Dear Parents and Caregivers,

I hope this newsletter finds you well. We have had a full and exciting fortnight with some brilliant community events. We had our amazing Primary Production Ali Baba and the Bongo Bandits, a big thank you to the parents and staff that supported, and of course our amazing learners. 

We have also been focusing on Care for Self this week, with a range of interesting and exciting activities. Please take a look at our Recent Events Tabs for more information.

With 3 weeks left of this term we have started to notice some learners becoming quite tired and sometimes dysregulated during the school day. We have lots more learning to do before the holidays; as we continue to focus on caring for ourselves and our journey together in nurturing your child's growth, I'd like to take a moment to highlight the importance of maintaining routines and bedtime for your child. These practices extend beyond mere habits; they play a pivotal role in your child's overall well-being and development.

Healthy Sleep Patterns:
By adhering to regular bedtimes, you help regulate your child's internal clock. This, in turn, fosters the development of healthy sleep patterns, ensuring your child is more alert and focused during the day.

Cognitive Development:
Sleep is a critical factor in cognitive development. A steady bedtime routine signals to your child that it's time to wind down and prepare for restorative sleep, facilitating the consolidation of memories and processing of information.

Emotional Well-Being:
Predictable routines instil a sense of security and stability, reducing anxiety and stress and contributing to your child's emotional well-being.

Behavioural Benefits:
Children thrive on routine, which aids in understanding expectations and, consequently, promotes better behaviour and reduced instances of disruptive conduct.

Physical Health:
A consistent sleep routine is linked to better physical health, supporting proper growth and development, including a strong immune system and well-regulated hormones.

Social Skills:
Well-rested children are more likely to engage positively with others, fostering improved social skills, cooperation, and effective communication.

Family Bonding:
Bedtime routines offer precious moments for quality family time. Whether it's reading a book or engaging in calming activities, these shared experiences strengthen the carer-child bond.

Academic Performance:
A well-rested child is more attentive and alert in school, providing the cognitive functions necessary for effective learning and academic success.

Time Management Skills:
Following a routine aids in the development of essential time management skills, fostering a sense of responsibility and self-control.

Self-Regulation:
Consistent routines teach children self-regulation skills, helping them understand when it's time to wind down, prepare for sleep, and wake up.

Being mindful of your child’s routine and bedtime will support them to be the best version of themselves in school. In our younger years assembly today we focused on why sleep is super cool - our littlest learners had some great ideas.

Finally it is with sadness that I have to let you know we will be saying farewell to Ms Rachel and Ms Becca at the end of this term. Ms Rachel and Ms Becca are well respected members of our Classroom Assistant team working alongside our Year 4 and Year 1 learners, respectively. They go with our love and thanks for the time they have spent with us, nurturing and supporting our learners. Ms Rachel is a long standing member of staff having joined us in 2010. We wish them both all the best as they move to the next phase of their journey.

Have a lovely weekend.

Warm regards

Ms Fiona

Head of Primary

In Nursery, fostering a growth mindset is crucial for laying the foundation for lifelong learning and resilience. Young children, driven by innate curiosity, naturally exhibit a growth mindset as they explore and learn through their senses. However, in partnership with families, we play a pivotal role in nurturing and reinforcing this mindset. “By developing a “growth mindset”-an attitude that allows for possibilities and promotes progress and problem solving, children improve their skills for effectively solving problems every day and in more challenging scenarios” (Dweck 2006).

Encouraging a growth mindset involves praising effort over abilities, accepting failures as valuable learning opportunities, and asking questions that prompt explanations, which deepen understanding. By praising the process rather than the outcome, we can instill a sense of perseverance and resilience in our young learners. We celebrate all attempts, big and small. Our thoughtfully planned learning engagements encourage learners to independently explore, experiment, and play as part of the learning process. 

The word "yet" is a powerful tool in Nursery in guiding children beyond the limitations of "I can't." Introducing the concept of "yet" reinforces the idea that inability is temporary and emphasises that with effort and persistence, they can overcome challenges. Our frequently used phrases are ‘I’m learning to, I can’t yet, and I try”. To effectively encourage a growth mindset, adults should model resilience and problem-solving strategies, giving children many opportunities to tackle and solve problems independently. Our learners take responsibility for managing their personal belongings, putting on socks and shoes, solving problems in group play scenarios and persevere with all new learning opportunities. Through these intentional efforts, we cultivate a culture of continuous development and aim to instill a lifelong love of learning.

In Kindergarten, we ignite a passion for learning and promote a growth mindset in all children. Naturally, children of this age lean towards a growth mindset as they are curious about their environment and explore and learn through all of their senses. In the early years it has become increasingly important and a focus for mental well-being. For children to be able to identify positive learning traits in themselves is a key skill in promoting self-confidence, awareness, and positive thinking. 

