Issue – February 2021 Term 1, Week 2
Senior School Weekly Senior School Parent Information Evening (PIE) Night Thursday 11th February 2021 Year 7 Best Start Monday 15th, Tuesday 16th, Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th February. Year 8 Financial Literacy Program Thursday 18th February 2021 Year 7 and Year 8 World of Maths Friday 19th February 2021
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Parent Information Evening Parent Reminder Senior School Parent Information Evening (PIE) for 2021 will be held on Thursday 11th February 2021 from 6.30pm to 7.30pm. This event is a very worthwhile and informative evening during which the teachers will present their outlines and expectations for your child this year. As you are aware, Parent Information Evenings are a paramount feature of the College as we recognise that parents are the first educators of their child(ren).
The importance of your attendance at the Parent Information Evening cannot be stressed enough. Our teachers are vital partners with you in the education of your child(ren). The basis of this partnership is a loyal and mutual understanding of each other’s complimentary roles. The aim of these evenings’ is to facilitate this partnership between Parents and the College, helping to ensure that the children receive a holistic and efficacious education. Location: College Library Time: 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Senior School Parent Information Session o Senior School Open classrooms o Meet the teachers / Year Advisors o HSC Performance
Panel Presentation: Keeping calm and carrying on. How Schools in NSW coped and, in many cases, thrived in an unprecedented year How prepared were we and what were the major challenges we had to address? Have students lost a year of their academic life? Can they catch up? What have we learnt and what are we doing differently? How can we better leverage technology to support our students? What does the future hold for Bellfield College? Parent Information Evening is held in accordance with the NSW Health Guidelines which states, parents are able to attend essential meetings with school staff where they have an appointment. Larger information sessions should be considered an event. It is recommended that they are held out of school hours. Please note attendance by at least one parent is compulsory. In consideration of your work and family commitments the next day, we have planned for the evening to conclude by 7.30pm. We kindly request that all vehicles are parked in the morning/afternoon drop off point. The area will be supervised by security staff and we will provide guidance around this parking zone. We thank you for your support and look forward to seeing you on Thursday 11th February 2021.
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HSC Performance 2020 Bellfield College offered students the Higher School Certificate (HSC) for the sixth year and it is with great pleasure that I share a summary of our HSC student achievements for 2020. We had a total of 50 students complete their Higher School Certificate exams in 2020. Courses studied include;
Congratulations to Rida Saif who was named among the NSW Distinguished Achievers. The Distinguished Achievers lists the students who achieved a result in the highest band (Band 6 or Band E4) for one or more courses. Rida qualified for the University of New South Wales Academic Achievement Award and the UNSW Scholarship program.
Also congratulations to our high achievers Abed Hayek, Mohamed Hayek, Layal Ibrahim, Chantel Karaki, Rida Saif, and Fatima Toufaili. HSC Band 5 and/or Band 6 achievement was realised across all subjects including Mathematics Advnaced, PDHPE, English Standard, Mathematics Standard, Legal Studies, Business Studies and Studies of Religion.
We congratulate each and every one of our students and wish them the very best in their future endeavours.
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Our College has designated Drop-off and Pick-up to provide parents and carers with a safe environment to drop off and collect their children from school by car. These areas, always on the school side of the road, provide convenience for drivers and improve children’s safety. The school Drop-off and Pick-up initiative ensures: • • •
Drivers drop off or pick up students legally at busy times at the beginning and end of the school day A teacher supervisor to marshal the students at the designated school gate The driver to pull into the Drop-off and Pick-up zone and remain in control of the vehicle while a staff member assists the school student to exit or enter the vehicle
Advantages • • • • •
Provides a designated zone at a school access point for drivers to stop and drop off or pick up their children Relieves traffic congestion around the school by ensuring cars do not park illegally Provides adult supervision for students being dropped off and picked up from school by car Allows smaller children to remain secured in the car while school age children are dropped off and picked up from school Reinforces road safety messages and safe passenger behaviour to parents and children
We encourage you to have ongoing conversations with your child/ren about waiting for you in the house colour and to keep a look out for your vehicle.
