Assistant Principals’ News

Annual Community Meeting
Last night the Infant Jesus School held their Annual Community Meeting. The meeting commenced with a report, presented by our Principal, Mr Paul Hille, of the initiatives and improvements that had taken place during the 2018 school year.

During his report Mr Paul Hille thanked many in our community for their efforts during 2018.

However, striving to improve a school requires leadership, vision, thought, enthusiasm and collaboration to ensure that the vision becomes a reality for all in the community. We are very blessed and fortunate that Paul is the Principal at Infant Jesus School. He leads with great vision, commitment and care and works tirelessly in his dedication to improving numerous aspects of the school for the staff, the children and the families. During the last two years we (staff, children, families and the community) have greatly benefitted from the many initiatives that Paul has implemented to ensure that the school is continually improving.

We acknowledge and extend a huge thank you to Paul for his outstanding leadership, his care and commitment to making a positive difference every day at Infant Jesus School.

#ExpectGtreatThings.

SEQTA News
With semester reports being worked on by our teachers at the moment and then shared with you through SEQTA Engage we are currently communicating with parents to make sure that you are able to successfully log-in to SEQTA Engage.

SEQTA Engage can be either accessed through the web or through an app for both Apple and Android devices. It is important that you remember your log-in details if they are not saved into your device.

If you do not remember your password, you can request a reset email password by clicking on the Forgot your password? Link on the log-in page. Please note that the emailed link will expire in 1 hour from the time it has been requested.

Sometimes the email may also be found in your Junk/ Spam folder.

To change your password, you do need to know your Username and have provided an email address to the school.

If you have any issues with your account, please do not hesitate to contact the school. Please do not contact SEQTA directly as their policy is that they will refer you back to the school.

Technology News – Year Two BYOD Program
Next Monday the 3 December, our school IT technician, Rick Goody from Catalytic IT,  will be available in the school office to assist parents with the setting up of new iPad devices for the 2019 school year.

Rick will be in the school from 8:30am until 4.00pm and parents are able to participate in two options for this connection to the school system.

Parents will have two options for this:

1. Leave the iPad with a student name on it and it will be ready for collection at the end of the day.
2. Wait whilst Rick sets the preferences on the iPad and he can undertake the process while you wait. The process can take up to 20 minutes depending on the state of the iPad (example if it is still in the box it should be a relatively quick, two-minute job; however, if the iPad has used it can take longer.)

If you cannot make this scheduled time alternative times have been set for the new year.

• Friday, 1 February 2019
• Monday, 4 February 2019

If you have any concerns or questions about the Bring Your Own Device Program (BYOD) please do not hesitate to contact either Miss Mitzi Phoebe, or Melissa Myles at the school. 

Semester Two Reports
Further to the information in the Principals page about end of year reports. We thought that would take the time to share a fabulous resource about how to talk about reports with your children.

How to Talk to About Report Cards With Your Children
As a parent or carer, we can spend a significant amount of time (over?!) thinking the best way to talk to our kids about their reports. Whether you have one child in the early stages of formal schooling or siblings across multiple grades, reports are a great way to start a conversation about their learning. So, what is the best way to talk about reports?

1. Take Time One-on-One
Find a quiet time and place to sit one on one with your child to talk to them about their report.  Give them your undivided attention, without interruptions. Try to set aside enough time to have a relaxed discussion.

This can be challenging when you have more than one child to speak with; however; it is even more important if your kids tend to try and compare their own report with their siblings.

2. Focus on Effort Over Grades
Most reports provide a grade for effort as well as grades for academic achievement. An effort mark is by far one of the most important aspects of every child’s report! It is the aspect of their schooling that they have the most direct control over.

Combined with the teacher’s comment, effort marks help you to understand your child’s attitude towards learning.

Focusing on effort over achievement isn’t going to reduce your child’s motivation to work hard. Rewarding effort is especially important for kids who ‘struggle’ academically. If your child is focused on trying their best and feels that their efforts are seen and valued, they are going to be much more resilient learners. Resilient learners enjoy learning, continue to challenge themselves and are more comfortable making mistakes. These are extremely valuable life-long ‘soft-skills’.

3. Address Comparison
Help your child understand that everyone is different. Everyone excels (and struggles) in different are as. Try to avoid comparisons between their report and their siblings’ or classmates’ reports. Instead, focus on where they have tried their best, as well as the learning areas in which they achieved well or made a great improvement in.

Make it clear between siblings that comparison is pointless because they have each been graded on completely different outcomes!

4. Consider Setting an Individual Learning Goal
There’s a huge amount of value in taking time to sit with your child, reflect upon their current report and then set an individual learning goal for the next term or semester.

If a child’s report identifies an area of challenge, whether academic or social, to improve in this area could become a learning goal. If your child absolutely adores a certain subject area, perhaps they would like to focus on improving their effort or achievement in that area.

You may like to compare your child’s current report to their previous one, to help them see their progress. This is one type of report comparison that is helpful! Identify any areas of continued struggle and discuss why your child may still be falling short of their goals. Praise improvements made and their areas of growth.

5. Make a Plan
Out of your discussion, both you and your child may have identified areas that need some attention. Or you may have set a learning goal for the next term. With your child, decide on actionable steps they can take to address any concerns and/or progress towards their learning goal.

Such steps may include asking to meet with their teacher for suggestions of ways to meet challenges or setting a weekly goal for a little extra study or revision with your help.

St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal
During the last few weeks of the term we have had many families who have donated items that were collected by St Vincent de Paul volunteers last week.

We received this letter to thank us for our donation.

Dear Infant Jesus School,
Thank you for your most generous donation and participating in Vinnies Annual Christmas Appeal.

Your support ensures our 3,500 volunteers can continue provide vital access to food, accommodation and emotional support to over 40,000 men, women and children facing hardship and poverty.

The kindness of these donations will make a real difference this Christmas to Western Australians as because you give, lives are changed.

Vinnies WA