25th September

Last week I wrote about the importance of providing opportunities for our children to increase self confidence and independence through exposure to new experiences with their peers. I have just returned from our Year 3 sleepover where our Chatsworth East children were doing exactly that. Many of our Year 3s had not had the opportunity to spend a night away from their families. Some were not worried at all about the prospect but some were. A few of our Mums shared with me their own concerns about 'letting go' while realising the importance of doing so. Being with friends and class members in a known environment, only a phone call away from home was an excellent way of starting this process.

All our children managed the night away from home really well. None wanted to go home before time but nearly all wanted to stay at school for the remainder of the weekend! The highlight for some was the evening at East Coast Park while others mentioned sleeping in a tent with their friends as being their favourite part of the sleepover.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the parents who supported this event. We know we have a supportive parent community when so many come down to share the evening at East Coast Park. The BBQ and cake were amazing. From my own perspective it was an excellent opportunity for me to meet some of you I had not met to this point.

Here are a few photos I took during the sleepover.