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Creative Arts, Languages and English - CA.L.E WELCOME TO CA.L.E 2021 Welcome to the 2021 school year. Our department is eager and ready to take on the academic year and get to know our new/existing students. We have some exciting units planned for Term One and interactive assessments to prepare for over the course of the 11 weeks.
In Arabic, students will be completing units based on their holidays, family and meeting people. They will learn to communicate with one another using the correct grammar and write using the conventions of Arabic script. Their assessments will be testing spoken Arabic skills, we encourage you to converse In English we begin the year with your children in Arabic completing a close study of at home to build their text where students will be confidence and required to read a complete pronunciation. I would also novel. Some of the selections like to wish Mrs Mahmood all include; I am Malala, Holes, the best on her journey in Miss Peregrines Home for teaching and welcome Mrs Peculiar Children, The Boy in Balhas in her place. Mrs Striped Pyjamas, To Kill a Balhas was formerly in our Mockingbird and Jasper Junior School Arabic team Jones. I would like to and has joined our Senior welcome our newest team School in 2021. members to the English department: Ms Jomma and Ms Kumar who are working closely with our existing staff members to delivery memorable and engaging novel units.
In Creative Arts, students will be studying a mix of Visual Arts and Music. Visual Arts is a practical course with many interactive tasks completed in class. Music is also interactive and most of the theory content will take place within allocated lessons. Students will have the opportunity to showcase their creative skills during key school presentations over the course of the year. I would like to welcome Mr Smith who is our accredited Music teacher in 2021. There are some exciting initiatives planned for the 2021 academic year and students are already engaged and performing in class. Mrs Hayes is taking on a HSC class in Visual Arts this year, the students are excited to get started on their Body of Work and as a department we cannot wait to see their practical works.
If you would like more information about any of the above, our teachers are ready to meet you and discuss your questions at our upcoming Parent Information Evening this term. I look forward to seeing you there. Miss A. Balloot Head of Department CA.L.E
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STEM An exciting start to high school science as year 7 were introduced to STEAM and Robotics. The world is rapidly changing, thanks to computers, robots, digital technology, artificial intelligence and the automation of most jobs. This means that the job for human will be depending on digital technology and becoming more creative and innovative. The STEAM skills are transferrable and will be required for any career. The students were very excited about this unit, in particular the Robotics and Coding side of it. Students will be engaged in design and production activities as they develop solutions to identified needs and opportunities. Through the practical application of knowledge and understanding they learn about Agriculture and Food. Teachers are constantly looking for engaging tools to use within the classroom. Having one, or a few engaging elements as part of the class’ curriculum will turn any traditional classroom in a space in which our students can experiment, feel like themselves, and enjoy the class in a more interactive, fun way. Robotics is an amazing way for teachers and students to feel this way. Doing a few projects with robotics, for example, can provide a new, exciting vibe to a class that won’t feel as traditional and boring like others. STEM Department
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HSIE Salaams all and welcome to the Wonderful World of HSIE. We have started the term on fire and below is a quick summary of what’s happening. Geography 7-10
Preliminary Course at the Halfway Point
All students in stages 4 and 5 are currently studying Geography for semester 1 and we will then switch over to History for semester 2.
The Preliminary Course for the four HSIE subjects Business Studies, Legal Studies, Modern History and Studies of Religion are coming to the halfway point with their first assessments all having been submitted and are currently in the process of being marked.
Currently the students are studying the following subjects in term 1: Year 7: Water in the World Year 8: Landscapes and Landforms Year 9: Sustainable Biomes Year 10: Environmental Change and Management I wish all students studying these interesting topics the best of luck and remind them all of the importance of having a good study routine were
Throughout the course so far, students have completed their work to a very high level. Throughout the semester, students have been showing good signs of understanding and knowledge towards all units in these subjects and it is a testament to the teachers Mr Nehme, Miss Rammal and Brother Mohamad and Mrs Jbarah. I am very pleased with how the students have been progressing thus far and as Head of HSIE am excited to see these students receive the marks their hard work warrants. Well done too all. Wassim Hijazi – Head of HSIE
PDHPE Welcome to 2021!! Personal Development, Health and Physical Education contributes significantly to the cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and spiritual development of students. At Bellfield College, we strive to provide students with the opportunity to grow in all aspects of life. In 2021, we have taken a new path where online textbooks and activites are emebedded in the learning of learning. This will be accesible at home which provides students the opportunity to continue studying and completeing home.
