Wellbeing

Positive Behaviours for Learning (PBL)

At SFS, our school expectations are:

Respect

Responsibility and 

Kindness

This week we have continued to focus on the expectation of RESPECT in the learning space and listen and follow instructions.

These came from data we collected about the children’s behaviour so far this year. We have found that some children are demonstrating defiance and not being respectful to others by not following what they have been asked to do. The teachers are trying to reteach this expected behaviour which will hopefully lead to a decrease in behaviour incidents of defiance. Defiance means that children are not completing class work and not following directions. As a more serious behaviour, defiance is non compliance and total refusal to comply.

Harmony Week/Day

We will be celebrating Harmony Week the week beginning Monday 20th March. The children will be focusing on the message of Harmony week in class during reading and writing, Inquiry and PBL (Positive behaviours for Learning) social skills lesson and circle time. The message is all about inclusion and celebrating and embracing our Multicultural identity. On Harmony Day, March 21st, the children are encouraged to wear clothes representing their cultural background or wear the colour orange.

Why orange?

This was taken from the Australian Government Department for home affairs website.

“Orange is the colour chosen to represent Harmony Week. Traditionally, orange signifies social communication and meaningful conversations. It also relates to the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect. Australians can choose to wear something orange during Harmony Week to show their support for cultural diversity and an inclusive Australia”.

Healthy Eating Competition

Monash Health is running a competition to encourage children to bring healthy lunches to school.  The Healthy Eating Competition is still open until the 9th March – see this flyer or visit the website for more information. Send us a pic of your healthy lunchbox and go in the draw to win!

Transitioning Tips

The following information comes from the McKillop family services fact sheet about Transitioning back to school after the new year period. 

“Transitioning back into the new year after the holiday period, may cause feelings of anxiety especially for those who find change challenging. The holidays may provide a reprieve from work or school, but after having weeks of no homework, no school or work hours and later bed-times, it can be difficult to adjust straight back into the usual routine. 

Here are some suggestions to ease back into the start of a new year.

Listen

Talk to your children about their day and give them the opportunity to share any worries. Don’t share your own anxieties. Listen to your child’s concerns and validate their feelings to show them your are listening and know they can handle it. 

Acknowledge

Acknowledge the transition back to school may not always be smooth. Listen to any worries and make a plan for dealing with these challenges. Perhaps practice with your child by role playing. This may help your child feel more confident to a handle the situation if it arises. 

Encourage

Focus on the positive moments ahead. Discuss the things your child is looking forward to, whether it’s seeing or making new friends, playing sport or beginning a new activity. Encourage your child to participate in new activities and help them manage their time in the first term of school”.

Action for Happiness Calendar

It is hard to imagine that we are already in the month of March. This month is called Mindful March. This month’s Action for Happiness calendar calls us to pause, breathe, so we can respond more mindfully. Try some of these actions with your family this month.

If you have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please do not hesitate to contact me. rlenko@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au

Rachel Lenko

Student wellbeing Leader

rlenko@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au

Are you eager to up your game with your tech habits?  Whether it is 1 hour or 24 hours, at some point during the first weekend of March (March 3rd - 5th), thousands of people, in multiple countries will step away from their screens and intentionally shift into an offline activity, an in-person interaction, a real-life gathering or simply a meaningful conversation about their relationship with technology. 

Author Anne Lamott writes, “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” After taking a break from technology as a community, we gain an appreciation for the role that it plays in our lives and we are better equipped to establish healthier tech habits going forward. If you would like to learn more about why unplugging matters, click here.

This is a fantastic opportunity for you as a family to take some time away from technology to connect and have fun together. 

Some unplugged activities may include: 

• Play a board game
• Play charades
• Create a joke jar
• Make a fort
• Nature walks
• Cook a themed family meal
• Ride a bike
• Create a scavenger hunt
• Put on a puppet show

If you would like some more fun unplugged activities, click here.