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Dear Parents and Carers
Stop Look Listen Say
Michael Grose from Parenting Ideas has some helpful tips when it comes to supporting parents. The following describes one of these suggestions.
Recently, I saw a remarkable act of parenting delivered in difficult circumstances. A mother calmly won cooperation from her very excited four-year-old daughter just minutes after an unexpected visit from a neighbour and her children.
It was time for bed but Miss Four-Year-Old looked too wound up to go. Her mother calmly said, “Harper….stop!” There was a long pause between the two words, giving Harper time to take notice.
“Look at me, please.” Harper made eye contact. “Now listen.”
“I want you to go into your room. Put on your pyjamas. Then choose a book.” Three instructions only.
“Harper, what did I just say?”
“I’ve got to go to my room. Get my pyjamas and a book.”
“Great! Off you go!”
This mum used the stop, look, listen, say method to get her daughter to cooperate. Her use of clear, simple language was admirable but it was only part of the success formula of this technique. Body language, tone of voice and eye contact all played a part.
This mother oozed credibility, so it was little wonder her daughter complied. In fact, this mother managed like a cat, which is a metaphor for managing with credibility.
If you struggle to get your kids to do as you wish, it’s probably your body language and tone of voice that give you away. That is, it’s less what you say and more about how you say it that makes a big difference. When speaking in a credible or cat-like (a metaphor for credibility) way the following factors come into play:
Steady voice
A cat-like parent will speak with a flat, clipped but friendly voice. This mother used a strong firm voice when she spoke. She took a slight pause between each sentence, which allowed the messages to sink in.
Still head
Your head stays still when you talk. A still head indicates calmness, confidence and authority. This mother also smiled as she spoke, which kept the mood friendly.
Strong body
Your body follows in line with your head. A still, steady posture rather than a body that’s bobbing around, leaning forward or slouching sends the message that you expect cooperation.
Palms down
Your palms will most likely face downwards as this indicates calm and authority. When your hands face the ground it’s far harder to speak with cadence in your voice, which is essential for friendly conversations rather than gaining cooperation.
Look away
In this example, the mother was able to initiate eye contact by saying to her daughter, “Look at me.” She made sure her daughter got her message. But she also took her eye contact away once she knew her message had been heard, rather than stay and be drawn into an argument. Cats will withdraw eye contact, even move away rather than stay and debate a point.
This mother’s cat-like management technique was no accident. She’d practised this method often in low stress situations so that it’s easy to use in difficult circumstances, even when she is tired.
Sports people know they revert to their lowest level of skill when they are fatigued, so they continually practise their skills so they become automatic. That’s as true in parenting and relationships as it is on the sports field. By practising new skills in low stress situations you can maintain your effectiveness and your relationship with your children when you’re tired or in unforeseen circumstances.
Birthdays at School
In the interests of safety for all, we will no longer be able to distribute any gift bags, lollies or birthday treats of any description. Each child will be appropriately acknowledged in their Learning Space. Many thanks for your understanding.
Fundraising
Given the impact COVID has had on our community we have decided that all fundraising, including the Market Night, for the remainder of the year will be cancelled. We look forward to next year and are hopeful that circumstances allow us to participate in these activities in 2021.
After School Pick-up
Thank you to everyone for your patience and understanding as we all work together to facilitate the pick up of 500 students. We remind parents to ensure they remember to social distance when they are waiting at the gates and be mindful of our neighbours when you are parking. For those coming through the carpark to utilise "kiss and drop" we ask that you do not arrive to early. The school students are not dismissed until 3.10pm and we need to allow for children to be picked up frm the ELC at 2.30pm.
Second Hand Uniform Shop
We are excited by the recent announcements which should enable us to open the Second-hand uniforms shop in the coming weeks. once we have received further information and guidelines from DOSCEL we will provide you with further details.
