23 February 2017

Newsletter Articles

A WORD FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

I am sure that you and your families are settled back into the school routine. I hope you have had a great start to the year and that your children and young people are enjoying their learning journey at their Catholic School or College.

One of the biggest parts of our work at the Federation is helping schools and parents to be more engaged in the learning and wellbeing of their children and young people. How do we do this? Well, it can be very simple. It is mostly about what happens at home – make sure that you talk to your children about school in a positive way – not only about schooling but about their school. Also have expectations of your children and their behaviour and their achievements at school. Realistic expectations – not every child is a genius but expect them to do their very best every day. The other thing we can do is one we hear a lot about – reading to or with your child – no matter their age. Engage with reading something no matter what it is – it sends great message to our kids that reading is important no matter what we do.

Make sure that you know who your child’s teacher/teachers are so that you can keep them up to date with anything that may affect your child’s learning at any time but also so you can contact them if there are any issues that you have questions about. Also, when the school offers opportunities to connect with teachers or to learn more about what your child is doing at school please take these offers up – you can learn a lot to support your child. If you cannot attend – ask the school if you can have some information about what was talked about the event.

Start out the year with these positives and it will help your child to have a great year at school.

The Federation uses our Facebook page to keep parents up to date with educations issue, parenting tips and other relevant information. Please ‘Like’ our page and you will have access to this to assist you in your parenting and keeping up to date.

Have a great year.

FOR YOUR P & F

Federation Levy

The Levy invoices for every school will be posted in the next week. This payment is important to allow us to continue our work on your behalf. If you are a P & F President or Treasurer and you do not receive this invoice please contact us. info@pandf.org.au

If you would like us to visit your P & F to talk about our work and the levy payment please contact us.

Contact Forms

We love to keep your P & F up to date with events and information also but we need to know who the office bearers are so we can do this and the information comes to the right people. Please complete the contact form on our website when you have had your AGM.

Even if you have not had changes please still complete the form so we are sure that we have the correct addresses when we send out information or invitations.

Arch/Diocesan Council AGMs

An important part of the Federation are the Diocesan Councils in each of the five Diocese. These councils, made up of parents from schools in the diocese, provide an important link between local schools and the Federation State Council. They are a great source of information for those at the local school who attend the meetings. So take some time and attend a meeting in your diocese.

The Arch/diocesan councils are in the process of holding their AGM’s in various forms.

Toowoomba Diocesan Council AGM - Friday 24 February

Images Lounge Bar and Restaurant, Platinum International Motor Inn.
326 James St Toowoomba. (parking at rear of pool)
6pm – drinks 6.45pm - meeting commencement
Dinner provided but RSVP must be received. diocesanpandf@twb.catholic.edu.au

Guest Speaker Paul Ould – Assistant Director Review & Transition, Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority. Paul will update parents on changes to Senior Secondary including assessment and ATAR and also NAPLAN online.

Brisbane Archdiocesan P & F AGM – 5.30 for 6pm Start Thursday 30 March

St Rita’s College, 41 Enderley Road Clayfield Qld 4011
Light meal will be provided. No cost

Guest Speaker: Madonna King introducing her new book Being 14 which can help you understand how your daughter is feeling what she's thinking and what you need to do to help her navigate her tricky teens to become an awesome woman.

Rockhampton Diocesan P&F AGM and Mini conference – 6pm Friday 24 March – 12pm Sunday 26 March

The Haven, Emu Park Accommodation and meals provided. No cost

Special Guest speaker – Michelle Mitchell - Youth Excel Michelle leads Youth Excel Centre which is a multidisciplinary practice of professional psychologists and mentors that specialise in the health and wellbeing of young people. Michelle is also a speaker and an author who works extensively in schools. Michelle has also authored a series of five life skills programs being utilised by schools nationwide.

RSVP or further information denise_holden@bigpond.com

Cairns Diocesan Council AGM – 10 am Sunday 19 March

Cairns Catholic Education Services 130 Lake St (Cnr Minnie St) Cairns

All School PandF Executive Members welcome.

Meeting includes information sharing of executive roles/function and ideas of school PandFs and catered morning tea and lunch.

RSVP by Wednesday 15 March to Vince Musumeci or further information - vmusu2@eq.edu.au

Townsville Diocesan P & F - held their AGM on Saturday 18 February

We congratulate John Hathaway on again taking on the role of Diocesan Chair. Thanks also to the other office bearers Helen Stokes, Sue Chapman and Mary Gunn. If you have any questions or would like to attend a meeting of the Townsville Diocesan Council please contact John Hathaway on jdhathaway@optusnet.com.au

GREAT INFORMATION ON P & F WEBSITE

STATE GOVERNMENT

QCE Achievement Award winners - 2016 graduates

The third annual QCE Achievement Awards were for students who graduated from Year 12 with a QCE at a Queensland school in 2016. The awards ceremony was held on Saturday 18 February 2017 at the State Library of Queensland.

We wish our congratulations to all the students listed, with a special mention to the following students from Catholic Colleges in Queensland:

• Abhadra Rajendren Pandalai, Mary Mackillop College
• Georgia Hurst, All Hallows' School, Brisbane
• Tristan Hurree, St Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace
• Patrick Litchfield, St Laurence's College

A few words from QCE Achievement Award winners on the secrets of their success and plans for the future...

