ANZAC Ceremony

On Tuesday, 5 April 2016, students Niamh Webster of Year 12 and Isabella Czarnecki and Jamie Howe of Year 10 attended the RSL and Schools Remember ANZAC Ceremony accompanied by Mrs Smit. We were invited to represent our school in the remembrance and commemoration of WWI troops amongst other school students and members of RSL communities. The ceremony was run primarily by school students, showing that ANZAC spirit and remembrance remains strong amongst our generation. We also participated in wreath laying on the steps of the ANZAC Memorial in Hyde Park and dropping a star into the Well of Contemplation in the memorial’s Hall of Memory. The day was overall an extremely rewarding and enjoyable experience, providing an excellent opportunity for us to remember those who sacrificed their lives for our country, celebrate ANZAC spirit, and explore the importance of commemoration in today’s society.

Jamie Howe – Year 10

Preparing for Tests and Exams

Linda Robinson

Year 10 Coordinator

Library News

Term Two brings with it cooler days and the opportunity to curl up with a good book in a sheltered, sunny spot. I would like to remind all students who are competing in the Premier’s Reading Challenge to keep tallying their books online; if you do this as you go, it makes final collation much easier. Please see Mrs. Pentland if you are having any problems.

Autumn = Reading with our inaugural Bethany Reading Bingo Competition. Come to the Library and collect your bingo sheet! You will need to attach a list of the books you use to complete your Bingo sheet when you are finished. There are prizes to be won!

Happy reading…

Mrs Pentland

Teacher Librarian

TERM 2 SCHOOL FEES

School Fees for Term 2 were emailed to all families last week. Payment is due by 15th May.

Your prompt payment is appreciated.

Friday Nights Youth Night

Year 9 Pastoral Post

Throughout Semester one, Year 9 have been exploring our Bethany Values. I have chosen the Value of Service because Year 9 have the opportunity to be involved in the Duke of Edinburgh program, Vinnies program as well as peer support opportunities both in Term 1 and training in Term 4 in preparation for the Big Sister Little Sister peer support program 2017.

• We lovingly care for the needs of others

In our year assembly we were inspired by a reading of the poem Christ Has No Body by Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)

• We are the hands of God

Mary Mackillop’s motto for life was –

“Never see a need without doing something about it”

We are called to be his hands and feet – We are one body

Each one of us is a part of Christ’s body. We all have different functions. But we are called to be his hands and feet since we are all called to serve one another and to love one another. Titus 3:14 The Message (MSG)

• We lovingly serve God in the service of others

Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. Romans 12:9-13 The Message (MSG)

I asked the girls to write on a post it note – What does the value of service mean to you on a personal and community level? The Poster below is a reflection of how Year 9 interpreted this question.

Our prayer- May we always be your hands and feet!

Katrine Barnes 

PDHPE/CAFS/Year 9 Coordinator

PDHPE Department News

     (Robert Collier 1885-1950)

Introducing new staff to the PDHPE Faculty

ROCHELLE BAILEY

My name is Rochelle Bailey and I am new to the Bethany College PDHPE department this year. My decision to become a teacher first came from my commitment to learning I developed throughout my own high school experience. I am and have always been passionate about advocating ways to adopt a healthy, balanced and active lifestyle. Pursuing a career as a PDHPE teacher seemed a best fit to engage in a profession where teaching and learning are the forefront of my role and I would be able to engage with and share my passion with young people. I studied a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education at the University of Wollongong and I am currently studying a Graduate Certificate in Religious Education at the Australian Catholic University.

My teaching philosophy is based on the premise that all students have the capacity to grow intellectually, socially and emotionally as they progress through high school and it is my role as the teacher to guide and play an active role in this process. I feel privileged to share in this profession with the young women of Bethany College and feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to share my passion for teaching, learning and the importance of physical and health education with the entire Bethany College Community. I have genuinely enjoyed each of the rewards and challenges thus far of the profession and look forward to continuing to develop relations with staff, students and parents.

