Chaplain's News

Welcome To The 2023 School Year!

For those of you who don't know me, I'm Lyndal, the School Chaplain, and I work with the very cute - and very popular - Taffy, our school therapy dog.

I work on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9.00am - 3.00pm and can be contacted on the school phone number (9763 7484) or via email at lyndal.ihle@gmail.com

There have been some changes to the Chaplaincy Program for this year. Firstly, what was called the National School Chaplaincy Program is now called the National Student Wellbeing Program. Secondly, my previous employer, CHIPS, were unable to continue being the Chaplaincy Provider to Scoresby Primary School. Late last year they made the difficult decision to downscale and drop their eastern suburbs schools and focus on those schools in their immediate area in the south-eastern suburbs.

I am in the process of joining Scripture Union (SU) as my new employer, and am excited about this change. SU are a bigger provider and operate chaplaincy Australia-wide. I have my induction day with SU this coming Friday and officially start back at Scoresby P.S. next Wednesday (although Taffy and I have popped in to say hello to students this week).

I have attached a helpful article titled "New Year, New Teacher, New School... how to help your child cope with these inevitable changes" by Cluey Learning. Particular areas of interest are:

• Parents modelling how to navigate change.
• Normalising feelings of nervousness and anticipation, and reflecting them back to your child.
• Resisting the temptation to compare children.
• Practical steps to build confidence and independence: they suggest children could help with creating a new schedule or routine. I'd like to suggest everyday activities such as packing their school lunch or part of (maybe just start with the sandwich or drink bottle) or, when out at a cafe/food court, have them order and pay for their drink (particularly from Year 3 up) or order their McDonalds meal, etc. I tell my own children to look the staff member in the eye and use their 'big voice' when ordering.
• Celebrating your child's successes (no matter how small) along with celebrating effort, learning and growth.
• Building resilience through social support and community, both inside and outside school.

Link to article:

New year, new teacher, new school: How to help your child cope (clueylearning.com.au)

Wishing everyone a positive year filled with learning, connection and enjoyment!

LYNDAL IHLE

School Chaplain