Homework Homework is an essential park of learning and the growth of student knowledge. The extra work provided for students is to keep them continuously understanding content that not only is part of the syllabusor examined, but provides them with knowledge need in the oustide world. Gaurdians will need to monitor students homework and assure completion of the highest quality
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Sport @ Bellfield College School sport is a time of the week where students get to express themselves outside the classroom and in a team environment. We also have three different school carnivals that students can participate in and compete. These include the swimming, athletics, and cross-country carnivals. The winners in races for each age group will have the opportunity to represent Bellfield College at the Independent School District carnivals, where they have the chance to complete against students from other Independent schools.
These sports include:
During school hours, we provide the students with a large range of sports to experience and play. These sports are play during sports afternoon. Wednesday afternoon sport are solely for Stage 4 students (year 7 and year 8), Friday afternoon sport are solely for Stage 5 students (year 9 and year 10). All parents should have received an information letter for PDHPE and sport that needed to be signed by a parent/guardian and sent back to their respective PDHPE teacher. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school or email me on the following email.
Rock Climbing
Flip out
10 pin Bowling
Inshallah we will have a safe, happy, and successful 2021. Kind regards, Mr. Akil Head of Faculty PDHPE Internal Soccer
Kick Ball
External European handball
Flip Out Ninja Warrior
Volleyball
Oz-Tag
Yoga
10 Pin Bowling
Netball
Touch footy
Ultimate frisbee
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BELLFIELD FC Football has been a means to create passion, love, comradery, and respect for people all over the world. It is through football that individuals have an opportunity to meet others and become more than just acquaintances. According to the Australian Government Department of health: “Sport is an important part of life in Australia: • •
more than 90% of adults have an interest in sport. about 11 million adults and 3 million children take part in sport each year.
Sport also benefits the local economy and increase social connections and provides chance for individuals to test their limits and celebrate personal success.” At Bellfield Football Club our aim is to have a community who is willing to join hands and create a footballing family. This family will provide the opportunity for the youth to participate in sport and physical activity. Not only to play football but have the right guidance to become inspiring role models to future generations. One day our players will encourage people to take part in football and have a positive influence on the community. In 2021 we strive to take a step forward in progression from our 2020 season. Plans are underway for new facilities and fields, as well as equipment for teams to use. We are also aiming to enter more teams with a goal of 10 teams for this season. These teams range from U6 to U16 year of age. We are also looking to open up pathways for students to be part of this community club and volunteer time to assist with the running and growth of the club. This will not only assist these students with exposure but is essential for the growth of their skills and attitudes used on a daily basis. Finally, we welcome all parents to come on board and join our beautiful club. Without the support of our parents, this club will not exist, nor will it be able to run. If you have any questions regarding to registration of players or roles within the club, please feel free to email me on the provided email.
Kind regards, Hussein Akil Club President info@bellfieldfc.com.au
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COVID Communication for parents The NSW Health guidelines provided by the DoE advises the following:
Parents and carers should regularly be reminded that they are not permitted on school grounds except for the reasons outlined. • Parents and carers are not allowed on school sites or at off-site school events held during
school hours except for the following purposes only:
1. Essential parent and carer meetings with teachers and/or school executives, with a scheduled appointment. 2. Entering a school administration building for the purpose of picking up your child if they are unwell 3. To attend the uniform shop via appointment only All parents are required to 'COVID Safe' Check-In at Bellfield College. Please look for the COVID Safe QR code posters when you enter the College. Be sure to sign in at the Business Support Office (white house) when you arrive. Students should only attend school if they are well. •
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Students will be sent home if they become unwell at school with even the mildest flu-like symptoms. Symptoms can be found on the Department of Health website: https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncovhealth-alert/what-you-need-to-know-about-coronavirus-covid-19#symptoms If a student has been absent due to flu-like illness or develops flu-like symptoms while at school, they are not to return to school until they have a negative COVID-19 test and are symptom free. The negative COVID-19 test result must be sighted and received by the school for both students and staff members before their return to school Please send your negative test result to the College mobile number: 0430 842 666
Students who do not undertake a COVID-19 test result will not be permitted to return to school for a 10-day period. Additionally, they must be symptom-free for at least 3 days prior to returning to school.