The role of the adult in the environment is crucial in developing children’s growth mindset. We support and encourage children to be independent, confident and courageous learners. During children’s play and learning, adults provide new learning opportunities and guide children to take risks, build resilience and learn through a trial and error approach. Learning in this way supports children in all areas of development and in particular, their personal, social and emotional development. When we observe children taking risks, they are always so proud of what they can achieve. How we talk to children and the language we use is crucial in supporting children’s growth mindset. When we hear children say, “I can’t do it!” we reframe the sentence, “You can’t do it yet!” This is a really powerful phrase that we use often. Please try it out at home and observe how your child reacts. It is used to help children think and it supports them in understanding how they can grow their brain and continually learn new things. It may help to explain that the brain is like a muscle. Just like when you lift weights, when you exercise your brain, it will get bigger and stronger. When children have a growth mindset they feel empowered in moving forward with their learning. 

Last week, the children experienced hosting their first assembly. The children demonstrated great courage when performing in front of a large audience in the auditorium, they sang and talked with confidence. The children were very proud of achieving something new and were excited to welcome their families to such a special event.  

Throughout the semester, Year 1 has dedicated its efforts to nurturing a growth mindset among our learners. While the learners may not immediately discern this transformation, they are gradually immersed in a language that promotes resilience, perseverance, and the acceptance of mistakes as integral components of their learning journey. The school's embedded culture actively fosters a positive attitude towards learning, ensuring that our young learners acquire essential life skills that extend beyond the academic realm. 

A growth mindset encourages the belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work, while a fixed mindset suggests that abilities are innate and unchangeable. We emphasise the importance of cultivating a growth mindset to promote a love for learning and continuous improvement. We teach our learners that mistakes are not obstacles but stepping stones to success. This semester we have used a plethora of picture books such as "Jabari Jumps", "The Bad Seed," and "The Dot," amongst many others, which resonated with our learners, showcasing the determination to try again after facing challenges. In particular for this current Unit of Inquiry the book "Beautiful Oops" has been a delightful exploration, illustrating the concept that mistakes can be opportunities for creativity and innovation. We encourage our learners to persist in the face of difficulties, fostering a mindset that views challenges as chances to grow and improve. The learner profile attribute of being a 'risk-taker' is used with our learners, encouraging them to try new things. This attitude of experimentation builds confidence and persistence, helping learners to understand that making mistakes is a natural part of their learning journey. Together with our rich and challenging environment we provide the resources to support learners in developing a growth mindset, breaking away from stereotypes and instilling confidence in their abilities.

Last call for our Sustainable Christmas Fair! It is nearly upon us, make sure you have the date (Friday 7th December 8:35 -9:35)  in your diary and bring your positivity and festive spirit to support your children, our learners.

Developing a growth mindset is a key focus in Year 2. We introduced this during our first Unit of Inquiry, Who we are, whereby the belief that our knowledge and abilities can grow through hard work, and resilience. Care for Self week has been the perfect opportunity to revisit what a growth mindset is and how we can develop it. This involves celebrating effort, embracing challenges, and learning from mistakes. Throughout our curriculum, we integrate activities and discussions that prompt learners to:

Embrace challenges and mistakes: We encourage Year 2 learners to see challenges as opportunities for growth. Whether it's tackling a new Mathematics problem or thinking deeply via a Visible Thinking Routine, we emphasise the importance of perseverance and learning from mistakes. “It’s okay to make mistakes because that’s how we learn,” you will often hear a similar phrase throughout the hub.

Value effort: Recognising and celebrating hard work is important when developing a growth mindset. We praise the process of learning, highlighting the effort and determination exhibited by our learners in various tasks and endeavors. It is extremely important not to only praise the final product, it is the process that is often more important and this is when the growth occurs.

Be open-minded to feedback: Constructive feedback is a crucial aspect of growth. We teach our Year 2 learners to welcome feedback as a way to improve and refine their skills. This supports a culture where mistakes are seen as stepping stones toward success.

Develop mindfulness strategies: During the Who we are unit Year 2 learners thought about ways to calm their minds and bodies. They learned that having  these strategies helps them to develop a resilient mindset to cope with stressful situations. We guide our learners to replace negative thoughts with affirmations that reinforce their self-confidence and potential for growth.

We aim to nurture and cultivate a growth mindset within our Year 2 cohort, empowering them to become lifelong learners prepared to take on any challenge that comes their way. Keep an eye out for an EPIC collection that your child can access to enjoy a variety of online books about growth mindset.

One of the key advantages of the PYP curriculum, which we proudly implement at Nexus, is the incorporation of Attitudes to Learning (AtLs). These attitudes encompass the essential learning dispositions that are nurtured to develop lifelong learners. Among the crucial qualities required for lifelong learning is the ability to navigate challenges and embrace struggle. Over time, these learners develop a mindset that welcomes and perceives struggle as an opportunity for growth. In our younger learners, we cultivate this mindset through the concept of 'growth mindset,' encouraging them to view challenges as chances to improve and enhance their skills. This resilience is a cornerstone of their educational journey.

