PARENTS AND TEACHERS LEARN MORE ABOUT ANXIETY

Last week, psychologist Karen Young, author of four books including ‘Hey Warrior’ kept both teachers and parents enthralled as we learned more about anxiety.

We all feel anxious at some point in our lives. Anxiety is not something to ‘get over’ but rather a feeling we need to live and work through. Learning more about the physiological aspects of anxiety assists in understanding and managing feelings in a positive and productive way.

We gained so much from Karen’s workshop that we are budgeting to bring her back next year, not only to work with parents and teachers but also with our students. Sessions with our students will help them recognise signs of anxiety, understand why it feels the way it does and identify strategies to better manage those feelings.

FIRST AID

Thankfully we are heading towards the end of the coughs and cold season, but having said that, there are many students presenting to first aid with sore tummies and vomiting. If your child needs Panadol before school, then they are not ready to return. The Panadol wears off, the child wants to go home and we have further students affected by tummy bugs. We know school is important, but so is attending school when you are well.

Students who don’t need to go to first aid

There are a significant number of students attending the first aid room unnecessarily which is taking away attention from those in genuine need. It’s important to realise that the school does NOT have a nurse, we have staff trained in first aid. Students will not be allowed to go to First Aid during class time until the classroom teacher and student have exhausted all other methods including:

Checking body temperature (too hot, too cold) and the ventilation in the classroom.
Staying hydrated
Resting
Going to the toilet.

If a student must go to first aid during class time, then they will be treated by office staff (also trained in first aid). Amanda is not a nurse and first aid is not her only role. Amanda is the school librarian and due to an over-reliance on her for first aid (especially when it’s not needed) Amanda is working after hours to get to her library tasks. This must change.

Amanda will be on first aid duty during recess and lunch only.

DEVICES AT HOME

(Devices Include Ipads, Laptops, Playstations)

It’s time for parents to band together and support each other in installing limits to device use at home. Limits should not only include monitoring time but also the content. There are numerous students on their devices (without their parents knowing) into the early hours of the morning and spending in excess of 20 hours per week online during a school week. Is your child one of these students? Check your child’s browsing history and their screen time summary (found in the general settings).

These are the school recommendations:

Time limits: P to year 2 – no more than 30 mins per day Yr 3 – 6 no more than 60 mins per day.
Check and remove apps that are for 13+ years
Do NOT allow devices in bedrooms at any time.
After your child has used their device, check their online history.

PARKING AND THE STAFF CAR PARK

There are two kiss and go areas for parents to drop off and pick up their children quickly, Weeroona Road and Hobart Road. The school is ordering large signs to install on the school fences to indicate these areas. In the mean time, we ask that parents observe the street signage and refrain from parking in the kiss and go areas.

For safety reasons, the staff car park is out of bounds to parents and students. This includes parents dropping off or picking up students from Theircare. Please respect that if this safety rule is broken then staff members will speak to you. Please avoid unnecessary embarrassment.

2024 PREP TRANSITION

On Tuesday 14 November, we welcome our new 2024 prep students to the school. The new prep students will be involved in transition activities from 9:30am to 12:30pm each Tuesday over a four week period. There will be an information evening for the new families on Wednesday 8 November so parents know where to drop off and pick up their children, but your welcome smile and assistance (if needed) will be appreciated.

SECOND HAND UNIFORM SALE

Our new Coordinator AnAn and her volunteers will be running the second hand uniform sale on the same morning we welcome the new preps. The uniform stall will be open from 8:30 to 9:30am outside the canteen.

HATS

The no hat, no play rule is back! Students are reminded that hats MUST be worn every day in term one and four. If a student is not wearing their hat, they will be asked to sit in specified shade areas. The junior no hat no play area is under the large tree near the swimming pool gate and the senior no hat no play area is under the large tree closest to the Weeroona Road driveway gate.

COMPLAINTS

Murrumbeena Primary School welcomes feedback, both positive and negative, and is committed to continuous improvement. Building positive relationships and valuing open communication between our families and the school results in all parties acting in the best interests of our students. On occasion, the school will also phone parents and carers to discuss a matter of concern and when all parties are committed to understanding the complaint the matter can be addressed in an appropriate and timely manner. We recognise that the complaints process provides an important opportunity for reflection and learning.

When addressing a complaint, it is expected that all parties will:

● be considerate of each other’s views and respect each other’s role

● be focused on resolution of the complaint, with the interests of the student involved at the centre

● act in good faith and cooperation

● behave with respect and courtesy

● respect the privacy and confidentiality of those involved, as appropriate

● operate within and seek reasonable resolutions that comply with any applicable legislation and Department policy.

● recognise that Murrumbeena Primary School and the Department may be subject to legal constraints on their ability to act or disclose information in some circumstances.

If parents or carers have a complaint, we ask that you contact the school directly so information can be shared and the matter resolved. For further information, our complaints policy can be found on the school’s website.

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

We have a number of external organisations who run after school activities on our school grounds for interested students on a user pays basis.

Over the next couple of weeks, to assist these organisations to plan for 2024, we will be sending their promotional flyers to review.

If your child is interested in one of these activities, please contact the organisation directly.

Activities include:

Kids on Key - https://www.kidsonkey.com.au
Chess Club – (held at lunch time) https://chessforschools.com.au
Soccerwise - https://www.soccerwise.com.au
Let’s Write Creative Writing - http://letswrite.com.au
Kelly Sports - https://kellysports.com.au
Digimaker - https://www.digimaker.com.au
Code Camp - https://www.codecamp.com.au

Extra curricular activities can only occur when there is enough interest to make it financially viable for the company.

Chellee Plumb

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