Week 3, Term 3 2021 - 27th July 2021

Principal's Reflection

I know that in my family, digital technology use can be tricky to navigate.  As a dad, my three children constantly pester me to use a variety of devices.  The promises of completing ’Maths Online tasks’ on the iPad quickly morph into mini Minecraft sessions and watching YouTube videos if not monitored carefully.  In speaking with other parents, I know that this issue is a common one in modern families.

In reflecting on this, I went back to refer to our school’s Digital Technology Guidelines, which were developed by the school board in 2019.  This document offers staff, parents and students a practical guide to the use of technology, both at home and at school and contains some useful information for parents to assist them when dealing with their child’s technology and social media use.  I encourage you to read our guidelines, as it gives parents some pertinent advice regarding social media, wearable tech, etc.

Furthermore, I am always on the look out for engaging articles to guide and form my thinking.  Fortunately, I came across Martine Oglethorpe and her website, The Modern Parent.  This website has a plethora of useful information for parents around technology use and online behaviour.  One of Martine’s articles is titled, “9 digital technology guidelines for parents”, which I include for you below.

Technology is everywhere now, in our homes, in our pockets, and perhaps worryingly for many parents, in our children’s hands.  Every family is different and will have their own ideas around what’s considered ‘normal’ or acceptable use of our beloved devices, which means there’s no universal answer.  However, there are some suggestions that can help you build some rules of your own and bring some order to the way your children use digital devices at home.

Before we help our young people, it’s best to look at our own digital habits to make sure we are providing them with what they need – that is, leading by example and being balanced role models who know when to use and when not to use their devices.

1. Know what the rules and expectations are at school. School digital device policies make a great starting point for families. Every school is different, so make sure that you and your child know what the rules are at school. Importantly, support the school and keep your own expectations in line with theirs.
2. Specify hours for digital use. Set the ground rules for when your youngsters can use their tablets and phones, and when they need to shut them off for the night. It’s just a smart way to build a habit for the whole family so it becomes ingrained and just the way things are done in your home. Keep in mind that this age group faces tremendous peer pressure to be online 24/7, and even though they’d never admit it, it might be helpful for them to have an acceptable ‘way out’ from their demanding digital life.
3. Consider a digital device ‘contract’. Mobile phone ‘contracts’ were popular with parents a few years back and they are still a smart way to go. Clearly set out your digital device usage guidelines, and print them in an agreement that you and your young one can both sign. If there are any disputes, then you both have the expectations in writing. This digital technology guideline maybe a little too formal for many people’s tastes, but it removes the grey areas around expectations that many young people are likely to exploit.
4. Lay out consequences from the start. Make the consequences clear for breaking the rules, such as taking away the phone or tablet for a set period of time. But remember, the goal isn’t to punish them, but just to set clear boundaries. Your home’s digital device guidelines should be reasonable rather than excessive, and be made in collaboration with your youngster so they feel a sense of ownership about the rules too. This should make it less likely for them to ‘break the law’, so to speak.
5. Talk about respectful relationships and safety. You can’t let your young person loose in the digital world without having several conversations about how to stay safe online, how to show respectful behaviour and be aware of the pitfalls of inappropriate content on the internet. Each of these topics is a separate issue on its own, but each is deeply affected by the virtual, boundary-free nature of digital technology. This kind of digital exposure can have massive ramifications on the growth and development of young people, especially when it comes to the quality of their relationships and well-being.
6. Be prepared to learn. Be ready to learn about social media, and the different apps and games that young people may be playing. But at the same time, be mindful of their boundaries. A recent Australian survey found that young people see TV-watching as a way of connecting to their family, and social media as a way of connecting to their friends.
7. Change the rules if necessary. Many families will have a young one who believes that rules are made to be broken. They are the ones always pushing past their boundaries, their own limits and the limits of their parents’ patience. Smart parents take a more flexible approach, and believe that rules are made to be changed.  Be prepared to keep evolving your rules based on your young person’s behaviour, maturity, sleep habits, their tendency to leave homework or chores unfinished, bullying or any number of issues that will invariably crop up to make them feel like your rules just aren’t working.
8. Keep digital devices out of the bedroom. If there was one rule that you should stay firm on, then this is the one. Many young people are in a constant sleep deficit as it is without bringing digital devices into the mix. They may say they want to charge it in their room. Keep the charger in a public place. They may even want to use their mobile or tablet to wake up in the morning. Applaud them on wanting to wake up on their own, but get them a regular alarm clock instead.
9. Have a ‘digital detox’ one day a week. The only way that this idea will work is if you join them in making one day a week a digital device-free day. They will probably not like it, and neither will you, but the point of having one day off is to prove that they can live without their digital device, and involve them in different forms of communication and entertainment.

Digital technology is now an integral part of our lives, but it’s not the only option we have for entertainment, information and or communication. Before we help our young people, it’s best to look at our own digital habits to make sure we are providing them with what they need – that is, leading by example and being balanced role models who know when to use and when not to use their devices. They are far more likely to walk our walk than follow our talk.

It’s not easy, but with a little effort and forethought, it does not have to be such a daunting proposition.