KIRSTY SOLES

The main reason I decided to become a teacher is I wanted to advocate physical activity and healthy active lifestyles. I wanted the opportunity to help young people find ways that they enjoy to lead an active life.  I am a past Bethany student and therefore lived by the motto “ Girls can do anything, Bethany girls can do everything”. The support from Bethany was one of my main influencing factors in becoming a PDHPE teacher. The support offered and sporting experiences I undertook such as participating in sport each week and going on overseas trips such as New Zealand created unforgettable experiences. This was a pivotal moment during adolescence as I enjoyed sport, the teachers were my role models and now mentors and work colleagues.

My teaching philosophy is to ensure each individual student is provided with every opportunity to be successful in her learning fostering the physical, social, emotional and intellectual components. The reason I have developed this philosophy is through my Doctors of Physiotherapy course I studied at Macquarie University. 

Representative Sport Update

Congratulations to Caitlin Hollis, Kiera Warn, Bridget Cole and Mallory Hull who competed at the NSWCCC Swimming Championships on Friday​ 29th April at Homebush.

A further congratulations to Kiera Warn who has been selected to compete in the All Schools Championships on Friday 6th May.

Results Update

SCC SPORT

SCC netball completed their first round of Junior and Intermediate games this week both teams were successful:

• Juniors 29-1
• Inters 40-11
• Senior games commence next week, however Bethany has a BYE

Upcoming events

Training continues every Monday afternoon with coach Liz Andrews, for the CGSSSA Gymnastics team, in Yallunga Hall from 3.30 – 5.00pm.

2016 CGSSSA Gymnastics Team

Katrine Barnes

PDHPE Faculty

6 Ways Good Parents Contribute to their Child’s Anxiety

STUDY SKILLS TIP

Courtesy of P. Salter – ELES

7 Steps to Make the Most of Class time

So what are the advantages of using class time efficiently? Well, you will complete more work in class and have less to do at home, your teacher will be pleased with your application and so will your parents when they read your report, and of course, you will learn more! And if you don’t use class time efficiently? Well you will have to do more work at home, you will find you don’t always understand the work, your teachers will have to be continually disciplining you and you may even make it harder for other people in your class to learn. So what does working effectively in class mean?

1. Sit next to someone who will help you stay on task.
2. Ask questions whenever you are unsure, unclear or do not understand something.
3. Be polite and respectful of your teacher and your classmates.
4. Come to the lesson with all the books, technology and equipment you will need.
5. Contribute your thoughts and ideas at the appropriate times.
6. If you find yourself day-dreaming ask yourself questions about what is going on.
7. Try at all times to stay on task and be focused on the work you are doing.

You can get some great tips on how to work effectively at home and at school by working through the units on www.studyskillshandbook.com.au. Our school’s access details are:

Username: bethanyhurstville
Password: 65success

Rob Gough

Year 8 Coordinator

CAREERS NEWS

CA ANZ present Meet The Business Leader (formerly Cadetship Evening)

Date : 11th May 2016 Time : 5:00pm – 7:30pm Venue : Crystal Ballroom, Luna Park
Cost : FREE Contact : Myee Gregory : careers.nsw@caanz.com
Meet The Business Leader is the perfect opportunity for Year 12 students to secure a cadetship, to commence while undertaking university studies! The event, hosted by Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand, is on Wednesday May 11, 5pm-7:30pm at Luna Park. There is no cost to attend, however registration will be essential.
For further info and to register, go to:  

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/sydney-meet-the-business-leader-tickets-22513486444

Professional Cadetships – Business Cadetship Applications close on 11 May

Applications for the Business Cadetships Program run by Professional Cadetships Australia close on 11 May. Year 12 students apply online at www.businesscadetships.com.au for cadetship placement at UBS.

Students who intend to apply are reminded that both their Application Form and School Assessment are due on 11 May so it is advisable to speak to your Careers Adviser well in advance about your School Assessment.

Applications for the Engineering & Technology Cadetships (ETCAD) Program open on 26 April. Watch MHS Careers for details of this Program.  

