Kids actually say the funniest things. Not a week goes by when one of us isn't chortling in the Staff Room about the latest gem. This week has led to some outright laughing outloud.
Poor Ms Marszalek was called Mrs Marshmallow - not that she minded. She loves the Preps, and she had had a particularly good time that morning so the name did leave her feeling all soft and gooey inside.
Maree was in stiches when a child informed her that her mother had referred to all the books in the library as Maree's babies. And then she couldn't contain herself when a Prep marched out of the Resource Centre exclaiming loudly ‘Well, that was fun’ as if he hadn’t expected it to be, and was clocking up yet another fun activity.
One of our gorgeous Year 2 girls informed her class that her mummy was so sick of her little sister telling her how to turn the pages of a book that she bought a kindle.
And earlier this week another little girl informed her mother that the President (me) had explained to her where she was supposed to play. I've been called a lot of things in my career but that title was very funny.
Many of us say 'I wish I had written down what that child said'. No matter how funny the comment is we do sometimes forget a child's view on life. We have started to record them - so if you hear us laughing outloud any time, it's probably because a little one has imparted an hilarious observation on the world around them.
05 February 2016
26 January 2016
The standard you walk past, is the standard you accept
Congratulations, David Morrison, AO, on becoming the 2016 Australian of the Year.
In June 2013 as Head of the Australian Defence Force, Morrison made an announcement to the Australian Army about the allegations of sexual harassment and unaceptable behaviour by Army members. He made no bones about his attitude to this behaviour and what he thinks, not just of those who perpetrate it, but of those who know about it and do nothing. He famously said 'The standard you walk past is the standard you accept'. He also said 'Every one of us is responsible for the culture and reputation of the ADF and I need every one of you to support me in achieving this.'
We could replace the acronym 'ADF' in his speech with 'Peregian Springs SS' and apply it to our own organisation. Over six years we have crafted high expectatons and standards in achievement, behaviour, attendance, uniform and effort. We expect and help everyone to work on maintaining these - from the smallest Prep to the newest family to the most experienced staff member.
Teachers (and other staff) ask kids to step up and try harder, to remove a non-uniform item, to treat their peers with more respect, to welcome newcomers to the school, to be on time, to be prepared for learning, to use common courtesies in all situations. Parents are asked to support us in this. These are tough conversations for staff to have, and they are not always received kindly.
So why don't we walk past poor behaviour, lateness, disrespect and coloured jumpers? It's because the research into what makes kids successful and happy at school is the adherence to high expectations and consistent boundaries. And our kids are testament to this - every day.
I can't wait to see them all again tomorrow for the start of another year of learning and smiling. Happy New School Year, everyone!
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| Source: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BMtxrz7CIAA_uUf.jpg |
We could replace the acronym 'ADF' in his speech with 'Peregian Springs SS' and apply it to our own organisation. Over six years we have crafted high expectatons and standards in achievement, behaviour, attendance, uniform and effort. We expect and help everyone to work on maintaining these - from the smallest Prep to the newest family to the most experienced staff member.
Teachers (and other staff) ask kids to step up and try harder, to remove a non-uniform item, to treat their peers with more respect, to welcome newcomers to the school, to be on time, to be prepared for learning, to use common courtesies in all situations. Parents are asked to support us in this. These are tough conversations for staff to have, and they are not always received kindly.
So why don't we walk past poor behaviour, lateness, disrespect and coloured jumpers? It's because the research into what makes kids successful and happy at school is the adherence to high expectations and consistent boundaries. And our kids are testament to this - every day.
I can't wait to see them all again tomorrow for the start of another year of learning and smiling. Happy New School Year, everyone!
03 December 2015
Putting a cat among the pigeons...or in this case, the hens!
Attendance at school is so important for academic and social progress - so important that when a child's rate of attendance falls below 85%, their academic progress is severely effected. Most families know that we take attendance very seriously, and they concientiously provide us with the reasons why their children are away.
Sometimes these reasons can be an enormous source of entertainment. Take this one for example.
(Names have been changed to protect the 'not so innocent'.)
And it came complete with a photo!
And then arrived the after shot - just love it!
So the moral of the story is - if you are going to be away from school, an entertaining reason softens the blow, and a photo always helps! :)
Sometimes these reasons can be an enormous source of entertainment. Take this one for example.
And it came complete with a photo!
And then arrived the after shot - just love it!
23 October 2015
Teachers love Fridays - and then there's swimming...
Teachers love Fridays. It's a great day of the week. Everyone is upbeat, we have Assembly, the weekend is coming... and then there's swimming.
This week's blogpost is a funny story of a day in the life of a teacher on swimming days. Thank you to Clair Allan for sharing this hilarious perspective.
'Today, take a moment to give Miss Lucy that extra warm smile and gratitude at the end of the day. It is at this time of year that my Fridays off come into their own as I think of my beautiful teaching partner. Just picture her day today......
