Health & Wellbeing @ NLPS

JSC Community Project – Spreading Joy to Trugo Place Residents

As part of our ongoing efforts to foster a spirit of giving and community connection, the Junior School Council (JSC) has initiated a heart-warming project to bring joy to the residents of Trugo Place, the aged care centre on Mason Street.

As we did last year, we are again inviting all students to create something special for the residents. This could include:

A collection of stories
Happy holidays cards
Artworks
Christmas messages
Decorations

These thoughtful creations will be gathered and delivered to Trugo Place in a couple of weeks to brighten the holiday season for the residents.

This project is a wonderful opportunity for students to express creativity, empathy, and kindness while giving back to the community. Please encourage your child to participate by contributing their creations by Friday 5th December.

A collection box has been placed in 2MS classroom (the one next to the senior playground) for students to drop off their contributions.

Thank you for your support in helping our students make a meaningful difference.

Navigating Change as the School Year Draws to a Close

As we approach the end of the 2025 school year, it’s natural for children to begin thinking about what next year will bring. Questions such as “Who will my teacher be?” or “Will I still be with my friends?” often surface at this time, and with them, a mix of excitement, curiosity, and worry. Even when change is positive, it can still feel unsettling, particularly for young people who find comfort in routine and predictability.

These feelings are completely normal. Children want to feel safe, connected, and confident about what lies ahead. As parents and carers, you play a vital role in helping them build the reassurance and resilience needed to navigate these transitions.

Here are a few ways to support your child during this time:

Acknowledge and normalise their feelings

Let your child know it’s okay to feel unsure or nervous about change. Simply naming their emotions and reassuring them that others feel the same can provide great comfort.

Highlight what will remain familiar

Remind your child that while some things will change, many will stay the same i.e. their friends, familiar teachers in the yard, and the welcoming environment of our school community. Predictability helps ease anxious thoughts.

Reflect on growth and progress

Take a moment to celebrate how much your child has developed this year in all areas, academically, socially, and emotionally. Recognising their growth helps them feel capable and ready for the next step.

Model calm and optimism

Children are highly attuned to the emotions of the adults around them. When you speak confidently and positively about the year ahead, it helps them see change as something to approach with curiosity rather than fear.

Maintain open communication

Encourage your child to express their thoughts and questions about next year. If concerns persist, please reach out to your child’s teacher, or remind your child that they are welcome to come and speak with me during break times. I’m available in my office on my working days, Monday to Wednesday. We’re here to listen and support both you and your child.

It’s also worth acknowledging that, as parents, you may experience some of these same feelings. Wondering who your child’s teacher will be, whether they’ll have close friends in their class, or how they’ll manage new routines is completely understandable. Please remember, we are a community and a partnership. Together, we work to ensure every child feels seen, valued, and supported. Our goal is not for children to feel happy every moment of every day (that’s unrealistic for any of us!), but to help them develop the tools to manage life’s ups and downs with confidence and care.

Change, while sometimes challenging, is also a powerful opportunity for growth. With reassurance, consistency, and open communication between home and school, our children can approach the new year feeling secure, capable, and ready to embrace what’s ahead.

Samantha Meddis

Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader

Student Wellbeing Week – 24th - 28th November

We are excited to celebrate Student Wellbeing Week from 24th – 28th November, a special time dedicated to supporting the physical, social, and emotional health of all our students. While we always prioritise wellbeing throughout the year, this week provides an extra focus, with activities designed to nurture every child’s overall wellbeing.

This year, we are introducing a whole-school ‘Less Screens/Devices’ challenge, encouraging students and families at home to take a break from screens and devices except when required for specific learning tasks. Stepping away from screens and devices allows children to enjoy more mindful, active, and social experiences, fostering deeper connections, inspiring creative play, supporting better sleep, and enhancing overall emotional wellbeing.

Families are encouraged to join in the challenge, giving children the opportunity to be fully present, enjoy active play, engage in creative activities, and spend quality time with family and friends, nurturing both their emotional and social wellbeing. Some simple ways to take part include:

Reading books or comics together
Playing board games or card games
Exploring outdoors with walks, bike rides, or nature play
Engaging in arts and crafts or cooking
Writing stories or keeping a journal

To support families during this time, we have gathered a collection of helpful resources and ideas to explore at home. These are designed to spark meaningful conversations, promote healthy habits, and build positive routines that make a real difference to children’s day-to-day happiness and growth.

Healthy lunch boxes for school-age children webinar recording

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crHTS7HJn7Y

Parental Controls - https://vimeo.com/612389757?fl=pl&fe=sh

This video helps parents and carers to understand more about the different parental controls available and which settings are best suited to your family. It’s designed for parents of kids aged 4 to 13 years old.

Cyberbullying and online drama - https://vimeo.com/582320787?fl=pl&fe=sh

This video provides the tools to support young people to have safe and respectful online relationships, and tips on what to do if things go wrong. It’s designed for parents and carers of young people aged 11 to 18 years old.

Online safety Mighty Heroes

Our heroes are here to help you talk with your children about how to protect themselves online.

This series of four short video chapters is designed for children aged 5 to 8 years old. Each chapter features a Mighty Hero and their online safety superpower:

Wanda the echidna: I am responsible – I protect my personal information.
River the sugar glider: I show respect – I am kind and caring to others.
Dusty the frilled neck lizard: I trust my feelings – I ask for help when something doesn’t feel right.
Billie the bilby: I investigate – I question what I see, hear and do online.

Watch the compilation video, which includes all four character chapters, or watch each chapter separately Online safety Mighty Heroes | eSafety Commissioner

After watching one or all of the video chapters, use the conversation starters to talk with your child and encourage them to reflect on the online safety messages from each chapter.

Sleep in School-Aged Children

Sleep Seminar Series: Improving Sleep in School-Aged Children Did you know that 4 in 10 young people aren’t getting enough sleep? The effects show up in classrooms every day, tiredness, poor focus, emotional ups and downs, and even mental health challenges.

Guest Experts include:

Professor Harriet Hiscock: Paediatrician and researcher focused on keeping kids out of hospital, reducing unnecessary care, and improving children’s health and wellbeing.
Dr Mandie Griffiths: Paediatric Respiratory & Sleep Physician, leading the Sleep Unit at the Royal Children’s Hospital and treating a wide range of children’s sleep disorders.
Dr Moira Junge: CEO of the Sleep Health Foundation and Health Psychologist, passionate about promoting sleep as a key pillar of health.

Thank you for supporting Student Wellbeing Week and helping us shine a light on the essential ingredients for children’s health and happiness - quality sleep, nutritious food, and time spent outdoors in active play and connection. Taking small steps, such as putting away devices, going to bed earlier, or enjoying time in nature, can make a lasting difference to children’s overall wellbeing. We look forward to seeing everyone embrace the challenge and experience the positive impact it brings.

The Health and Wellbeing Team