Wellbeing Report 

All term, there has been much preparation and careful planning on future grade placement for your children.  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 is 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. Showing children that you are calm, supportive and positive will help your child feel confident and competent about going up a grade. 

Worry Dolls

Worry Dolls on the App Store

https://apps.apple.com › app › worrydolls

This is one of my favourite apps, which I am using with students right now.  This Worry Doll app gives children a small doll who is ready to listen to what is worrying them.  Children type in their worry to the doll and then the doll holds onto their thoughts. Children can track their worry over time. This app is 100% private and secure, it is free and there are no ads.

Step Up Day!

On Tuesday 7th December, the children will get the experience of spending half the day with their next year’s teacher and grade.  This transition experience will reduce student fears as the classroom programs are an opportunity for everyone to get to know each other.  New relationships will be formed which will provide a foundation of trust.  This will allow opportunities for children to connect emotionally and intellectually with the teacher and each other and this will deepen when they come back in Term 1.  This experience will set up the climate for a safe, happy and positive classroom environment. So parents, set the tone now, prepare your child, talk through worries and reassure your child that they will have an amazing time with their new grade. At home, continue to follow routines, have clear boundaries and limits, your child getting plenty of sleep and eating healthily supports good physical and mental health and will continue to help your child continue to have a successful school experience next year.

Health 

I have had reports from some families of gastro so we ask parents to please investigate any potential sickness complaints.  Please continue to encourage your child to practice good personal hygiene by washing hands regularly.  Do not forget to tell us of any phone or emergency contact changes so we can reduce your child’s concern if they are needed to be picked up. 

The weather is warming up so freezing cold drinks and adding them to your child’s school bag will help keep lunchboxes fresh longer.  A reminder that school hats are compulsory and I would like thank parents for being active with encouraging children to wear sunscreen. 

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. 

Christmas Tree Wanted

Veronica, Lily and I are excited that we are running our annual Christmas Gift Drive again. We are setting up a display in the entrance near the hall. After such a challenging year for everyone we really want focus on reaching out to our families who may have a tough Christmas. If you would like to participate, please drop off your gifts to the school office or speak to Veronica, Lily and myself.  

Activities at Lunchtime

Craft Club:- Monday, Wednesday & Friday - multi-purpose room

Lego Club:- Tuesday & Thursday - multi-purpose room

It is great for our students that the playground bubbles have ended.  Every day at lunchtime, the Welfare Team are running Craft Club and Lego Club and it is fantastic that we can open up to the whole school.

In Craft Club, we have been teaching pom pom making, weaving cat’s eyes, finger and French knitting. This week we are switching our projects over to Christmas decorations and I have ordered some bells and charms to inspire our crafters.  We are looking for donations of wool and other haberdashery items including ribbon, embellishments, buttons and charms or anything that can add a bit of bling to our projects.  Soon we will have one of our parents, Tanya Hade come along to teach the art of crotchet.  If you have some skills or are looking to help please let me know. 

In Lego Club, this week’s challenge was for groups of students to build a new world that would inspire others.  I have to say all the teams were outstanding and they all won a small chocolate for their creativity and teamwork. 

For children looking to make more friends and have a bit of fun please remind them to come along.  Also on selective days, Mr Gibbons is running sport/game activities and Sandy Walter is offering gardening. 

Free Happy Families Membership

Veronica and I are thrilled that a number of families have joined the Happy Families membership. We have had lots of positive comments that parents and carers are enjoying the website.  If you haven’t got around to joining, it’s not too late. The Happy Families membership gives you access to a number of resources which will help families, staff and students to thrive.  Every member will receive a weekly "Lighten the Load" email, which includes a quick, easy to apply tip from Dr Justin, as well as some updates about other features in the membership.  There is a library of parenting resources which offers calm assurance, direction and solutions you can try out on your families. 

Click on the link to join:

https://members.happyfamilies.com.au/woori-yallock-primary-school

We are super excited to hear the announcement that Bec Filliponi has recently launched her very first children's book.  Bec is an accredited Mental Health Social Worker who works locally in the Shire of Yarra Ranges. 

For families who may be experiencing stressful situations then this book might be a tool that can help you. This book talks about how stressful things happen and we can't always change them, but we can learn ways to help us feel less overwhelmed. It teaches children a number of regulation strategies. We are also creating a mini-book where children can write down all of their strategies they use on stressful days.

You can order through trybooking at https://www.trybooking.com/BVSRA

Bec Filliponi-

Accredited Mental Health Social Worker, BSW, BPsych, Grad. Dip. Developmental Trauma

See flyer attached for more information.

Service Supports & Agencies

During the lock down there are many organisations across Yarra Ranges offering support and assistance. For community relief and support agencies, click on the link at:

https://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/Council/Coronavirus-Updates/Community-relief-and-support-agencies

For people looking for food relief, CIRE at the Yarra Junction hub, have food parcels and they have free bread on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. The Yarra Junction hub is open during lockdown for essential services only; food relief and they are a Centrelink Access Point. This service can be accessed by appointment where the school Welfare Team can refer families. If you are interested or know of any one you would like to recommend please contact me. During the school holidays people can enquire directly at CIRE. They are located next to the Yarra Junction Post Office and they are open Monday-Friday: 9am-4pm.

Don’t forget to connect with the Resilience Project resources online for parents. There are some fantastic resources to promote wellbeing in families-

https://theresilienceproject.com.au/at-home/parent-carer-information/

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 Veronica, Lily or myself. Have a fantastic fortnight and we will see you around the school.