Term 3 Week 4 19th August 2016 Issue No. 25
From the Executive During the Term 2 holidays, my well-beloved car began making noises of discontent; something between a rattle, a jangle and a clatter. There were definitely sounds of moaning and complaint; sounds arising from somewhere in “the engine area” of the car; somewhere that I know exists but have no idea how it actually works.
I listened. I watched. I nodded in response. I think I even named the spark plug!
So I did what I’ve always done: I took it to a male friend to have a listen. He listened, and very much advised me not to drive the car any further. Less than 20 hours later, after having driven away from the caryard with a new car, I was standing in my friend’s driveway, while he and his son spent over an hour explaining to me the workings of the engine of my new car.
Not because my friends are poor teachers, but more because of the way I thought about my ability to learn about car engines.
But did I learn anything? Would I know what to do next time the car’s engine made an unusual noise? No.
I think I didn’t learn anything that afternoon because of my mindset. According to Dr Carol Dweck, if we think that our ability to do something or be successful in an area is “carved in stone”, Page 1
then we have a ‘fixed mindset’ and are constantly trying to prove ourselves. “Will I succeed or fail? Will I look smart or dumb? Will I be accepted or rejected? Will I feel like a winner or a loser?”
It is one thing to encourage a growth mindset in our students. It is another thing to ensure we, as parents and teachers, are modelling and promoting this mindset as well.
If, on the other hand, we see ourselves on a continuum of learning, or a journey of development, that if we keep practising or trying, (“I can’t do it, yet”), then we have a ‘growth mindset’. We believe that our qualities can change and grow with application and experience.
Do we praise our children for being smart or for making an effort? How do we respond when a child asks for help with a subject we find difficult? How do our words of feedback and encouragement promote growth in learning rather than judgment? How are we ensuring that we, as adults, continue to learn in our professions and other interests?
It is important to note that this is not suggesting that everyone is the same and we can all be developed into an intellectual genius. However, it does suggest that we can all learn and grow through perseverance and effort.
Next time I see my friends, I will ask them for another lesson in car engines. I don’t know about cars yet. But one day, I will know more than I do now. One day I will. Catherine Laughlin Secondary Coordinator
Success may not be immediate. It may take hours and hours of effort and practise and our rate of learning may look different from others but, if we want to learn something new (whether it is Maths or writing or in the Arts or a sport), we need to be prepared to concentrate in class, practise and revise, and stop telling ourselves that ‘it is not our thing’.
2016 Term Dates Term 3: Mon 25/07/16 - Fri 23/09/16 Term 4: Mon 10/10/16 - Fri 9/12/16 2017 Term Dates Term 1: Mon 30/01/17 - Fri 07/04/17
As teachers, we share the vision of providing an excellent Christian education that caters for the needs of all students. We are inspired to think about ourselves as learners, as well as teachers of learners.
Term 2: Mon 24/04/17 - Fri 30/06/17 Term 3: Mon 24/07/17 - Fri 22/09/17 Term 4: Mon 9/10/17 - Wed 13/12/17
On the Cover
We are made in the image of a God, who desires us to have a growth mindset: to look at each new opportunity and experience as one from which to grow from, in order to live, expand and extend His kingdom.
Congratulations to our Primary Choir who came second in their section of the Abermain Eisteddfod on Tuesday. The choir sung beautifully and received a score of 87 for their performance. Page 2
Tree Planting
Sugglepot and Cuddlepie
This week Year 8 students planted trees for Schools’ Tree Day. Maitland Council provided seedlings of Australian native trees and shrubs. Students learnt how to handle seedlings and how to plant them. The trees were planted near the basketball courts.
