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Professional Learning at Casey Grammar School
At the start of each term, the staff participate in a variety of professional learning sessions. On the staff day, 7 October, the focus of our professional learning was on teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, communicate, learn and behave. Our guest speakers included Alisha Alder, an Occupational Therapist who works with many Casey Grammar students, followed by a speaker from the I CAN network. These sessions gave staff greater understanding of students with ASD and how to create a supportive learning environment for them in each and every class. Later in the year, our staff will be trained in the Berry Street Educational Model. This is an educator-designed and evidence-led framework that empowers teachers to create classrooms where every student is ready to learn and able to thrive. The Casey Grammar Professional Learning Program offers staff ongoing, specialised and targeted professional development.
Casey Grammar School teachers have again been recognised for their exceptional work. Last week, Senior School teachers Nicole Morphett and Tim Randall received awards from Monash University for their mentorship of student teachers during the year. Congratulations to Ms Morphett and Mr Randall.
A reminder to parents who have children with asthma that spring is the season for thunderstorm asthma. Students should be well prepared on ‘thunderstorm asthma alert’ days so they can protect themselves from thunderstorm induced asthma.
Last week we gathered on the oval for the official launch of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). We were blessed with a beautiful evening and the assembled students, parents and staff enjoyed the Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country, along with the fabulous music provided by Ganga Giri. Congratulations to Mrs Monique Riviere Pendle for the leadership she has shown in the process of completing the RAP as well as her organisation of a fabulous launch.
The Year 11 Business Management students have organised a very successful Market Day held on 11 October. Due to very wet and stormy weather, the Market Day scheduled for 18 October has been moved to 25 October and we are all looking forward to another great market. Congratulations to Mr Subban and Mrs Doran and their talented Business Management students.
The Junior School swimming program is in full swing. It is wonderful to know our students are offered a comprehensive suite of swimming lessons each year throughout their Junior School years. This will ensure they have the knowledge and skills to be safe in and around the water.
The Senior School SIS Book in a Day team have been triumphant in this year’s competition. The team came second overall and won Best Front Cover Design. I am very proud of the students in the team, given they are all in Years 7 and 8. They competed against much older, more experienced students. They demonstrated their initiative, teamwork, drawing, writing, editing and revising skills. The future is looking great for Casey Grammar with this young and exceptionally talented team.
As many of you know, I have been recuperating from knee surgery. Being laid up has given me the opportunity to spend more time reading. I would like to share some articles which give great parenting advice. Happy reading.
Young People and Sleep
New research indicates that screen time before bed has little impact on young people’s sleep, but screen time once in bed causes a delay in getting to sleep and reduces the amount of sleep. This article by Rachael Taylor, Professor in the dept of Medicine at the University of Otago provides much food for thought for us as parents.
Research shows teens using their phone in bed does affect their sleep
How to Help your Child Self-Regulate
Learning how to self-regulate is an important social skill. Throughout our lives, we need to be able to manage our thoughts and behaviour. We need to do this to reach various goals and to get along with others — even if other distractions and impulses get in the way. This article by Natalie Day, who is a post-doctoral research fellow at the University of Wollongong, provides parents of young children some useful tips on how to teach self-regulation.
Young People and their Brains
Social media is impacting our children’s brains negatively, writes neuroscience strategist Jill Sweatman. The academic and mental health results of the impact of social media on our young people are indisputable. The allure and compulsive overuse of social media by our children, of all ages, is having a profound effect on their brains.
Fiona Williams
Principal
