Week 10, Term 3 2023 - 12th September 2023
Week 10 Reflection
As the school holidays approach it might be timely to prepare for success family time by considering a tried and tested method from You Can Do It Program.
What’s the secret for teaching children to behave appropriately?
Imagine this scenario.…
You’ve landed this great job and you’re looking forward to climbing the corporate ladder. You turn up to this great job and you work your socks off the first week (making a few errors of judgement because it’s all new) and then at the end of the week there’s no salary credited to your account.
The same thing happens next week, and the week after. Are you going to repeat your efforts and keep going back to work?
I suspect not.
Let’s face it, one of the main reasons you keep working is the positive reinforcement of a salary. So how do our kids feel when there’s no positive reinforcement for when they really work hard to behave well?
Do not take your children’s good behaviour for granted.
How positive reinforcement works
Positive reinforcement is based on a simple scientific fact: Behaviour that is reinforced tends to be repeated, while behaviour that is not reinforced tends to fall away. Positive reinforcement is one of those practical parenting strategies that makes complete sense. For one thing, positive reinforcement works to modify behaviour. For another, it encourages appropriate behaviour, while at the same time providing us as parents with the opportunity to address inappropriate behaviour. There are consequences for all behaviour and when appropriate behaviour is reinforced, it stands to reason that kids will see less reason to exhibit inappropriate behaviour. By the same token when negative behaviour results in negative consequences, kids will work out for themselves that it’s not worth repeating.
One other very important point to keep in mind. When we pay attention to our children’s negative behaviour by giving them our attention, a lecture or a stern look, we can actually be reinforcing the negative behaviour, rather than a positive behaviour. So, put most of your positive reinforcement including your attention and emotional energy into reinforcing your children’s positive behaviours.
Building kids up
Outcomes from positive reinforcement not only help to modify behaviour, they also help to build kids up. When our kids are given a high five, thumbs up, offered praise for doing a good job, given a pat on the back or told how proud of them we are, they experience feelings of satisfaction and confidence. Positive reinforcement tells kids that they’re giving this tricky job of being a kid their best shot – that they’re trying their best, maybe falling down on the job some days, but succeeding on others. They know their efforts are valued and appreciated, and they’ll keep returning to work because there’s motivation to do so.
Ways to praise and reinforce behaviour
- Catch kids in the act. Praise cooperation, teamwork, patience, tolerance, sharing.
- Give praise when you are alongside a child. Make eye contact, and ensure your child can hear you.
- Be sincere and be specific. Let kids know exactly what you’re praising them for.
- Praise doesn’t always have to be verbal. A hug, wink, smile or a pat on the back are just as effective.
- Praise often, appropriately and consistently.
- Reinforce positive behaviour with privileges and tangible rewards when appropriate
- Praise effort, hard work and perseverance.
- Let kids hear you praise them to other people and family members. The more often and the more consistently we apply positive reinforcement to our kids’ behaviour, the more likely they are to repeat behaviours that attract a positive response from us.
Teachable moments happen every day with kids, and positive reinforcement is right up there in teaching kids how to feel good about themselves. Praise and reinforcement from us encourages and motivates them to want to make the most of their talents, learning and opportunities.
Happy Holidays!
Terri Leotta
Assistant Principal: Religious Education
© The Bernard Group youcandoiteducation.com.au
From our Principal - Mr Wes Rose
School Holidays
A reminder that this Friday 15th Sep is the last day of Term 3. I wish all students, staff and families a relaxing and safe school holiday. Term 4 resumes on Tuesday 3rd October.
St Mary’s Got Talent – Rescheduled
Last week, I emailed all parents about the rescheduling of St Mary’s Got Talent. The new date is Thursday 5th Oct from 11:20am-1:20pm in the school hall. Parents are most welcome to attend. I sincerely thank Mrs Wood for her constant support of our students who are preparing for the finale!
First Aid - Staff Training
This Monday 17 staff participated in a CPR refresher and Apply First Aid course. While there is no requirement for teaching and ancillary staff to undertake this training, I thank these staff for participating in this very important training, which was fully funded by the school.
Staff News
Miss Banks is on long service leave this week. Mrs Aileen Balding is teaching 3B during this time. Mrs Berardi is also on long service leave this week, with Mrs Hollie Cleaver teaching 1B.
Sporting Gala Days
This week we have many students representing St Mary’s at the Basketball and Rugby League Gala days. I thank the attending staff and volunteer parents for assisting at these events, I know the students have thoroughly enjoyed participating.
