Wellbeing

BREAKFAST CLUB: MONDAY, WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY

This term we continue our popular Breakfast Club program in the space at the side of the music room. This is a grab and go service offering fruit, milk, packets of cereal and now....toast!

The program operates from 8.35am—8.50am Monday, Wednesday and Friday—yes, just 15 minutes, but enough time to grab and eat on the way to class. Ms Naomi McMaster organises the program. We would love to have the help of some more volunteers, especially now that we will be cooking toast. If you think you could help to cook toast for 15 minutes on any of the mornings, please email me (debraanne.haddow@education.vic.gov.au ). You would just need to have your Working With Children Check and complete the Child Safe Training—as every volunteer does. 

Transitioning to your new class (2024)

LPPS has a very comprehensive process to prepare students (and families) to transition to their new class as easily as possible.

We start with the Friendship Form. We like to work as a team of support wrapped around your child. We ask parents to have discussions with their child/ren about who would be a good fit for them to move into the next year level with. Discussions are encouraged to be based on which students/friends bring the best out in their child. The Friendship Form is completed and we ensure that every student has one friend from their form with them in the next class. There is no priority order. We encourage parents to allow their children the space to develop new friendships and resilience and to always show a positive ‘can do’ attitude when having such discussions with their child. 

As part of the process, parents can ask for a special request based on the academic or wellbeing needs of their child. Parents make these requests in writing to a Principal Class Officer by a set date. The requests are then viewed by the leadership team and the class teacher. Where possible, the requests are actioned if they are deemed reasonable.

This information helps us to build our student data base. The next step involves the teachers completing the challenge of making evenly balanced classes. Factors considered are gender, academic abilities, support requirements, friendships and special requests. This is a very complex stage and requires a number of weeks to complete effectively. Lists are then viewed by Leadership, Level Leaders and Specialists to see if any adjustments need to be made—this process can take another few weeks.

In the meantime, the Principal Class Officers are developing a Workforce Plan for the following year. Budgets are determined by student numbers. Budgets determine class sizes, and numbers of classes. This then has an impact on staffing. This is a complex process, with many variables and constant change over term 4.

Generally we have the plans complete by the first week of December. We then hold an UP Day on the Statewide Transition Day. Students all merge into their 2024 classes. They meet their 2024 teacher, classmates and find their classroom. It’s a very exciting time, but can also be a very anxious time for many students and parents.

The Wellbeing Team work with parents and students closely around this time to alleviate as much anxiety as possible. We encourage positive thoughts and the ‘can do’ attitude to help everyone build some resilience and develop strategies to manage change. Some students need some extra time with their new teacher so we have a process for that including extra visits to the class to take something over.

Our new Foundation students meet our teachers and visit our classrooms a number of times. The Transition Team works closely with the Pre-School teachers to hand over information to help support the students. Parents who feel their child may need additional support have meetings with the wellbeing team in term 4 before they start school and support plans are developed. The same process happens for our Year 6 students going to Secondary School.

There is a shortage of relief teachers, and this leads to us needing to split classes. Some of the positives that come our of this is that students start to develop strategies for change and build resilience. In term 4, they know the school, they know the students, they know the teachers, the playground, processes, etc. It’s a great time for them to start mixing with other students from their year level in preparation for the year level change.

Once we’ve had our UP Day, teachers have designated meetings where they exchange helpful data and supports about each child to their next teacher. We also use an electronic recording system (this is now COMPASS) and we have Student Profiles on that including Individual Education Plans, Academic reports, Behaviour Support Plans and Support notes.

Generally speaking, once all of this process is complete we have a smooth finish to the year. Everyone knows where they are going and have no need to be anxious over the holiday break. When we return to school, parents are connected to their new teacher on Dojo/COMPASS and Parent-Teacher Information Sessions are held (on about week 3). This is a great opportunity for parents to chat with their child’s teacher to let them know their strengths and challenges.

We feel our processes are very supportive and successful. Of course, if you ever have any concerns, just contact your class teacher or the Wellbeing Team.

THRIVE AWARDS

Week 1: Enjoy positive emotions

Week 2: Try your best

Week 3: Be Healthy

Innovate Health, Langwarrin :

Now offering Bulk Billing for Children Under 16 years of age

Wellbeing Contacts:

I have come across a few more contacts which might be helpful to our community members. So we’ll continue to build this resource for you.

Families needing food or support:

• https://askizzy.org.au/food/personalise/page/sub-food
• Peninsula Donations (check their page on Facebook)
• BK 2 Basics Melbourne (also on Facebook)

Deb Haddow