Wellbeing

BREAKFAST CLUB: MONDAY, WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY

This term we continue our popular Breakfast Club program in the space at the side of the music room. This is a grab and go service offering fruit, milk, packets of cereal and now....toast!

The program operates from 8.35am—8.50am Monday, Wednesday and Friday—yes, just 15 minutes, but enough time to grab and eat on the way to class. Ms Naomi McMaster organises the program. We would love to have the help of some more volunteers, especially now that we will be cooking toast. If you think you could help to cook toast for 15 minutes on any of the mornings, please email me (debraanne.haddow@education.vic.gov.au ). You would just need to have your Working With Children Check and complete the Child Safe Training—as every volunteer does. Please let us know if you’d like to join our team.

SPOTLIGHT ON ATTENDANCE

EVERY SCHOOL DAY COUNTS

Schooling is compulsory for children and young people aged from 6 to 17 years unless an exemption from attendance or enrolment has been granted.

Daily school attendance is important for all children and young people to succeed in education and to ensure they don't fall behind both socially and developmentally. Children and young people who regularly attend school and complete Year 12 or an equivalent qualification have better health outcomes, better employment outcomes, and higher incomes across their lives. It is important that children develop habits of regular attendance at an early age.

School participation is important as it maximises life opportunities for children and young people by providing them with education and support networks. School helps people to develop important skills, knowledge and values which set them up for further learning and participation in their community.

The Wellbeing team work closely with students and their families who have attendance rates under 80% to help them re-engage with school. Support includes an Attendance Plan for the student and weekly meetings. We discuss the challenges faced, available supports and develop strategies to improve the attendance. Most students are back on track within a couple of weeks. It works well to be united as a team to help ensure students are at school. It takes 21 consecutive days to make a habit—so 30 school days---but only a few days to break the habit.

Attendance rates are monitored by the Education Department and the Regional Attendance Officer. Our school works closely with these departments for students who really struggle with coming to school every day they are well. 

Our biggest piece of advice to families is to build consistent, predictable routines and expect that students WILL attend school unless they are unwell.  Ensure your child gets enough sleep, is off devices well before bedtime (and cannot access them during the night), eat healthy food, have a regular wake up time and morning routine. Often when you minimise distractions and are consistent with your expectations, the morning just flows (as well as it can when you have children 😊). At school we have regular, predictable routines in place. We have the Welcoming Circle each morning which primes students for their day. It’s a check in to see how they are feeling and how we can support them to get to their optimum level. We also have a bit of fun, a reminder of our expectations and an overview for the whole day. This is a really settling and positive experience for children, and sets them up well to have a positive start for the day. Regular attendance is important, let’s work together to give your child an optimum educational experience. 

THRIVE AWARDS

Week 3 Thrive Value: Get Involved

Wellbeing Contacts:

I have come across a few more contacts which might be helpful to our community members. So we’ll continue to build this resource for you.

Families needing food or support:

• https://askizzy.org.au/food/personalise/page/sub-food
• Peninsula Donations (check their page on Facebook)
• BK 2 Basics Melbourne (also on Facebook)

Deb Haddow