Westmead Hospital Careers Day

12^th May 2016, 8:45am to 3pm, Lecture Theatre 2 Education Block, Westmead Hospital, Cnr Hawkesbury & Darcy Rds

The careers day is for students in years 11 and 12 who are interested in a career in social work. The event costs $15 per student. Registration forms are available from Melissa.Loos@health.nsw.gov.au

Defence Force Recruiting Information Sessions – May 2016

10 May 16 6.30pm – 8.30pm Army Reserves DFRC Parramatta

17 May 16 6.30pm – 8.30pm Army Officer Dee Why RSL

18 May 16 6.30pm – 8.30pm Army Roles DFRC Parramatta

23 May 16 6.30pm – 8.30pm Trades Hornsby RSL

25 May 16 6.30pm – 8.30pm Commando DFRC Parramatta

30 May 16 6.30pm – 8.30pm Australian Defence Force Academy DFRC Parramatta

2016 Hotel Career Expo
Date : 16th May 2016 Time : 10am-8pm Venue : Intercontinental Sydney
Cost : FREE Contact : Veronica Robertson : veronica@zadroagency.com.au

The 2016 Hotel Career Expo is the ultimate gateway for professionals, graduates and students to the finest career opportunities available in Australia’s leading hotel brands. From marketing, IT, engineering, HR, commerce, finance and many more – there’s a career path for just about everyone in the hotel industry!

Anyone who is interested in a career in hotels is invited to attend, it’s free, however per-registrations are necessary.

For more information, visit: http://www.hotelcareerexpo.com.au

University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Bachelor of Accounting Information Evening
Date : 17th May 2016 Time : 6.30 – 7.30 pm
Venue : UTS Business School, Dr Chau Chak Wing Building, 14-28 Ultimo Road, Ultimo
Cost : FREE Contact : Carin Alberts : carin.alberts@uts.edu.au
The Bachelor of Accounting is a cooperative education program in accounting. It is an intensive three year degree offered in conjunction with major employers. Students complete a compulsory first major in accounting and receive a scholarship and full-time work training.
This course is a specialist degree for high-achieving students who view an accounting career as an excellent foundation for future business leadership. All students in the course receive a scholarship of up to $46,500 over three years and a year of full-time industry experience, and are encouraged to complete a second major or sub-major in another business discipline. Historically the course has a graduate employment rate greater than 95 per cent.
Come along to our Information Evening and meet current students, graduates, sponsors, and staff of this elite program. For more information, please send an email to: 
carin.alberts@uts.edu.au or go to: http://www.uts.edu.au/about/uts-business-school/accounting/events/bacc-information-evening

For further info and application process go to: http://www.uts.edu.au/future-students/find-a-course/courses/c10235

University of Notre Dame – Medicine Information Session
Date : 17th May 2016 Time : 6.00pm Venue : 160 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
Cost : FREE Contact : Anne-Maree McCarthy : 02 8204 4404
With Medicine applications closing soon, those considering studying the Medicine commencing in 2017* are invited to attend an information session at our purpose-built Darlinghurst campus. 
The session is designed to help you find out more about the admissions process, an overview of course content, meet current students and tour our facilities.
To register or for further information please visit www.notredame.edu.au
*Please note the University of Notre Dame Medicine Program is a Graduate Entry program 

Med Entry

Newcastle – 21^st to 22^nd May 2016, St Philip’s Christian College

Sydney – 4^th to 5^th June 2016, UTS

Sydney – 18^th to 19^th June 2016, Macquarie University

Sydney – 2^nd to 3^rd July 2016, UTS

Sydney – 23^rd to 24^th July 2016, UTS

Med Entry holds courses to assist students in their preparation for the UMAT Test.

http://www.medentry.edu.au/courses/umat-course-locations

Academy of Interactive Entertainment – Open Day
Date : 21st May 2016 Time : 10am to 3pm Venue : Wattle Street, Ultimo
Cost : FREE Contact : Simon Freeman : simonf@aie.edu.au
Discover the courses designed to get you started in game development, 3D animation and visual effects at an AIE Open Day. Sydney, Melbourne Canberra and Adelaide campuses will be opening their doors to visitors eager to find out about full-time and part-time courses.

The day will include presentations on different areas of industry to get into as well as information about AIE full-time and part-time courses and entry requirements. Student work will be on display and our teachers will be available to speak with you one on one about our courses and how AIE can get you into a creative career.

