Wellbeing

Positive Behaviours for Learning

At SFS, our PBL (Positive behaviours for learning) school wide expectations are:

Respect, 

Responsibility and 

Kindness

This week we have focused on the expectation of Responsibility: Be ready for learning. The teachers focused on what can we do if we are not ready to learn. We use the Zones of Regulation at SFS as a way of identifying how we are feeling, which zone we are in and what tools we can use to help regulate our emotions. The teachers also discussed what actions students can do to get ready for learning such as talking to the person next to them about what they are learning about while they wait for the teacher to start the lesson.

Here are some of our PBL winners from last Friday who have demonstrated 

RESPONSIBILITY: Be ready for learning. 

Student Representative Council

The SRC ideas boxes have now been put in each learning space. 

Have a conversation with your children about how we can make SFS even better. The students are encouraged to write down their ideas on a piece of paper and put it in the post box in their space. The SRC representatives will then bring these suggestions to the next SRC meeting next week.

School Refusal

In last week’s newsletter we highlighted the importance of regular school attendance. Sometimes this can be challenging when a child refuses to go to school. This can happen for a number of reasons. The following information comes from the ‘BeYou’ fact sheet on school refusal.

“What is school refusal? 

School refusal is not ‘wagging’ or truancy – it’s where non-attendance is related to worry or anxiety about going to school. Students who refuse to go to school don’t typically engage in the antisocial behaviours usually linked with truancy (such as lying, stealing or destruction of property). Unlike truancy, the absence isn’t usually hidden from family. In fact, families may have attempted many strategies to reduce the child or young person’s anxiety to help them attend school. Refusal can be considered as an emotional problem rather than misbehaviour. 

What are the signs? 

It's not unusual for students to sometimes be nervous or worried about going to school. But for some students, this worry and anxiety can be excessive and can lead to school refusal. As an educator, you might notice some of the following signs of school refusal, including: 

• tantrums, clinginess, dawdling or running away on arrival (in primary school-aged children) 

• frequent complaints of illness (such as stomach aches, headaches, dizziness or fatigue) 

• frequent requests to go home or call a family member 

• absence or lateness to school after weekends, holidays, school camps or sports days

• long, unexplained absences from school 

• periodic absences or missed classes, with no explanation given 

• absences on specific days (such as sports day or days with tests) 

• frequent lateness to school

 • long periods spent in the sick bay or the school office. 

These symptoms can also be the result of other chronic health conditions. It’s important to work with the child or young person’s family, and liaise with other professionals who might be involved, to understand the underlying cause of these signs. 

Families may indicate their child or young person is experiencing issues at home, such as morning tearfulness prior to school, difficulty falling asleep the night before or protesting going to school the next day. They may also report oppositional or challenging behaviour from a child or young person intent on avoiding school. It’s important to share information with families as soon as possible and seek their perspective on these issues.”

 If your child is experiencing school refusal and you would like some support please contact me at the school or via email, rlenko@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au

National week of Action Against Bullying and Violence

We will celebrate National week of Action Against Bullying and Violence on the week from 12th to 16th of August. The teachers will focus on teaching the children what bullying is, ways we can prevent bullying at school and what to do if they or someone they know is being bullied. 

The theme for 2024 is 'Everyone belongs'.

Definition of Bullying

The following definition is taken from the Bullying: No way website. 

“Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening. Bullying can happen in person or online, via various digital platforms and devices and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert). Bullying behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time (for example, through sharing of digital records). Bullying of any form or for any reason can have immediate, medium and long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders. Single incidents and conflict or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying.”

If your child is being bullied, please visit the Bullying no way website for some tips on how to best handle the situation.

https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/responding-to-bullying/how-families-can-respond

If you have any concerns about the mental health or well being of your child, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am available to speak to at school, via the phone or email on rlenko@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au

Rachel Lenko

Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader