We have had another exciting week celebrating The Feast of the Assumption with a whole school mass on Thursday that included Wilson House Day activities. Everyone had so much fun on Wednesday at the skipathon with students participating in their House teams for points. The skipathon also raised an amazing $4985 and we thank everyone who donated.

This year, our school community has faced some challenges, from staffing changes to staffing shortages, affecting many of our students. These issues are not unique to us; schools everywhere are navigating similar difficulties.

This week, I've been reflecting on the concept of resilience. Resilience is defined as “the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.” It is important to understand that resilience is a process rather than a fixed outcome. It ebbs and flows throughout our lives, shaped by our experiences and relationships.

A crucial part of building resilience involves maintaining positive relationships. Students benefit greatly from knowing they have a supportive network around them. It is also essential to recognise and nurture each child's strengths, helping them understand their abilities and potential.

As teachers and parents, we strive to protect our children from harm and disappointment. However, it is equally important not to shield them too much. We must find a balance—protecting them while also exposing them to challenges and discomforts that can help them grow. Resilience thrives when children face and navigate stressful situations, which in turn contributes to their overall well-being.

Our partnership as parents and teachers is vital in this process. Together, we can provide the emotional support and guidance that help children build and maintain resilience. By fostering an environment where they can face challenges and learn from them, we prepare them for the ups and downs of life.

Thank you for your continued support and collaboration as we work together to strengthen our students’ resilience.

The following information comes from emergingminds.com.au

‘Can you help children build independence?’ Encouraging children to take age-appropriate, manageable risks helps them to develop self-confidence.
‘Do you praise the effort, or the outcome?’ Measuring success in endeavour rather than accolades teaches children that it’s OK to fail – and that ‘having a go’ and completing a challenge is just as important as the result.
‘Do you try and solve every problem?’ The temptation may be to leap in and fix things, but this doesn’t model a self-starting problem-solving approach.
‘Do you try to prevent every problem?’ Allowing children to encounter uncomfortable situations, then find solutions, helps them to predict future problems.
‘Can you help your children identify and regulate strong emotions?’ Empathy and compassion are powerful tools: showing children that you understand their emotions and difficulties makes it possible for them to ‘go easy’ on themselves and realise that negative feelings don’t last forever.
‘Do you stop and acknowledge when things are going well?’ Celebrating the good times makes it easier for children to respond when things aren’t going so well, and gives them a set of benchmark emotions to aim for on the rebound

Feast of the Assumption

Father in heaven,all creation rightly gives you praise,for all life and all holiness come from you.In the plan of your wisdomshe who bore the Christ in her wombwas raised body and soul in glory to be with him in heaven.May we follow her example in reflecting your holinessand join in her hymn of endless love and praise.We ask this through Christ our Lord.Amen.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Drop Off/Pick up

Please drive slowly and carefully through the school carpark, before and after you have dropped off or picked up your child.

When parking in the 'kiss and go' parking bay on the right hand side students must follow the pathway and cross at the manned crossing. Parents must not exit their car and walk their child across the road or through the carpark as this puts people, especially our students, at risk.

Beginning of the school day is 8:45am

It is cold and miserable but also important that students get to school, ready to start the school day on time. Please ensure that your child is at school between 8:30 am and 8:45 am.

Enjoy your weekend.

Maree Summers

St John's Primary School Newsletter

Term 5, Week 5 2024 · 16 Aug 2024

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