For more information head to http://www.aie.edu.au/openday

Your Path to Sydney Uni 2016: An Information Evening for Students and Parents
25^th May 2016, Revesby Workers Club
The evening will provide an opportunity for prospective students and their parents to have their questioned answered, with information on marks, cost and areas of study offered. There will be academic staff and students to answer these questions, as well as information on scholarships and pathways.
http://sydney.edu.au/study/admissions/events-for-future-students.html#sydney

Bond University (Queensland) Experience Days for Yr 11 & 12 students

For info go to:

https://bond.edu.au/future-students/study-bond/see-yourself/experience-days

FashionMasters presents FASHION ILLUSTRATION FOR FUN
Date : 28th May 2016 Time : 9.30am – 12.30pm
Venue : Level 3, 91 York Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Cost : FREE
Contact : Rose Schleicher : rschleicher@holmes.edu.au
This is a beginner’s class for anyone who has always loved to draw fashion figures, and want to bring out their inner artist. Learn the fundamentals of fashion drawing on the figure, rendering skin, fabrics and applying light, shade and colour. Students will all produce a fully rendered and mounted fashion figure working with watercolour. 
Teacher: Timothy Corne, M.A.

Western U Day Parramatta 
Date : 31st May 2016 Time : 9:30am to 2pm
Venue : Western Sydney University Parramatta South campus Cost : FREE
Western U Day Kingswood 
Date : 1st Jun 2016 Time : 9:30am to 2pm
Venue : Western Sydney University Kingswood campus
Contact : Allison Slade : a.slade@westernsydney.edu.au
Western U Day provides the opportunity for senior high school students to experience a day on a Western Sydney University campus. The event will allow high school students to speak to current University students and academic staff, experience the range of courses available at Western Sydney University through interactive workshops and presentations, learn about scholarships, The Academy, pathway programs and further opportunities to pursue their aspirations. For more information please visit http://www.westernsydney.edu.au/future/future_students_home/events_at_uws/westernuday 

University Admissions Centre (UAC) STAT Test Registrations Open

Test dates: 21^st May 2016

Registrations for mid-year Special Tertiary Admissions Tests are now open.

The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is used by many tertiary institutions to assess an applicant’s ability to think critically and analyze material, competencies that are considered important for success in tertiary study.

http://www.uac.edu.au/stat/

University of Technology Sydney (UTS): Law Undergraduate Information Evening

22^nd June 2016, 6pm to 8pm, UTS Building 5, Block B, Cnr Quay St and Ultimo Rd, Haymarket

The event is directed at students in years 11 and 12, who are interested in studying law. The evening will include information on various degree options, practice-oriented learning, entry pathways, student life and one-on-one consultations with staff and students.

http://www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-law/events/law-undergraduate-info-evening

Australian Apprenticeships Job Pathways Charts

These charts illustrate potential career pathways that begin with an Australian apprenticeship.

http://www.aapathways.com.au/Career-Resources/Job-Pathway-Charts-Link/Job-Pathways-Charts-PDF

Australian Apprenticeships Government Website

This website is an invaluable resource providing information on apprenticeship programs, location of apprenticeship centres, government initiatives and recent publications regarding apprentice work force changes.

http://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/

Le Cordon Bleu Prospectus NSW

This brochure has information about studying at Le Cordon Bleu, including campus, course and where this study can take you.

http://www.cordonbleu.edu/Files/AAMCEN1597.pdf

APM Online Study and Course Information Webinars

Find out more about studying with APM at Torrens University by checking out one of these course webinars. They run for 45 minutes and go through an overview of the course and introduction to the online learning platform.

• Bachelor of Business: Monday 16^th May, 12pm
• Bachelor of Business (Commerce): Monday 16^th May, 4pm
• Bachelor of Business (Marketing): Tuesday 17^th May, 4pm
• Bachelor of Business (Public Relations): Wednesday 18^th May, 4pm
• Bachelor of Business (Event Management): Wednesday 18^th May, 4pm

All times are in AEST. For more information contact 1800 880 610 or email enquiries@apm.edu.au

http://www.apm.edu.au/about-apm/upcoming-events

Shillington College Info Session

Learn more about studying our Graphic Design Course. We’ll show you how our students would tackle a real-world commercial brief, step-by-step—from thumbnails right through to seeing the final product live on an iPad.

http://www.shillingtoncollege.com.au/graphic-design-course/info-sessions

RiAus 2016 Ultimate Science Guide

The Ultimate Science Guide has information about the latest STEM careers, study options, course information and how to survive uni. It is suitable for students, teachers and parents. It will be released in May. Between 1 and 3 copies can be ordered for free.

http://riaus.tv/content/ultimate-science-guide

University of Sydney: Year 10 Information Evenings
The evenings are designed to help Year 10 students (and their parents) choose subjects for the HSC and navigate through the process of applying to university.

