Hi everyone, you have a great Wellbeing Team at Woori, with Sally and myself, we can help with any parenting worries or support you with home or family concerns. The Wellbeing Team are on before and after school duty and we can help with any questions or queries you may have.

In the mornings many parents are hunting down lost jumpers, and it helps staff if clothing is clearly labelled for a swift return. Staff place lost property on the bench opposite the German room. Parents are most welcome to seek out lost items.

We have noticed this term that day light savings has had an impact on many children when they arrive at school. Parents have been saying that it’s been impossible for some children to get to sleep while it’s still daylight. One interesting tip I read recently suggested to try taking your child outside in the morning and make it fun, for example spend so time with your pets or watering plants. Apparently, exposure to morning sunlight lowers the production of the sleep hormone, melatonin, which helps reset a child’s internal clock, so they have an easier time going to bed at the new, right time. I know mornings are hectic, but I thought this was a good tip to think about!

State Schools’ Relief (SSR) is a not-for-profit organisation that works closely with all government schools across Victoria. They provide assistance to families experiencing financial disadvantage with school uniforms, footwear and range of other essential educational items.

SSR offers two uniform packages every year to all Prep families/carers eligible for CSEF (Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund) funding. To ensure that any 2025 Prep families in need can access SSR support now, all parents need to do is present your health care card to the office and the Welfare Team can apply for a uniform voucher at Lowes in Lilydale Market Place.

Across the week we have several opportunities for students to feel supported with their friendships whether it’s during break times out in the yard/electives or speaking to our welfare team. If you have any questions or are looking for tips, please speak to staff. We really hope your children come home from school happy to talk and share their day with you.

Second Hand Uniform

For parents looking to purchase second hand uniform you can contact the Wellbeing Team any time, Monday through to Friday. Our next second-hand sale is planned for-Wednesday the 6th November, 2:15pm-3:30pm (for further information, please ready Sally’s Chaplain Chat). We are happy to make up bags (providing we have the stock) if parents cannot get to the school for our sales.

For any enquiries, please email the Wellbeing Team at-

Andre.Campbell@education.vic.gov.au

Sally.Marshall@education.vic.gov.au

Craft Club-Fidget Girls Fundraiser at the 150th School Celebration

The craft club kids joined forces with the Fidget Girls to help raise money for the Make a Wish Foundation. The kids made many craft treasures including fidgets, pom pom monsters, felt toys and bookmarks. It was a fantastic effort from the kids where they raised $248.85. A very BIG thank you to everyone who came and purchased from the stall. Next year, we will do the fundraising event again, and the kids are thrilled that we already have money in the kitty. The Fidget Girls want to raise more than our 2023 total of $505.00. The Make a Wish Foundation is a very worthy children’s charity. Over 950 children with a critical illness are on a Wish Journey and your kind donations will help bring joy to a worthy child. For any parents interested to help or donate craft items, please let me know.

Dental Van Program

We had a busy time with the dental vans and 178 students were seen. The dental team were fabulous with the students, and they wanted to make it a positive and educational experience. Many students had dental check-ups, and some students required further treatment. It was really convenient that the dentists were able to complete children’s fillings and other dental work. It was our first time that we had the school dental van program. While there were some hiccups, we worked through the issues and we will definitely do it again next year.

Head Lice

This fortnight, we have had only 1 report of live head lice in the school. We ask parents to work with us to keep our reports low and to continue to treat and monitor your children’s hair. Please notify the office or tell your child’s teacher when you treat your child so lice alert notes can be issued on COMPASS. Reminder-any child found with live lice will be excluded from school until they are treated.

Wellbeing Service Support

Uniting Child & Family Wellbeing Program

Wednesdays

On Wednesdays, we have Alissa Bayliff from the Family Wellbeing program at Uniting in the school. Alissa is happy to talk to parents about any potential concerns or behaviours with their children. Also, Alissa can support families with parenting strategies and service referrals including family services and online resources for parents. The referral process is straight forward, and Uniting can engage within a reasonable time.

Parents can email Alissa directly at

alissa.bayliff@vt.uniting.org

or contact the Wellbeing Team and we will take you through the steps.

Health Update

This past fortnight, we’ve had 2 confirmed reports of whooping cough in the junior school. For any child who has physical symptoms of illness, please keep them away from school. I encourage parents to check in with their children and talk through any health complaints or worries.

Remember, we do have Maddie, our school nurse working in sick bay and parents can speak to Maddie about any health concerns. I encourage parents to please investigate any potential sickness complaints. Please encourage your child to practise good personal hygiene by washing hands regularly. It isn’t fun to be sick at school and there are exclusion periods for some health conditions. Don’t forget to tell us of any phone or emergency contact changes so we can reduce your child’s concern if they need to be picked up. In case of a toileting accident please supply a change of underwear in your child’s bag.

Infectious Diseases

To help prevent and control the transmission of infectious diseases in schools, a child must be excluded from school if he or she has any of the following:

Gastro/Diarrhoea - until there has not been a loose bowel motion or any symptoms for 48 hours.
Chicken Pox - until fully recovered and blisters have dried.
Measles - at least 7 days.
German Measles - until fully recovered and at least 4 days from the onset of rash.
Whooping Cough - four weeks.
Hand, foot and mouth - until all blisters have dried.
Hepatitis - medical certificate needed.
Impetigo “School Sores” - until treatment has commenced and sores are healed.
Ringworm - until treatment has commenced. Medical certificate may be required.
Mumps - until fully recovered.
Scabies - medical certificate needed.

