Wellbeing Report 

Finishing Strong

The end of the year is always extremely busy for families and here at school, we’re no different! We’ve packed Term 4 with as much as we possibly could so that we can see out 2024 with a bang. On behalf from Sally and myself, we really hope all families have less stress more happiness over the Christmas holiday period. Have a fantastic break and Sally and I will see  you back in Term 1!

Our Generous Community 

Many thanks to our families who have donated gifts to our raffles and annual Christmas gift drive, second hand uniform, preloved Lego and craft/haberdashery items have helped resource our wellbeing programs. Thoughtfulness, gratitude and acts of kindness have been clearly evident as students and parents have made generous offers to support our community throughout the year.  Please know that children learn from the adults around them so in this process of acting compassionately, you do change life for yourself as well as others. The Xmas spirit is alive and strong in Woori Yallock. On behalf of the Welfare team, thank you for making our work with your children so enjoyable. We simply couldn’t do it without you.

2025 Term 1 Breakfast Club 

Thank you to Sandy and all our wonderful volunteers who have helped make our breakfast club great!  When we come back for Term 1, 2025, Breakfast Club will start in Week 2, Monday the 3rd of February. The Breakfast Club days will remain the same as Monday and Wednesday from 8:15am-8:45am.

Woori Gift Giving Tree Community Appeal 

The Wellbeing team would like to thank all the kind families who donated towards our Gift Giving Tree. We had such a wonderful response from families who were willing to give, and we had a number of very thankful families receive the gifts that were given. All our food hampers have been taken for this year. We would like to wish all families a Happy Christmas. 

Holiday Thoughts-Transitioning into 2025

As your child moves up a grade, there are some things you can do to help them over the summer break. Over the holidays think about making the time to have quality conversations with your child. Read to and listen to your child read. Ask questions, make predictions, make life to text connections as you read. Whether counting out potatoes to peel for a meal try to think of ways to make maths real life and relevant in your child’s day. Help your child develop a sense of working and solving problems by them self. Talk about ways and start practicing getting and staying organised. Encourage your child to write often. Writing stories, letters, notes and lists are great ways to get thoughts organised and to put them onto paper. These little things will lead to big successes next year.  All the best everyone for a safe and happy Xmas and holiday break and we will see you back in Term 1, 2025.

Chaplain Chat

Holiday memories

 Have a think back to your childhood and take note of all the times that you most enjoyed your Christmas holidays. What were you doing? Who were you with?

Fast forward to today, what do you do with your kids over Christmas that you know will make up those memories for them, in their future?

During parenthood, life can become so full and so rushed. I try to be aware of my schedule and add down time with the family into it, but at this time of year on the lead up to Christmas my best laid plan for relaxation usually ends in an epic fail. I’m trying to fit too much in, trying to create perfection.

What if we stood back these summer holidays and put off perfection for connection and simple moments. Memories of the holidays are where the magic happens, not in all the glitter, colour coordination and presents. Let yourself enjoy the season because it is there for you too.

Here are a few simple ideas for some summer holiday family fun from Parent Cue:

• Make a holiday bucket list: Ask your kids to list three activities they’d like to do, and commit to a shorter, more manageable list.

• Spread kindness: Do random acts of kindness for holiday workers, like bringing treats or leaving thank-you notes.

• Bake together: Let your kids choose their favourite family recipe or pick a new one to try.

• Pause and play: Do absolutely nothing together while listening to your favourite holiday songs.

• Write Christmas cards: Send a heartfelt note from your family to family members or friends you haven’t spoken to in a while.

One thing that I want to do these holidays it to make a puzzle together, it is free and relaxing, and most importantly we don’t need to rush anywhere to do a puzzle. We completed one last summer for the first time and it brought us together, it gave us space to chat and listen to music while working together with the same simple goal. Create some positive memories for your children these summer holidays and have a Merry Christmas.

Gift Giving Tree

Thank you to those families who have donated we have been overwhelmed with the generosity this year and we have been able to hand out 45 gift packs to families in need. Thank you.

Breakfast Club

Breakfast club will start again on Monday the 4th of February. If you are available in the mornings on Monday or Wednesday from 8 to 8:30am we would really appreciate some help at Breakfast Club, this role mostly will entail preparing the toast for the students. Please contact the Wellbeing Team if you are available even if it is occasional or for a shorter time. 

Over the past several years breakfast has been prepared by two dedicated parents Jasmine Maloney and Donna Stent. This week was our final Breakfast Club with Donna as her final child is graduating. Thank you, Donna, for all your service at Breakfast Club. We also need to thank Amanda Murphy who comes to help on Wednesday mornings for a short time, her child is also graduating. Congratulations ladies for finishing your primary school parenting, all the best with the future.

Food Pantry

Over the last few weeks, we have handed out 28 food hampers not including those that were handed out on Wednesday afternoon.

Kids of Gold Camp

The next Kids of Gold Camp will be held from Friday the 7th to Sunday the 9th of February 2025.

This camp is for building self-esteem and confidence in Grades 4-6 children and is designed to help all to attend at a very reasonable fee of $85 per camper. Grade 3s going into Grade 4 in 2025 are eligible, as well as Year 6s going into Year 7 in 2025.

Although this is primarily a Level 2 camp, there are a limited number of applicants who will be accepted even though they have not yet done their 1st level.  For more information, please see below.

Chaplaincy

Sally Marshall – Chaplain, is happy to catch up with your child if you feel they need that extra emotional support during school hours. Sally is available on Monday and Wednesday’s and can be contacted via email 

sally.marshall@education.vic.gov.au

 or by phone call 5964 7258.