Woori Yallock Primary School Newsletter

Wellbeing Report 

Andre Campbell

 

Welcome back! For families new to the school we have a fantastic wellbeing team with myself, Lily and Veronica.  We can help with any parenting worries or support your family with home or family concerns.  We’ve had a great start back to school and we can see that parents have prepared their children well in setting them up for a successful year. The wellbeing team are on before and after school duty and we can help with any questions or queries you may have.  Some students may feel a little nervous walking into school and we can help settle your child by walking them to their classroom or setting them up with a friend and informing their teacher. 

 

It’s a normal reaction for some parents to feel nervous about a new school year. Some children will experience separation anxiety and so will parents.  Speak to them about their worries and listen with empathy. Always acknowledge their feelings as this will give them a sense of control. Predictability is important for children to feel confident from the beginning so please be punctual at drop off and pick up time at the end of the day.  Children pick up on what is being modelled so showing them that you are calm, supportive and positive will help your child feel confident and competent.  Following a routine, getting plenty of sleep and eating healthily supports good physical and mental health and promote a successful school experience. 

 

Support your child with schoolwork and school life. Show interest by asking what your child has done during the day, what homework they are working on, and whether they need any help. 

 

Get involved in school life, through parent-teacher interviews and when the COVID restrictions ease, helping out in the classroom, or volunteering in the many projects/working bees and activities running at school.

 

Focus on your child’s strengths and the effort they put in. Praise your child for what they’re good at, and let them know you’re proud of them for trying things they find difficult. Talk with the teacher/staff to find out how your child is going. A good relationship between school and home will ensure the best outcomes for your child. 

Health

I encourage parents to please investigate any potential sickness complaints.  Please encourage your child to practise good personal hygiene by washing hands regularly. All the classrooms have hand sanitiser available for children to use in the classrooms.   It isn’t fun to be sick at school and there are exclusion periods for some health conditions.  Don’t forget to tell us of any phone or emergency contact changes so we can reduce your child’s concern if they need to be picked up.  In case of a toileting accident please supply a change of underwear in your child’s bag.

 

We have also had a number of hot days this summer 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 parents to be active with encouraging children to wear sunscreen. 

 

Head lice will be a problem from time to time at Woori Yallock Primary School and it is important to work together as a school community to minimise the frustration caused by the problem. I ask all parents/carers to regularly screen your child and please tell us in order to minimise the concern in the school. 

 

Attendance & Absences

We encourage parents and carers to refer to COMPASS for information happening at school. Schools are required to work towards IMPROVING THE ATTENDANCE and PUNCTUALITY RATES of our students. We encourage all parents to call the office when your child is going to be away and to notify the school through COMPASS. This really helps us as we are able to communicate effectively with all relevant staff early in the school day.

Wellbeing supports

We promote many opportunities for families and students to be an active part of our local community and encourage parents to be a part of our extra-curricular activities.  Our welfare team are available to support families in times of need as we have established partnerships with a number of services. We would love to meet you so see myself, Lily or Veronica for further information.

  • State School Relief-school uniforms including underwear and school shoes/runners.
  • Second hand uniform 
  • Students can be referred to DET psychologist or speech therapist. 
  • Strong Mind Psychology-Provisional Psychologist Marianne Bishop Wednesdays
  • DET school nurse for general health checks including vision and hearing. 
  • Student counselling-students can access counselling via a mental health care plan referral from a GP. Shine Bright Psychology-counselling service for students & clinical psychologist Simone Turner. 
  • For approved students with NDIS or Allied Health Services-Speech Pathology and OT services can provide therapy at school.
  • Eastern Health-Nutrition and Health support 
  • School Chaplain-Veronica  Tirchett (Tues & Thurs)
  • Pre-COVID 19-Inspiro Dental Program
  • Pre-COVID 19-Shire of Yarra Ranges Head Lice Program-whole school screening once per term screened by the Shire nurse. 
  • Programs-
  • Breakfast club (Tuesdays & Thursdays 8:15am onwards)
  • Food hampers
  • Pre-COVID EACH/Inspiro Health Promotion programs 
  • Pre-COVID Woori Wallabies playgroup (Tuesdays 1:30pm-3:00pm)
  • Happy Families whole school membership 
  • Parent Forums-Healthy Lunchboxes & strengthening families
  • Health & Gender programs including:
  • 3/4 Body Education 
  • 5/6 Sexuality Program 
  • Social skills programs to small groups
  • Activities at break times-LEGO Club, Craft Club & Hairstyle Club
  • Holiday camps for students 
  • Gift a bike program-Lions Club

Free Happy Families Membership 2022

Late last year, the welfare team applied for a community grant through the Shire of Yarra Ranges and we are pleased that Happy Families Membership is continuing. In 2021 we had over 90 families/staff signed up and this resource was a fantastic go to during this year’s lockdowns. We had lots of positive comments that parents and carers found the membership extremely helpful and practical to their needs.  The website has changed and all parents need to sign up to the new platform. 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. Watch out for the information coming home and follow the prompts to create your account. 

 

 

 

Bec is an accredited Mental Health Social Worker who works locally in the Shire of Yarra Ranges and late last year Bec launched her very first children's book. 

 

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

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 Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. 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 Mon-Fri: 9am-4pm.

 

Primary Wellbeing Officer

Andre Campbell