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Best Start Year 7 Assessment Dear parents, Best Start online assessment for students in year 7 that helps provide information for teachers on the literacy and numeracy skills of students at the beginning of Year 7 will take place in Term 1, Week 4. The assessment covers key literacy and numeracy skills that are important to a student’s success in all subjects in high school. Students come to high school with a range of experiences, skills and abilities in literacy and numeracy. It is important that teachers have current information about their students so that they can plan programs and lessons that best support the learning needs of every student. The Best Start Year 7 Assessment will be completed at school during class time. No preparation is needed for this assessment. Its purpose is to provide our teachers with additional information to best support the teaching of your child. Class allocations for completing Best Start Year 7 Assessment: Monday 15th February Period 37PDH1 and 7MUS2 Thursday 18th February Period 27SCI3 and 7PDH4 Kind regards Learning Support Senior School
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Moneyvest – Financial Literacy Program Year 8 – Thursday 18th February The Financial Literacy programs are the product of speaking with parents, students and financial experts who acknowledged the lack of personal finance knowledge of young school leavers. Every single person uses money, so it's so important to give students the skills to make confident money choices. The program is designed to strip away complex money concepts, to create an environment where students are able to prosper financially both during and after they complete school. The goal is to educate students 'about everything you wish you knew about money when you left school!’
STEM - World of Maths Year 7 & Year 8 – Friday 19th February An exciting and educational, hands-on Maths Workshop will be coming to Bellfield College on Friday 19th February 2021. Students have the time and freedom to pursue their own paths in trying to solve the problems. Motivation is very important. WORLD OF MATHS is an enjoyable and attractive situation which encourages the students to think. The students can experience mathematics related to practical and real-life situations. It helps develops skills necessary to work in small groups as an effective way of learning mathematics. It also allows the students to interact, which will boost their confidence. Promotes positive attitudes towards mathematics.
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Seatbelts and child restraints Everyone in a vehicle, the driver and all passengers, must wear a correctly fitted and adjusted seatbelt. See the Centre for Road Safety website for detailed information about seatbelts. Child restraints All children must be safely fastened in the correct child car seat for their age and size. A child who is properly secured in an approved child car seat is less likely to be injured or killed in a car crash than one who is not. See the Child Car Seats website for detailed information. Legal requirements - Correct child car seats for children's age and size All children must be safely fastened in the correct child car seat for their age and size. A child who is properly secured in an approved child car seat is less likely to be injured or killed in a car crash than one who is not.
National child restraint laws • • • • • • •
Children up to the age of six months must be secured in an approved rearward facing restraint Children aged from six months old but under four years old must be secured in either a rear or forward facing approved child restraint with an inbuilt harness Children under four years old cannot travel in the front seat of a vehicle with two or more rows Children aged from four years old but under seven years old must be secured in a forward facing approved child restraint with an inbuilt harness or an approved booster seat Children aged from four years old but under seven years old cannot travel in the front seat of a vehicle with two or more rows, unless all other back seats are occupied by children younger than seven years in an approved child restraint or booster seat Children aged from seven years old but under 16 years old who are too small to be restrained by a seatbelt properly adjusted and fastened are strongly recommended to use an approved booster seat Children in booster seats must be restrained by a suitable lap and sash type approved seatbelt that is properly adjusted and fastened, or by a suitable approved child safety harness that is properly adjusted and fastened.
