WELLBEING NEWS NEWS

Click on the link below to read three factsheets from the eSafety Commissioner to assist parents using parental controls.

Whole School Wellbeing Focus

This term we are focusing on our personal strengths. Students will be learning to identify, acknowledge and even challenge themselves by working on a strength they would like to increase or improve. A Melbourne psychologist Lea Waters is also an active researcher and author with a focus on child psychology. A recent article speaks about how to positively focus on your child’s strengths and overcome negativity bias.

Lea writes…..

As parents, we sometimes find it hard to focus on our child’s strengths.

We know how amazing they are and how terrific they can be.

But when we see them display negative behavior, we tend to criticize and nag them.

Why do we do that?

I call it the Dirty Window Syndrome.

Think about it.

If a window’s clean, we ignore it. But when a window’s dirty…

We focus on the dirt (despite the fact that we can still see a beautiful view through the glass).

That’s our brain’s fault - it’s the negativity bias at work.

Now, this particular bias is an ancient survival mechanism that’s hardwired to our brains. And it’s the reason why we’re likely to notice problems more than whatever is going well around us.

In my opinion, this negativity bias causes us to zoom in on what our children are doing wrong…

More than what they’re doing right.

So, what can we do about this knee-jerk reaction?

We can shift to strength-based parenting

Basically, strength-based parenting focuses on encouraging a child’s unique strengths.

It allows parents and educators to approach weaknesses from a larger context…

To see the whole window, not just the dirt.

When we talk about strengths, it includes the two broad categories identified by psychologists: talents and character.

For most of us, we tend to focus on observable performance-based talents - sports, arts, music…

But children possess other strengths, too.

These are internal character strengths like courage, curiosity, kindness, grit…

If we want to build talent in our children, it has to be done hand-in-hand with their character

After all, people draw on their character to develop talent.

How does strength-based parenting affect children?

In my research, I found out that strength-based parenting brings positive outcomes to children.

They are found to be less stressed and are able to cope better with issues like…

Homework deadlines…

Problems with friends…

And excelling in school.

I also discovered that, as parents and educators, we can help our children see and use their strengths.

That’s how they can develop positive qualities like confidence, persistence, and satisfaction.

Wouldn’t you like your children to experience that kind of life?

DRI

Feedback from some of the six year six leaders who attended the peer mentoring and coaching session at Chelsea Primary School last week.

The Dolphin Research peer teaching excursion was a great experience. We had a great time learning and presenting facts about marine life. It was truly a wonderful experience teaching foundation students about different marine life animals. One main challenge for us as a group was presenting in front of the students. It is harder than you think. The most exciting thing that happened was coming together as a group and learning and having fun together.

- Jade and Alice

GATEWAYS

Feedback from some of the teacher nominated students who attended the GATEWAYS Ignite program with a focus on Mathematics and Science at St Brigid’s on Friday. We look forward to hosting another session in term 3, with a focus on critical and creative thinking.

GATEWAYS was good but some of the questions were hard which made it a challenge. The first maths question was really hard, it was about a chequerboard. Henry solved it at the end of the day.

The teachers were nice and they were helpful if you were struggling. The blood clot experiment was interesting. All the new words and ideas that I learned about blood. When we are born our parents' blood is forged to make our blood.

Josh G

Henry and Roman enjoyed learning about the different blood types, genetics and chromosones. It was interesting to work out whose blood group belonged to which parent. There was a lot of new information. The problem solving in Mathematics was not as easy as we first thought it was going to be.

SPORT NEWS

CROSS COUNTRY

Congratulations to every student who attended the cross country at Kakarook Park on Tuesday. Not only did we win the handicap trophy for the division but we won with great sportsmanship and exemplary behaviour by each and every student at St Brigid’s. Mrs Harrison, Mrs Hampton and myself were so proud of you all.

Mrs Wendt

The Year 4 girls said - Cross Country was fun. It was good exercise. It was a real challenge. I learnt that I can believe in myself and I can make it. I learnt that I can run a long distance.

Grace/Sasha/ Chloe/ Eden /Mikki

Social and Fundraising Update

PARENT SOCIAL NIGHT

It's now only a little over three until our long awaited parent night. Don't forget to RSVP to your invitation sent to your email by Friday 20th of May. We do need the list of each person attending as names will be checked off by security on the night. Tickets can be purchased through CDFpay. Click here for the link. We are looking forward to a fantastic night.

Scholastic Bookclub

Last call for orders. Bookclub orders will close at 3:00pm on Monday.

Team Kids