WELLBEING | Update

Back to school blues?  Plus it is cold and wintery!

Discover some tips to help you overcome their negative feelings about returning to school.

Most students will hate the idea of returning to the school routine. Getting up early after sleeping late through the holidays, but  what bothers us most is the return to a structured routine that defines how we are  expected to learn. 

Others may be apprehensive about what kind of work will be expected in this new semester. Both are academic concerns, but  for some there is a  main worry about not knowing many students and having to deal with people we are not familiar with.

There are many reasons why students may not be excited about returning to school. Each child’s learning style, academic needs, social and emotional development, and prior school experiences contribute to how he or she views the arrival of another semester or  school year. If they’ve struggled in the past, the prospect of another semester or  year filled with struggle may be foremost in their mind.

For students, transition is often tainted with trepidation, and the transition from holidays to the school routine is no exception. Children adjust to change according to their own temperaments and levels of resiliency. Parents, however, can play a major role in how well their children adjust to change. Following are a few insights that can help you equip your child to face this back-to-school season.

Maintain a Daily Routine

Children crave structure and feel safer with routine. A home that has less structure may cause anxiety for children as they struggle with the more rigid environment at school. Routine at home can also foster more positive and effective homework habits.

Teach your Child Self-Care

Kids don’t inherently know how to add balance to their lives, so a parent modelling self-care is essential. Look for opportunities to model balance in recreation, responsibilities and personal pursuits.

Nurture a Positive Self-View

Sometimes it’s hard to recall and focus on previous successes when we are struggling with a sense of failure. Remind your child of previous times in her life when she made good decisions. Or remind her when she handled a difficult situation or person with grace. Or maybe when she mastered something difficult. Help her learn to laugh at herself, reminding her that a positive attitude helps create a positive home and school environment.

CYBER SAFETY PROJECT

Student Sessions and Parent Information Evening

As part of our ongoing commitment to student wellbeing and online safety, we are excited to welcome the Cyber Safety Project to our school in Term 3.

On Wednesday 2 September, Junior School students will participate in engaging and age-appropriate cyber safety presentations delivered by specialist educators. These sessions focus on helping young people develop safe, responsible and positive digital habits, while building their understanding of online safety and digital wellbeing.

We will also be hosting a Parent Information Evening on the same day. This session will provide practical advice and strategies to help families navigate the digital world, including topics such as social media, gaming, screen time, online safety, privacy and supporting positive digital wellbeing at home.

Further details, including session times and registration information, will be shared early next term. In the meantime, parents and carers can learn more about the Cyber Safety Project via Cyber Safety Project.

Our Wellbeing Team