Issue 13 - 18th August 2022
From the Principal
It’s time again to discuss the dangers of gaming and social media. We are aware of the underage use of games and social media platforms among our students. All we can do is continue to inform students of the dangers. I urge you to be aware of what your child is doing online. This week I have included information about 3 popular platforms that are being used by children in our school. The information is straight from a site called ‘Safe on Social’. They have a website and a Facebook page. It is worthwhile having a look at their page. They provide insights into some of the commonly used games and social media sites, and it is quite confronting.
Snapchat
No child in Primary school should be using Snapchat! The Snapchat Terms of Service states no one under the age of 13 is allowed to use the app. That said, it’s extremely easy for kids to get around this rule when they sign up and many younger children are using the app, with parent permission! And, there are a few big safety concerns that parents should be aware of.
Snapchat is a known forum for children to speak to each other in ways they would never do in a face to face conversation. The online bullying is rife and most parents are not aware that it is happening, until it’s too late.
Snapchat have recently updated their privacy policy....something it can be 100% guarantee your kids won't look at. They will notice the new feature that gives them more access to their friends. While the Snapmap has been around for years now, the feature to “enable precise location” is new. The app used to share approx location and now it is precise down to about 1m if not less.
The changes that are of great concern are:
They have updated how they display data; for example, how recent locations may be shown to your friends on the Map. (literally showing where you sleep at night).
They will share how close you are with your friends on Snapchat based on your interactions with them. (Remember a child’s need to be liked by everyone? This may have implications on a young persons mental health)
The showing of your precise location in a high resolution map. There are blue dots on the map, a heat map. A recent example showed the location of a young boy (under 13) dancing less than 5kms from the adult Snapchat user’s home with the boy’s exact address!
Roblox
Roblox is a sandbox game that many parents think is cute and completely fine for little kids to play. It can be if you have the proper parental controls in place, but most parents don't. It is also fine if you sit and supervise your kids' use of Roblox, but let's be honest, we are all busy, and most of us use our kids' gaming as time for ourselves – a little time out. And that is ok as long as you have everything set up correctly.
There is always a risk of grooming and your child seeing something that makes them feel upset or uncomfortable.
All too often parents tell us “my child is using Roblox and I need to understand the risks” this desperately needs to change to “my child wants to use Roblox so I need to understand the risks before I allow them” is a much safer option.
Roblox is an extremely popular online, multiplayer game that looks like Minecraft. People using Roblox can choose games to play or create their own and when people create their own games they are sometimes quite sinister. When someone chooses to build their own “world” in the Roblox Studio App these worlds immediately become public once they are launched. Some worlds are very sexualised, some are extremely violent. Obviously not suitable for young children. However, the terms of use allow children under 13yrs to use this game. It is wildly popular with Primary School aged children.
There are risks aplenty with this one. Online grooming and sextortion are rife, as are sexualised "worlds" within the game.
Filters that you have at home and the parental controls in the game are unable to block what kids see. It has explicit lyrics in music and loads of pornography and simulated sex that cannot be blocked. It is extremely important that devices used to play this game are kept out of the bedroom.
If you are still reading and willing to risk allowing your child to use this game this is what you need to implement right now!
- Make sure that your child is using their real age. There are some filters in place for kids under 13yrs. (check they only have one account and have not set up another that is 13+).
- If you are setting it up for the first time, use your email address so you have control. You will be sent a four-digit pin – do not give this to your child. This will allow you to change the settings and your kids will not be able to make any changes without that pin so they will need to come to you.
- Talk to your kids about sharing personal information online and make sure they have not and never use their real name as a user name. If they have, you can read this blog post that has some helpful information and then change it here - https://blog.roblox.com/2021/06/express-display-names/
- Enable the highest levels of security in the settings area. If strict restrictions are in place your child will not see any messaging or be able to chat in-game. They will not be able to join adult-themed games. They may still get random friend requests so make sure they know to click “ignore” in the requests tab.
- Talk to your kids about strong passwords – we recommend they change them at least every school holidays. You can show them how to use the two-step verification/authentication for extra security. Hacking is rife on Roblox.
- Turn off notifications.
Poppy Playtime
Poppy Playtime is a popular horror video game where you play as an ex-worker of the 50's-inspired toy company, Playtime Co. You explore the abandoned factory where your co-workers went missing and the toys that try to kill you.
Released in October of last year, the game plays on feelings of childhood nostalgia and uses seemingly innocent characters as the main villains. It is appropriate for an older audience however has gained a notable younger audience.
While the visuals and characters of the game appear to be lighthearted and child friendly, Poppy Playtime is not a young children's game. While the CEO of the company behind the game recommends an 8+ audience, it is a horror game with significant violence, gore, and death. Despite the appeal to younger enjoyers, it is not intended for a young audience.
Due to its popularity and marketability to children, Poppy Playtime has now created a range of toys. Notable characters from the game, such as Huggy Wuggy and Kissy Missy are appearing in shops. These target children and cause parents not to question the game content their child may be consuming.
