Wellbeing Report 

Donation Request

We need plain tissues (Not Aloe/Eucalyptus treated)   We would very much appreciate if our community could donate a box or two of plain tissues for use in the classrooms.   Thank you WYPS. 

The Wellbeing Team is available before and after school and we are always happy to help with any questions or concerns you may have. Whether you have parenting worries, need some guidance, or would like support with home or family concerns, please know that we are here to help.

We have noticed this term that day light savings has had an impact on many children when they arrive at school. Parents have been saying that it’s been impossible for some children to get to sleep while it’s still daylight. One interesting tip I read recently suggested to try taking your child outside in the morning. Make it fun, for example spend so time with your pets or watering plants.  Apparently, exposure to morning sunlight lowers the production of the sleep hormone, melatonin, which helps reset a child’s internal clock, so they have an easier time going to bed at the new, right time. I know mornings are hectic, but I thought this was a good tip to think about.

For parents looking to purchase second hand uniform you can contact the office or the Wellbeing Team any time, Monday through to Friday. Our next second-hand sale is planned for-Wednesday the 2nd of December from 2:15pm-3:30pm. We are happy to make up bags (providing we have the stock) if parents cannot get to the school for our sales. 

Also, State Schools’ Relief (SSR) is a not-for-profit organisation that works closely with all government schools across Victoria. They help families experiencing financial disadvantage with school uniforms, footwear and range of other essential educational items. If families would like further information, please speak to us. 

We also accept school uniform donations from families. All parents need to do is drop the bags off at the office and we will collect them.

The Friendology program is going strong. This past fortnight, we have been doing ninja check ins with some students in the middle school.  This week, we asked our group the question, “How would you describe a health friendship?” Most of the students said, “friends are kind to you”.  They also agreed that there are times where people can be mean but also nice to each other. It’s also tricky telling someone to stop annoying you. They felt confident that if the person won’t stop and they aren’t listening then they will try to ignore them, walk away and ask for help from an adult. It’s always the best way to go. 

When you are speaking to your children at home, try to using the 4 Friendship Facts-

• No friendship is perfect

• All friendships are different

• Trust and respect are the most important qualities of a friendship

• Friendships change and that’s okay.

The Wellbeing Team are happy to take donations including arts and craft items, wool, Lego, jigsaw puzzles, board games and books.  We are always looking for things to help support our activity clubs that we run at lunchtimes.  Thank you in advance!

Lost property is located near the Prep entry door (opposite the German room). All lost property found across the school makes it way here. If your child has lost something, please pop down and take a look. 

Across the week we have several opportunities for students to feel supported with their friendships whether it’s during break times out in the yard/electives or speaking to our welfare team.  If you have any questions or are looking for tips, please speak to staff. We really hope your children come home from school happy to talk and share their day with you. 

For any enquiries, please email the Wellbeing Team at-

Amy.Cleary@education.vic.gov.au

Sally.Marshall@education.vic.gov.au

libby.martin@education.vic.gov.au

Andre.Campbell@education.vic.gov.au

Community Gift Giving Tree Donations 

Once again, we are preparing for our community Christmas Gift Giving tree appeal. For anyone wishing to donate a gift or a food hamper item, the tree will be set up in November down at the Community Pantry. The Gift Giving Tree is an opportunity for families to be generous to local families who struggle to find the money to buy gifts for their children at Christmas. We will let you know when the tree is ready but if you are keen to be involved early, feel free to pop a gift into the wellbeing office. If you would like any further information, please speak to Sally, our school chaplain. 

World Kindness Day Friday 13th November 

World Kindness Day is on Friday the 13th of November. During lunchtime activities/clubs, the wellbeing team and the students are working on a window display near the science room. The students are writing kindness messages on felt hearts and each day we are adding more to the window.  An act of kindness is an action designed to make the world a kinder place.  It helps others feel good, instead of bad.  It improves wellbeing rather than weakening it. It costs nothing but it can be priceless.   