It begins with 24 RIDICULOUSLY excited five year olds, who dressed in their lycra at potentially 5am and are now making their way onto an enormous bus. The head counts take at least 2-3 goes as those wriggling bodies bouncing with excitement, move about in the line ensuring they are counted at least twice, not to mention those high-pitch squeals that put your counting off each time.
Once they spot that aqua blue of the pool, that intensity increases, and the 24 begin to feel like 48 with the wriggling and bouncing turned up a notch. The swimming section of the day happens to be the easiest time - coaches to assist, and the love of the water that most of our children have is wonderful. At times there is always the couple that maybe terrified of the water, that is if not dressed from neck to knee in lycra yourself finds one teacher in a very awkward and revealing situation. This is normally something first year teachers experience on their first swimming trip - we 'oldies' have this element down pat by now!
The next part is the best! Back to the bus. Often still dripping and dragging their towel behind - someone has always left their goggles behind, or has someone else's thongs on to begin the trip to the bus! With all that avoided, the bus trip goes one of two ways! They are either more hyped than the trip there after their incredible swim or are zonked and falling asleep that results in tears as we wake those sleeping babes from their slumber.
Back at school...... this separates the birds and the pigeons. Who can dress themselves? And then dress themselves correctly? Shoes on the right feet, buttons done up straight, and clothes not inside out? There are always those pairs of undies that belong to no one yet sit in the middle of the carpet - quite obviously belonging to someone within the room. As well as the notorious bag of wet swimming clothes that often sit in the classroom for the next 5 weeks, again belonging to no one!
The day will often end with a few tears as those tired little bodies (up since 5.00am) start to fade, and that excitement turns into frustration with anything really. I can hear you all frantically signing up to either begin your teaching career or at the least beg desperately to Lucy to allow you to help this morning!
So, as you have finished drop off, and sat for your morning coffee, spare a thought for Miss Lucy. We definitely love our job, and wouldn't have it any other way! But swimming days are the ones that test us.'
This week's blogpost is a funny story of a day in the life of a teacher on swimming days. Thank you to Clair Allan for sharing this hilarious perspective.
'Today, take a moment to give Miss Lucy that extra warm smile and gratitude at the end of the day. It is at this time of year that my Fridays off come into their own as I think of my beautiful teaching partner. Just picture her day today......
It begins with 24 RIDICULOUSLY excited five year olds, who dressed in their lycra at potentially 5am and are now making their way onto an enormous bus. The head counts take at least 2-3 goes as those wriggling bodies bouncing with excitement, move about in the line ensuring they are counted at least twice, not to mention those high-pitch squeals that put your counting off each time.
Once they spot that aqua blue of the pool, that intensity increases, and the 24 begin to feel like 48 with the wriggling and bouncing turned up a notch. The swimming section of the day happens to be the easiest time - coaches to assist, and the love of the water that most of our children have is wonderful. At times there is always the couple that maybe terrified of the water, that is if not dressed from neck to knee in lycra yourself finds one teacher in a very awkward and revealing situation. This is normally something first year teachers experience on their first swimming trip - we 'oldies' have this element down pat by now!
The next part is the best! Back to the bus. Often still dripping and dragging their towel behind - someone has always left their goggles behind, or has someone else's thongs on to begin the trip to the bus! With all that avoided, the bus trip goes one of two ways! They are either more hyped than the trip there after their incredible swim or are zonked and falling asleep that results in tears as we wake those sleeping babes from their slumber.
Back at school...... this separates the birds and the pigeons. Who can dress themselves? And then dress themselves correctly? Shoes on the right feet, buttons done up straight, and clothes not inside out? There are always those pairs of undies that belong to no one yet sit in the middle of the carpet - quite obviously belonging to someone within the room. As well as the notorious bag of wet swimming clothes that often sit in the classroom for the next 5 weeks, again belonging to no one!
The day will often end with a few tears as those tired little bodies (up since 5.00am) start to fade, and that excitement turns into frustration with anything really. I can hear you all frantically signing up to either begin your teaching career or at the least beg desperately to Lucy to allow you to help this morning!
So, as you have finished drop off, and sat for your morning coffee, spare a thought for Miss Lucy. We definitely love our job, and wouldn't have it any other way! But swimming days are the ones that test us.'
15 September 2015
A Principal's Award - something to aspire to
Then a week or so later all the classes were doing an exercise about the capabilities they wanted to achieve by the end of Year 6. Little Chuneve in Year 2 'just wants to be able to get a Principal's Award.'
It's amazing how much weight that little gold sticker carries and the importance some children attach to it. They are a bit special. I give them out when effort and achievement goes hand in hand and children demonstrate the power of their learning. Obviously I'm not there every time this happens throughout our school - I'd go through packets of the things if that was the case! But I keep them in my drawer and kids know they really mean something. This is the point of an award - recognition and attention for learning and effort - and the knowledge that it's been earned and not just given out with no meaning attached.
Now that I look at these stickers - they are very pretty. I would have loved one as a kid!
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