n e w s l e t t e r · sam clarke, lia jordan, katherine bundy, lauren stafford, tonya allison,...

McDonald Park School community will work collaboratively to develop respectful, thriving and engaged problem solvers.

.Principal – Kirsty Trahar

Chairperson Governing Council – Dan Dowdell

57 North Terrace, Mount Gambier. SA 5290

Telephone 08 8724 9811 Fax 08 8725 0254

Email – [email protected]

www.mcparkr7.sa.edu.au

Issue No 9, 06/06/19 - Week 6, Term 2

GENEROSITY - RESPECT - HONESTY - LEARNING AND GROWING TOGETHER

COMING EVENTS WEEK 7 10/06 PUBLIC HOLIDAY 14/06 Pyjama Day

WEEK 8 07/06 Assembly

WEEK 9 25/06 Governing Council 7.30pm

GROWTH MINDSET FOR OUR STUDENTS

“Striving for progress rather than striving for perfection”. This statement is my hope for all students striving to understand,

learn and persist through challenges. Sometimes we focus too much on the end result, rather than recognizing the small

steps of growth they have made on their learning journey. Understanding growth and fixed mindset is vital tool for success.

When students understand they can rewire their brain and become more intelligent, the door of possibility swings wide

open.

What is ‘growth mindset’ compared to a ‘fixed mindset’? First we need to understand that growth mindset is about growth

not just the effort. Our goal is to help students have a growth mindset about developing a growth mindset. It takes time

and practice to develop a growth mindset. Helping students understand that growing their intelligence and ‘becoming

smarter’ requires them to put in effort, use effective strategies to learn new things and ask for help and feedback when

they need to.

A fixed mindset is the belief that you are born smart, talented or with a particular skill. We hear this regularly when learning

becomes challenging. Some common statements are “I can’t do maths’, “Mum or Dad weren’t good at maths either”,

“I will never understand this”, “they are really good at sport, they have good genes” and “I didn’t do well on this test, I’ll

never get this”. This way of thinking stifles progress. An example of the different mindsets when faced with challenges is

below.

It is important to understand that

increased effort alone is not going

to help students become smarter.

The combination of effort, using

different strategies to solve

problems, asking for help and

persistence when learning is

challenging are vital when

‘growing their brain’. Mistakes are

how we learn. Having a

conversation with your child about

their low grade, challenges or

mistakes they are facing, will help

them develop a growth mindset.

Ask them what they have learned.

What could they do differently?

Would it help to talk to your

teacher? Maybe seek some more

feedback or new strategies they

could use to improve from others

around you.

Growth mindset is ongoing and is about your child knowing they can grow their intelligence, talents or abilities using a

growth mindset at home as we do here at McDonald Park School.

https://www.mindsetkit.org/topics/teaching-growth-mindset/instilling-a-growth-mindset-takes-time https://ed.ted.com/featured/qrZmOV7R https://www.mindsetworks.com/parents/default

Kirsty Trahar, Sharon Day, Daniel Castle, Lia Jordan

Senior Staff

N E W S L E T T E R

http://www.mcparkr7.sa.edu.au/

https://www.mindsetkit.org/topics/teaching-growth-mindset/instilling-a-growth-mindset-takes-time

https://ed.ted.com/featured/qrZmOV7R

https://www.mindsetworks.com/parents/default


MCDONALD PARK SCHOOL 50TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

Thank you to all who made the 50th anniversary celebrations so successful, the students in their participation and

involvement, particularly students who greeted visitors and led tours, parents and staff who attended and the

committee who worked behind the scenes to make it all happen. The committee comprised of Kirsty Trahar,

Sam Clarke, Lia Jordan, Katherine Bundy, Lauren Stafford, Tonya Allison, Gaye Watson, Brett Watson and

Dean Watson. A special thank you to Mandy Lynn who made and decorated the cake, ex-student Gavin Clarke

for performing at our whole school assembly and The South Aussie for hosting and donating platters at our function

afterwards.

