THANK YOU to the Mary Immaculate School Community for ensuring that the return of our Spring Fair last Saturday, was such a wonderful community event. We were blessed with beautiful weather and the atmosphere and enjoyment experienced during the day was fabulous. Whilst walking around the Fair, I had the opportunity to talk to many of our parents and visitors and from all accounts they were experiencing a happy and fun time. A big thank you to all who contributed in so many ways - those who contributed to the various stalls through donations and equipment, those who helped coordinate and work on the stalls, those parents who assisted to set up on Friday and clean up on Saturday afternoon and to all those of you who came and spent generously to support the school. I convey our collective thanks and appreciation to Kristy Rodriguez, Rebecca Whitburn and the Spring Fair Committee, for all the hard work over the past months. The hard work came to wonderful fruition last Saturday – congratulations and sincere thanks to you all.

The staff of Mary Immaculate will soon begin the process of placing children into classes for 2020. As you would appreciate our options are limited in some respects due to the fact that we only have two classes at our disposal, apart from our current Kindergarten, Year 2 and Year 3, in which children can be placed. In placing children into classes we will be guided by the following factors:

• Children’s friendships
• Some children need to broaden their friendship circle and their interaction with others
• The social, academic and developmental needs of children will be considered
• The behaviour patterns of some children will also be examined closely

Whilst we have not finalised teacher placements for 2020, and will not do so until later in the term, teacher / pupil relationships will be considered.

If parents have any concerns about the placement of their children could they contact me in writing before Friday 8 November. While these concerns will be considered we cannot guarantee that all parental requests can be actioned.

Children not returning to Mary Immaculate in 2020 - If your child will not be returning to Mary Immaculate in 2020 could you please notify Mrs Pizarro in the office as soon as possible. This information will assist us with accommodating both new applications and students who are currently on our waiting list.

RELIEVING PRINCIPAL - As I will be attending Professional Learning off site on Thursday and Friday, the Catholic Education Office has asked Mr John Walsh, an experienced Principal, to step in as Acting Principal during this time. I am sure our community will make Mr Walsh feel welcomed.

PROFESSIONAL LEARNING - At Mary Immaculate the staff has an ongoing commitment to professional learning. The staff benefits from attending inservices, in curriculum areas, that assists them in providing quality learning opportunities for the students in their class. The following staff, will attend professional learning and hence will be away from school.

As parents we’re often concerned about the connections children and young people are making and the subsequent impact on their wellbeing. The time they spend online, scrolling, searching and swiping which could be spent doing outdoor activities is also concerning.

Surveys have consistently shown that children are being exposed to increasing amounts of screen time each year.

Creating Healthy Digital Habits in Your Child  
by Martine Oglethorpe in Parenting Ideas

Digital devices are here to stay, so it’s imperative to look at how kids can remain in control of their screen use, and ensure the time they’re investing online is adding something helpful, positive and meaningful to our lives.

Here are four tips to help kids develop healthy digital habits. Being mindful of how time is spent on devices, is certainly not just reserved for young people.

1.  Encourage creation not just consumption

Is your child more of a consumer or creator when they’re online? Check to see if they spend time online time in creative mode such as making things, creating own videos, editing photos, writing posts, coding a video game or composing a song. Encourage them to be creative rather than mere consumers of digital content.

2.  Discuss who they are following

The digital world encourages leaders and followers. It places people and individuals from all walks of life in close contact with your kids. They can follow companies, musical icons, sports stars as well as friends. Encourage your child to follow people and companies that can fuel their passions.

For instance, if they love space, search for NASA and related accounts. If they love photography, help them find great photographers sharing their work online. When they’re following people that teach, inspire and ignite their passions, they’re less likely to spend valuable time with energy zappers.

3.  Digitally de-clutter regularly

Many kids collect apps on their devices in the same way that former generations collected football cards or swap cards. Encourage them to delete the apps they no longer use or apps that offer no benefits to their lives. Could there be better games to play? Are there better videos for them to watch than the ones that the YouTube algorithm believes they want to see?

4. Show kids good practises

Most kids learn much more from what they see and experience, rather than from what they are told. As a parent be intentional with your screen time.  Do you:

• Follow people that support you, challenge you in helpful ways or inspire and lift you up?
• Interact in positive ways?
• Give people your attention rather than scroll whilst others are talking to you?
• Put your digital devices away in order to fit all the other important things into your day?

Setting your kids up with healthy digital habits will help make these practises the norm. If you don’t want your children falling prey to the harmful and unhelpful experiences online, you need to be sure that they are focusing on positive and helpful screen time pursuits.

Have a great week and let Christ be our way and life.

Lillian Del Giudice

Acting Principal