Positive Climate for Learning

Richard Crawshaw 

Assistant Principal

'Self Grounding' Activities

On our Pupil Free day this week, staff discussed some techniques that we can use to help keep ourselves grounded during this remote and flexible learning. We talked about 'getting centred' which means re-focusing ourselves amidst all the chaos of information  that we are privy to at the moment. Staff learnt how to move themselves into being present and in the moment, rather than worrying about the past or the future. 

This discussion is also very relevant for students. Here are a few 'Grounding Games' and activities you can use at home to help keep yourself and your child/ren grounded;

• Grounding Poses: place your palms on the tops of your thighs or feet. Hold them there for up to 10 seconds. Does this feel different? Now do a pose of a tree, an aeroplane, a warrior, and then a ballet dancer.
• Stretch out: Sit down on the ground and stretch your legs straight in front of you. Keeping your legs straight, try and touch your toes. How far can you go? Try walking your fingers down from your thighs to your feet. When you get as far as you can, hold it there for 5 seconds. Then try again and see if you can reach further.
• Rocking: Stand tall and physically rock backward and forward to find the "centre" point of your balance. How does that feel? Place your hands 2cm below your bellybutton and close your eyes. Feel the strength in your legs, then slowly rock back and forth a few times. This slow rocking movement will help you keep balanced.

eSmart

In a few weeks time it will be 'esmart week' for the many schools who are members. We are a member school and have been able to access a few important online safety tips for our community. I thought I would share a couple of tips from eSmart as it is timely now we are operating remotely, and we can follow up on more tips in a few weeks time.

• Use tech to make life better: We can use technology to learn things, create things, connect with friends and family, reach out to people who are having a hard time, enjoy great entertainment, and even boost our fitness and mental health.
• Keep your balance: Technology is incredible. But relying too much on tech can mess with your sleep and make you feel exhausted, stressed or lonely. Make time for the other things that matter to you: family meals, playing with pets, kicking a ball around, reading, cooking, art or just sitting out in the sunshine.
• Respect others: Before taking and sharing photos or videos of other people, always ask first if it's OK with them. And before you talk about someone online, stop to think: how might this make them feel? It’s not all about you.

Seesaw

It has been a goal for the school improvement team this year to really embed Seesaw into our day to day practice. Once again, it has been fantastic to see so many families logging in and connecting with their teachers and education support staff. This is a great platform for sharing your learning, your work, and keeping a connection with your schooling. Thanks to everyone who has embraced this platform, and please ask your teacher if you require any assistance with this so we can help you be a part of your classroom.

Student Work

It has been so great viewing all the great videos and photos on Seesaw of students engaged in work. Our staff have been super creative and dedicated to providing accessible learning for your child/ren and it is great to see this coming into fruition. Everyone deserves big Gold Stars for the work they are doing! 

To add to this, I wanted to add a photo from what has been happening for those few students who are at school, check out what they found in our garden last week... it is huge!