The 2016 Year 10 Information Evenings will be held on Monday 16 May, Wednesday 18 May and Monday 23 May.

Topics include:

• ATAR, scaling, prerequisites and assumed knowledge
• subject selections
• career pathways
• the student journey to university.

Dates: 16, 18 and 23 May
Time: 6-8pm
Venue: The University of Sydney. Venue information will be provided to registered attendees.
http://sydney.edu.au/study/admissions/events-for-future-students/year-10-information-evening.html

University of Wollongong Events

Year 12 Information Evening – Sutherland NSW  Thursday, 5 May 6pm – 8pm http://mkto.uow.edu.au/20160505Sutherland-Year12InformationEvening_1.Registration.html

Year 12 Information Evening – Southern Sydney NSW  Monday, 9 May 6pm – 8pm http://mkto.uow.edu.au/20160509SouthernSydney-Year12InformationEvening_1.Registration.html

Australian Catholic University  (ACU) Mid-year Information Session

Strathfield – 17^th May 2016, 4:30pm to 7pm

North Sydney – 18^th May 2016, 4:30pm to 7pm

The information sessions will provide prospective students with the chance to talk to staff and current students about the courses offered and different career paths.

https://acucampaigns.com.au/information-events/

Study in Victoria

Senior students and parents are invited to learn about the application processes and study options available in Victoria. Presentations will be given by the University of Melbourne and the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC). Wednesday 1 June 2016, 6.15 pm arrival for 6.30 pm start (6.30-7.00pm: University of Melbourne presentation; 7.00-7.30pm: VTAC presentation; 7.30-8.00pm: University of Melbourne Q&A).  Monte Saint’ Angelo Mercy College, O’Regan Arts and Cultural Common Theatre, 128 Miller Street North Sydney NSW 2060.

RSVP is essential at: https://www.trybooking.com/LBOG

Southern Cross University (SCU) Virtual Info Session

Wednesday 4 May – 6pm & Tuesday 24 May – 10am

Join our online session to find out more about SCU undergraduate degrees, university life and how our support services can help you achieve your study and career goals.

http://scu.edu.au/events/index.php/events/3490

http://scu.edu.au/events/index.php/events/3491

Women in Trades Video Channel at SkillsOne
This online series of videos illustrates the range of trades that women are involved in around Australia.

http://www.skillsone.com.au/vidgallery/women-in-industry/

Macleay College Campus Tours
Macleay College offers campus tours and workshops for interested students. These can be booked at various times throughout the year. It will also offer the chance to have questions regarding courses and career paths answered. For inquiries phone: 1300 939 888 or email: study@macleay.edu
https://macleay.edu.au/ 

MoneySmart

The Australian Securities and Investment Commission have developed a website to assist with all areas of financial planning, including saving, budgeting, spending, personal tax, superannuation, debt management and insurance, with special sections for young people, including apprentices, trainees and students in vocational education.

https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/

Youth Central: Cover Letters

This resource gives some tips on how to write an impressive cover letter and includes sample letters.

http://www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/jobs-careers/applying-for-jobs/sample-cover-letters    

New website launched! Preparing Secondary Students for Work

http://www.mskills.org.au/media-centre/news#NewsHint=14160

Viviene Gereige

Vocational Learning Coordinator

From the Assistant Principal

Important Dates for Term 2

• Monday 9th May: All students to wear full winter uniform
• P&F meeting 7pm, Library
• Tuesday 10th-15th May: NAPLAN, Years 7 & 9
• Monday 23rd May: Year 12 Parent / Teacher/ Student Interviews, 4-7:30 pm
• Monday 13th June: Queen’s Birthday
• Tuesday 15th and Wednesday 16th June: Year 11 Drama Production, 6:30-8:30pm
• Monday 27th June: Athletics Carnival
• Thursday 30th June: Last day of classes for students. Dismissal at 12:50
• Thursday 30th June: Years 7-11 Parent / Teacher/ Student Interviews, 3:30-7:30p.m.
• Friday 1st July: Years 7-11 Parent / Teacher/ Student Interviews, 9.00a.m.-3.00p.m.

