is located in the city, near our school.