Hello wonderful Parents & Carers,

In regards to my article last newsletter about sleep, I was amazed to see that 87% of Grade 6 students wrote, on a recent survey, that they don’t get enough sleep. It was great that they could recognise it within themselves but I just wonder if they are self disciplined enough to turn off their screens at night (preferably one hour before sleep time), and initiate good quality sleep.

A Message to Parents of Grade 3 and 5 Students Completing NAPLAN Testing

As your child completes their NAPLAN testing this week, we want to gently remind you that while this test gives us a helpful snapshot of some of their Literacy and Numeracy skills, it is just one small part of who they are and what they know. NAPLAN does help us to identify areas where students might need extra support, but it certainly doesn’t nearly capture everything that makes each child exceptional.

NAPLAN doesn’t measure how kind, helpful, or confident your child is. It doesn’t reflect their creativity, their passion for sports, or how they light up the room with their beautiful energy. It doesn’t show that they are great with technology, that they can hold meaningful conversations with others or that they show resilience to overcome obstacles that previously defeated them. The scores you receive will show how your child performed on these particular days in the areas of Literacy and Numeracy, but they can’t capture the full picture of who your child is becoming. They can’t tell you that they brighten the classroom with their cheery disposition or that they are an amazingly special kid. This is because these characteristics can’t be measured by a test!

Online Courses for Parents

Please find attached some fantastic online courses offered by Uniting Vic. Tas. Uniting are a community services organisation who work to support individuals, families and communities to live happy and meaningful lives.

The Term 2 courses on offer include:

Tuning into Kids - Wednesday 7th May - Wednesday 11th June

This is a 6-week parenting program that focuses on the emotional connection between parents/carers and their children. Aimed at parents with kids from 3 - 10 years old.

Would you like to learn how to:

• Be better at talking with your child?

• Be better at understanding your child?

• Help your child learn to manage their emotions?

• Help to prevent behavioural problems?

• Teach your child to deal with conflict?

Register here: Tuning in to Kids

Dads Tuning into Kids - Monday 15th May - Monday 17th June

This is a free 7-session program for fathers of 3 -12-year-old children. Dads Tuning in to Kids teaches you how to help your child understand and manage their feelings (‘emotional intelligence’).

Register here: Dads Tuning in to Kids

Circle of Security Parenting - Thursday 1st May - Thursday 19th June

This program is based on decades of research about how secure parent-child relationships can be supported and strengthened. It is aimed at parents and carers with children aged 0-5 years.

This program will help you to:

• Understand your child’s emotions.

• Support your child’s ability to successfully manage emotions.

• Enhance the development of your child’s self-esteem.

• Strengthen the attachment with your child.

Register here: Circle of Security Parenting

These courses are completely free of charge and are all online .

They do fill up quickly so I suggest you register asap.

Have a fabulous week!

With warm regards,

Crissi Kippie

Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader

Epilepsy Awareness