Martine Oglethorpe

Sources:
https://www.parentingideas.com.au/blog/9-digital-technology-parenting-guidelines/
https://themodernparent.net/

From the Principal - Mr Wes Rose

NAIDOC Celebrations
Last Friday, students enjoyed a variety of indigenous-themed activities to celebrate NAIDOC Week.  It was great to hear students talking about how they enjoyed the damper, indigenous artwork, coconut shredding, spear throwing, boomerang throwing and indigenous music.  Many thanks to Mr and Mrs Ahwong, Miss Loban and her family, Natasha and John, Mrs Tatchell and the team from Deadly Choices for coordinating the activities. 

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Blessing and Opening
We will formally recognise the construction of our new buildings at our Blessing and Opening, which will be held this Thursday 29^th July at 1:00pm in the school hall.  On the day, we will welcome several special visitors, including Parish Priest, Fr Don White, Diocesan Director, Miss Leesa Jeffcoat, Mayor Greg Williamson, State MP Julieanne Gilbert and Federal Member Mr George Christensen.  Parents are welcome to attend, but please note that there will be limited seating available in the hall.

Mackay District Athletics Carnival
All the best to the following St Mary’s students participating at the MDSS Athletics Carnival this Wednesday.  Mrs Kerrisk will also be attending to assist with officiating the day.

10 Years – Emmi Burgess, Layla Bungay, Amara Daley, Evie Clarendon, Joshua Kaddatz, Thomas
                      Louw

11 Years – Hanna Willey, Sophia Dela Torre, Ivy Martin, Riley Albert, Jamall Ahwong, Harper Shields, Wyatt Noon, Charlie Galea, Blake Battaia

12 Years – Alexis Kavanagh, Jade Williams

13 Years – Ben Symons

Quote of the Week

Catholic Education Week

Catholic Education Week will be celebrated in Catholic schools in Queensland from 25 – 31 July 2021.

This annual event is held to promote the special ethos of Catholic schools and to highlight the great things that take place in Catholic schools every day.  

The theme for this year’s celebrations is:  A Spirited Tomorrow.

Catholic education strives to make a difference in the lives of those in our schools and in the wider community by challenging young people to live out the message of Jesus and to reach their full potential as compassionate, contributing, life-giving members of society. The 2021 theme acknowledges the long tradition of Catholic education, this year celebrating 200 years in Australia, and its continued relevance in preparing students for the future.

There are 309 Catholic schools in Queensland that educate around 154,000 students and employ more than 20,000 teachers and staff, and most will celebrate Catholic Education Week in some way.

Our school is planning a number of activities during the week including:

From the Office - Finance Department

Dear Parents
Please note that school fees are due for payment this Friday, 30th July 2021.
Thank you to those families who have already made payments or entered into a payment arrangement.
If you did not receive your fees statement or have any queries regarding fees, please don’t hesitate to email me at smm_finance@rok.catholic.edu.au 

Mrs Kathy Parrish
Finance Officer

Mackay Maths Competition

The Mackay Maths Competition was held at St Joseph’s last Friday. Teams of five students from many schools in the Mackay region came together to compete and to test their combined mathematical skills. In total there were 185 students competing. The teams competed in two sections, one with 10 questions, which the students worked on together as a whole team and a second where the students worked in pairs to complete 20 more questions in a timed relay.  

St Mary’s entered two teams into the competition. Team 1 consisted of Joshua Kaddatz, Millie Camilleri, Levi Crisp, Kai Crisp, Sophia Della Torre who placed second overall of the thirty seven teams. Team 2 consisted of Yongkang Li, Romeo Elworthy, Charlie Smith, Grace Bowyer, Max Reynolds.

Congratulations to all students who competed and represented St Mary’s with pride. 

Mrs Denise Rokic
Teacher

Sport News

Sport Star

Congratulations to Harper Shields on being named in the Capricornia U11 Rugby League team. Harper will play at the State Titles in Townsville during the September school holidays.

Well done Harper, the Battlers are behind you!

Mrs Caroline Kerrisk
HPE Teacher

Year 2 Excursion

Year 2 children standing in front of the set of Charlotte’s Web. The children loved watching Wilbur, Charlotte, Fern and all the characters come alive on stage.

Thank you, P & F and the Pathways Program, for your contributions towards this fun excursion. 

Year 2 Teachers

Rock Pop Mime

After many weeks of rehearsals, the St Mary’s Rock Pop Mime Team performed their hearts out to a full house at the MECC last Saturday night. St Mary’s placed third out of many other outstanding performances.

Many thanks to Miss Dolly Louw for teaching such a brilliant and fun routine based on Roald Dahl’s Matilda!  Thank you also to the Mackay Host Lions Club for providing this event to the youth of Mackay for the last 36 years.

You can still catch all the performances via our school or the Mackay Host Lions Club’s Facebook pages.

Mrs Donna Wood

Book Week Parade - Save the Date!

Book Week will officially run from 21st-27th August 2021.

St Mary’s will be holding its annual Book Week Parade during this week on Tuesday 24th August. This year’s theme is 'OLD WORLDS, NEW WORLDS, OTHER WORLDS'. 

Students are encouraged to start thinking about their favourite book characters and how a creative costume might come to life for this celebration.

Premier's Reading Challenge

Student of the Week

Week 2 Term 3 Student Award Winners

Community News