Student 

Wellbeing

School Wide Positive Behaviour Support

This fortnight, we have introduced our next set of routines across the school. These involve voice level and movement. The language being used by all staff is consistent from Foundation through to Year 6. 

We have 4 new voice levels that we will refer to in the classroom or when gathered as a group. We have placed posters (like the one below) in learning spaces around the school. 

Whenever we move from one location to another, both within the classroom or throughout the school, students are learning to listen carefully for the clear instructions regarding what's expected of them. These new routines are designed to make our learning spaces calm and settled environments, which will help set students up to be successful learners. 

Mini Blitz: Be a Learner

We know what voice level to use,

either silent, partner, group or class we can choose.

When we move from one place to another,

we listen to instructions and respect each other.

Each week, we count up our pebbles across the whole school. Pebbles are earned by students who are following the school expectations! These pebbles are tallied up into house team and class totals. We announce these results at assembly. 

We had a very tight finish to our term 2 pebble tally! We will announce the winning house team and recipient of the pizza and hot chip lunch at next weeks assembly (our first opportunity this term!)

Bullying No Way week!

During week 4 (11th-15th August), St Monica's Primary will join many other schools across Australia in coming together to promote inclusion, respect and belonging. This year's theme is Be Bold, Be Kind and Speak Up.

We will acknowledge this initiative by sharing the daily clip and follow-up discussion each morning in our classrooms, as well as offering different Bullying No Way related craft activities each day in the library. On Friday, students will be encouraged to wear a "pop of purple" to raise awareness and spread the message of Bullying No Way week. Each student across the school will have the opportunity to contribute towards a large "whole school" creation that will unite our message of Being Bold, Being Kind and Speaking Up. 

Below is an image of last years creation with the message "Everyone Belongs."

Attendance

You can view your child's attendance on the SimonEverywhere App. Attendance percentage appears just below the students profile when you click on the home icon. 

Each edition of the newsletter we share the attendance percentage from the previous two weeks. Below is a break down of how we have started over our first 3 weeks back. The aim is 95% attendance. Shout out once again to our Year 3's who reached our target!

Cyber Safety/Online Gaming/Social Media

Last year we partnered with a well renowned cyber safety organisation "Safe on Social." We coordinated online information sessions for students, staff and families. As part of our partnership with Safe on Social, we have a library of resources, cheat sheets and supports regarding any aspect of Cyber Safety/Online Gaming/Social Media. If you are finding any of these a challenge with your child, please feel free to reach out and we can provide some specific information and support in this space. 

For more information email: dboulton@smkangarooflat.catholic.edu.au

Fresh Fruit Friday 

This is a great initiative but please make sure children are still bringing a piece of fruit in their lunchbox for fruit break as fruit is not available all week. 

Season’s for Growth

 A grief and loss program

Change and loss are issues that affect all of us at some stage in our lives. At St Monica’s we recognise that when changes occur in families through death, separation, divorce or related circumstances, children and young people may benefit from learning how to manage these changes effectively. We are therefore offering a very successful education program called Seasons for Growth. This program is facilitated in small groups and is based on research that highlights the importance of social support and the need to practise new skills to cope effectively with change and loss. The program focuses on issues such as self-esteem, managing feelings, problem-solving, decision-making, effective communication and support networks. Seasons for Growth runs for eight weeks and each weekly session is 40-50 minutes during school hours. The program concludes with a 'Celebration' session. Later in the year each group will have the opportunity to meet for a re-connector session to build on their earlier learning and to follow up how each child is going. 

Seasons for Growth will commence in term 2 and will be facilitated by Carina Johns(5/6 Teacher) and Bronwyn Fieldew ( Family Liaison Officer) who has received special training in the use of this program. 

For more information please contact Bronwyn at the school and/or express your interest in this program by filling out the email form below  which will be sent to Bronwyn Fieldew. St Monica’s is pleased to be able to offer this important program and we are confident that it will be a valuable learning experience for those who request to be involved.

Please send an email below letting us know if your child would like your child/children to participate in this program. Please include the following information: 

Student name, class and whether they have experienced separation or loss. 

Helpful Parent resources:

• rch.org.au
• earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au
• parentingideas.com.au
• australia.gov.au
• kidsafe.com.au
• betterhealth.vic.gov.au
• kidsmatter.edu.au
• youtube.com - Centre on the Developing Child at Harvard University