While they may not have access to the actual game, young children are commonly watching the action on YouTube.
Parent tip: Always play new games with your kids before letting them play independently. Learn the check classifications but make a call based on your child's maturity. Check the content of the game, which they can connect to, and how to block and report and never fall for "but I am the only kid that is not playing it" (they all say that). Remember, you are the parent.
It is 2022 and parents no longer have the excuse "I thought he/she was using it safely." You gave them their devices, you allowed the apps. When you allow children to play games and go on social media sites that they are too young for, you effectively gave them the keys to the car and let them drive off down the highway with no lessons, and being far too young to be behind the wheel!
Mrs Kerrie Flynn
Principal
This week is Catholic Education Week, a week when we celebrate the strengths and achievements of our 38 Catholic schools around the state, as well as the people who contribute to Catholic Education Tasmania’s ongoing success.
Our theme for 2022 is ‘Proclaim with Joy’ which reflects our mission to uphold Catholic ideals, and to provide an education that engages our students and staff in rejoicing the good that happens in their lives.
Sister Carmel Jones, the first Principal of St Peter Chanel, was honoured in this year’s celebrations:
Sr Carmel Jones | Exemplary Contribution to Catholic Education
Sister Carmel Jones has been a staple of Catholic education in the entire state of Tasmania. She has taught in many different Josephite schools in the North, North-West and the South. Her teaching career began in 1974, when she was appointed at St Therese’s Catholic School in Moonah, a school that she would eventually become Principal at many years later. Before becoming Principal at St Therese’s, she taught at Sacred Heart Catholic School Geeveston and Sacred Heart College, New Town. Her leadership within Catholic schools also took her to the North-West of the state, as she had principalships at St Peter Chanel Catholic School in Smithton and at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School in Devonport. She believes in the holistic vision of the child, and tries to promote the values of Mary MacKillop, who has been a major influence on her career to date.
After finishing her last role as Principal in 1999, Sister Carmel moved into leadership roles with the Sisters of St Joseph and was a key member of the Governing Councils of St Patrick’s College, St Brendan-Shaw College, Guilford Young College, and Sacred Heart College.
Sister Carmel believes that she has been able to contribute to many things in Catholic schools in Tasmania. She also believed she was in the right place at the right time. When she arrived at schools, there were often upgrades needed to buildings and classrooms, so she was a massive part in ensuring that these structures were put in place for the education of students. She is also a vital aspect in the Josephite spirit being continued in schools in Tasmania through her actions in school communities and ensuring that the Josephite legacy lives on. “I’ve been able to contribute something here to help people understand what being a Josephite is today, not just the sisters, but the whole Josephite spirit.”
Congratulations on your Exemplary Contribution to Catholic Education Award, Sister Carmel!
Mrs Kerrie Flynn
Principal
What is Oral Language Development, and Why is it Important?
Did you know that babies are capable of learning even when they’re still inside the womb? Your little one can already hear your voice and detect the vibrations as you speak. Once babies are born into this world, they listen intently to their parents’ speech and singing. Children are like sponges. They can absorb everything from the sounds of letters to words and numbers. They try to imitate and produce their own sounds. When parents take an active role in their children's oral language development, it can help their little ones learn words more quickly.
Oral language skills are the foundation of children’s literacy development and academic success. As language abilities strengthen and solidify, children become more adept communicators and readers. The result is an increase in children’s confidence and overall well-being.
Oral language ability affects every aspect of a child's life, including your little one’s capacity to learn and succeed at school, relationships with people, and self-perception of themselves. Some studies demonstrate that reduced competence in terms of oral language skills can even result in mental health problems.
How can parents foster oral language development at home?
Constant exposure to an abundance of opportunities for language development produces outstanding readers, communicators, and writers. If parents wish to successfully prepare their children for school, reading from a very young age is necessary.
Here are some specific oral language development activities that can help your children as they develop into effective communicators:
- Expose children repeatedly to a variety of words, through conversations, reading books, and storytelling. These activities help children absorb new words, enabling them to communicate more clearly.
- Observe your child's interests. Incorporate your child's favourite things into activities instead of forcing something that is not of interest. Children tend to learn more effectively when learning involves the things they love.
- Interact with your child through plenty of conversation. Expand on what your kids say. Ask a lot of questions about the things that interest them.
- Oral language development isn’t just about giving instructions. Remember that children love to play. If you incorporate playing into opportunities to learn language, children become more engaged.
- Children learn best by hearing a broad range of words connected with concrete examples. Remember that in order to learn new words, quality is just as important as quantity. Expand children's knowledge by talking about a wide range of topics that pique their interest. Give them different kinds of books to read. Sing a bunch of songs and nursery rhymes.
- Take your child with you when you leave home, if possible. When going to the supermarket, encourage children to speak about what they want to buy. Playing with real objects can help reinforce oral language development.
- Ask children questions that will draw out their opinions and ideas about things that interest them, like sports, animals, school events, etc.
