From the Assistant Principal...

Screen time versus Green time

There has been continuing concerns this week regarding screen time, what children are doing/watching on them and also how much time they are spending on screens as compared to other activities.  It seems to be an issue that keeps raising its head.  Games such as 'Fortnite' are, firstly, very popular and secondly, violent and addictive.  I have attached an article from a website called "Parenting Ideas" titled "There are better questions than 'How much Screen time?'".  I have also attached a link to a website that outlines some ideas on balancing screen and green time that might help create more equity in your household:   https://outdoorclassroomday.com.au/resource/screen-time-vs-green-time-tool/ 

Sick children.

Could I please ask that if your child is unwell in the morning or during the evening, that you keep them home from school.  We have had several instances of children arriving at school and having to enter sick bay from early in the school day.  The main reason for this is the spread of germs, if your child is ill, the bug will be spread amongst the other children. At St Mary's, we have a child enrolled with Cystic Fibrosis and for them, something like a cold or flu can severely impact health for a long period of time.  It is difficult for parents when work is impacted, however we ask that you make arrangements for your children so they do not have to attend school if they are unwell.

How was your day??

"Long and boring"....... this is the answer we often get from this question! Or we might ask 'What did you learn today?'....."Nothing!" Another standard response!! For some children who are struggling at school, be it socially, with the academic side or with behaviour, it is really important to try and create some positive talk around school each day, to try and bring to the forefront some of the good things that occur during their time away from home.  Children want to share  their problems, and of course, we should definitely listen to these, but we also need to refocus sometimes on a balance of the positives so as not to get bogged down in the negatives.  

Maybe try to start a pattern of getting home with a story about something great that happened that day, or try and more specific question like "What did you learn in Maths today?", following up with "How are you going with that?" and maybe asking "Can you show me what that looks like?".  Also celebrate their achievements in appropriate ways, ie something special for afternoon tea rather than a large gift etc.