Mindfulness Centre Newsletter

There has been a great deal of buzz around the school these last few weeks as students and staff prepared for Book Week.  Special events like Book Week create wonderful opportunities for fun, learning, and celebration—but for many children, the anticipation and the thrill of the big day can also bring some unexpected challenges.  These "Special days" can cause some uncomfortable feelings for students who like predictable routines or enjoy the familiarity of a school uniform.  With Footy Day, R U Ok Day and Year level Excursions coming up, I thought it useful to share some tips and tricks on ways to navigate these and similar events.

Supporting Children Through Special Events

Preparing for Big Events

Preparation is key. Try to have everything organised for your child ahead of time—costumes and any supplies they might need. Having things ready well before the event helps prevent any last-minute surprises, allowing your child to head into the day feeling confident and calm.

A simple checklist can work wonders. Consider laying out outfits the night before, packing school bags, and discussing plans together. Knowing what to expect lessens nerves and allows your child to focus on enjoying the day.

Talking About Expectations

Sometimes, special days don’t turn out exactly as imagined. It’s helpful to have a gentle conversation with your child about this before the event. Explain that even though we look forward to these fun days, things might not always go as planned—costumes might not be perfect, favourite activates might not be mentioned, or friends may do things differently. Encourage them to keep an open mind and to enjoy the experience, whatever comes their way.

Rest and Recovery Post-Event

After exciting days like Book Day, children often feel worn out—physically and emotionally. Planning a quiet afternoon or a relaxed few days afterwards gives their bodies and minds time to recharge. An easy dinner, extra downtime, or even some early nights can make a big difference. Remember: sometimes the most valuable thing you can give your child is the space to unwind at their own pace.

Practical Tips

• “Were there any interesting costumes you saw?”
• “Did anything surprise you today?”
• “Was there something you discovered that you’d never heard of before?”
• “Who did you enjoy spending time with?”
• “How did you feel when your class was walking in the parade?
• “What was your favourite part of the day?”

These kinds of questions give children the chance to share more about what really stood out to them—sometimes the best stories come from unexpected moments.

Special events are a joyful time in our school community. A bit of preparation and understanding can help children manage their excitement and exhaustion, making each celebration an even more positive experience for everyone.

What’s New?

Our Little Library is now in place and looking amazing.  We will be adding books soon along with some reminders on how to look after this resource. 

Continue to watch this space to see what else is being prepared by some of our Student Leaders to make this space more inviting and relaxing.

Useful Website for Parents. 

This website offers free parenting programs as well as some really useful articles on a wide variety of topics.

Triple P Parenting

Self Regulation Tip for the Week.

Does your child have a special place?  A cubby, a spot in the garden, a holiday house, somewhere in nature?  Get them to describe, draw or journal about it.  Get them to include all the important details.  Just a shift of focus and a visit to a special memory can be enough sometimes to help us move on or feel a little better.