Sandringham College News

Student Wellbeing

The Wellbeing Team

TRANSITION BACK TO SCHOOL: A tip sheet for parents.

  1. PAY EXTRA ATTENTION TO YOUR CHILD’S EMOTIONS AND NEEDS

As your child returns to school, they may feel a range of emotions, including excitement, relief, or worry. You may notice changes in your child’s behaviour, sleep, mood, interactions with others, or eating habits – these are all normal expressions of worry and by noticing and responding with care and support, you will help your child to feel better. As parents, it is important to be able to: Recognise signs of increased anxiety, stress or worry, know that it is a normal reaction and help your child to feel safe and supported.

2. BE AWARE OF YOUR OWN BEHAVIOUR

It is important to understand the effect your own behaviour can have on your child. If you react in a way that suggests you are worried about your child going back to school, your child may worry too! Try to remain calm and positive when talking to your child about going back to school.

3. REASSURE YOUR CHILD IT IS SAFE TO GO TO SCHOOL 

During the learning at home period, your family, along with our school staff, have helped you understand that staying away from school was necessary to keep you healthy and safe. You may now feel worried about whether it is safe to go back to school. To help you feel reassured about coming back to school, remember to focus on the facts, including that:

  • The decision for students to return to school has been made based on health advice.
  • Everyone at school is going to make sure they are keeping safe, and there is plenty of sanitizer at school so that everyone can wash their hands many times a day.
  • You will be allowed to sit next to your friends in the classroom and during group activities, as children usually do not get sick from COVID-19.
  • The Government is keeping an eye on COVID-19 – if it starts to spread again, decisions about what we need to do to keep everyone safe will be made quickly.
  • If anyone at their school feels sick, they will stay away from school until they feel better.
4. PREPARE FOR CHANGES TO SCHOOL PROCESSES

Changes to our school’s normal processes may be necessary to ensure physical distancing requirements for adults can be met. So that you and your child can prepare, our school will communicate with you about changes to our processes, so please check Compass for updates.

 

4. GETTING READY TO RETURN TO SCHOOL

Preparing for school and getting into a routine with your child will help make the transition back to school a positive experience. 

  • Get back into the routine of waking up, having breakfast and going to bed at regular timed. Teens aged 12 – 17, need around 9 hours of sleep.
  • Discuss any issues or fears your child might have about going back to school.
  • Talk to your child about what they like about school and what they have been missing.
  • Discuss what may be different with coming back to school (for example, getting to their classroom in the morning).
  • Discuss how they would like to get to and from school; walking, using public transport, driving in your car etc.
5. ESTABLISH A NEW SCHOOL ROUTINE

Before the school day encourage your child to:

  • Have their uniform washed and prepared so it is ready for the morning. Organise their bag – Remind them of what they might need to put back into their bag to get ready for school e.g. laptop, charger, books, pencil-case etc.
  • Remind them to pack their lunch and snacks ahead of time.
  • Try to have calm evenings and encourage screen free time, at least 30 – 60 minutes before bed.
  • Allow extra time to get ready for school in the morning so that they are not rushing.

After the school day: 

  • Talk to your child about their day, including what they enjoyed, what went well, what may have worried them, and what they found difficult.
  • Encourage some physical activity and relaxing/calming time to help wind down from the day.
7. EXTRA SUPPORT

If you feel you or your child needs additional support with transitioning back to school, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s Student Manager to discuss any additional supports that could support your child with returning  to school to ensure a smooth transition and help your child feel at ease and re-engage with learning.

Mental Health Support:

Take care in these uncertain times! Please remember that support is always available to you. If you would like school based wellbeing support for your student, please speak with your child's student manager.

 

Please note that external referrals almost always need a mental health care plan from your Doctor. Please contact your family Doctor if this is something you wish to arrange for yourself or a family member.

 

Some support Numbers:

Lifeline: 131114

Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800

Parentline: 13 22 89

In an emergency: 000