The feedback that has been received has been outstanding as visitors have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity

to view the school’s facilities and reminisce about their time at the school. The display boards provided a great

talking point and photo books added to the interest. The contents of the time capsule also provided a large amount

of interest. We sincerely hope that the current time capsule to be opened in 2044 provides just as much interest

and excitement.

Mrs Trahar with SRC representatives Judd C, Lily T, Braith A,

Cameryn B, Zoe L, Lucy H, Peniana C, Lachy C, Imogen M and

Vaughn S who helped lay the 2019 time capsules.



Judd C and Lily T Braith A and Cameryn B

Zoe L and Lucy H Peniana C and Lachy C

Imogen M and Vaughn S


RESOURCE CENTRE

National Simultaneous Storytime

On 22 May, rooms 1 and 2 travelled to the City Hall with Mrs Harding for National Simultaneous Storytime. We were

entertained by the Mount Gambier Public Library staff who performed LIVE the story “Alpacas with Maracas” by

Matt Cosgrove. Members of the James Morrison Academy of Music were scattered around the City Hall, livening

up the performances with fabulous jazz sounds at the appropriate times. We had a fabulous time celebrating this

event!

Celebrating 50 Years of McDonald Park School in the Resource Centre

The history of McDonald Park School has been delved into during resource based learning lessons this term. It’s

been an exciting journey watching our school grow and change from 1969 to 2019. Guest speakers came to the

resource centre last week to share stories with classes about their time at our school. We thank Mrs Bronwyn Waters,

Mrs Sue Lamb, Mrs Jill Kennewell, Mrs Janet Stephens and Mr Rick Chirgwin for generously giving up their time and

taking us back into the past for a while!


VISION AWARDS

TERM 2, WEEK 4

McDonald Park School community will work

collaboratively to develop respectful, thriving and

engaged problem solvers.

R E S P E C T

Presented to By For

James S Miss Eldridge Always treating himself,

others and the environment

with respect.

Adam T Mrs Schleuniger Being a respectful class

member, listening while

others are speaking and

taking his turn.

Koby B Miss Schulz Being a respectful class

member who is always

willing to help others.

Zoe M Mr McGregor Always being an engaged,

respectful problem solver.

E N G A G E M E N T

Presented to By For

Lucy H Miss Eldridge Always being engaged in

learning tasks and

contributing to class

discussions.

Harper M Mrs Bisnov Writing a persuasive piece of

writing about why she would

prefer to live in the country.

Riley W Mrs Bisnov His relevant and interesting

contributions to our resource

based learning discussion.

Maya H Miss Squire Her fantastic effort and

determination throughout

our visual arts study,

culminating in an

outstanding final art piece.

Jack A Miss Squire His fantastic effort and

determination throughout

our visual arts study,

culminating in an

outstanding final art piece.

Chloe M Miss Schulz Completing all learning tasks

and ensuring she is always

organised.

Ellie C Mr McGregor Her upbeat engagement

with all tasks, always being

happy and a positive role

model.

Zoey N Ms Munday &

Mr Sexton

Connecting with her

learning and being

engaged in learning tasks.

Jamison B Mrs Widdison &

Mrs Tilley

Working hard to maintain a

positive attitude in maths.

Iowani C Mrs Widdison &

Mrs Tilley

Consistently working hard

and aiming for improvement

in all areas.

Mohamed

K

Mrs McLean Always on task and seeks

help and feedback to meet

learning expectations.

VISION AWARDS

TERM 2, WEEK 4

McDonald Park School community will work

collaboratively to develop respectful, thriving and

engaged problem solvers.

P R O B L E M S O L V I N G

Presented to By For

Tylah H-W Mrs McLean Always working towards

meeting work expectations

and showing initiative.

C O L L A B O R A T I O N

Presented to By For

Carey G Mrs Schleuniger Willing to work

collaboratively with all class

members and assist them to

successfully complete tasks.

Vaughn S Ms Munday &

Mr Sexton

Working respectfully and

productively with his peers.

Connor G Mrs McLean Is an excellent group

member, he shares his ideas

freely and respects the

opinions of others.

n e w s l e t t e r · sam clarke, lia jordan, katherine bundy, lauren stafford, tonya allison,...

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