Dear Armadale Community,

I hope you are all well and safe. Whilst the Middle East region of our world is experiencing a horrible time, I would like to remind you that children who are exposed to news and social media that depicts the trauma being experienced, they too can experience short term or long-term trauma. Michael Carr-Gregg, eminent child psychologist this morning recommended that parents view the apps on children’s phones and devices and scrutinise what your children may be exposed too at this current time. He mentioned apps such as tik tok and Instagram.

I would also like to remind our community of the supports in place at our school or through the Department website:

Resources to support young people

The Department of Education has developed a range of resources for schools, teachers, students, families and carers to support student mental health and wellbeing.

The department’s Mental health and wellbeing toolkit includes Mental health support at times of an emergency or natural disaster and advice for teachers on supporting student mental health and wellbeing during uncertain times.

With significant coverage of the situation in media and social media, students of many backgrounds, both religious and cultural, including Jewish and Muslim students, may be at increased risk of bullying and cyberbullying.

The department’s Bully Stoppers page includes advice for schools, students and parents. Our Multicultural education programs and resources webpage includes information and supports to help schools build intercultural capability and strengthen inclusion. You can also access resources to address anti-Semitism and resources to teach about Islam.

Schools supporting students and families from refugee backgrounds may find the following resources helpful (and for more information and support, refer to School's in for Refugees – Foundation House):

Responding to students’ trauma disclosures – disclosures occur when students share their traumatic refugee experiences. Students may intentionally or incidentally disclose traumatic material.
Responding to students’ trauma reactions – children and young people of refugee backgrounds are likely to experience trauma reactions when they are overwhelmed by feelings of anxiety and fear that were associated with prior experiences of danger.
Dealing with trauma: A guide for young people who have experienced trauma
Helping my children after trauma: A guide for parents.

Playground launch yesterday afternoon

Thank you so much to the parents who were able to attend our playground launch yesterday afternoon and well done to our Year 5/6 SRC Marketing and Publicity team who spoke so eloquently about our grant application process and the rationale behind our sensory playground design. Thank you also to Stella G. and her team for getting all the very popular zooper doopers ready for the children to enjoy as we celebrated the opening of our playground - FINALLY !

I also loved hearing from the children about their favourite aspects of the playground and certainly the swinging nest; trampoline; monkey bars and sand pit received the most accolades. The children also mentioned how much they loved the Armadale Café cubby house, though not in the playground design it’s a wonderful addition to that space.

I was delighted that Fran Johnson could join us yesterday afternoon as Fran provided the impetus for the grant for the playground, in fact her contribution to our school goes beyond that and goes back to 2018 with the Community Forum which launched our Masterplan.

Since 2020 we have upgraded our courts, had a new stage built, have had our new playground constructed with surrounding seats and landscaping, landscaping next to our stage, our Queen’s Jubilee tree and plants, and a new shade sail constructed over the stage. Plus the Kitchen Garden, the kids kitchen, new landscaping in the habitat garden and looking to work on the friendship circle at the front of the Fairfax.

What wonderful facilities we have created in just a few years for our children and families.

October 14th Referendum day - Come and vote at our school!

Thank you to Sam, Emily, Steph, Phil and all the other parents who are volunteering to help with the cake stall, kitchen garden stalls and sausage sizzle. Thank you to all the Year 5/6 children who are coming on Saturday to help out as well. I had organised a Coffee Van with Team Kids for our community but that has unfortunately fallen through. Instead, I will make our volunteers coffee on the day!

Looking forward to seeing everyone at our school on Saturday and our playground will be open!

Rochelle Cukier

Principal

Rochelle.Cukier@education.vic.gov.au

TERM 4 CALENDAR

Please note - all school photo on Monday has been cancelled due to weather forecast, new date is TBD and 6th Nov confirmed student free day for staff professional development