The information given in this section is a guide only and is subject to change at any time without notice. This information is also available in the Road Users Handbook. You can access the full text of the NSW Road Rules on the NSW Legislation website. https://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/safety-rules/road-rules/seatbelts.html Page | 14
Parent portal Bellfield’s Student portal is a one-stop shop for everything. Students can access the portal using their school logon, which gives them access to their timetable, assessment marks, attendance history and reports from anywhere at any time. In addition, the parent portal provides parents with 24/7 access to their child’s data. Parents can log in to access their child’s reports, attendance and welfare details as well as updating family contact details. Furthermore, if you are a parent and want to see your child’s records, contact the college and you will be given an access code for the parent portal, which you will use to access your child’s data You can access the portal here: https://bellfield.sentral.com.au/portal
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Mobile Phones Our College is a student phone free zone. Mobile phones MUST be placed in the school bag and switched off before entering school grounds, this includes before the 8.30am bell and after the home time bell. If seen, heard or used on school grounds devices will be confiscated immediately and held for two weeks. Please note that this also includes mobile phone devices such as Air Pods and headsets. Other technology items including IPADS and Apple watches are also not permitted. Students also have the option of handing in their mobile phone to the senior administration office each morning. Pick up occurs at 3.20pm, not earlier.
Afternoon Detentions Your child may receive an on-the-spot afternoon detention for reasons including but not limited to: o Late to class o Out of Uniform o Non completion of class work If a student is absent from school when the afternoon detention is served, then he/she will have to serve it on another day and families will be notified accordingly.
Homework Homework is sent home every night. Please contact your child’s class teacher if you have any questions. The Main Types of Homework are • • • •
Practice Exercises – providing students with the opportunities to apply new knowledge, or review, revise and reinforce newly acquired skills Preparatory Homework – providing opportunities for students to gain background information on a unit of study so that they are better prepared for future lessons Extension & Research Assignments – encouraging students to pursue knowledge individually Revision and consolidation – reading over class notes, applying information and organisation or reformatting notes
Students late to class Students late to class will receive an Afternoon Detention. Late to class can be defined simply as ‘wrong place, wrong time’. If a student is late to class / truant an entire period they are marked as absent on the Sentral roll marking system. This is then followed up by the class teacher and the Pastoral Care Coordinator the next day. Continued late to class / truancy may result in further action being taken.
Withdrawing from the College If you are withdrawing a student from the College, please be advised that 10 weeks’ notice is required If you do not provide the College 10 school weeks’ notice of withdrawing from the college, a term’s fees will be charged to your account.
Roll Call We no longer have morning roll call. Students must arrive prior to 8.30am and will attend period 1 class immediately after the morning bell (8.30am). Attendance rolls will be marked at the commencement of period 1 and throughout the day occurring at the beginning of each period. Students late to class will be issued with an ‘on the spot’ afternoon detention. Page | 16
Travel Policy Please ensure that prior to booking any holidays during term time, that you seek approval from the college. We only allow 10 school days leave maximum during a calendar year. Any families who are in breach of our travel policy will be asked to repeat their current grade. Please note that students enrolled in the Compression classes will not be granted leave during term time.
Private Buses Students travelling to and from school via private buses should use the foot path along the front driveway. When leaving school, students must use the Junior crossing and the student exit pedestrian gate.
School Zones Strictly no reversing and no u turn’s around school zones. Police regularly monitor the area and we ask you to uphold the Road and Traffic Authority road rules.
Afternoon Pickup and Morning Drop off – Kiss and Drop If travelling to and from school by car, pick up and drop off is strictly via the school car line zone. Car line may be accessed through the Junior school gate, follow the road through to the senior school library and wait in your car for your child. Children must wait in front of the library until mum or dad are seen to approach the library. Students are not permitted to wait along the grass area, nor should they be encouraged to cross carline to enter your vehicle. o o o o o o o
ALL students must be picked up from the car line. NO students will be permitted to exit to enter cars parked on the street. Gates will open at 2.45pm. Please join the car line. No cars will be permitted to make a right turn to enter the car line. ALL cars must exit the driveway and turn left ONLY. Right turn and U-turns will not be permitted. Students will be lined up in family groups during afternoon pick up to allow for faster access. Please be respectful and courteous to our staff as they are only doing their job.
