Great Ryrie Grapevine

Chaplains Spot

My Favourite Resources

2023 is my 17th year as a School Chaplain. Over those 17 years, I have accumulated a variety of resources – books, activity cards, games, worksheets, posters etc. For this week, I am sharing my top 20 resources with you. Some I have purchased, some I have received from others, and some I have created myself. If you have any questions about any item, feel free to contact me. I am happy to share those I have created with those who are interested. 

  1. ‘It’s just different now’ – a picture story book about family separation
  2. My ‘A-Z Strategy Wheel’ – 26 strategies to help us calm down
  3. Guess Who with staff pictures – a great way to learn all the staff
  4. ‘The Invisible String’ book – about separation anxiety
  5. ‘Circle of Control’ poster – what I can/can’t control
  6. ‘The OK Book’ – ‘I’m OK at lots of things
  7. UNO, UNO Flip – enjoying the game whatever the outcome
  8. Feelings grid & strategy sheet – identifying and dealing with feelings
  9. My ‘Good Day, Bad Day’ stories – be resilient – I can do it!
  10.  ‘Cloud’s best worst day ever’ book – life lessons through difficult feelings
  11. ‘How will I finish the year well?’ poster
  12.  Jenga with questions – a great way to engage and learn about each other
  13.  ‘The power of YET’ poster – gives us hope to keep trying
  14.  ‘100th Day Worries’ book – being creative in anxiety 
  15.  ‘Which step have you reached today?’ poster
  16.  The ‘Serenity Prayer’ – whether you believe in God or not, a helpful concept
  17.  A box of fidget toys – something to occupy the hands while the mind is at work
  18. The URStrong Friendology question cards – thinking about what is important to us
  19.  Big ears – to listen
  20.  Myself – we are our best resource – we can offer ourselves. 

FRIDAY FUN FACT: 

There’s a world record for the holder of the most world records: Ashrita Furman, who’s set more than 600 records and currently holds more than 200. His records have ranged from fastest mile on a pogo stick, longest time to hula hoop underwater and greatest distance traveled on a bicycle balancing a milk bottle on the head. 

 

GRPS Family support:

Meal Train roster: If you would like to donate a meal, please go to the link to lock in a date.

The sign-up link is: https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/vlwooz

Toast Tuesday roster: If you would like to help on a Tuesday morning, please go to the link to lock in a date. The sign-up link is: volunteersignup.org/3TCXX 

Say thanks: to Bakers Delight Heathmont and Woolies Eastland  when you make purchases in their stores.

Second-hand uniforms: Visit us at Toast Tuesday – gold coin donation.

Bread and emergency food: We have a stock of non-perishable food items if your family would like some extra support. Drop in on us at Toast Tuesday.

 

Exploring Grief and Loss Day – Tuesday 10 October 12 – 3.15pm

I will be providing another opportunity for students to engage in considering how grief and loss has impacted them.  If your child/ren would like to come and spend some time during the session, they just need to ask their teacher. There will be books, posters and worksheets as usual, to assist in their exploration. 

 

Contact: If you need to contact me, you can email, phone, or see me on my days at school.

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Alan Silverwood: Chaplain - Pastoral care for our community. [Monday, Tuesday, Friday]

[alan.silverwood@education.vic.gov.au]

Supporting the School community in emotional, social, spiritual and practical wellbeing. 

    

   

   

Our Chaplaincy program is funded by the Federal Government’s ‘National Student Wellbeing Program’, the GRPS School Council and donations.