On Tuesday, Years 1 and 2 travelled to the Civic Theatre in Newcastle to watch the stage production of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. Paige thought it was really funny when Cuddlepie said to Snugglepot, “Are you out of your nut?” and Deacon loved it when Snugglepot scared Cuddlepie. Kaelyn and Faith drew the pictures above, to depict their favourite part of the show. Primary Assemblies Term 3 Date Class Week 7
9th September
Week 8 16th September
1T 1/2C
Term 4
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Week 2
21st October
Kindergarten
Week 4
4th November
Music Assembly
Week 6
18th November
Yr 3/4 Spelling Bee
Week 7
25th November
Yr 5/6 Spelling Bee
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MADD Night Program Families and friends are invited to attend the 2016 MADD night at Maitland Christian School. To help you know which concert to attend, here is the program for each one. Dinner menus will also be coming home soon. Concert 1, 5:00pm to 6:00pm 1. Larissa, Ruby, Milly, Heidi 2. Ruby, Larissa 3. Emily, Heidi 4. Kayla 5. Kinder Item 6. Peet family 7. Bianca, Gemma, Caitlin, Michael, Sophie, Amelia 8. Year 1/2 item 9. Primary dance 10. Primary Choir 11. Combined Choir
The Christian Cup Song Our God 24th Street Rag Firework Grow Up Frozen Medley Fight Song Jesus Rocks the World Dance Through the Ages With All I Am The Prayer
Concert 2, 7:30pm to 9:00pm 1. Combined Choir 2. Senior Ensemble 3. Brodie 4. Aiden and Brodie 5. Year 3/4 item 6. Tillie, Molly, Aiden 7. Andre 8. Matthew 9. Year 5/6 Drama Video 10. Chris, Matt 11. Year 11 Drama Class 12. Jarod, Lissa, Danika, Mr McLaren 13. Tim, Kayne, Lily, Michael 14. Danika 15. Year 11 Drama Class 16. Lily Sanders 17. Lily, Lissa 18. Lissa, Tim Page 5
The Prayer Rhythm of Life You’ll Be Back Fireflies Chung Chung Wondrous God Parting Glass Canon in D I Want to be Ready Superman How to Have an Argument Breakdown Don’t Need no Doctor Eyes Wide Open How to Act and Be Real! Pulled For Good Blackbird
Bookweek Parade Thursday, 25th August 8:40am Zone Basketball Our teams played exceptionally well at the Secondary Zone Basketball Championships last week. The senior girls came fourth in their division and the junior girls came fifth. It was a sweet victory for the junior boys, who improved on lasts year’s result to compete against Green Point in the grand final and take out the championship.
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What’s Happening at Metford Community Baptist Church? Kids Club is on each Thursday afternoon during term in the Church Hall. Children can come over after school for afternoon tea at 3:00pm, followed by activities between 3:30pm and 5:00pm.
This is a free program for 8 - 12 year old children. For more information contact Pastor Andrew on 0412 071 231.
Youth Group
Morling College Visit
A team of students from Morling College will be visiting Metford Community Baptist Church next weekend (26th to 28th August) as part of their state wide ministry and mission work.
Friday, 26th August, 5:30pm - 8:00pm
They will be helping with youth on Friday night and will be ministering at the church service on Sunday at 9:30am.
Bus available to transport youth home.
You are invited to the church meeting, which will be followed by a Hotpot lunch. Contact Nicole on 4934 5350 for more information.
Starting with a BBQ dinner, followed by social time, lots of games and a short talk Pastor Andrew Sumpton: 0412 071 231
Metford Community Baptist Church is a community of Christian believers who love Christ, each other and their community. We have services every Sunday (9:30am and 6:00pm) and would love to see you there.
Our Contact details: Pastor: John Cook 83 Chelmsford Drive Associate Pastor: Andrew Sumpton Metford NSW 2323 (Next to Maitland Christian School) Phone: 4934 5350 admin@metfordbaptist.com.au
Church Services: Every Sunday 9:30am and 6:00pm Page 7
W hat ’s
o n th e
Monday
Tuesday
S ch e du le
Before School
Lunch
Recess
After School
Supervision from 8:00am Period 1 starts 8:30am
11:03am - 11:43am
1:40pm - 2:00pm
2:51pm After 3:15pm, collect children from school office
Primary Art/Mural Club in C1 Years 3-6 Chess Club
SALT in E8
Secondary TOPS Meeting in M1
MiniSALT in M2 Years 3-6 Computer Coding Club in E3 K-2 Choir in B2
GIFT in E15
Secondary Vocal Group in M2
Primary Choir in M2
Wednesday Secondary Visual Arts Club in E2
Years 5/6 Drama Club in D5
Thursday Secondary Tops Rehearsal in M1 Mission Knitting and Quilting Group in E5
Friday
Secondary Boys Bible Study in E8
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