Sick Bay Illness at School o Students who are sick during the school day should: 1. See a teacher for written permission to go to the sick bay. 2. Present themselves promptly to the senior administration office. 3. Follow instructions from the administrative staff politely. 4. Stay at school until the administrative staff have contacted parents. Students must not telephone parents to arrange for their parent/guardian to collect them. This will be done by the office staff.
o
The sick bay is used for a short time only and students will be monitored by the senior school administration officer. If the problem persists parents or caregivers will be contacted. For serious problems, parents or caregivers will be contacted immediately and for very serious cases medical help will be sought. It is extremely important that the medical information in each student’s file is accurate. If there is a change in your child’s health status, the school MUST be notified. For students who are on medication parents are required to complete a ‘Prescribed Medication’ form explaining the nature of the medication and give clear guidelines for administering the medication. This form is available from the front office. Prescribed medications must be distributed from the office. Page | 17
Bellfield College Uniform Senior School Senior Girls Summer Uniform (7-12) White long sleeve cotton shirt Long striped summer skirt
Senior Girls Winter Uniform (7-12) White long sleeve cotton shirt Long teal check winter skirt
Seniors – Teal head scarf Bellfield College logo bag White school socks to cover the ankle Black hard leather hard sole school shoes
Teal wool blend knitted jumper Teal blazer Charcoal lycra tights
Senior Girls Sport Uniform (7-10) Long teal polo shirt with logo Striped cotton long polo pants (unisex) White sport socks School hat Microfibre long jacket
Black hard leather hard sole school shoes
GIRLS
Senior Boys Summer Uniform (7-12) White short sleeve cotton shirt Charcoal wool blend long pleated pants Grey school socks to cover the ankle Seniors - School tie Bellfield College logo bag Black hard leather hard sole school shoes
Senior Boys Winter Uniform (7-12) White long sleeve cotton shirt Charcoal wool blend long pleated pants Grey school socks to cover the ankle Teal wool blend knitted jumper Teal blazer Black hard leather hard sole school shoes
Senior Boys Sport Uniform (7-10) Teal polo shirt with logo Striped cotton long polo pants (unisex) White sport socks School hat Microfibre jacket
BOYS
Sport Uniform Sports Uniform is worn for PE PRACTICALS and Sport days only. Please refer to the student timetable and CANVAS classroom for PE practicals days. o Year 7 - Year 8 students attend sport on Wednesday afternoon. o Year 9 - Year 10 students attend sport on Friday afternoon. Students not in the correct and full summer uniform will be issued afternoon detention. NOTE ** Our College uniform shop stocks open toe tights suitable for ablution Not wearing leather school shoes is a WHS risk and students will not be allowed to participate in practical lessons (ie Food Technology)
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Senior School Contact Mrs Mouina Ramadan Mr Hussein Akil Mr Moustafa Nehme Ms Rana Nehme Mrs Zahrah Shaddad Mr Wassim Hijazi Mr Cameron Barrington Ms Mariam Bazzi Br Mohamed Mohamedali Mr Ali Fawaz Miss Layel Jomaa Miss Monika Kumar Miss Ayah Balloot Mr Mahdi Hussain Ms Riem Derbasi Ms Maysaa Balhas Mrs Sasha Hayes Ms Zeinab Rammal Ms Chanel Jbarah Dr Abdi Ali
Head of Senior School
mouina.ramadan@bellfield.nsw.edu.au
Head of Department PDHPE PDHPE and HSIE PDHPE PDHPE
hussein.akil@bellfield.nsw.edu.au
Head of Department HSIE HSIE and English HSIE and English HSIE and Legal Studies
wassim.hijazi@bellfield.nsw.edu.au
HSIE / English HSIE / English HSIE / English
ali.fawaz@bellfield.nsw.edu.au layel.jomaa@bellfield.nsw.edu.au monika.kumar@bellfield.nsw.edu.au
Head of Department C.A.L.E English English & Learning Support Arabic and Languages Visual Arts HSIE/English/Technology English
moustafa.nehme@bellfield.nsw.edu.au rana.nehme@bellfield.nsw.edu.au
