Thrive & Flourish
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
I hope the week has started off well for you – we are already near the half way mark of this term – the year is moving along very quickly.
As a parent, it’s never easy to hear your child express negative thoughts or to see them wallow in feelings like self-doubt, sadness, or anger.
Unfortunately, science says it’s natural for people to dwell more on negative thoughts than on positive ones, and this can be even more true for children.
This negativity is usually driven by fear, doubt, or shame, which produce stress chemicals in the brain. Ultimately, a negative attitude can shape how a child sees themself and the world around them.
But as parents, there’s plenty we can do to help our children develop a more positive attitude about themselves and their world.
We often discuss the impact, good and bad, our words can have on others. The words you choose in your life have meaning; they are remembered; they make a difference. When we recognise the power our words have, we can harness that power to be a force for good in the community around us. When we speak with mindfulness, we create a more positive and altruistic world.
Words of affirmation are a great tool because our words have a powerful impact on how positive we are on ourselves and others, including our children.
The two most powerful words we know in the human language are: I am.
Regular use of positive self-talk is powerful. Positive words about ourselves tend to have a powerful and positive impact on and how we feel about ourselves. They can really make a difference in everyday life.
Morning affirmations are a great way to help kids greet the day with confidence and positivity! Anytime your child needs a boost in confidence or self-esteem, use that as a cue to start self affirmations.
Here is a list of some powerful affirmations to try -
- I am smart
- I am looking forward to today
- I am grateful for my family
- I am excited to go to school
- I am ready to learn
- I am important
- I am strong and determined
- I am capable
- I am unique
- I am ready to start the day
- I am thankful for today
- I am in charge of my happiness
- I am proud of myself
- I am perfect just the way I am
- I am healthy and happy
- I am smart and do great at school
- I am full of great ideas and thoughts
- I am playful, fun, and creative
- I am wonderful just as I am
It’s so easy to get started with morning affirmations, and it only requires a small amount of time to make a big impact on your child.
Parents/guardians are responsible for making sure that all children attend school every day unless they are too unwell, in which case the school must be advised. If families are going to be away for an extended period, (eg: family holiday), we ask that prior notice is given to the school, so that if parents wish, a learning program can be put in place for their children.
We thank you for your support with this.
Wellbeing Support
Wellbeing support can be accessed in the following ways:
- Any staff member can arrange for a referral to Student Wellbeing if they have concerns about a student’s wellbeing.
- Parents can also request support for their child/ren by contacting a member of the wellbeing team at school.
Email:
Tony McDonald: tmcdonald@shtatura.catholic.edu.au
Felicity Bryant: fbryant@shtatura.catholic.edu.au
Deb Turvey: dturvey@shtatura.catholic.edu.au
- At times, a student may be referred to an external support service. We also respect the fact that some students and parents may prefer to seek professional support independent from the school setting. In such cases, Sacred Heart values working collaboratively with external support services. We encourage parents/carers to communicate with the school if there is a significant issue affecting their child’s wellbeing.
If ever you need help sorting out personal or family issues, give CatholicCare Victoria a call. They offer many services to all members of our community – ALL FREE.
Have a great fortnight everyone.
