GUEST EDITORIAL BY DAVID MCCLINTOCK - DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION NAC
The Signals We Give
I was travelling on the plane back from New Zealand last week and a stressed young family came aboard and then
sat across the aisle from me. They had two small boys who were not impressed with the notion of seat-belts, and
the constraint of not being able to wander at will. I watched with interest as mum chose the window seat with Dad
consigned to the aisle seat, and the two lads in between.
If Dad had thought he was going to enjoy the in-flight entertainment, he was sadly mistaken. The boys appeared to
have a fascination for the toilet on board the plane, a desire to check out who was travelling and a set of lungs each that
sounded very healthy on occasions.
Mum tried distracting the pair, with limited success. She would then look in despair at her husband and conveyed very
eloquently, in total silence, that he had become the designated carer for the next set of needs. The two small boys
should certainly have slept well that night when we landed in Brisbane. They appeared to have expended a significant
amount of energy.
I contrast that with an experience I had on Sunday shopping at Coles. MyJune
trolley10,
was2015
pretty full and there were quite a
few of us waiting at the various check-outs. The call went over the system for all available check out operators to come
to the front. A pleasant young man came to the check-out closest to me.
He indicated to me that I could now unload on the vacant check-out right next to me. I quietly spoke to the lady who
was waiting patiently in front of the other checkout and asked her if she wanted to go first. She had a toddler quietly
sitting on the trolley seat. She gratefully smiled and proceeded to come to the new check-out. Her young lad looked at
me and quietly smiled and played peek-a-boo briefly. As she left, she again thanked me for letting her go first.
Choices. We don’t all respond the same way in our circumstances. Yet our children seem to pick up so many of our
hidden signals as parents that we possibly are not even aware we are giving out. We have the freedom to react to
circumstances as we choose. But have you realised how much is being picked up?
The challenge for us as parents and teachers is to be aware of the various signals we are giving intentionally or
otherwise. In many cases, it is the body language that conveys far more than we realise. What do you convey without
realising it? Is it love and security or is it the tension of stress and unhappiness?
God has shown through so many events and actions that He is a God of love. He shows it, but more importantly, He
acts it because He, in fact, is Love. Wouldn’t it be great if the signals we gave out to our children were consistently the
message that as parents we love you. We love you enough to care. We love you enough to discipline you. We love
you enough to make sure our signals convey that consistency of care and security regardless of what happens or what
you do?
NOTICES:
NEW WORLD RECORD SET
In April Riverside ACS launched the Kids Weet-Bix
TRYathlon for Townsville. A further 27 sites hosted the
Kids TRYathlons around Australia and New Zealand. The
2015 series set a new world record for the largest under16s triathlon series, with events on both sides of the
Tasman attracting a total of 40,500 participants. We were
part of it.....pretty cool!
EARN & LEARN
Woolworths Earn & Learn program is back! Every time
you spend $10 at Woolworths you will receive an Earn
& Learn sticker to place on your sticker sheet. Once it
is completed, you can drop it into the box in the school
office to go toward Riverside ACS earning free teaching
resources. We could get new resources for sports, maths,
science, art or any other area. Don’t forget to spread the
word and get Grandmas, Grandads, Aunties, Uncles and
as many people collecting as you can. The more sticker
sheets we complete and collect, the more cool stuff we
get!
OPENING PROGRAM - ‘BIG CAMP’
The annual ‘Big Camp’ is on again and, as always,
Riverside has been invited to take the opening program
on Friday, June 26 at 5:30pm. On Monday, there will be
a letter sent home with more information and a slip to
return to the office. Teachers have prepared a fantastic
program and it is sure to be a memorable night, so
please keep the date free.
LONG SERVICE LEAVE
Mrs Thomas will be going on long service leave for the
first 5 weeks of Term 3. Mrs Ross will be stepping in. She
is coming to us all the way from NSW.
NEW BIKE SERVICE STATION
Mrs Hautaneimi for the last few years has worked very
closely with Andrea White, the liason for HAAST. HAAST is a
government funded program that facilitates fun, engaging
health programs at schools. They have assisted us with Wheels
Days, Ride to School Day, Captain Active visits and more. This
week they graciously donated and installed a new bike service
station complete with pump and tools. Check out the photos
below. Ms White recognised Mrs Hautaneimi’s work and
awarded her a certificate of appreciation at school assembly.
On behalf of all the students and teachers from Riverside
ACS, thank you Mrs Hautaniemi for your ongoing effort in
organising fun, healthy events for our school.
BAD NEWS - GOOD NEWS!
I think most of you are aware that Mrs Jerrard, our school
secretary, is relocating to the Central Coast of NSW with her
family. She has served just over 15 months in her role and the
staff, students and supporting family of RACS want to express
our deep appreciation for Amanda’s professionalism, manner,
Christian grace and positive attitude. Amanda has been more
than a secretary in many ways. She has worked for us as an
accountant, a counsellor, a chef, a dietician, a pastor, a nurse
and more. We pray that God will use the Jerrard family in
powerful and fulfilling ways in their new surrounds.
The good news is that we have found a wonderful
replacement, Mrs Lauris Winship. Lauris is already becoming
part of the team and we know her broad range of ability and
experience will benefit our school community long into the
future. Mrs Winship has begun work here today and will be in
the office from July 13. I’m sure you will all soon meet her as
you pay fees or purchase uniforms.
Principals Award
Elluka Robertson - For kind manners and willingness to play with
anyone.
Hunter Kawana - For being mature and responsible in class.
Prep/1
Aurora Kawana - For creative work in technology.
Stephen Cardwell - For great colouring in.
Florida Teariki - For showing kindness.
Lissin Anil - For being cheerful and helpful.
Grade 2/3/4
Kamoa Scott - For excellent work in science.
Jett Jerrard - For excellent work in maths.
Sarah Stanley - For making better decisions in class.
Rachellie Savuro - For an excellent persuasive speech.
Grade 5/6
Ary Jalaleddine - Excellent effort in maths.
Mikki Quilala - For always using excellent manners in class.
DATES TO REMEMBER:
JUNE 24
LAST DAY OF TERM 2, PYJAMA
DAY & SCHOOL BREAKUP
JUNE 26
OPENING BIG CAMP
PROGRAM 5:10PM
JULY 13
ELC OPENING AND START
JULY 20
TERM 3 COMMENCES
JULY 23
NAIDOC PRESENTATION
AUGUST 11
SMC MEETING