MOORESVILLE

Dear Families,

Whilst the countdown is on until the end of the year [and who is not counting down!], we are still learning lots and working really hard at RHPS.

Some students are showing heightened anxiety around 2021, Christmas, Covid, and their usual ability to bounce back and show resilience is waning. Can you help us by checking sleep is a priority with early nights, less screen time at home and mindful activities? We really want 2020 to end on a GREAT note for all our kids [and staff : - ) ]

As we head towards holidays, things can get a bit hairy at home. A webinar is available from Dr Justin Coulson - https://www.happyfamilies.com.au/product/dos-donts-discipline/ - there are some free spots if you email him from his webpage. Otherwise, it is $30 for the webinar and recording. He gets great reviews for dealing with some of those tricky moments in family times.

Every day is a time for caring, however, Christmas even more so. I remember one Christmas when my brother was annoyed with something, it ended up with an injury [I was the oldest and had 5 siblings] that I hid under the bed from, as I was so annoyed. On reflection, I was probably being bossy, he wanted what I had, we were 5 and 4, and our parents were really busy [I have some siblings with disabilities]. Whilst I am not sure things would be much different today, I would hope, and am confident, that our parents worked hard on being caring role models and teaching us to care about each other and others in a broader context.

When I was training to be a Social Worker, I was doing my placement in Gippsland over the Christmas break. It was a time when those who may not have had family support or friendship networks really struggled. I saw a lot of loneliness and despair at that time. Each Christmas, I try and reach out to someone and many of my friends volunteer in some way.

The message for this time of the year is to use our empathy muscle and think of others whilst staying strong ourselves.

Michael Grose wrote an article about teaching our kids to be caring and I thought I'd share it with you: https://www.parentingideas.com.au/blog/make-caring-common/

The article has these points:

Caring is important for community wellbeing
Put caring into words
Making kindness normal
Practise concern for others
Help at home, without being paid

As we roll towards the end of our year, I am grateful for so many things. Firstly, my health. Secondly, the positives or the UPside of Covid-19. Times of quiet, reassessing what's important, slowing the pace of work and home, spending more time at home. That my mum was able to be supported in hospital for almost a month with pneumonia. That my brother's family with 3 kids survived remote learning - it was touch and go : - ). I can confidently say that zooms will feature in the future only for keeping in touch and for things on my joy list. Some parents asked at the school gate if we still needed to wear masks. I reckon whatever it takes to never go into lockdown again and I will do it!!!!

I'm grateful for the support from our RHPS community - the families who have worked with us, communicated, checked in, let us share your children's homes during lockdown - thank you!

I'm grateful that I work with amazing staff. RHPS is a wonderful school with such a culture of inclusion and positive relationships.

I'm grateful for our kids. I love walking into classes, being at the school gate, meeting and greeting, seeing smiles, helping those who need to smile more, and the joy of being an educator. As an AP, the joy of being an influencer is very rewarding.

Let's hit the end of the year with joy and let's do it together : - )

Have a wonderful fortnight and see you at the school gate,

Cheers,

Mary : - )

PS The python skins found on the oval are awesome - and apparently planted as a prank or dumped in our grounds, along with the creative placement of a massive bone next to one of them, which alerted us and the Snake Hunter to the highly likely possibility this was a prank. Three pythons shedding skin on one day is unheard of, even in Qld apparently. It's never boring at RHPS : - ) [www.snakehunter.com.au/snakes-of-victoria for some good tips on preparing for summer]