Dear Parents and Carers,

I’d like to share an exciting opportunity from eSafety that may benefit our school community. eSafety refers to the practices and resources that help protect children and young people from online risks, including cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and privacy concerns. With the increasing use of technology in our lives, it’s crucial to equip our children with the knowledge and skills to navigate the online world safely.

Join eSafety’s expert education team for a free live webinar designed specifically for parents and carers.

Term 4 Webinars:

Supporting Healthy Tech Use as Your Child Transitions into High School (30 minutes)
- Suitable for parents and carers of young people in upper primary school (aged 11-12) and Year 7.
eSafety 101: How eSafety Can Help (30 minutes)
- Suitable for parents and carers of children and young people in primary and secondary school. This session provides an overview of the eSafety Commissioner and the programs and resources available to support families.

For more information and to register, please visit: eSafety.gov.au/parents/webinars.

World Teachers Day

On Friday, October 25th, we celebrated World Teachers' Day, a special occasion dedicated to honouring and appreciating the incredible work that teachers do every day. This day serves to recognise the essential role that educators play in shaping the lives of students and building the foundations of our communities. It highlights the importance of quality education and the dedication of teachers worldwide.

Our students took the time to wish their amazing teachers a happy World Teachers' Day, expressing their gratitude for the support, guidance, and inspiration they receive in the classroom. To make the celebration even sweeter, we enjoyed delicious cupcakes together—a small treat to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of our teachers here at St. Mary’s.

We are grateful for all that our teachers do to inspire and educate our children!

What to Expect This Term

As we enter Term 4, we want to highlight that this term can be particularly busy and full of changes for our students.

As part of our preparations for the transition to 2025, our teachers have been helping students think about possible friendships and make classmate nominations for their new classrooms. This is an exciting time, and we want to ensure that students feel confident in their selections.

Each student will have the opportunity to write down the names of four other students they would like to be in class with next year. Our teachers have been guiding students through this process, encouraging them to consider not just friendships but also positive learning relationships. We want students to think carefully about their choices, keeping in mind that the ability to work well together is essential for a successful classroom experience.

Teachers are also emphasising the importance of an open mindset when making these nominations, encouraging students to consider classmates they may not have worked with before. This is a wonderful chance for them to reflect on the qualities that make a good friend and a positive learning partner.

We believe that this process will help our students embrace the upcoming changes and build strong, supportive relationships in their new classes. If you have any questions or would like to discuss this further, please feel free to reach out.

Thank you for your support!

Preparing for Change

Here’s a quick overview of what you may expect and how we can work together to support our students during this important time of change and transition.

Transition	Potential Student Feelings
Discussions around Next Year/New Class	Excitement, nervousness about new teachers and changes to routines
Friendships	Upcoming changes in social dynamics, potential for new challenges
Transition to New School/High School	Anxiety or uncertainty about moving to a new school or year level

Supporting Our Students

During this term, students may experience a range of emotions as they navigate these transitions. Look out for signs like mood swings, changes in behaviour, or withdrawal, as these could indicate they need extra support. If myself or teachers can support students during these challenging times, please reach out.

To help your child manage change, here are some useful resources and strategies:

Websites and Articles:
- KidsHealth: Coping with Change - Offers practical advice on how children can handle changes and transitions.
- Child Mind Institute: Helping Kids Handle Transitions - Provides strategies for parents to support children through different life changes.
Videos:
- YouTube: “PBS KIDS Talk About | Handling Changes at School” - A helpful video on how to support children dealing with changes.
- YouTube: “How to Help Children Deal with Change” - Offers tips and techniques for managing transitions in a child’s life.
Books:
- "The Kissing Hand" by Audrey Penn - A comforting story about dealing with separation and transitions.
- "When Sophie Gets Angry—Really, Really Angry" by Molly Bang - Helps children understand and express their feelings during stressful times.

As we prepare for a new year and a new grade, we understand that transitions can sometimes be challenging. If you have any concerns or if your child may need additional support during this period of change, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here to listen and help ensure that each student feels secure and ready for the exciting year ahead.

Thank you for your ongoing support!

Warm regards,

Daniela Day

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)