Student Wellbeing News
Wellbeing Spotlight: 5/6 Community
Focus: Transition
As the Year 6 students near the end of their primary school journey here at Corpus Christi, the focus over the last few weeks has been around dealing with change and transition. We felt this topic was also very appropriate for many of the Year 5 students who have been expressing some anxieties around moving into their role as Leaders of the school in 2020.
To begin this unit, students took part in Circle Time where the focus was on expressing anxieties around changes out of our control and how to manage the inevitability of change. Circle Time offered students a safe space to verbalise their concerns, where no question or comment was deemed unimportant. While some students actively contributed to our discussions, others were welcomed to offer their thoughts by answering whole circle questions with a thumbs up or down.
As the unit unfolded, the Year 5/6 Community was taught skills on how to approach new situations and people with a positive attitude and open-mind. Students took part in relatable scenarios and activities to give some context to their learning. The Year 6 students have also taken part in their 2019 transition day at St.Leo's. This was a great opportunity to put some previously taught skills into practice by making new friends and asking any questions around their new high school expectations.
Wellbeing Tips
Focus: Healthy things to do with your children these school holidays!
Get kids in the kitchen
Teaching children how to cook is an easy way to encourage them to eat healthily.
Be active for at least 1 hour
There is some evidence that children can lose some fitness and increase their body mass index (BMI) during a summer break. So, children aged 5 and over should be active for at least 60 minutes every day.
Try incorporating activities that make kids 'puff' and build strength, into your day. For example, a few minutes of dancing before dinner, playing ‘chasey’ or ‘tip’, and scootering to the shops.
Devices (e.g. TV, tablets) can keep your child sedentary for too long so try to limit screen time.
Take them to the dentist
It may not be the most popular holiday activity but it’s important. More than half of Australian 6-year-olds have some tooth decay.
Children need a dental check at least once a year from the age of 1.
Schedule swim time
Summer is the perfect time for kids to master their freestyle — or simply build their confidence in the water.
Let them sleep
Kids need more sleep than adults which facilitates their growth, learning and development. Getting a solid night’s sleep can make your child happier, help them concentrate and improve their behavior.
While it’s tempting to stay out later in the summer — and the odd late night for a special occasion is unlikely to cause harm — try to stick to their normal bedtime routine and encourage your child to get enough sleep for their age:
- Ages 3 to 5: 10 to 13 hours
- Ages 6 to 13: 9 to 11 hours
- Ages 14 to 17: 8 to 10 hours
Let them be bored
You don’t need to amuse your kids every minute of the school holidays — boredom is good for children. By pushing through boredom and entertaining themselves, kids learn to think more creatively and improve their problem-solving skills.
They’re also able to choose activities that match their mood. If your child's feeling energetic, they’ll be physically active; if they’re tired, they may find a restful thing to do. Boredom also promotes resilience, as they learn to get through something that, to a child, can feel tough or stressful.
Haylea Anderson
(Wellbeing Leader)