Wellbeing Report 

2023 Grade Placements

Preparation and careful planning on future grade placement is now underway.  I am aware that some parents may feel nervous about their child going up a grade and may be worried about their child’s ability to cope with their learning. This is a cycle or a transition in school that happens every year and it’s a normal reaction for some parents to feel nervous. Some children may experience anxiety and so will parents.  Speak to them about their worries and listen with empathy. Always acknowledge their feelings as this will give them a sense of control. Children pick up on what is being modelled so showing them that you are calm, supportive and positive will help your child feel confident and competent about their future grade. 

2023 Prep Transition

Children enrolled for Preps next year are invited to be a part of the transition program. Our next transition dates are-

• Wednesday 23rd November Prep Transition 9am-11am
• Step Up Day Tuesday 13th December 9:30-12:30pm. Please bring along playlunch and a hat.

Grade 6 Transition 

The Wellbeing Team have been busy supporting our Grade 6 students transiting to secondary school.  The students have been comfortable sharing their excitement and worries about going up to Year 7. Many students are worried about issues that adults would not necessarily be concerned with. For example, “what happens if…..I can’t find my classroom, I miss my bus or I forget where to go”? The students have been supportive of each other’s nerves and problems and we talk through the worries together. We will continue to check in with the students until the end of the term. 

Woori Gift Giving Tree & Hamper Community Appeal 

Before the school year winds up, we are again inviting families to join us in making this Christmas one filled with joy and happiness for families in our community. For students and families looking to donate either a gift or a pantry item, we will set up our Gift Giving Tree and Xmas hamper box in the foyer near the hall. In the past, our families have given generously, so please pop an extra item in your trolley when you are shopping. This time of year it’s nice to pay it forward and also to think about those people less fortunate than ourselves. These small gestures really do help our families have an extra special Christmas. Thank you! 

 Head Lice 

This week, we have had another case of live lice found in the junior school.  We ask parents to work with us to keep our reports low and to continue to treat and monitor your children’s hair. Please notify the office or tell your child’s teacher when you treat your child so lice alert notes can issued on COMPASS.  Reminder-any child found with live lice will be excluded from school until they are treated. 

Breakfast Club- Every Mon & Tues 8:15am-8:45am 

Breakfast Club is up and running every Monday and Tuesday. Please try to drop your child off by 8:30am to avoid disappointment, Breakfast Club must close at 8:45am in order for the classrooms to start. 

Attendance & Absences

We encourage parents and carers to refer to COMPASS for information happening at school. Schools are required to work towards IMPROVING THE ATTENDANCE and PUNCTUALITY RATES of our students. We encourage all parents to call the office when your child is going to be away and to notify the school through COMPASS. This really helps us as we are able to communicate effectively with all relevant staff early in the school day.

Attendance Data 

Over the time a child attends school, having 1 or 2 days absence does not seem like much but it does add up and can impact on missed learning opportunities.

State School Relief

We can help families who are experiencing financial hardship to purchase school uniform.  Please see the Wellbeing Team for assistance. 

Don’t forget about second Hand Uniform!

Thank you to the many families who continue to purchase second hand uniform. We currently have a lot of school jumpers and summer dresses in stock and Jeanette and I can help you out when our Community Pantry is open. Parents and carers can purchase items from $5.00 each or 3 for $10.00. All monies raised are invested back into the school and the welfare programs which support our students.  Please keep those clothing donations coming!

Friendships

The Wellbeing Team have been supporting students on “cool” and “uncool” friendship behaviours.  Ask your child how they are being a cool friend by-

• Asking to join in   
• Using a kind voice
• Standing up for a friend
• Agreeing on rules in a game
• People are not property 

Including others in games and activities makes everyone feel good.  It means you are generous and willing to share your time with others and care about their feelings. If you include others in your games, they are more likely to include you when you are looking for someone to play with or talk too. 

2022 Free Happy Families Membership

I’m thrilled to announce 109 families have signed up and if you have not registered yet, it’s not too late.  Here is a quick tip video from Dr Justin Coulson on developing a positive mindset.   If you find this tip useful and would like to see more of Justin's parenting tips and strategies, don't forget that our school is subscribed to Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families School Membership. 

The membership offers: 

• monthly live webinars with Justin
• quick tip videos
• weekly inspirational emails
• video library which is the full back catalogue of all of Justin's parenting webinars (such as Little People, Big Feelings, Helping your Child Manage Anxiety, Building Resilience and many many more)

All of these resources are based on positive psychology methodologies to support children and get them to thrive.  If you are yet to sign up, please do so here. 

Community Pantry Hall Foyer Open Mon &Tues- 2:30pm 

Sleep

How Much Sleep Do Children Need?

Babies: at least 15 hours sleep and up to 20 when they are very young

Toddlers & Pre-schoolers (1 - 5): about 12 to 14 hours sleep

Primary School: about 10 to 12 hours sleep

High School: at least 8 hours but up to 10 hours sleep

Many children regularly complain when they come to school that they are tired, couldn’t get to sleep or they had a late night. This impact on their ability to tune in and retain their learning and can affect their relationships and problem solving skills. Keep a close eye on both your child's night time sleeping behaviours and patterns as well as how they function during the day.  As adults we understand how we are affected when we are over tired and being active about reasonable expectations about bedtime routines supports healthy bedtime habits.

For more information, have a look at the Royal Children’s Hospital’s fact sheets-

https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/Bedtime_problems/

World Kindness Day Sunday 13th November

In 1998 the World Kindness movement started in Japan and this day is now celebrated in over all over the world.  The idea for World Kindness Day is to spread kindness with small things.  The tradition means for people to be kind and to try and encourage kindness over hatred. Whether it’s helping someone out, taking the time to ask how someone is doing or complimenting someone, the day of the game is kindness and we all have it in us. 

There is some scientific research that suggests-

• Kindness is contagious Researchers from the Stanford Social Neuroscience Laboratory when people see someone else being kind, they are more likely to act kindly towards others. 
• It pays to be kind People who are constantly kind produce 23% less of the stress hormone, cortisol.  Due to the lower levels of stress, people who practice kindness age slower than the average population. 
• Kindness lowers blood pressure Good feelings release the hormone oxytocin, which dilates the blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. 

The last few weeks it has been great catching up with parents and carers.  If you need help with school uniform, a food hamper or enquires for other services please call Jeanette, Lily or myself. Have a fantastic fortnight and we will see you around the school.