2021 Planning
As we begin planning for 2021 we ask parents to complete this link to advise us their intentions for 2021. Thank you to those parents who have already provided this information. There is no need to complete it a second time.
The fees for the 2021 School year have now been set and approved by DOSCEL.
School Fee and Levy Structure 2021
School Fees: $2,080 per family per year ($520 per term)
Building Levy: $710 per family per year ($177.50 per term)
Education Levy: (per child per year)
Foundation $500 per child plus $75 Swimming Program
Year 1 $500 per child plus $75 Swimming Program
Year 2 $500 per child plus $75 Swimming Program
Year 3 $500 per child plus $160 Camp Fee (Philip Island 2 days)
Year 4 $500 per child plus $260 Camp Fee (Melbourne 2 days)
Year 5 $500 per child plus $360 Camp Fee (Grantville 3 days)
Year 6 $500 per child plus $670 Camp Fee (Canberra 5 days)
A discount of $50 applies if annual fee amount is paid in full before 28 February.
Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund (CSEF)
Families who have a Pension or Health Care Card can claim funds from the CSEF which will be credited off their school fee account. Please complete the CSEF application form and return to the school office.
All families who receive CSEF are eligible for a reduction in fees also. Please contact the school office.
Financial Difficulty
Any families experiencing financial difficulties are encouraged to contact the school via finance@stclaresofficer.catholic.edu.au
There is a process for the application of special consideration due to fianancial hardship.
Every day counts at school – so please ensure your child attends each day provided they are well.
In the event of your child being absent, the school MUST be informed by 9:00am. This can be via email absent@stclaresofficer.cathlic.edu.au, through the Skoolbag app or on the phone 5940 6777. In the case of an unexplained absence, you will be contacted via SMS and then telephone.
While you may email the Learning Group Teacher we also ask that you ensure you also email absent@stclaresofficer.catholic.edu.au as this email is monitored by more than one staff member.
Please note that we are required by law to report unexplained or unreasonable absences to the relevant Government Authorities.
From the Office - October 2020
SKOOLBAG APP -
Updates to the system have been implemented by the company that manages Skoolbag. Unfortunately this has created some issues which have lead to some troubles with the app. We have been advised they are currently working on a update to fix the issues.
Thanks for your patience as we all work through this.
SCHOOL FEES -
Updated Fee statements have been emailed to families. Relevant credits have been applied for camps, swimming and excursions so these statements show the balance owing for 2020.
If your situation has changed meaning you now have a pension or health care card please let us know at the office or email finance@stclaresofficer.catholic.edu.au This can make a substantial difference to you school fees.
Families who have concerns about their financial situation are asked to contact the school via email finance@stclaresofficer.catholic.edu.au, so that we can explore confidential financial support arrangements.
VISITORS TO SCHOOL - For the safety of all, visitors to the school are being kept to a minimum and entrance to the office is only when essential. Please contact the office on 5940 6777 if you have any queries or require assistance.
EARLY PICK FROM SCHOOL - Should you need to collect your child early we ask that parents ring the school once they have arrived at school to collect the child. We will then arrange to bring the child out to you in the "L-Z kiss and drop zone". We remind you that parents are not to leave their car or enter the office area unless absolutely necessary.
Meet Colin - Our Crossing Supervisor
Colin is the Crossing Supervisor on the crossing at the top north-west corner of Majestic Drive.
Colin’s job is to make sure members of our school community cross Majestic Drive safely both before and after school.
You may need to add a few more steps to your walk so that you can use the marked crossing. With many more families walking to and from school now, Colin and the staff at St Clare’s would love to see you making that extra effort to cross the road at the safest point.
When using the crossing, wait behind the yellow line until you hear Colin’s whistle. The whistle means it is safe for you to cross the road within the marked crossing space. No need to run, as Colin will wait until everyone is safely across before he leaves the road.
Make sure you say “hello” to Colin and introduce yourself and family members next time you cross the road to come to school or on your way home