cameron.barrington@bellfield.nsw.edu.au mariam.bazzi@bellfield.nsw.edu.au mohamed.mohamedali@bellfield.nsw.edu.au
ayah.balloot@bellfield.nsw.edu.au mahdi.hussain@bellfield.nsw.edu.au riem.derbasi@bellfield.nsw.edu.au maysaa.balhas@bellfield.nsw.edu.au sasha.hayes@bellfield.nsw.edu.au zeinab.rammal@bellfield.nsw.edu.au chanel.jbarah@bellfield.nsw.edu.au
Head of Department STEM Mathematics Coordinator
abdi.ali@bellfield.nsw.edu.au
Mustapha Khalil Miss Stephanie Laguna Mrs Shweta Sharma Mrs Marwa Hijazi Mrs Rana Chebli
Mathematics Mathematics and Science Mathematics and Science Mathematics and Science Information and Software Technology (IST)
mustapha.khalil@bellfield.nsw.edu.au stephanie.laguna@bellfield.nsw.edu.au shweta.sharma@bellfield.nsw.edu.au marwa.hijazi@bellfield.nsw.edu.au rana.chebli@bellfield.nsw.edu.au
Ms Eman Soliman Owen Gates
TAS Teacher Mathematics and Science
eman.soliman@bellfield.nsw.edu.au owen.gates@bellfield.nsw.edu.au
Mrs Jenna Crisp Mrs Yasna Dench Hamideh Mirsarshari Mohamed Wehby Year Advisors Mr Moustafa Nehme Mrs Chanel Jbarah Mr Mahdi Hussain Miss Zeinab Rammal Mrs Shweta Sharma
Learning Support Learning Support Librarian Illuminations Coordinator
jenna.crisp@bellfield.nsw.edu.au yasna.dench@bellfield.nsw.edu.au Hamideh.mirsarshari@bellfield.nsw.edu.au mohamed.wehby@bellfield.nsw.edu.au
Mr Javid Karimi
javid.karimi@bellfield.nsw.edu.au
Year Year Year Year Year
7 8 9 10 11/12 Page | 19
We grow through what we know This unusual year has brought out the best in many parents. For most families the year was set to go one way and then the pandemic threw plans and expectations into disarray. Every family has a story to tell. Loss, disappointment, frustration and anger have been common themes. But so too have adaption, endurance and perseverance. One of my daughters resigned from her nursing position when COVID-19 reached her workplace earlier this year. With two young children (one compromised by poor health) she had little choice. Although hugely conflicted, she got on with her life and took up a new position. Her story is one of adaption and moving forward. What’s your story? Is it one of disappointment and loss or is it one of flexibility and renewal? Is it a story of annoyance and frustration or is it a story of patience and adjustment? We can’t change the things that happen to us but we can control how we respond. It’s either a story of negativity and despair or one of positivity and hope. The narrative or story we create around events either holds up our progress or powers us forward. The stories that we choose to tell ourselves are prophetic. Learning through experience When I began teaching, my first principal gave me some superb advice. He said to stick close to the struggling students because they would make me a better teacher. His advice was spot on. It takes comparatively little effort or skill to teach the bright child or the well-behaved child, but the more challenging kids were a completely different story. I had to dig deep, seek advice from colleagues, try new teaching and behaviour management methods and develop patience and understanding that I didn’t know I had. It was the difficult students and the challenging situations that really developed my potential as a teacher. The same applies to family life. Challenging kids, difficult developmental stages and unpredictable events encourage our growth as parents and people, releasing previously dormant abilities and character traits. This year has presented challenges in spades and accelerated the learning and development of many parents. Recover, refresh and reset Human beings crave predictability, and this year has been anything but predictable. That’s why this year has been exhausting for many families. Christmas couldn’t come at a better time. The routine of the festive season signals predictability and control. It provides a chance for you to recover from a difficult year, refresh your depleted mental and physical resources and reset for the year ahead. Your children will need to do the same. They need to recover from a stressful year, enjoy the opportunity to refresh their resources and reset their focus for a new school year.
Michael Grose Page | 20