Recently, our learners had the opportunity to put their growth mindset into practise during the Year 3 Cultural Celebration. They showcased their talents on stage, with some even taking on speaking roles. Such endeavors demand tremendous courage and a unique mindset—a growth mindset. This mindset can be summarized as believing, "It's beneficial to challenge oneself" or "Mistakes are part of the learning process; what truly matters is making an effort."

This week, our Year 3 learners had the privilege of being the audience for the Primary Production dress rehearsal, which they may also participate in a few years from now. The experience they witnessed was truly invaluable. They observed their peers take the stage and pour their hearts into their performances. Mistakes were made along the way, but the important lesson conveyed was that making mistakes is a natural part of learning.

Our Year 3 learners have been inspired and motivated by these experiences, reinforcing their understanding that growth comes through perseverance and embracing challenges. As they continue their educational journey, we look forward to witnessing their growth mindset flourish and their resilience strengthen.

Keep up the amazing work, Year 3 learners!

Year 4 started the year with an Inquiry into ways to support our own wellbeing and that of others around us. Part of our inquiry involved exploring the importance of nurturing a growth mindset and ways we can develop a positive 'can do' attitude towards our learning. Risk-taking is often associated with creating a growth mindset, but many of us were happy to discover that a growth mindset can also be developed by practising skills and from this confidence to apply our skills can also grow. 

Last week Year 4 learners shared their learning acquired in our migration Unit of Inquiry. This Unit culminated in learners tackling an independent personal inquiry about a historical migration journey of their choice. A growth mindset was definitely required throughout the process. Learners asked questions relating to causation, change and perspectives of the migrants; researched their information; organised their notes; and chose what genre of writing they would undertake to present their understanding. Finally, when the final draft was written, learners shared their writing with a small group of parents. In addition, learners managed their time over a 2-week period to complete their inquiries. During each step of the process, there were countless examples of our Year 4 learners showing a growth mindset. 

'If I couldn't find the information I wanted in one book, I kept searching and searching until I found what I needed'.

'I asked my friend for feedback on my writing. She told me the parts that were good and gave me ideas of how to improve my descriptions.'

'At first, it sounded like a huge amount of work, but I worked on my inquiry step by step by step. (There were a lot of steps!) This really helped me. I was really proud of everything I learned and my final piece of writing.'

'I practised my handwriting a lot this year and it paid off! I was really proud of my presentation.'

'We climbed a hill and got to the top! 

Last week in assembly 5B shared a range of suggestions for how learners and parents could Care for Self. This was connected to our school wide focus this week. One area that boosts our well being is demonstrating a Growth Mindset. A Growth Mindset is when people believe that their abilities can be developed or improved through hard work and dedication. The IB learner profile represents 10 attributes valued by IB World Schools. We believe these attributes, and others like them, can help individuals and groups become responsible members of local, national and global communities (IB Organisation 2013).  

This week Year 5 visited the Science Centre, as part of our tuning in to our new unit of inquiry 'How the World Works'.  Learners were curious inquirers as they explored the variety of exhibits, reflective thinkers as they discussed predictions and questioned results that they saw, and open minded risk takers, participating in simulations and experiences. It was fascinating to hear the questions and wonderings that all of our learners had. This excitement and motivation provides a platform for investigations and demonstrations next week. Year 5 are in for a special treat, as we visit the Mega Lab, for a deep dive into 'Matter', with Ms Judy, one of our secondary Science teachers. 

Caring for ourselves and others is so essential for a Growth Mindset to exist. In Year 5 learners have daily opportunities to relax and calm their nervous systems. Mindfulness breathing, drawing, reading, journal writing, brain breaks and reflections are some of these. As we move out of Care for Self week, our challenge is to hold onto these experiences and aim to create daily habits that make us feel safe, happy and calm.  

'Take time to do what makes you feel happy.'

A huge round of applause to our fantastic Year 5 and 6 students for their outstanding performance in the primary production of "Ali Baba and the Bongo Bandits". The dedication and talent displayed were truly remarkable as they took to the stage over four performance for both the Nexus learners, and the wider school community. 

The excitement in Year 6 continues so ensure you don't miss out on our Expression Session beginning next Wednesday @ 8:30am in the auditorium! The event will go until approximately 9:45, finishing on level 8. Learners have been fully engaged in exploring their inquiry focus, delving into various forms of Expression, such as 2D and 3D digital mediums, music, drama, and dance. It's been challenge for everyone as we explored the Choose, Act, Reflect model of the PYP. This experience will significantly contribute to our development as we prepare for the exhibition in Term 4. 

A friendly reminder: Payment for the Year 6 residential trip to Loola, Indonesia, is due on December 5th. To secure your child's spot, please ensure payment is made by this date.  Please click here for the Payment link and Trip Booklet and be sure to contact your homeroom teacher if you have any questions. 

Thank you for your ongoing support and involvement in our learning journey.

 
The Year 6 Team