Discover Mackay Treasure Trail
There will be 10 mystery locations to discover around the Mackay region and thousands of dollars in prizes up for grabs! The first three teams to complete the whole trail will win a major prize and the first 50 teams to finish will receive an automatic prize – a Discover Mackay picnic blanket. Mackay Regional Council is also giving away a $200 gift voucher for the best dressed team, so you can dress up in any costume. Each mystery destination has a treasure trail corflute or poster on display with a QR code on it that they need to scan with their smart phone.
How to complete the treasure trail:
- Use the clues on the council web page to find each mystery location (www.mackay.qld.gov.au/trail - Note - the web page will be live from 15th Sep)
- Scan the QR code at each location with a smart phone and complete the entry form that pops up, including any questions or challenges
- Email communications@mackay.qld.gov.au to let us know when they are finished!
* Note – some locations will require a photo or video to be taken and uploaded to the council website via a smart phone.
Mystery prizes:
There are also mystery prizes to be won instantly by finding a council branded treasure trail rock at six of the mystery locations! Be sure to keep an eye out for a small, smooth rock the size of your palm with the council logo listed. If you find a mystery rock, follow the instructions listed on the back to claim your prize!
Quote of the Week
"There is no way around hard work. Embrace it."
-Roger Federer
St Mary's Bike-a-Thon
St Mary's Swimming Carnival
Year 1 Fireman Visit
Last Friday, Year 1 had a special visit from Blazer and the crew from Mackay Fire & Rescue. They had a lesson in special safety protection and what to do if ever in a fire, followed by hands-on play with the fire hoses.
Student of the Week
Week 9, Term 3 Student Award Winners
| Prep P | Ella | For great work in your writing book. You are working hard to write interesting sentences and are remembering when to use upper and lowercase letters. Thank you for always trying your best Ella! |
| Prep P | Matilda | For wonderful work during our maths lessons this week. You worked quickly and confidently when sharing items into groups. Thank you for always being such a great worker Matilda! |
| Prep R | George | For his enthusiastic approach to all learning activities. You are always eager to increase your knowledge and share your ideas with the class. |
| Prep R | Kobi | For the effort you are putting into your writing. You are sounding out tricky words and using finger spaces. Keep up the wonderful work. |
| 1B | Bowen | For the amazing writing you did for your information report. You had plenty of interesting facts about possums. Well done! |
| 1K | Porsha | For outstanding effort in class towards her work. Significant improvement in handwriting and the ability to write independently and for choosing to do extra work in your animal report. You are amazing! |
| 2A | Ramani | For demonstrating the virtues of determination and persistence in all your learning. You are making great progress! |
| 2L | Alice | Alice, your teacher loves how you sit attentively in the morning ready to start the day and how you are becoming more independent with your work. Keep working hard! |
| 2L | Charlotte | Charlotte your giggle is infectious, and your smile radiates in our classroom. What a pleasure you are to have in 2L!! |
| 3B | Hailey | For the focus and effort you put into all that you do. You set a wonderful example for the class Hailey. |
| 3P | Oaklan | For working extremely hard on improving his knowledge of sounds and segmentation. Great job Oaklan! |
| 4A | Isabella | For the outstanding effort and time you put into your artwork. Your entry into the Earthcare competition will be used in future presentations or prayer resources. We are very proud of you. |
| 4A | Hudson | For the great choices you are making in all areas of your schooling. We can see the effort you are putting into your learning. Keep up the great work, Hudson! |
| 4C | Maxwell | For your excellent knowledge of English and sharing your wisdom of prefixes and suffixes with the class during our investigations. |
| 5SA | Lacey | For always showing initiative and taking great pride in everything that you do. Your singing performance this week showed how multitalented you are. Keep shining Lacey! |
| 5T | Jaylah | For the outstanding effort and pride you demonstrate in both your learning and bookwork. You are a great role model in 5T Jaylah! |
| 6M | Kai | For being a number palindrome legend. You rose to the challenge and managed to solve numerous multi-stepped problems. |
| 6M | Harriet | For always being a willing volunteer around the school and showing wonderful leadership qualities. |
| 6V | Sibella | For making excellent use of class time to complete assignment work. Your focus and dedication are to be commended Sibella. Keep up the great work. |
| 6V | Maddison | For working hard to follow task criteria when writing your fantasy narrative. You have included excellent vocabulary choices, developed your characters and setting, and maintained the interest of the reader throughout your story. Your teachers thoroughly enjoyed reading the finished product. |
Community News
