SWPBS Certificates

Congratulations to these students for earning their SWPBS certificates!

Whole School Celebration!

The school achieved more than 3000 value cards together, so it was time for our whole school celebration!! Everyone was invited to vote on options we'd brainstormed earlier in the year. The winner by a long run was...a Teddy Bear's Picnic! Coming in second was Minute to Win It games. So on Thursday we trailed up to the hall playground with our teddies to enjoy an icing bear biscuit, a piece of fruit and some games.

3-4 Class Celebration

The 3-4s earned their latest class celebration last week. They chose to treat themselves to a "day spa" session. We made soothing oat and honey face masks, put cucumbers on our eyes, painted nails and sipped hot chocolate or tea while watching Bluey episodes.

Teddy Bear's Picnic SWPBS whole school celebration

Such a lovely afternoon for a picnic. Music, games and teddybear biscuits!

A Phone contract for children

Here is a very interesting Phone contract that parents at some schools have been using with their children. Perhaps you have seen it, use something like it already or might be interested in adapting it for your own use.

Mobile Phone Contract Between (Parent’s names) & (Child’s name)

Dear (Child’s name)

Happy (Occasion…Birthday, Graduation from something, Anniversary of an important event, reaching an important milestone in life… etc)

From today you are now the proud user of an iPhone. (Or another device)

You are a beautiful, well-mannered, and responsible (13)-year-old (gender) and you deserve this opportunity. Your efforts this year have been exceptional, and mum and I are so proud of the work that you have done. (Child’s name) accepting this phone comes with rules and regulations.

Please read through the following contract.

It is our job to deliver you into adult hood as a well-rounded, healthy young (person) that can function in the world and coexist with technology and not be ruled by it.

If you fail to comply with the following contract, you will lose your phone privileges.

Your mother and I adore you and look forward to sharing millions of texts with you in the years to come under these conditions.

It is our phone, we bought it and pay for it, we are loaning it to you.
We will always know the password to the phone and all your accounts.
If it rings, answer it, it’s a phone. Say hello, introduce yourself and use your manners.
Never ignore a phone call if the screen reads "Mum" or "Dad." NEVER!
You will hand the phone to mum or I each night at 8.30pm every night. It will be shut off for the night and can be turned on again at 7:30 am.
If you would not make a call to someone's land line, in case a parent may answer first, then do not call or text. Listen to those instincts and respect other families like we would like to be respected.
It can go to school with you, but please have conversations with the people you text in person, it's a life skill.
You are responsible for knowing where your phone is, and for keeping it in good condition. If it falls into the toilet, smashes on the ground, or vanishes into thin air, you are responsible for the replacement costs or repairs.
You will not use the phone when you are supposed to be doing your homework or studying.
You will not use your phone when someone is talking to you.
You will never give your passwords to anyone other than mum or me.
You agree not to buy anything online without our permission.
You agree not to join any social networks without our permission.
Do not use this technology to lie, fool, or deceive another human being. Do not involve yourself in conversations that are hurtful to others. Be a good friend first or stay out of those conversations.
Do not text, email, or say anything through this phone that you would not say in person.
Do not text, email, or say anything to someone that you would not say out loud with their parents in the room. Censor yourself. THINK about the consequence of your actions.
No porn searching. Search the web for information you would openly share with us. If you have a question about anything, ask me or mum.
Turn it off, silence it, it’s not to be bought to the dinner table, put it away in public, especially in a restaurant, at the movies, or when speaking with another human being. You are not a rude person; do not allow the phone to change that.
Do not send or receive pictures of your private parts or anyone else's private parts. Someday you will be tempted to do this despite your high intelligence; it is stupid and could ruin your teenage/university/adult life. It is always a bad idea. Cyberspace is vast and more powerful than you. And it is impossible to make anything of this magnitude disappear - including a bad reputation.
Don't take a zillion pictures and videos. There is no need to document everything. Live your experiences. They will be stored in your memory for eternity.
Leave your phone home sometimes and feel safe and secure in that decision. It is not alive or an extension of you. Learn to live without it. Be bigger and more powerful than FOMO (fear of missing out).
Download music that is new or classic or different than the millions of your peers that listen to the same exact stuff. Your generation has access to music like never before in history. Take advantage of that gift. Expand your horizons.
Play a game with words or puzzles or brain teasers every now and then, share it with your brother and sister.
Keep your eyes up. See the world happening around you. Stare out a window. Listen to the birds. Take a walk. Talk to a stranger. Wonder without googling.
You promise to tell us if someone is harassing or bullying you by phone.
You promise to alert us if you receive suspicious or alarming phone calls or text messages from people you don't know.
You must understand that the phone may be taken away as punishment for any actions but especially if you fail to keep up your school efforts.
(Child’s name), you will mess up. We will take away the phone. We will sit down and talk about it. We will start over again. You and us, we are always learning. We are on your team, and we are in this together.

Most of the lessons listed here do not just apply to the phone, but to life. You are growing up in a fast and ever-changing world. It is exciting and enticing. Keep it simple every chance you get.

(Child’s name) trust your powerful mind and giant heart above any machine. We love you and hope you enjoy your awesome iPhone.

Parents Responsibilities

We understand that we will make ourselves available to answer any questions you may have about owning a phone and using it responsibly.
We will support you if you receive any alarming messages, text message or calls you receive.
We will alert tell you if our phone plan changes and this impacts your phone usage.

I, Child’s name, understand that a phone is a privilege. That I must respect this privilege by being responsible and trustworthy and I will follow this contract at all times.

Signed: ____________________________________ Date: _______________

Child’s name

Signed: ____________________________________ Date: _______________

Parent’s name

Signed: ____________________________________ Date: _______________

Parent’s name

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in Newham & the Macedon Ranges