Launching of ‘The Lookout’

The role of libraries and teacher librarians have always been central to schools. I can still remember looking forward to the day of the week when my class was allowed to borrow and talking to the librarian about the latest books that had been added to the collection. Whilst this is a fond memory, it is one that falls well short of the importance that this learning space and the role of the teacher librarian play in schools today.

Libraries and Teacher Librarians are both key ingredients in creating a school learning environment that supports boys in accessing information, collaborating with one another, thinking creatively and reflecting on their learning. Over the last term the teachers and I have been discussing ways that we can better make use of both the space and Mrs Gough’s skills and expertise. To assist in this process we have decided that it is time for a name change; the Library needs a new name which better encapsulates all that it is and will be for our boys in the future.

And so from this day forward it will be known as ‘The Lookout’. Why ‘The Lookout’ I hear you ask?

Lookouts are places where you go to think, reflect, consider possibilities, explore and be amazed. We want our boys to see this learning space as all of those things. We want our boys to enter The Lookout expecting learning challenges and opportunities. This learning will make use of the literature, the flexible spaces, the information technology and the support of teachers collaborating with one another. Whilst many of these things aren’t new, we want to take this opportunity to look afresh at how we use the space to better support our boys in their inquiry-based learning. Ultimately, we want The Lookout to be an integral part of the fantastic learning environment the boys enjoy here at Lindfield.

The Lookout also happens to have the best view in the school!

Pastoral Care and Anti-Bullying

School culture is an extremely important part of each and every school. We feel very blessed here at Lindfield to have such wonderful boys (and parents) who contribute so positively to our school culture. Having said that, it isn’t something that we take for granted. Throughout Term 1 we emphasised to our boys the importance of ‘Controlling the Controllables’ and at each Assembly we highlighted the Pastoral Positives that had been occurring throughout the week. This seems to have been well received by our boys and has assisted in developing a positive tone.

To continue this, we have designed a new approach to support our boys in developing positive social relationships and building on our school culture. Our new approach will make use of our Year 6 students in a peer support style program where the older boys introduce key concepts to each of the other classes each month. These concepts will be consolidated in class during a circle time once a week and at Assemblies. Each of the sessions will be based on the well-known ‘Bounce Back program’ which covers the following key ideas across the year; People Bouncing Back, Courage, Looking on the Bright side, Emotions, Relationships, Humour, No bullying.

We look forward to supporting our boys through this proactive program to develop their social skills and ability to bounce back when things don’t go their way.

Lunchtimes at The Lookout

The learning that happens or needs to happen at lunchtimes in schools is often overlooked. Many of our boys find socialising to be a skill-set that doesn’t come naturally. To support our boys in the development of these key skills we have implemented another new initiative. Each lunchtime in The Lookout, a teacher will run an organised social activity that will allow boys to socialise in a controlled environment.

We hope that these activities will appeal to a wide range of boys, not simply those finding it difficult in the playground. We anticipate that many boys will make use of these activities including those that find the hustle and bustle of the playground to be a little busy at times,  those welcoming a break from the competition of the sports fields, or those that enjoy different types of activities.

Each day the activity will vary; Mondays will be board games, Tuesdays a surprise, Wednesdays kinaesthetic games, Thursdays craft-style activities and Fridays design and make building.

PE Uniform Clarification

There has been some confusion about appropriate dress standards on Wednesdays when the boys are required to wear their PE uniform. The boys are allowed to wear any combination of the PE uniform except for tracksuit pants and shirt. If the boys wish to wear their tracksuit pants they must also wear the tracksuit jacket. It is expected that the boys have their PE shorts with them every Wednesday.

Earn and Learn Points

Over the last couple of years our community has taken part in the Woolworths Earn and Learn scheme which allows us to purchase additional resources for the school. We feel very blessed to be supported by such a generous community.

This year, with your support, we will once again participate in this scheme in a slightly different manner. Given how well resourced our school is we thought this would be a great opportunity to support another school community that is in greater need than us. Given our connection over the years with the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children we thought it was appropriate to donate our school tokens to ‘RIDBC Garfield Barwick School’ at North Parramatta.

Please send any tokens to the School Office so that we can make a difference to another school community.

Exciting News

It is with much excitement that I inform you that Ms Oliver and Madame Pixton are both eagerly anticipating the arrival of babies later in the year. They will both continue working until early Term 3. We have already begun advertising for replacement teachers for their maternity leave.

Enrolments for 2014

We are currently interviewing for Kindergarten, Year 1, Year 3 and Year 5 for 2014.  If you know of anyone who might be interested in enrolling their son in these grades, please encourage them to contact the School Office on 9416 4280.