23 August 2020

Struggling with maths? It’s OK

According to a new study, most primary school teachers believe students who are struggling with learning build resilience and develop problem-solving skills that will keep them in good stead in later years.

More than 90 per cent of teachers believe that students who are stretched in mathematics build their learning capacity, citing benefits such as persisting through challenges, building autonomy, developing confidence, learning through mistakes, fostering self-efficacy and acquiring a growth mindset.

‘In struggling with a task, students come to understand that it is not about the answer but the thinking used in arriving at those conclusions’, Dr James Russo told EducationHQ.

The Monash University study, published in the Journal of Mathematical Behaviour, was partly funded by the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta and Catholic Education Melbourne.

 

Pandemic may be having positive effect on family relationships

Parents living with a child are more likely to say that the pandemic has had a positive effect on their relationship, according to a new study from Australian National University.

A study of 3200 families found that more than a quarter of people say their relationships are better off during the pandemic, compared to only one in five who say it’s worse off.

Interesting, nearly a third of people with a child said they had seen an improvement in their relationships. This is despite the enormous pressures that working and schooling at home was placing on families.

 

Creating a safer Church

Catholic Professional Standards Limited has released the draft second edition of the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards, and has invited the community to provide their feedback.

The safeguarding standards are a response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Sexual Abuse, and highlight what needs to be done

to create a nationally consistent culture of safety and care for children and adults.

The second edition expands the framework from the safeguarding of children to include requirements and practices for the protection of adults at risk.

> Members of the community have been invited to review the standards and offer their feedback by 28 August. The standards and review form can be found here:

https://www.cpsltd.org.au/safe-church/have-your-say/.

 

Students make connections online

Our Lady Queen of Peace students use technology to stay in contact with elders living at an aged care facility.

Year 6 students from the Parramatta Diocese Greystanes school are involved in an innovative intergenerational learning program with elders living at Southern Cross Care (SCC).

This program helped overcome the challenge of the COVID-19 visiting restrictions enforced on aged care facilities, by continuing the students’ participation in weekly prayer sessions and reciprocal learning activities with elders via video-conferencing.

 

Caption: One of the Southern Cross Care ‘mums’ who received Mother’s Day gifts from Our Lady Queen of Peace students.

 

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