- Do not overload children when it comes to oral language learning. Children need to learn at their own pace. Revisit important topics frequently until they are mastered before moving on to new ones. Remember that learning oral language is a long process in which the repetition of oral activities dramatically contributes to creating solid verbal communication skills for your little one.
The importance of oral communication
When children communicate using spoken words, they can more easily convey their thoughts, demonstrate their ideas, and share information. When youngsters learn more words, they can effectively communicate with family, friends, classmates, teachers, and other people.
The Bottom Line
Oral language serves as the foundation for reading and writing skills. Through oral language development, children can become successful as they wade through a variety of academic concepts and challenges in school. And when they can communicate effectively, they can confidently connect with peers, teachers, and different people as they mature into successful adults.
Oral language development involves more than learning words. It also entails the development of speech skills that enable children to express themselves clearly and effectively. Verbal expression gives way to creative communication, which also boosts self-esteem.
When children communicate orally in an effective way, they are more likely to develop stronger communication skills in all aspects of their lives. Through oral language development, kids can become confident communicators as well as successful learners who achieve their goals in school and even beyond.
Why does oral language matter?
Because : “Reading and Writing FLOAT on a sea of talk.”
James Britton (1970)
Mrs Anna Hart
Literacy Coordinator
Students who are required to take medication during school hours, need to have a signed consent form from a parent. It is a legal requirement for us to have a record of medications that we administer for students. These forms are available at the office.
Medication must come to the Office in the original packaging with the students name recorded if it has been prescribed by a doctor.
Congratulations to last weeks Aiming High recipients:
Kinder - Brady Marshall & Jaxon Gray
Prep - Ty Dennison & Phebe Thomas
Grade 1 - Wesley Cotton & Levi Korpershoek
Grade 2 - Kash Quarrell & Darcy Jolly
Grade 3 - Quinn Bishop & Airelle Dela Cruz
Grade 4 - Max Monson & Lucas Saward
Grade 5 - Olivia Lockett & Phoenix Hall
Grade 6 - Owen Lockett & Zarah McLaren
Congratulations to the following students who were nominated as Class Captains for Term 3 & 4 2022.
Prep - Brock Hardy & Ava Bryan
Grade 1 - Wesley Cotton & Huxley Bryan
Grade 2 - Amelia Khan & Kaley Saward
Grade 3 - Georgie Blake & Myla Jenkins
Grade 4 - Charlotte Armstrong & Liam Bell
Grade 5 - Lilly Hart & Jedda Maguire
Within the next few weeks, whilst at recess or lunch we will hold an unannounced emergency practice with staff & students, to test our response to a potential scenario that staff identify a threat warranting the school go into lockdown (opposite to evacuation).
Like for fire evacuation drills, we recognised the worth to test this process.
We have plans in place to make this practice as least disruptive as able.
If you have queries please call our Safety Officer, Simon Natoli on 0400 105 476
Hockey will commence in Term 4. Students are able to put their name down at the office.
Congratulations to last week’s Bake Raffle winner Finn Magee!
Hot Spud night
The Parents and Friends spud night will go ahead. Families will receive order forms soon or can order via Qkr! Thank you to everyone who has offered to help and donate. Our parents and friends will be in touch with you.
Next meeting will be Wednesday, 31st August at 6:30pm - all welcome! At this meeting we will be discussing the upcoming spud night and events for Term 4.
The ‘Kiss and drop’ area next to the footpath is a fast flowing area to avoid a build up of traffic. Therefore, it is expected that adults do not get out of their vehicle. If there is a need to do so, then please park in an allocated car space. Thank you for your support.
We ask that parents please don't pack nuts in your child’s lunchbox. We have children in our school that have Anaphylaxis and allergies to a variety of nuts.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the office.
This week we commence our Kinder 2023 Interviews. If you are yet to enrol or know of someone who might be interested, please contact the office.
The Grade 4 students have been learning about Impressionist artists Vincent Van Gogh and Claude Monet. They have learnt about these artist’s lives and explored the Impressionist style of painting.
They then had the opportunity to create colourful artworks inspired by Van Gogh’s Starry Starry Night and Claude Monet’s Water Lilies. They explored mixing and blending colours and creating texture with brush strokes.
They all became amazing Impressionist artists as they produced their own colourful, unique and creative paintings.
This term Grade two is exploring procedure writing. They have discovered very quickly that procedures can be found all around them; in recipes, instruction manuals, in the classroom and when Mrs Mallinson gives her daily instructions.
On Monday, Grade 2 had the opportunity to make their own pizza muffins. But first they had to give Mrs Mallinson their own clear and concise instructions on how to make her own pizza muffin. There was a lot of laughing coming from Grade 2 when they instructed Mrs Mallinson to put pizza sauce on her pizza and she put the sauce bottle on top of her pizza! They quickly realised they had to give her proper instructions in the correct order, being careful about what language they used.
While they waited for their pizza muffins to cook, they created their own procedures on ‘How to make pizza’ which can be viewed on Seesaw.
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