Thrive & Flourish
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
Welcome to Week Eight of Term Four.
For those currently unwell, we hope for a speedy recovery for you.
For those who’ve welcomed a new addition to the family, we extend our warmest congratulations on this happy occasion.
For those families who’ve experienced a recent bereavement, please know you are in the prayers and thoughts of all in our community.
Mental health and wellbeing is important as it underpins the way children feel about themselves, how they think, learn, and relate to others. With good mental health, research shows children are happier, more confident, more resilient learners and able to build positive relationships. Good mental health in childhood sets young people up for positive mental health in the future.
Mindfulness is a state of being fully awake to life; being aware and undistracted in the present moment and observing life as it unfolds without analysis or judgement. It is about focusing attention on the here and now, rather than thinking about the past or worrying about the future.
At first, the idea of asking a child to meditate may seem like a laughable and challenging task. It’s hard to get many kids to sit still for 30 seconds, let alone 10 minutes. But teaching kids the fundamentals of meditation isn’t entirely out of reach. With the right approach, parents, educators, caregivers, and loving relatives can teach meditation for kids to help them understand how to calm their minds and settle into their bodies. This will allow them to better process their feelings, retain new information, and improve focus.
Kids who practise mindfulness or meditation experience increased attention, better mental health, and improved self-regulation and self-awareness. It can enhance empathy, make them feel more connected and less stressed, boost creativity and, interestingly, help them fall asleep faster.
Practising mindfulness is attention training, designed to strengthen the mind. The process of repeatedly paying attention is similar to activities you might undertake to build a muscle – a bicep curl for the mind! In this way practising mindfulness strengthens the minds' ability to focus, pay attention and reduce worry — the more we practise, the stronger the mind becomes. Therefore, mindfulness is like a gym for the mind.
Attendance
Parents/guardians are responsible for making sure that all children attend school every day unless they are too unwell, in which case the school must be advised. If families are going to be away for an extended period, (eg: family holiday), we ask that prior notice is given to the school, so that if parents wish, a learning program can be put in place for their children.
If parents would like support with this, please feel free to contact a member of the Wellbeing Team. We thank you for your support with this.
PBIS
Our new whole school blitz is focusing how we use our best manners at school.
Sunsmart - Hats
Our school Sun Smart Policy states that children are required to wear their school hat when outside. This includes before school, during play breaks, when participating in Physical Education lessons and others times when they may be outside. If children do not have a hat, they are to sit under the verandah area in the quadrangle.
Well done to the school for being so responsible and ensuring they are wearing their hats outside.
Wellbeing Support
Wellbeing support can be accessed in the following ways:
- Any staff member can arrange for a referral to Student Wellbeing if they have concerns about a student’s wellbeing.
- Parents can also request support for their child/ren by contacting a member of the wellbeing team at school.
Email:
Tony McDonald: tmcdonald@shtatura.catholic.edu.au
Felicity Bryant: fbryant@shtatura.catholic.edu.au
Deb Turvey: dturvey@shtatura.catholic.edu.au
- At times, a student may be referred to an external support service. We also respect the fact that some students and parents may prefer to seek professional support independent from the school setting. In such cases, Sacred Heart values working collaboratively with external support services. We encourage parents/carers to communicate with the school if there is a significant issue affecting their child’s wellbeing.
If ever you need help sorting out personal or family issues, give CatholicCare Victoria a call. They offer many services to all members of our community – ALL FREE.
Tony, Deb and Felicity.