Principal Message

Be Kind, Be safe, Be respectful, Be responsible, Be resilient, Be ready

Dear Parents and Carers,

The guidelines for our students are to be: 

-kind

-safe

-respectful

-responsible

-resilient

-ready

When there is an incident at school we work through with the student what has happened so they can try to do better next time This is not a punishment but rather a chance to problem solve. e.g. Sometimes the student will need time away from the class, sometimes playing inside at break time rather than being on the playground and sometimes walking with a teacher on duty having a chat.

Many children have fears that surface at various times in their lives. Some, such as fear of the dark, are common in children at certain ages. Sometimes fears are triggered by an event or an unfortunate accident. If a child is bitten by a dog when young, he or she may be afraid of all dogs. Well publicised tragedies can lead to a deep feeling of fear and anxiety about their personal safety.

Children can also learn fears from adults. The number of children who fear a trip to the dentist, just from their parents' reactions, is a source of consternation to that profession. However, parents can help their children deal with their fears and the following suggestions may be useful.

• Distinguish between caution and fear. Caution is the recognition of possible dangers and the consideration of ways of dealing with them safely. Fear can be debilitating as it generally leads to an avoidance of a situation and it diminishes the ability to cope.
• Reassure them by telling them the truth. For instance, you cannot guarantee that a child will be totally safe but there are steps to take to reduce the likelihood of harm. Children’s sense of security comes from routines and established rituals, so make sure that there are as few changes as possible in their lives particularly following a trauma.
• Investigate the source of the fear by listening to your child. Avoid dismissing their fears even if they are unfounded. Show them you understand how they feel and give them permission to express their feelings.
• Display confidence in your child’s ability to deal with their fears. Without being dismissive help children view the positive side of events and show faith in their ability to cope. Just as children pick up anxiety from their parents, they also learn optimism from their parents. It is amazing how catching a positive attitude is.

Keep smiling 

Cathy