Student Support Services
Kurunjang Lunch Time Activities for the National Day of Action against Bullying & Violence 2022!
We had a very successful Anti Bullying Day on Friday 18 March, last week, and both students and staff participated in the lunch time activities and the poster competition! We had some great entries with an anti-bullying and kindness themes and five prizes of $20 voucher kindly donated by Bunnings! The five prize winners are:
Catelyn Tynkkynen, 10P3
Rayne Magri, 9P1
Talia Chapman, 11L2
Miranda Tynkkynen, 7L2
Sahibjot Somal, 7L2
The dire impact of bullying is well known, and when schools and organisations show their support for stopping it, things do improve. Everyone needs to feel safe. A classroom presentation was available for all classes about bullying, the harms, getting help and outlining school activities.
So, just what is bullying?
We know it's more than just a fight or disliking someone.
It’s being mean to someone over and over again.
Bullying is an ongoing or repeated misuse of power in relationships, with the meaning to cause deliberate (on purpose) psychological harm. Bullying behaviours can be verbal, physical or social.
Bullying can happen anywhere – at home, online, with friends, in a group, on the bus or at school.
Kindness Tree
There were some wonderful messages written both on the many posters in the competition, and the leaf messages on the KINDNESS TREE. The tree is currently on display in the library’s Wellbeing area if you would like to check it out! There are some pictures below.
Photo-Frame Activity
Josie Mitchell
Health Promotions Nurse
Multicultural Week
Monday 21st – Friday 25th March
‘Everyone Belongs’
Last week was full of positive energy and fun as the school celebrated Harmony Day and Multicultural week. The jam-packed week consisted of cultural performances, dance, songs, international games, food sampling and a cultural dress parade. It was wonderful to see both students and staff demonstrate the core values of this celebration, through inclusiveness, respect and a space for belonging in our school community.
So many diverse cultures were represented and I could see for many, that they were proud of their identity!
Thankyou to ALL that participated, supported and got involved.
Let us remember to respect each others culture and backgrounds, not just on Harmony Day but by practising it every day because ‘Everyone Belongs’.
Nesa Tuaoi
Multicultural Education Aide
Attendance
Reminder:
Early departures from school require that parents/carers provide a detailed note with date, time and reason for a student departing early from school. All non-essential and non-emergency appointments should be made outside of school hours. Notes must be presented to the House APs who will contact you before signing off and approving departure.
Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success starting in kindergarten and continuing through secondary school. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school safely every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and beyond.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Students should miss no more than 9 days of school each year to stay engaged, successful and on track to graduation
- Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with school work, dealing with a bully or facing some other potentially serious difficulty
- By Year 6, absenteeism is one of three signs that a student may drop out of secondary school
- By Year 9 regular and high attendance is a better predictor of finishing school rates than academic results in Year 8
- Missing 10 percent, or about 18 days, of the school year can drastically affect a student’s success
- Students can be chronically absent even if they only miss a day or two every few weeks
- Attendance is an important life skill that will help your child maximise their full potential
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Make school attendance a priority
- Talk about the importance of showing up to school every day, make that the expectation
- Help your child maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good night’s sleep
- Try not to schedule dental and medical appointments during the school day
- Don’t let your child stay home unless truly sick ‐ complaints of headaches or stomach aches may be signs of anxiety
Help your child stay engaged
- Find out if your child feels engaged by his classes and feels safe from bullies and other threats
- Make sure they not missing class because of behavioural issues and school discipline policies
If any of these are problems, work with your school
- Stay on top of academic progress and seek help from teachers or tutors if necessary. Make sure teachers know how to contact you.
- Stay on top of your child’s social contacts. Peer pressure can lead to skipping school, while students without many friends can feel isolated.
- Encourage meaningful afterschool activities, including sports and clubs.
Communicate with the school
- Know the school’s attendance policy – incentives and consequences
- Find out if your child feels engaged by his classes and feels safe from bullies and other threats.
- Talk to teachers if you notice changes in behaviour ‐ these could be tied to something at school
- Check on your child’s attendance to be sure absences are not piling up
- Ask for help from schools, afterschool programs, other parents or community agencies if you’re having trouble getting your child to school.
Melanie Hayward
Assistant Principal
Student Support Services
The Fathering Project
| Coming up next term we will be holding events for year 7’s. The Fathering Project builds and strengthens relationships between fathers and children by supporting them to stay engaged in their children's education, understanding their school environment and promoting better relationships with their children. The program will provide fathers with tools to support their children with life skills and build on social support. Information will be posted on Compass and throughout the school. |
Gary Ward
Student Wellbeing Officer
A message from our local police
It is of great concern that Police from both Melton and Caroline Springs have seen an escalation of violence and aggression towards School Crossing Supervisors and School Staff monitoring school drop off and pick up.
With students returning to “normal” school attendance there is an increase in traffic congestion in and around schools and with this the aggression and frustration of a number of drivers.
Police would like to remind all drivers that the bottom line is SAFETY. The role of the Crossing Supervisor is there to ensure the roads are safely crossed by all pedestrians and the laws are in place to protect everyone.
We have seen reports of appalling behaviour that include serious threats and violence which nobody should be subject to. Some of the infringement notices that can be issued in response to this problematic behaviour are:
All of these offences carry a fine of $454 and 3 demerit points.
Along with this is the illegal and dangerous stopping of vehicles in and around schools, particularly in the afternoon. Whilst it may be frustrating and not convenient, Police are asking that drivers make an effort to legally park their car and to refrain from remaining stationary on road causing traffic to bank up and create a dangerous environment. Walking a short distance to collect your child is far safer that causing a collision that could injury many.
As we move into Term 2 a number of operations will target school zones where infringement notices will be issued to those failing to follow the Road Rules. Some examples of the penalties are:
THIS IS ABOUT SAFETY OF ALL IN PARTICULAR OUR LOCAL SCHOOL CHILDREN
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