W/ Glenala State High School, Trinity Lutheran College, Brisbane Boys' College (BBC), Wavell State High School, Park Ridge State High School, Mary Mackillop College Nundah

PARENTING

Harvard Psychologists Reveal: Parents Who Raise ‘Good’ Kids Do These 5 Things

Times have changed greatly and with new times come new habits, sets of behavior and attitudes that seem very different from the ones we were used to when we were kids.

Immunisation for teenagers

Immunisation, often called vaccination, helps to protect your teenage child from infectious diseases such as human papillomavirus. It’s one of the best ways of improving your child’s health and wellbeing and stopping diseases from spreading in your community.

Interesting ways to get your children to be calm

Thrive Parenting believes that providing a positive, nurturing environment where families and class groups are able to grow together with confidence and understanding leads to a healthy and progressive society.

Following is the 4th instalment of easy calming methods from Lauren Brukner's book, The Kids' Guide to Staying Awesome and in Control.

Raising Kids Who Can Cope With Tough Times

When you think of the word childhood, what comes to mind?

Perhaps you think of carefree times, playing games and giggles, stomping in puddles, scribbling crayons, or running on a playground.

But things aren’t always sunny and perfect in childhood. There are times when challenging events happen in a child’s life. Sometimes these events are small, like a favorite toy breaking, or having an argument with a friend. But sometimes they can be much bigger events, like a loved one dying or parents getting divorced.

PARENT ENGAGEMENT

20 ingenious tricks to get your kids to open up about their school day

One of the biggest frustrations parents of school-aged children encounter is the after-school conversation. You want your kids to spill on everything that happened that day, but instead the convo usually ends up going like this…

Do you know that ABC Splash has great resources for families and students as well as teachers?

The Ageless Rewards of Reading Aloud

From toddlers on someone's lap, listening to a picture book they've heard a hundred times, to a full auditorium, hushed, listening to a writer read their own work, reading aloud is part of the lifelong human story journey.

FUNDRAISING

Yates Raise a Patch Fundraiser

Yates seeds are now available as a carry pack fundraiser! This fundraiser provides opportunities to teach our kids about nature and growing food. Plus, this healthy fundraiser has healthy profits - request an info pack today and you'll also be sent free samples.

GRANTS

Our Neighbourhood Community Grants

Our Neighbourhood Community Grants form part of Australia Post's ongoing commitment to supporting the communities in which we operate. The program recognises the important role our smaller charities and community groups play in connecting people and positively shaping our nation.

OPPORTUNITIES

The Generation Next Mental Health and Wellbeing of Young People Seminar on Friday, 26th May at the UQ Centre, University of Queensland is ideally suited for frontline professionals in the education, community and health sectors that work directly with young people as well as parents. It provides the most up-to-date information and addresses topical issues such as:

• Preventing depression
• Managing anxiety
• Mental health first aid
• Supporting a young person in their decision not to drink
• Understanding and managing anger and aggression
• Nurturing a healthy mind

More information and discount registrations are available online from:

Catholic Mission – Reach out – Give Life

Join us for the Mission: one heart many voices 2017 conference in May as we celebrate and identify the graces, the inspiration and the challenges of living the joy of the Gospel and God’s mission of mercy and leading mission in Australia and globally. This conference will explore Pope Francis’ vision for mission and is set within the spirit of the documents Amoris Laetitia, Evangelii Gaudium, Redemptoris Missio and Evangelii Nuntiandi.

Is your home loan in tip-top shape?

Over the years you’ve probably invested in renovating and refurbishing your home, keeping it in tip-top shape. But what about your home loan? The new year is the perfect opportunity to review and “renew” your home loan and make sure it’s not just your home looking good.

But where to start? Comparing home loans doesn’t have to be difficult, and in the ever changing and competitive banking world, help is close at hand. When reviewing your home loan, consider the following:

• What is the best loan for me? Fixed or variable?
• What fees apply to the loan? Annual fees? Redraw fees?
• What features are on offer? An offset account? Redraw facility?

A great way to review your home loan options is with a free QT Mutual Bank home loan health check. And with a five star CANSTAR awarded Mortgage Saver home loan, with an interest rate of just 3.88%p.a. (3.88%p.a. comparison rate) and no ongoing fees, QT Mutual Bank can get your home loan in tip-top shape.

Book your free home loan check today by contacting your local QT Mutual Bank branch. Alternatively, call QT Mutual Bank on 13 29 30 or visit the link below for more information.

Product is the Mortgage Saver, issued by QT Mutual Bank Limited ABN 83 087 651 054 AFSL/Australian credit licence 241195. Rate current as at 24 May 2016. Available for owner-occupied home loans refinanced from other financial institutions and new QT Mutual Bank home loans. $0 establishment fee is a limited offer and may be modified, cancelled or extended at any time at the discretion of QT Mutual Bank. Comparison rate is based on a loan amount of $150,000 over 25 years. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the examples given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees or other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Terms, conditions, fees, charges and normal lending criteria apply.

Schoolzine

Schoolzine is proud to be a digital partner and supporter of Parents and Friends Federation.

Schoolzine has been an industry leader in digital school communications for 14 years. They are dedicated to customer service, product development and understanding the school landscape that keeps them at the top of the industry. Schoolzine’s Parent Engagement Platform consists of 3 packages, an eNewsletter, Mobile App and Website offering. Purchased separately or together, they guarantee each package will make engaging with parents easy and even enjoyable for a school of any size. Schoolzine addresses the need for media-rich, interactive content that engages parents.