Dear Families,

We had a terrific week last week and it was wonderful to see the students settle in so quickly. Many of you may be aware now that at the beginning of each term, all classes have an orientation week. Teachers still teach their regular programs. However there is an explicit focus on our school’s expectations and the practising of routines. We find that this helps students to settle back into school quickly and easily after a break.

Many of the changes we have made over the past year are focused on reducing cognitive load by practising routines. Cognitive load is teacher talk for the things our brain has to consciously think about. We liken this to when we first learn to drive. When we first get into a car we have to consciously think about everything, where the brake is, the blinkers, the accelerator, the clutch! It can all be a little overwhelming and causes a lot of stress. But once we become used to where everything is and practise driving for a while, everything begins to become automatic and we become less stressed when driving. The routines we introduce at school are much like this. After a little practice, students can do them without thinking - they become automatic, which reduces cognitive load and stress. One of these routines is the use of the same song at the end of every break. We know it gets a little boring and not everyone likes the song, but within the first few weeks of school, everyone knows the song, they know how long it goes for and at what point they could be getting to lines so they are there before the song ends. While not everybody loves it, the use of the same song reduces cognitive load.

I will be away from school from midday today and return on Friday morning as I am part of the registration panel for St Anthony’s Primary, Wanniassa. Every five years, Catholic Schools undergo a review for registration. It is customary for a peer principal whose school will undergo registration the following year to be part of this registration panel. Being part of the panel will give me an opportunity to learn about the process and also to see what other schools in our system are doing. Carmen Myles will be acting principal in my absence.

God Bless

 
Leah Taylor
Principal