Wellbeing Report 

Wellbeing Update 

It’s been great to meet families at the beginning of the day with most people looking forward to the day ahead.  Many parents comment to me that their child shrugs their shoulders or gives minimal responses when they ask them how their day was.  Please consider the language you use and be more specific.

1. Tell me something you liked doing today?
2. Tell me something you didn’t like doing today?
3. What are you looking forward to tomorrow?

For children all learning experiences are building off prior knowledge.  When children find a learning area challenging, this question can give you the insight into how they are coping and you can have a reassuring conversation. Personal challenges are very powerful mind blocks so being aware and talking through concerns will really help your child know that you are supporting them. These conversations will plant the seeds in their minds that will add to their character strengths including resilience, working tough and working through. A problem shared is a problem halved!

National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence Tuesday 15th March

Last Tuesday was the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence.  Our school focus on anti-bullying included all the students creating a whole school display on kindness outside the art room. The students wrote or drew kindness notes on confetti and they are now on display. It looks great!

Playtime-Making Decisions with Friends

For children trying to make things work when they are playing with their friends often the trouble can start when they are deciding on their game to play. The skill needed is “suggesting and persuading instead of bossing”. 

Tips-

• Someone in the group makes a suggestion and gives good reasons.
• Ask each person one by one how they feel about the idea.
• If there isn’t agreement, ask for another idea and then check how everyone feels about this one.
• Keep doing this until you get a decision that everyone feels they are happy.

Don’t forget about second Hand Uniform!

Thank you to the many families who have dropped off bags of uniform at our kiss and drop in the mornings and also at the office. Veronica and I accept and appreciate all second hand uniform donations.   At present we are need of good quality second hand girls underwear and socks.  It really helps us to change children will little fuss and we can avoid calling parents to come down to change their child.  All funds raised from our second hand uniform sales support our school breakfast program. Your generosity allows all our children to have a healthy start to the day. Keep them coming!

Update-Activities at Recess & Lunch

Craft Club-Monday, Wednesday and Friday's outside at the picnic tables in Area C.

Colouring, Rubix Cube & Uno Club-Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays undercover in Area C.

While we continue to have COVID-19 restrictions in place the Wellbeing Team are offering activities at break times.  For children looking to make more friends and have a bit of fun please remind them to come along.

In Craft Club, we have been teaching pom pom making, weaving cat’s eyes, finger and French knitting. We are looking for donations of wool and other haberdashery items including ribbon, embellishments, buttons and charms or anything that can add a bit of bling to our projects.  If you have some skills or are looking to help please let me know. 

Health update 

For some people getting over their mild COVID-19 symptoms, they may experience lingering fatigue, breathlessness and generally not feeling 100%.  I encourage parents to check in with their children and talk through any health complaints or worries. 

Head Lice 

This term it’s been fantastic that we have had only small number of head lice in the school. We ask parents to work with us to keep our reports low and to continue to treat and monitor your children’s hair. Please notify the office or tell your child’s teacher when you treat your child so lice alert notes can issued on COMPASS. Reminder-any child found with live lice will be excluded from school until they are treated. 

DET School Nurse Program-School Entry Health Checks

We appreciate that our parents and carers returned the SEHQ forms and our DET school nurse was pleased with the high number we had for our Prep health screening program.

The Primary School Nursing Program accepts referrals for children in grades 1through to 6. A health assessment under the Primary School Nursing Program is not intended to replace your normal source of health care. If you or your child’s teacher has concerns about your child’s health or development, your child can be referred to the school nurse at any time. Direct health assessment services provided under the Primary School Nursing Program may include:  

• Vision screening
• Hearing screening
• Speech and language screening
• General developmental assessments 

Eastern Health Children’s Covid-19 Vaccine Online Webinar Tuesday 29th March 7pm-7:45pm

Next week, parents and carers are invited to attend an online information session on everything you need to know about Covid-19 vaccination for children between the ages of 5-11 years of age. A local GP from Healesville will be offering this webinar to share information about any questions parents may have about protecting children from this particular illness. In our area, children vaccination rates are low compared to other areas. For parents and carers who may have concerns this webinar could offer clarity and confidence to may an informed decision. Please look to the flyer attached for registration details. 

Oonah COVID-19 Children’s Vaccinations 

Oonah have organised dates for the Vaccination bus to visit where they will offer free COVID-19 vaccinations to children. For Koori families looking to make a booking please call Oonah on 03) 5962 2940.

Oonah Playgroup 

This term Oonah have started playgroup over at the Healesville Community Link (library). Playgroup will run on Thursdays from 11am-12pm.  If you are interested in meeting other families with young children please give Emily a call to register on 03) 5962 2940.

School Holiday Art Program 

Bec Filliponi is an accredited Mental Health Social Worker is offering a school holiday Art Program where children from ages 6-12 can learn to express and regulate big feelings through Art. Bec is currently taking bookings for-

My Creative Calming Box

Tuesday 12th April @ Wandin Hall

9:30am or 1pm.

Peter the Plant

Wednesday 13th April @ Kalorama - St. Michael's, Anglican Church 1331 Mt. Dandenong Tourist Road.

9:30am or 1pm

Please see the flyer attached for more information. 

2022 Free Happy Families Membership

Veronica, Lily and I are thrilled that a number of families have joined the Happy Families membership. We have had lots of positive comments that parents and carers are enjoying the website. If you haven’t got around to joining, it’s not too late. The Happy Families membership gives you access to a number of resources which will help families, staff and students to thrive.  Every member will receive a weekly "Lighten the Load" email, which includes a quick, easy to apply tip from Dr Justin, as well as some updates about other features in the membership. There is a library of parenting resources which offers calm assurance, direction and solutions you can try out on your families. If you have any difficulties joining, please tell the Wellbeing Team.

Justin Coulson’s Happy Families Member’s Only Webinar

Pixel Perfect

Screens, social media & your daughter

LIVE WEBINAR + RECORDING

Monday 28 March

8pm AEDT

For Members Only, there is a live webinar coming up.  This blub has been taken from my “Lighten the Load” email-

Tween and teen girls don’t have a problem with screens. Just ask them.

They’ll tell you everything’s fine. But… ask them to put that screen away, get off social media, or stop obsessing over everything online and you’d better prepare for battle!

Of all people who use devices and screens, some researchers have found that adolescent girls are the most at risk of decreased wellbeing, friendship issues, and body image difficulties. Yet others find moderate use of devices can support wellbeing.

But is the problem the screen? Or is it something else?

In this webinar, Dr Justin Coulson (expert and host of Channel 9’s Parental Guidance) and Jocelyn Brewer (psychologist and founder of Digital Nutrition) answer your most vexing questions regarding tween and teen girls and their screens.

We’ll tackle themes including:

• The never-ending, incessant use of screens (and why "turn it off" is not going to cut it)
• What social media is doing to our girl's body image and well-being
• Cyberbullying, nudes and screens in bedrooms
• How to set boundaries around screens that work for you AND her.