Transport Issues in Waratah Street

A reminder that Waratah St is the designated drop off and pick up area for students. This street is heavily congested at peak times and as a result some parents are making poor and dangerous decisions. Double parking, blocking driveways, parking in no parking zones, stopping in Bus Zones and No stopping Zones, these are illegal and dangerous practices. We have been advised that Police and council rangers will regularly patrol the area and will continue to issue infringement notices for traffic offences. Please take the time to read the handout provided by the NSW Police regarding Road Safety Issues Around Schools. If possible arrange for your daughter to meet you in a nearby street, away from the school walkway and pedestrian crossing.

Jacinta Russo

Assistant Principal

Father Janusz’ 60th Birthday

Adult

Children

MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

NAPLAN 2016

As you know, the annual National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) tests will be held from 10 to 12 May 2016. It will involve Year 7 and Year 9. Now that the Australian Curriculum is being implemented in each state and territory, Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) aligned NAPLAN to the Australian Curriculum: English and the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics. As such, NAPLAN should have less impact on your child’s day-to-day learning, as the best preparation for NAPLAN is for students to continue learning what they do every day in the classroom.

NAPLAN is an important tool for parents, educators and the public to see how Australia’s children are meeting essential literacy and numeracy standards. It’s a point-in-time snapshot assessment of students’ achievements in these important areas. It certainly doesn’t replace the important tests that are regularly held in classrooms around the country. It simply complements existing tests and adds a valuable national dimension.

In August–September you’ll receive your child’s NAPLAN results. If you have any concerns, you should speak to your child’s teacher, as they know your child’s learning best. Some students may feel anxious about NAPLAN, but it’s up to the adults in children’s lives to help keep NAPLAN in context. It’s a test that is only taken four times in a child’s schooling life – over three days, there are four tests that take around one hour each. NAPLAN tests what students should already know from their everyday learning, and there are no prizes or repercussions for doing well or not so well in the tests. NAPLAN doesn’t test everything that happens in a classroom – it isn’t intended to – but it does look at the critically important areas of literacy and numeracy – skills that your child will take with them to their adult life. For more information about NAPLAN, including fact sheets, FAQs and examples of tests, please visit the NAP website http://www.nap.edu.au.

Don’t threaten, bribe or deal – breathe and act instead

Outrageous mom screaming at kids with laptop using megaphone

Five great discipline habits to add to your parenting repertoire.

Getting kids to cooperate is tricky. One method doesn’t necessarily fit all kids so as a parent or teacher it helps to have a broad repertoire of responses to draw on when kids are less then perfect or you want more cooperative behaviour. 

Disciplining a child can also make many parents feel decidedly uncomfortable, as it doesn’t generally fit an idealised picture of parenting that many of us may have. Discipline is about helping kids stay safe, become social and also be savvy and astute when they interact with others, which makes discipline a positive and very necessary part of the parenting process.

Bad discipline habits

Unfortunately, it’s easy as a parent to develop bad habits to get cooperation from kids. For instance, it can be easier to offer a simple bribe such as “I let you use my iPad for 10 minutes if you can be quiet in the back seat of the car”, rather than battle with kids for their cooperation. This type of bribe can work wonders to get some peace and quiet and is infinitely better than engaging in a slanging match while you’re driving. Well, it may seem that way!

However, it’s easy for both parents and kids to become hooked on bribes. As a parent you can easily fall for the trap of offering a bribe to induce good behaviour because it often works. A child learns to cooperate on his terms and soon learns to think, “What’s in this for me?” Soon kids learn to wheel and deal to get better terms so today’s ‘quick 10 minutes on an iPad’ becomes tomorrow’s shiny new piece of technology bought in return for cooperation. Bribery and dealing almost always escalates in scale. The stakes rarely get smaller.