Attendance Data-It’s Cool to be at School!

This past fortnight we have celebrated 11 out of 16 students who came to school on their special day. When your child comes to school and it’s their birthday, we are bringing the buzz to make their day even more special.  When they arrive at school in the mornings, we are presenting them with a special birthday sticker badge.  I must say the kids are really loving this!

Over the time a child attends school, having 1- or 2-days absence does not seem like much but it does add up and can impact on missed learning opportunities.

Head Lice 

This fortnight, we have had only 1 report of live head lice in the school. We ask parents to work with us to keep our reports low and to continue to treat and monitor your children’s hair. Please notify the office or tell your child’s teacher when you treat your child so lice alert notes can be issued on COMPASS.  Reminder-any child found with live lice will be excluded from school until they are treated. 

Activities at Lunchtimes

Lunchtime Activities

Lunchtime activities and clubs continue to be a big hit with the students.  We are pleased to offer a range of supervised activities where students can socialise, be creative and develop new skills. Students have loved completing puzzles together, helping their friends and creating some wonderful things.

Wool Craft continues to be a favourite, with students making snowflakes, turtles, pom poms and cat’s eyes, while also developing some early crochet skills.

At Craft Club, students have been enjoying making diamond art stickers and bookmarks, showing plenty of creativity and attention to detail. 

Lego Club is always popular, with children working cooperatively and sharing ideas as they bring their designs to life.

Clubs are open to all students. It is wonderful to see our students making new friends, supporting one another and enjoying these opportunities to learn, create and have fun together.

Donations Welcome

If families have any wool or crochet hooks that they are no longer using, we would greatly appreciate donations. These resources provide our students with opportunities to practise their skills, explore their creativity and develop confidence.

To inspire our students, we often use short YouTube clips that demonstrate how simple skills can be developed and combined to create wonderful craft projects. It is fantastic to see students watching, learning, practising new techniques, and then proudly creating something of their own.

World Kindness Day

This term in Craft Club we are focusing on World Kindness Day. The date for Kindness Day is the 13th of November but we will be celebrating on the 11th of November. Students have started to write kind messages on colourful felt hearts that we are displaying on the window near the science room. Our colouring sheets include the message of the six concepts of kindness: Inclusiveness, Courage, Integrity, Caring, Respect and Responsibility. These will be displayed on the window near the Wellbeing room. Students will be encouraged to look for ways to be kind to others at school. This message can be complimented at home, have a look at the poster and chose a kindness action you and your child could do together this week to be kind to ourselves and others.

Lost Property

Always name every item that comes to school including toys. Children often leave things behind and if unnamed we can’t return their property. The cupboard will be cleared from now on to make sure it is empty by the end of the year. All unnamed and unclaimed items will be donated to charities.

Breakfast Club

If you would like your child to make use of our yummy breakfast foods, send them to school that bit earlier so they will have time to eat and enjoy their food. We serve toast until the music is playing for the start of the school day. Please remind your child that if they want to have something to eat before school that they need to head straight down to the German Room. While the music for the bell is playing there are only fruit cups and milk drinks available. Breakfast club has been very popular with over 100 students attending. Recently we had freshly baked banana bread kindly provided by a school parent, the kids love these extra treats and we will always welcome any special food that parents would like to donate to add to our breakfast options.

Chaplaincy

During my recent Chaplaincy catch ups I have been encouraging students with a number of things including: friendship skills, resilience building, self esteem by replacing negative self thoughts with positive ones and simply but very importantly getting outside for walks, frisbee throwing and foam plane flying. The students have really appreciated the time I have spent with them and I enjoy planning our sessions with bright, colourful and engaging content. If you feel your child might need that extra emotional support during school hours please contact Sally via email 

sally.marshall@education.vic.gov.au 

or by phone call 5964 7258. I’m available on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday each week.