This week I am grateful for…

The weather! I know this is a lame one, and almost a cop-out, but the weather has been glorious the last few days. While I haven’t been able to get out to enjoy it much, I am none the less grateful to see the change and it makes me more motivated to go out for a walk and get some sunshine.

I have always been talking about gratitude and how important it is to build a grateful mindset, and I realised that I need to be walking the talk with this and I will be writing up a gratitude every newsletter moving forward.

Camp Out!

On Friday the 11th September we invite all families to have a camp out in their yard, in their living room, or build a blanket fort and then send through a photo to the school via south.melbourne.park.ps@education.vic.gov.au.

We have been trying to think of ways to help everyone feel connected during this time. We encourage you to call or Google Meet some friends and ‘camp together’ during this time. We will then share all the photos in our newsletter and via Compass so that you can all feel connected.

Weekly Family Check In

Our Weekly Family Check In goes out each week, and we spend quite a lot of time going through the results and considering how we might need to refine our processes. You can find the write ups of the results so far below:

Windows by Patrick Guest and Jonathan Bentley

One of our parents shared this amazing picture story book via our family check in. You can watch a youtube of the book being read aloud here: Windows, by Patrick Guest and Jonathan Bentley. The video is a joyous expression of the human spirit, borne out of the hardship of physical separation caused by the pandemic. Windows tells the story of children stuck at home, who when looking out the window, are entertained by the shapes of passing clouds, neighbours playing music, and grandparents dancing and goofing around.

2020 Review - Disability Standards for Education 2005

The Australian Government is undertaking a review of the Disability Standards for Education through a consultation process. The Review is asking whether the Standards are doing their job and, if not, how they could be improved. There is a questionnaire that you can complete to express your views on this important matter: https://disabilitystandardsreview.education.gov.au/get_involved/questionnaire.html

If you are interested in being involved you will need to complete the questionnaire by getting to the last page and pressing submit by the closing time of 11.59pm AEST Friday 25 September 2020.

Raising Learners podcast

The Department of Education and Training has funded a 10-episode podcast series through the Raising Children Network called ‘Raising Learners’. It features parenting experts from organisations including the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Career Education Association Victoria, as well as the Australian eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman-Grant.

Raising Learners provides parents with practical advice, tips and ideas for supporting children’s health, wellbeing and engagement at school and at home. Topics include how to connect with your child’s school and community, how to best support your child’s learning, what to expect for VCE and VCAL students and how to keep your child safe online.

These topics were drawn from common questions that parents raised with the Department’s coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline and Parentline.

The first three episodes are available from the 1st September, and the rest throughout terms 3 and 4. Raising Learners can be accessed via podcast apps and Raising Children Network website.

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg: Managing the Coronacoaster Webinar

Renowned child psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg is back by popular demand to repeat his Coronacoaster webinar.

On 15 September, Dr Michael Carr-Gregg will again present Managing the Coronacoaster – Tips for building resilient families in the coronavirus era. His first webinar in August booked out in three days, with more than 12,000 registrations.

In this webinar, Dr Carr-Gregg provides tools and strategies for parents and carers to help manage the lockdown period and remote learning. Topics include:

your supportive role
setting the emotional tone
focusing on what you can control
how to deal with disappointment
more resources and where to get help.

Webinar details

When: 7.30pm, Tuesday 15 September

Duration: 45-minute presentation, followed by a 15-minute question-and-answer session

Format: online via live stream

Cost: free

Register for the Managing the Coronacoaster webinar via Eventbrite

SUPPORT RESOURCES

Parenting Support: It is important to remember that you are not in this alone! These are challenges that we are all experiencing and there are supports out there if you are needing them. Below are some amazing resources you can reach out to if you need them.

Raising Children Network – general parenting advice
Early Childhood Parenting Support – advice for children aged 0 to 8
Stepfamilies Australia – advice on step parenting and the challenges associated with being a step parent
Raising Children Network – advice on how to talk about Coronavirus (COVID-19) and how it impacts children in Australia
Emerging Minds – advice on supporting children during the coronavirus outbreak
KidsHealth – how to talk to your child about COVID-19
eSafety Office – an online safety kit for parents and carers
Parentline (13 22 89) - Parentline is a phone service for parents and carers of children from birth to 18 years old. Parentline offers confidential and anonymous counselling and support on parenting issues. They are open from 8am to midnight, seven days a week including public holidays.
Parenting in a Pandemic – Advice on how to handle parenting during lockdown.
Positive Parenting Program – A free parenting program that provides simple, practical strategies have been proven to work around the world.
Parent Works – A free parenting program that provides evidence-based parenting strategies to improve parenting skills, confidence and child behaviour.
Raising Children Website – Ideas and resources to support school age children with play, media and technology
Parent Trapped Podcast – A podcast exploring how to navigate all the challenges of parenting in lockdown.
How to survive school closures without flipping your lid – Advice on how to keep your cool and stay in control.

Staying healthy and positive: It’s important to focus on your family’s social and emotional wellbeing through a period of trauma or change. Use the below resources to explore exercise, activity, dance, mindfulness, gratitude and togetherness over the home learning period.

Go Noodle – A website of short movement and dance videos to get children up and moving.
Smiling Minds app – A tool developed by psychologists and educators to help bring balance to your life. They include short guided meditations suitable for all ages.
Smiling Mind Self-Care Pack – A resource pack from Smiling Minds with supports to care for your own mental health.
Calm app – An app that supports sleep, meditation and relaxation.
Cosmic Kids website – A website and app provide videos for yoga, stories and fun.
We are Teachers website – This website has a lot of self regulation activities connected to The Zones of Regulation. The official website also has Free Zones Print-ables.
Health Direct website – Provides some ideas of healthy things you can do with your family.

Staying safe and connected: It’s important for us to all look out for each other and know who we can share our anxieties and fears with. Use the below resources if you are concerned about the mental or physical health or wellbeing of family and friends.

Orange Door – an amazing referral service that will support in finding the right service to support you
Safe Steps – support with ending relationships in a sage and respectful manner
InTouch – the multi-cultural centre against violence
The Kids Helpline – website, web chat phone service and app provide practical help and emotional support at the critical moment they need it
Parentline Support Services – website and phone service providing support for navigating parenting concerns (Phone 1300 30 1300)
1800RESPECT – The National sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling and information referral service, available 24 hours a day, every day of the year (Phone 1800 737 732)
Beyond Blue – Provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live (Phone 1300 22 4636)
Lifeline – A national charity providing all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services (Phone 13 11 14)
Nurse on call – A phone service that provides immediate, expert health advice from a registered nurse, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The phone service is for non-emergency health advice only (Phone 1300 60 60 24)
Headspace Counselling Services – Headspace provides free online and telephone support and counselling to young people 12 - 25 and their families and friends. If you’re based in Australia and going through a tough time, eheadspace can help.
Relationship Matters – Provides a range of relationship services including individual counselling, relationship counselling, family therapy, and relationship education programs.

Next newsletter Thursday 17 September

BE INVOLVED, BE CONNECTED

Next newsletter
Thursday 17 September