Similarly, idle threats of withdrawing co-operation if a child won’t behave well soon falls on deaf ears as kids have a built-in radar for knowing if a threat is real or not. “If you continue to argue with your sister I’ll cancel your birthday” is the sort of threat that many of us have made in desperation just to get some peace and harmony at home.  Again, threatening all types of dastardly consequences can become a habit, particularly when we don’t have many other options at our disposal to get better cooperation.

Most of us will default to our lowest level of skill when we are tired, stressed or under pressure. When a child yells, “I hate you! You never listen to a thing I say” just when you’re trying to get her to bed you’re likely to return fire in spades. ‘What do you mean I never listen to you! I always listen to you. You never…” and away you go chastising a child in a way that only exacerbates her lack of cooperation.

Good discipline habits

So it helps to develop some good discipline habits instead so that when we do become stressed or tired they are so ingrained in us that they become second nature.  Here are five good discipline habits to develop:

1. Avoid the first impulse so you don’t overreact

A good rule of thumb is to stop yourself from reacting when children misbehave. As much of children’s poor behaviour is purposeful, in that it keeps parents busy with them or is designed to let parents know that in fact you can make a child do anything they want to do, your impulsive reactions reinforce the behaviour. At times stopping and doing nothing is better than saying something you regret later on or can’t follow through with.

2. Step away and take a breath to gain control

When you feel annoyed, angry or hurt by a child’s misbehaviour temporarily step away from the situation and take a few deep breaths before you speak or act. This meta-moment will not only buy you time but will quickly calm you down and change your thinking, putting you back in control. Better self-management helps you respond more effectively when kids misbehave.

3. Lower your voice to be heard

Do you typically repeat yourself or raise your voice when your children ignore your request for better behaviour or even cooperation. If so you are training your kids to ignore you. Try lowering your voice rather than raising to be heard.  This has the double effect of being easier to hear as well as carrying a greater sense of authority.

4. Move toward them to be noticed

Moving into children’s space to deliver a message is usually more effective than issuing an order across a lounge room when you are competing with a screen for attention. It does require effort but the results in terms of getting cooperation is generally worth it.

5. Use a consequence to teach

Not all children respond positively to consequences. Very sensitive children can take consequences personally so use them sparingly with more sensitive. Sometimes a change in the tone of your voice is enough for these children. But generally reasonable consequences that have a relationship to children’s misdemeanours and that are respectfully delivered are effective in teaching children to behave responsively. The trick is to deliver them like a neutral cop – cool, calm and with not too many words.

Good habits are best developed in low or no stress situations so if you’d like to add any of these ideas to your parenting repertoire start putting them into practice in every day interactions with your children, so that they become second nature when you really need some cooperation from your kids.

(By Michael Grose, www.parentingideas.com.au )

Mother’s Day 2016

This week, we had a beautiful Eucharistic celebration to honour and pray for our mothers and mother figures. It was wonderful to see over 120 assorted mothers and grandmothers, with their daughters, in St Michael’s Parish Church. We thank Fr Janusz for celebration the mass with us. And a special thank you to Mrs Karen Cotogno-Young who made our guests’ special gifts and cards. It is one of the most special days in our year. Here is a reflection that was read out at the end of mass.

Your Mother is always with you. She’s the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street, she’s the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick, the fragrance of life itself, she’s the cool hand on your brow when you’re not feeling well, she’s your breath in the air on a cold winter’s day. She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, the colours of a rainbow, she is Christmas morning.

Your Mother lives inside your laughter. And she’s crystallized in every tear drop. She’s the place you came from, your first home, and she’s the map you follow with every step you take. She’s your first love, your first friend, even your first enemy, but nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space . . . . . . . . . not even death!

Prayer for our Mothers

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,
We thank You for our mothers to whom You have entrusted the care of every precious human life from its very beginning in the womb.

You have given to woman the capacity of participating with You in the creation of new life. Grant that every woman may come to understand the full meaning of that blessing, which gives her an unlimited capacity for selfless love for every child she may be privileged to bear, and for all Your children.

We ask this through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end.
AMEN.

COMMUNITY NEWS

We keep in our prayers Natalia Kaskoutas (8) whose grandfather sadly passed away this week.

Our mantra: