Thunder News Flash – May 19, 2018

I have started reading a book by Charles Duhigg, titled Smarter Faster Better: The Transformative Power of Real Productivity. The first chapter is on Motivation and I think it is relevant to our children and how we can set them up for greater success in all facets of their life (and ourselves). First, those of us with an internal motivation tend to perform better and live overall better lives than those who are externally motivated. The question Duhigg explores is how do we develop the internal motivation of ourselves and others. He explores several important points.

One, is that we should praise others, children especially, for things that they do that are within their locus of control. He cites a research study in which students who performed well on a task were either told that they did well because they are smart or they did well because they must have worked hard. The study found that those students who were praised for their work ethic did significantly better on future tasks than those who were praised for their intelligence. This is because children tend to see intelligence as out of their control compared to work ethic which is in their control. The conclusion is therefore to praise children for things they have control over as they will develop a greater internal motivation. Let’s praise them for choosing to forgive someone. Let’s praise them for choosing to work hard. Let’s praise them for choosing to share. Let’s praise them for choosing to listen.

The idea of choice is also imperative in developing motivation. Humans desire having choice because it gives us a sense of control, which increases our motivation. I am not advocating for a wild west of students and children getting to decide everything. Far from it as children need boundaries and guidance. But where appropriate, perhaps we can find ways to build in choice. Throughout each day, we can find ways to give our children choice and then we have to support them in their choice. 

Lastly, is the important question of why. To further sustain motivation, the question of why becomes important. Duhigg used the example of Marine Corps training to show how the question of why helped individuals persevere through repetitive and challenging tasks. For example, one soldier when faced with an undesirable task asked himself why he was doing it. He reminded himself that he had joined the Marines to create a better life for himself and his family. That answer helped him through the task. I think this is an important lesson and ties into the idea of grit. It also ties in beautifully to our faith. For example, there are many aspects of our faith that are challenging (one only has to read the parables of Jesus to see how he challenges us on our moral thinking). Perhaps we need to ask ourselves the why. Why are we forgiving our neighbour? Why are we going to church? I hope the answers you come up with will point you towards a greater and higher desire. Eternal union with God sounds pretty good to me. So even though there are days in which I would rather hold a grudge and not forgive, if I can remind myself of the why, perhaps I will be more motivated to practice forgiveness. 

I am only one chapter into the book, but so far it has already grabbed my attention and I can already see how it’s lessons will help me to become better. 

Our annual Pub Night, and last fundraiser is on Friday, June 1st, 2018.  Last year’s Pub Night was such a great event and a wonderful opportunity to socialize and meet all of the wonderful families in our school. This year it will be held at ‘The Canadian Brewhouse’ in the Highstreet Plaza (right next door to Milestones).

Tickets will be $25 and each ticket includes a burger (either beef, chicken or veggie), beer (choose from 30 on tap), or a 6 oz. wine, or a highball. We will be doing 50/50, lotto board, and Silent Auction. Tickets are available for purchase at the office, and we will be selling them outside the school during the week after school.

Do we have any chef’s at the school?  How about anyone with a vacation home?  Do we have any families that have something that they could donate for our Silent Auction?  Maybe you have a weekend getaway that you can’t attend? How about passes for local events or concerts?

Please consider donating any new items or any event or adventure that you feel would be a success.  Please remember, it all goes back to our children!

If you or someone you know, has an item you would like to donate, please contact Nicola Humphreys at 778-227-8711.

Thank you.

There are tickets available for purchase at the office for a chance to win a 16 x 20 framed oil painting of Jesus.

Half of the proceeds of ticket sales will go to our school and half to the artist.  The artist is a Dad of one of our school students and we greatly appreciate the donation.

Tickets are 1 for $2, or 3 for $5.

Come by and see the painting, it will be on display in the school foyer and we will draw the lucky winner on Friday, June 1st at our Annual Pub Night Fundraiser.  You do not need to be in attendance to win, but we sure hope you are!

The fitting day has changed from June 7th to June 14th. Please click here for more information.

There will be a Hospital Mass on May 27 at 4:00pm in the Sacred Space at the Abbotsford Hospital.

Alex and Dana McCune of Sts. Joachim & Ann, along with Fr. Donnelly of St. Joseph’s (Langley) are putting on their first Catholic summer camp in July! 

The camp will be held at St. Catherine’s Elementary in Langley from July 9-13, and we would love to have your help in reaching your students. We are geared towards ages 7-15 and have planned a week full of fun activities that celebrate our faith and life in Christ.

Please click here for more information.