Importantly, children who have been vomiting should not attend school until 48 hours after the vomiting ceases.

While these are some common diseases, please refer to the Better Health School Excursion Table* for a comprehensive list and updated information. Please contact the office if your child contracts any of these. Please refer to the Dept of Health for further information

https://www.health.vic.gov.au/infectious-diseases/school-exclusion-table

Attendance Data-It’s Cool to be at School!

This past fortnight we have celebrated 17 out of 20 students who came to school on their special day. When your child comes to school and it’s their birthday, we are bringing the buzz to make their day even more special. When they arrive at school in the mornings, we are presenting them with a special birthday sticker badge. I must say the kids are really loving this!

Over the time a child attends school, having 1- or 2-days absence does not seem like much but it does add up and can impact on missed learning opportunities.

Over the time a child attends school, having 1- or 2-days absence does not seem like much but it does add up and can impact on missed learning opportunities.

Playtime-Playing Fairly

Fair players get to play more games. A person who plays fairly and gets on with the game allows others to enjoy the game. If they enjoy the game, they’ll want to play with that person again. People who play fairly get a reputation as good people to be around. People who don’t play fairly are not chosen as people to play games with

Tips-

Do comment on the other players’ good moves.
Remember to wait your turn.
Get started and pay attention.
Have your go reasonably quickly when it’s your turn.
Play by the rules.
If you go out or get caught, just accept it.

Chaplain Requests

The Department of Education has made some changes to the National Student Wellbeing Program in schools. For parents and carers interested, you need to sign a consent form for the chaplain to see your child. Sally is available on Mondays and Wednesdays. If you are interested in your child to see Sally, please email Sally at

Sally.Marshall@education.vic.gov.au

Chaplain Chat

As the weather is changing families often find it hard to adjust to the new season, especially when we have a surprise hot day. I know because the tension has risen at my house when the days reach the high 20s or into the 30s this makes my kids complain and claim they are about to die of heat exhaustion. On top of that the change with daylight savings means later bedtimes which brings on fatigue.

See if you can help the kids adjust to the weather change by wearing appropriate clothing and offering cool drinks. I give my girls a wet washer to lay on their foreheads when their bedroom feels too hot for sleeping. It always takes a bit of time for our bodies to adjust to the heat.

Trying to stick to the routine will be the best antidote to the fatigue. It might feel harder to put the kids to bed on time when it is lighter, but it is very important to try. When kids go to bed late and get less sleep than they should they find it difficult to concentrate at school, to self-regulate and to engage in social situations in an appropriate manner. It is also a challenge for them when they arrive at school late after a sleep in, as they have to walk in on a class when their peers are already learning.

Children aged between 6- and 12-years old need 9 – 11 hours’ sleep each night. You know your child best and there is variation between siblings as well but consider what time your child heads off to bed and the time they need to wake for a fun filled day at school the following day. Does your child have the opportunity to get enough sleep? Does one child need more than the other? Do they think they need less but they actually need more? You’re the parent, your child is still at an age where you can set up the bedtime boundaries, regardless to what they say. Explain to them the importance of sleep and perhaps offer a trial run if they protest to a bedtime before sunset. Sometimes a little self-assessment can help us make a change that will make a world of difference to our child’s ability to live a happy and healthy lifestyle.

Second-hand Uniform Sale

Next Wednesday the 6th November we will hold a Second-hand Uniform Sale down at the Community Pantry. Feel free to drop by an pick up some extra uniform for the warmer months. $5 per item or $10 for 3. 2:30 -3:10pm

Gift Giving Tree

It’s term 4 again and we are preparing for the Christmas Gift Giving tree. This will be set up in November. The Gift Giving Tree is an opportunity for families to be generous to families who struggle to find the money to buy gifts for their children at Christmas. We will let you know when the tree is ready but if you are keen to be involved early, feel free to pop a gift in to the wellbeing room earlier.

Breakfast Club

If your child is in need of breakfast before school please encourage them to stop by to pick up some food so there are no hungry tummies in the classrooms. Breakfast club runs on Monday and Wednesday mornings in the German/Cooking room from 8:15 – 8:45am. Students can enjoy a range of foods, including toast, cereal, canned spaghetti, small UHT milk packs, fruit cups and fresh fruit and warm Milo. We are very thankful to our lovely parents who help out with the preparation of food at breakfast club.

Food Pantry

The food pantry is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons between 2:30 and 3:30pm. Please note the pantry will close early on Monday’s. We have a range of foods, including gluten and lactose free items and on Wednesday’s we have fresh carrots and fruit, apples/oranges/pears.

If you are in need of a pantry top up, please stop by and pick something up. We also have food hampers available that parents and carers are free to access near the pantry. These boxes have a range of food staples and weigh 11.6kg, so please prepare for that if you intend on taking one home.

Chaplaincy

Sally Marshall – Chaplain, is happy to catch up with your child if you feel they need that extra emotional support during school hours. Sally is available on Monday and Wednesday’s and can be contacted via email

sally.marshall@education.vic.gov.au

or by phone call 5964 7258.

A Snapshot