Wellbeing

From Our School Counsellor

Kindness makes us strong

Children learn kindness and compassion over time and with practice. Children will develop their empathy with guidance and support from their parents/caregivers and other important adults in their lives. Empathy is key for healthy relationships and positive friendships - empathy is being able to be aware of other people’s feelings and being able to imagine what it may be like for them. A person with strong empathy tends to lead with kindness and helping behaviours. 

Some ideas to support children to develop their empathy could be to:

• Model empathic behaviour - show children what kind behaviour looks like. Reflect on your own behaviour - do you talk in a negative way about other people? do you make fun of others? could the way you “tease” while intended to be playful be perceived as demeaning or degrading?
• Discuss emotions - identify, label and openly talk about feelings.
• Help out - support children to appreciate “give to give - not give to get”. It helps children to see that even small acts of kindness are valuable contributions. 
• Acknowledge efforts - praise their empathic behaviour.

BOOK RECOMMENDATION 

Kindness Cards for Kids; 52 Ways to Make Every Day a Little Better 

(ISBN: 9781611808346)

Peer Support 2022

Peer Support sessions will commence in Term 3, Week 3. Sessions are 30 minutes in duration. Two Year 6 Leaders facilitate a small group of 10 - 12 younger students, who work together through a number of structured activities. Each teacher will supervise 2 groups in their classroom. This year we are working on a module titled Living Positively, which will help us explore the concept of optimism. The module will run for 8 sessions. Our first session will enable the children to get to know everyone in the group, agree on how they will work well together, and interact cooperatively with others. They begin to think about what it means to be optimistic. We encourage you to talk to your children about Peer Support every week, as it will help to reinforce the concepts learned in each session. 

Supporting a highly sensitive child

Does your child cry easily? Is she/he prone to becoming overwhelmed in loud or busy places? Does your child seem sensitive to the moods and emotions of others? Does he tend to “meltdown” or “shutdown” when there is a lot going on? Does your child startle easily? Do you consider your child to be highly sensitive?

Raising a highly sensitive child can come with a unique set of parenting challenges but it also gives you—the parent—more influence to positively shape your child’s development! Yes, that’s right. Parents have even more influence on the development and wellbeing of their highly sensitive child compared to less sensitive kids.

Healthy Lifestyle Options

Tips From South Eastern Sydney Local Health District an NSW Government Initiative

Parents In Touch

Parents in Touch is a tool that links our Shire Sydney Catholic schools with community support, advice resources and contacts.

The Sydney Catholic schools within the Sutherland Shire, value our strong and open relationships with our school communities.

We would like to work in partnership with you to support family health and wellbeing.

Mrs Lisa Mann  | Wellbeing