MHiPS

Wellbeing Update

• Well done to all the students and staff who dressed up for Wear Yellow Day on Friday. We raised $72.50 for the R U Ok Foundation as a school. Awesome effort!

• The F-3s have finished up their Nature and Wellbeing Unit with walks around Ingrams Rock last week. There were blooming orchids, carnivorous plants, ravens, mouse spiders and many more things that we spied. As a group we spoke about how humans have changed the natural environment, quarrying the rock for buildings in town. Michael from the Catholic Education Office Indigenous Team also shared with us how the First Nations people enhanced rock pools to collect water for drinking often called gnamma holes. The word ‘gnamma’ is from the Western Desert aboriginal language. Thanks to Floret Meredith from Parks Victoria for facilitating both our nature walks this term. How lucky we are to have her in the St Joseph's community; such a wealth of knowledge!

• The F-3s also brought home a survey last week to discover what things their parents love to do in the outdoors and what they could do together. So as the weather fines up, here are some suggestions (based on the survey results) on ways you and your child can use the well known benefits of being outside to support good mental health. Hiking, camping, fishing, bike riding, making a fairy garden, shooting some hoops, cubby building, picnicking, going to the playground, catching bugs, skimping rocks... So much we can do and the kids want to do it with you!

• As we head into Term 4, Secondary School transition will ramp up. The Raising Children website has a great page around this topic, which may help you start conversations with your child. https://raisingchildren.net.au/pre-teens/school-education/school-choosing-starting-moving/starting-secondary-school#:~:text=It's%20natural%20for%20children%20to,the%20transition%20to%20secondary%20school.

"When children are making the move to secondary school, you have the biggest influence on how smooth the transition is. Your child’s friends influence how your child feels about the move, but your support has stronger and longer-lasting effects." (raisingchildren.net.au)

As always, your classroom teacher is always there to support your child. If you have any concerns please contact them. They can then utilise the wellbeing team here at St Joseph's to develop the next steps. 

Stay safe and happy these holidays.

Mrs Catherine Bijker