Student Wellbeing

Can you believe that we are already over halfway through term 1! On Monday staff were lucky enough to complete the third of four days of Berry St training. This powerful training is based on classroom strategies informed by Berry Street's approaches to trauma-informed learning and the science of wellbeing. These strategies that can be applied straight away in their classrooms. See below some of our staff testing out a new brain break. 

Water Bottle Donations

In the coming weeks during lunchtimes Chaplain Tom and students will be working towards constructing their own ‘Water Bottle Rockets’ to launch later in the term. Tom is seeking donations of washed and clean 1.25 or 2L plastic bottles. Donations can be left at the front office. Keep an eye out in the coming weeks for their progress!

School Nurse Visit

Kerrie McCosh, primary school nurse, will be visiting our school on Monday 25th of March. 

Foundation Grade Health Assessments:  All parents/guardians of Foundation grade children will be asked to complete a Health Questionnaire online, before the day of the visit. Please see the instruction at the back of the newsletter to complete this.  If you do not wish your child to be seen by the school nurse, please go online and indicate the non-consent.  If you need a paper copy of the questionnaire instead, please ask the school, or, phone Kerrie on 0428319636.  If you would like assistance completing this questionnaire, please contact Jess McGurk at the College. 

Referrals (Grades 1-6): Parents and/or teachers may refer children from any grade for assessments of vision, hearing, basic speech, physical abilities, medical conditions, behavioural and parenting issues.  Please collect a referral form from the school office. Completed forms are to be handed into the school office prior to March 25th.  Should parents wish to have an interview with the School Nurse, please indicate your request on the form.

Please note: You can talk to the primary school nurse at any time throughout the year. 

Sleep

Developing bad sleep habits is easy to do, especially as the year goes on. Now that we are settled back into the term, it is important that good sleep habits are restored so opportunities for learning can be maximised. 

How much sleep do children need?

The amount of sleep we need changes with age. Everyone is different, but as a guide, children need the following amounts of sleep every night:

• ages 3 to 5: 10 to 13 hours
• ages 6 to 13: 9 to 11 hours
• ages 14 to 17: 8 to 10 hours

Getting enough sleep is vital for a child’s physical health, brain function, emotional wellbeing, safety & ability to function day to day. Not having enough sleep, or not sleeping well, can affect how children learn & lead to mood swings & behavioural problems.

Tips to help children sleep well

• Establish a sleep schedule/appropriate bedtime for their age & stick to it
• Establish a bedtime routine & follow it each night
• Help your child wind down prior to bedtime with quiet, relaxing activities
• Make sure the bedroom is suitable for sleep (ventilation, temperature etc)
• Avoid stimulants such as sugary food, sports drinks etc
• Turn off technology well before bedtime

Source: https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/sleep-tips-for-children

Headlice

In recent weeks we have had a number of cases of headlice in our school. We ask that parents are attentive in checking their child/ren’s hair and treat as soon as possible if necessary. Attached to the newsletter is a document regarding some information about headlice and the appropriate treatments. Please contact Jess McGurk at the College if you require any information or support in treating headlice. 

Catholic Care Victoria (CCV)- Parent programs & workshops

Over the year, CCV run a wide-range of one-off parent programs, as well as lengthier workshops. The delivery is both online & face-to-face & addresses a range of range of useful topics. Some programs are free, however some attract a cost. 

Each term they publish a calendar which will feature on the Parent’s Bulletin & we will also send it out via Compass. In the past, a number of staff & families have participated in CCV programs & have spoken very highly of them. 

Register at: www.catholiccarevic.org.au/register

Knowing Your Teen

For parents with kids aged 10+

When: Thursday, 7 March

Time: 10:00am - 11:30am

Cost: FREE

Where: Online via Zoom

Tech Strategies for Families

For parents with kids under 12

When: Wednesday, 13 March

Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pmCost: FREE

Where: St Mary's Primary School,51 King Edward St, Cohuna    

FREE online parenting support to help kids with anxiety

Do you want to help your child break free from anxiety and worry? Fear-Less Triple P Online can help. Developed by the trusted experts at the Triple P - Positive Parenting Program, this online program is jam-packed with proven strategies to help you understand anxiety and support your child to become more emotionally resilient. It’s one of several Triple P online parenting programs available now, at no cost! Learn more at www.triplep-parenting.net.au