Wellbeing

Positive Behaviours for Learning

At SFS, our PBL (Positive behaviours for learning) school wide expectations are:

Respect,

Responsibility and

Kindness

This week the teachers and students focused on RESPONSIBILITY in the learning space, Transition quietly.

While the end of the school year is a busy and exciting time, it is important that we keep some routines and structures in place to ensure we are all happy and safe at school.

Here are some of our lucky PBL raffle winners from last week who have been demonstrating our school expected behaviours.

Student Representative Council Term 4

We had our last SRC meeting for 2024 on Monday. The children enjoyed sharing some hot chips and reflecting on all that the group has achieved this term to make the school better. Here is what the term 4 SRC group had to say about what they have achieved this term.

Odin: “I have enjoyed the activities like making posters to promote kindness at school.”
Havannah: “Spending time with my friend Bella”.
Dakshan: “I enjoyed creating new ideas and sharing and actioning them.”
Sean: “Hot chips, I liked eating hot chips this afternoon!”
Ariana: “Making posters and working with my sister.”
Layla; “Making the PBL menu and coming up with new ideas.”
Macey: “Working with other children from other”
Mia: “Putting up posters to teach other children about being safe and kind at school”.
Grace: “Getting to know some juniors and working with them because we don’t get a chance to do it often”.
Bella: “I liked making the PBL reward menu”

A big thank you to these children who did a fantastic job as the chosen SRC reps for Term 4 at SFS.

Good news….SRC will be retuning to SFS in Term 1 2025!

Here is a list of things the SRC achieved in Term 4.

Made kindness posters for around the school to promote World kindness day.
Random acts of kindness pay it forward cards were handed out to spread kindness at SFS.
Kindness competition to see which junior and senior homegroup is the kindest.
Designed and made new PBL reward system menus for the weekly raffle winners to choose from.
Learnt about the child safe standards and put posters around the learning space so children would know how to keep safe at school and how to make a complaint when they did not feel safe.
Continued our buddy lunch and continued wearing R U ok vests to help others at lunch time. Friday 13th December (Junior and Senior) Also an opportunity for homegroups to use the yarning circle.
Promoted the safety network and helping children to identify the people at school and home who can help them when they are unsafe.

A big congratulations to the following Junior and Senior Homegroups who were the winners of the SRC kindness challenge.

Both homegroups were from LS 1, MJ from the Seniors and ND from the Juniors. The children in the two homegroups received a zooper doper that was extra refreshing on a hot day.

A Mindful guide to looking after yourself this holiday season

The following information comes from the MacKillop Family Services Seasons program tips sheet on self-care in the holidays. You may find this helpful during the long Christmas holiday break.

“The holiday period is upon us once more. It is a time to connect with family and friends and while this may be an enjoyable time for some it may also leave us with feelings of sadness or loneliness. We may have feelings of excitement and joy, but these may be mixed with conflicting feelings of pressure and stress. Self-care, mindfulness and creating your own rituals are important at this time of year. We encourage you to make space for yourself this holiday season. Here are steps to looking after yourself that may help:

Revise your plan

• Plan ahead by talking to those affected and remember, there is no rule book

• Be flexible to schedules

• Create new traditions that feel right for you and your family and friends

• Christmas catch-ups can be a mixed bag. Plan how you will respond to sensitive issues and how you can exit if you want to. Keep it simple

• Do something you enjoy

• Do less and enjoy more

• It’s okay to say “no” when you need to

• Make the most of the holidays by saying “yes” to activities and people you truly want to spend time with.

Self-care

• Self-care will look different for everyone and can include taking time to go for a walk, swim, play with a pet, listen to your favourite music, read a book, create a regular sleep routine and set aside time for yourself

• Be kind and compassionate to yourself too. Share memories

• Sharing memories of the past with stories, photos, songs and special recipes

• Coming together and sharing our memories with others strengthens our connections

• Share your memories and continue to create new memories for the future.

Be present

• Tune into your five senses, be aware of what you see, hear, taste, smell and touch

• Choose activities you find relaxing, unplug from electronic devices, go outdoors, take a walk or share delicious food with your family or friends

• Make Christmas about being present instead of the presents this year! Reach out

• Remember to support others who may be experiencing a tough time

• Checking in, can be as simple as asking how they’re going and letting them know that you are there for them

• Stay in touch and if you are concerned, share emotional and mental health supports.

• Support is available:

Support services (https://www.mackillopseasons.org.au/knowledgebase/article/KA-01134) that can help you find support, counselling and information for you or for someone you care about .

Reach out and yarn with your local emotional wellbeing support provider”.

If you have any concerns about the mental health or wellbeing of your child, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am available to speak to at school, via the phone or email on rlenko@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au

Rachel Lenko

Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader

rlenko@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au