Deputy Principal's Report

Dear Parents,

Survival Guide: When life gets busy 

In our community, it's evident that a whirlwind of activities is currently underway. Transitioning from our school production to the upcoming Book Week and then diving into our swimming program, it's no wonder that we might be experiencing a sense of being overwhelmed, stressed, and even fatigued.

Routine is the number one tool for combating any challenges that arise in our lives. Trying to maintain a routine when we are tired, stressed, or there are changes coming up is key to reducing anxiety and stress. Maintaining a morning routine helps ensure a successful start to your child's day at school, especially when we have changes to what the day looks like. You can find out more about the importance of routines and ideas on how to build them into your life on the Raising Children website here.

To combat the signs of tiredness, there are a number of strategies at our disposal. The most important is prioritising high-quality sleep. However, a range of other techniques lies within our toolkit, including:

• Eating small meals more often
• Getting moving - even a 15-minute walk can help boost your energy
• Reducing stress by doing something you love or that relaxes you, such as yoga
• Drinking more water

The upcoming two-week duration marks our whole-school swimming program, which can sometimes evoke varied emotions in our children. Every child expresses their emotions uniquely, and all of these responses are entirely normal. The teachers at St. Finbar's have already implemented many strategies to support our more anxious students, including sharing social stories and going through the events of the day. If you sense that your child could benefit from extra assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out. Together, we can formulate a plan.

Despite these events taking their toll, these are the moments that our kids remember and cherish. Please remember we are all in this together with you and reach out if we can help in any way.

Thank you,

Peggy McDonald & Steele Anderson

Deputy Principals