Wellbeing

SRC

This week classrooms will nominate and elect their Student Representative Council member for Semester 1. These students will become the voice of their peers and will work collaboratively with each other and the school to continue to make St James the wonderful place that it is. The SRC members will be presented with their badges on Friday at our Clapping In Assembly. 

Beat the Buzzer: Morning Routine Game

https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/behaviour/behaviour-management-tips-tools/beat-the-buzzer

About ‘Beat the buzzer’

‘Beat the buzzer’ works because it rewards your child for being on time and ready in the morning. As you introduce this game into your morning routine and play it with your child, praising your child will help things along. When children get praise for behaving well or doing what you want them to do, they’re likely to want to keep behaving that way.

How to make ‘Beat the buzzer’ part of your morning routine

1. Explain the game

Explain that you want to introduce a game called ‘Beat the buzzer’ to help with getting ready in the mornings. Choose a buzzer and show it to your child. You could use a kitchen timer or the alarm on your phone. Your child might enjoy having a go at setting the timer to see how it works.

2. Plan your morning routine together

Talk with your child about how you’d both like the morning routine to improve. Agree on a ‘ready time’ – your child must be ready to leave at this time. Together, write a list of the tasks your child needs to do in the morning. With younger children, you do the writing, but you could ask them to help you draw a picture for each task on the list. Think about how long each task will take your child to do. This will help you work out what time the game needs to begin. Work out whether there are any tasks your child needs help with, and let your child know that they don’t have to do these ones by themselves.

The list might look something like this:

• Eat breakfast.
• Get dressed.
• Brush teeth, wash face, brush hair, put on sunscreen.
• Pack bag.
• Put on jacket, hat and shoes.

When you have a list that you’re both happy with, put it up where your child can check it during the morning.

3. Decide on rewards

Explain to your child what will happen if they’re ready on time, and what will happen if they aren’t. Make up a simple reward chart to keep track of success with ticks or stickers. You can decide how many ticks or stickers your child needs for a reward. At first, it might be that one tick or sticker equals a reward. Choose some special rewards for beating the buzzer. Activities with mum or dad are often the most effective rewards.

4. Try out the game

On your first ‘Beat the buzzer’ morning, set the timer and leave your child to it. Let your child know that you’ve set the ‘buzzer’ and now it’s up to them. Watch for your child being independent and responsible. Praise and encourage your child – for example, ‘You’re going well’ or ‘Keep it up’. But avoid giving reminders and instructions about tasks. This will just lead you back to nagging and fighting. If your child gets all the tasks done by the time the buzzer sounds, your child wins – and gets the tick or sticker on their chart. Give the tick or sticker straight away. And give the reward as soon as possible too. This keeps your child motivated.

If your child isn’t ready when the buzzer goes

If your child isn’t ready when the time is up, calmly let your child know that the buzzer has sounded, and get them ready to go. Remind your child that they can try again the following morning.

‘Beat the buzzer’ next steps

When things have been going well for a week or two, start phasing out the rewards over the next 3-4 weeks. For example, your child might need to be on time two, three, four, then five days in a row to earn the reward, but you could make the reward a little bigger each time. Then make rewards a surprise. Your child won’t know when a reward is on offer – it just happens every now and then. As time goes on, your child might find it easy to beat the buzzer. Even when your child is regularly ready on time, praise them to keep them motivated.

VOLUNTEER PROCESS 

Application is made as a request to volunteer by family and friends, by completing:

• An Existing Volunteer form or
• A New Volunteer form. 
• Reading A Volunteer Duty Statement , to explain expectations and responsibilities of this position.
• Reading, Ways to Volunteer at St James, which explains possible roles.
•  A member of School Improvement Team completes a Referee Report for each applicant – 2 referees per applicant.
• There is a Record of Interview with Volunteers, when contact is made with the volunteer for screening.
•  If the candidate is deemed successful, then they receive,  ‘A Welcome to Volunteer Work at St James’ letter. 
• If the candidate is deemed unsuccessful, she/he is notified.

Relevant forms are available on our website.

Parent Resources

Click here for access to the Smiling Mind Website

Smiling Mind’s vision is to help every mind thrive. Their mission is to provide accessible life-long tools to support healthy minds.

Click here for access to the Student Wellbeing Hub Website

It includes sections for parents, teachers and students with practical strategies and resources to support your child's wellbeing.

Clickherefor Raising Children Network

Reliable, and up-to-date information to help your family grow and thrive together. 

Click here for access to Parenting Ideas Blog

It includes articles, testimonials and practical tips on a wide variety of topics.

Clickherefor Iparent - Office of eSafety Commissioner 

To learn about the digital environment and how to help your child have safe and enjoyable online experiences.

Click here for access to CatholicCare

It is a social service agency of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, they offer a range of programs and services that aim to build and strengthen relationships.

Clickhere for access to Beyond Blue

This website is regularly updated with information, advice and strategies to help you manage your wellbeing and mental health during this time. And you can stay up-to-date by joining our email community.

Positive Parenting Telephone Service 1800 880 660

Participants complete a workbook or online modules which are supported by weekly 30 minute phone calls with a trained parenting educator. All of this can be done from the comfort of your own home at a time that suits you.

Parentline 13 22 89

Parentline is available 8am to midnight, 7 days a week. It is a confidential and anonymous phone counselling service for parents and carers of children and teenagers in Victoria.