Health & Wellbeing @ NLPS

JSC Community Project – Spreading Joy to Trugo Place Residents

As part of our ongoing efforts to foster a spirit of giving and community connection, the Junior School Council (JSC) has initiated a heart-warming project to bring joy to the residents of Trugo Place, the aged care centre on Mason Street.

As we did last year, we are again inviting all students to create something special for the residents.

This could include:

A collection of stories
Happy holidays cards
Artworks
Christmas messages
Decorations

These thoughtful creations will be gathered and delivered to Trugo Place in a couple of weeks to brighten the holiday season for the residents.

This project is a wonderful opportunity for students to express creativity, empathy, and kindness, while giving back to the community. Please encourage your child to participate by contributing their creations by Friday 5th December.

A collection box has been placed in 2MS classroom (the one next to the senior playground) for students to drop off their contributions.

Thank you for your support in helping our students make a meaningful difference.

Navigating Change as the School Year Draws to a Close

As we approach the end of the 2025 school year, it’s natural for children to begin thinking about what next year will bring. Questions such as “Who will my teacher be?” or “Will I still be with my friends?” often surface at this time, and with them, a mix of excitement, curiosity, and worry. Even when change is positive, it can still feel unsettling, particularly for young people who find comfort in routine and predictability.

These feelings are completely normal. Children want to feel safe, connected, and confident about what lies ahead. As parents and carers, you play a vital role in helping them build the reassurance and resilience needed to navigate these transitions.

Here are a few ways to support your child during this time:

Acknowledge and normalise their feelings

Let your child know it’s okay to feel unsure or nervous about change. Simply naming their emotions and reassuring them that others feel the same can provide great comfort.

Highlight what will remain familiar

Remind your child that while some things will change, many will stay the same i.e. their friends, familiar teachers in the yard, and the welcoming environment of our school community. Predictability helps ease anxious thoughts.

Reflect on growth and progress

Take a moment to celebrate how much your child has developed this year in all areas, academically, socially, and emotionally. Recognising their growth helps them feel capable and ready for the next step.

Model calm and optimism

Children are highly attuned to the emotions of the adults around them. When you speak confidently and positively about the year ahead, it helps them see change as something to approach with curiosity, rather than fear.

Maintain open communication

Encourage your child to express their thoughts and questions about next year. If concerns persist, please reach out to your child’s teacher, or remind your child that they are welcome to come and speak with me during break times. I’m available in my office on my working days, Monday to Wednesday. We’re here to listen and support both you and your child.

It’s also worth acknowledging that, as parents, you may experience some of these same feelings. Wondering who your child’s teacher will be, whether they’ll have close friends in their class, or how they’ll manage new routines, is completely understandable. Please remember, we are a community and a partnership. Together, we work to ensure every child feels seen, valued, and supported. Our goal is not for children to feel happy every moment of every day (that’s unrealistic for any of us!), but to help them develop the tools to manage life’s ups and downs with confidence and care.

Change, while sometimes challenging, is also a powerful opportunity for growth. With reassurance, consistency, and open communication between home and school, our children can approach the new year feeling secure, capable, and ready to embrace what’s ahead.

Reflecting on Student Wellbeing Week – Thank You!

Thank you to all our families and staff for your wonderful support during Student Wellbeing Week (24–28 November). It was a joyful week filled with meaningful activities and conversations that strengthened the physical, social, and emotional wellbeing of our students.

Our whole-school ‘Less Screens/Devices’ Challenge was a real highlight. Students loved spending more time outdoors, being creative, playing with siblings, and connecting with family. It has been fantastic to hear how many homes embraced the challenge and enjoyed the benefits of slowing down and being more present.

We hope these positive habits continue well beyond the week.

Recommended Sleep for Primary-Aged Children

Primary-aged children need 10–11 hours of sleep each night to support concentration, emotional regulation, memory, and healthy growth. A calm and consistent bedtime routine can make a big difference. Families may like to continue:

reading together before bed;
keeping bedrooms quiet and restful;
reducing device use at least one hour before sleep;
and encouraging regular sleep and wake times.

Good sleep is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to support a child’s wellbeing.

Healthy Screen-Time Habits

Screens are a normal part of family life, but balance is important. For school-aged children, the national recommendation is to keep recreational screen time to around 2 hours per day. Victoria’s new school regulation also limits device use to no more than 90 minutes per day in primary classrooms, which can be a helpful guide for home as well.

Keeping screen time short and intentional supports a healthier mix of play, creativity, rest, and social connection. Families might continue:

creating device-free zones (e.g., dinner table, bedrooms);
encouraging outdoor play or creative activities before screens;
keeping devices out of bedrooms overnight;
and modelling healthy screen use as adults.

These small adjustments can promote better sleep, reduce overstimulation, and encourage more active, imaginative play.

A Week That Builds Lasting Habits

Student Wellbeing Week may have finished, but the routines we strengthen now will continue to support our children every day. By prioritising healthy sleep and balanced screen use, we can help children feel more settled, confident, and ready to thrive both at school and at home.

Thank you once again for being such dedicated partners in supporting the wellbeing of all our students. Together, we can continue building strong foundations for happy, resilient learners.

Samantha Meddis

Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader