McKinnonNEWS

SCHOOL NEWS

COMMUNITY HEALTH – SCHOOL BAGS

The topic of the weight of school bags and their contents has been discussed in newsletters previously, however it is always relevant for us to revisit this information and for those families new to McKinnon.  

 

According to ‘Choice Magazine’, one in three school students suffer significant back or neck pain, often thought to be caused by carrying heavy schoolbags, Victorian studies found. 

 

If we carry more than 10% of our total body weight regularly, we are at risk. This is unless we distribute the weight correctly. Laptops are now required so this adds to the weight.  

 

Many of our students choose to carry too much home on a daily basis. Often they carry unnecessary items such as a textbook when it has an e-link.  

  

Here are a few tips that can help lighten the load:  

  • If students carry a lunch box, use a soft lunchbox as it is much lighter;  
  • Carry empty water bottles and then fill them on arriving at school;
  • Pack the heavier items, closer to the body;
  • Clean out school bags regularly as many unnecessary items are often found in the bottom of them. (As it is the beginning of semester, it may be time to look inside the school bag and remove unnecessary items);
  • Use your school diary correctly so that you can plan in advance to take only the required resources to and from school;
  • If the text book has an ‘e-link’ be smarter with its use.

Susan Wilken

Health Learning Area Manager & Community Health Liaison

YARN AND THREAD (PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS KNITTING CLUB)

A new term, a new semester and a new NAME.

 

The Knitting Club has changed its name to Yarn and Thread. This better reflects the variety of crafts being pursued by our members.

 

Knitting is still a strong component and recently there has been a focus on completing purple beanies for the Beanies not Meanies drive.

 

#beaniesnotmeanies is part of the Alannah & Madeline Foundation and hopes to increase awareness of the impact bullying has on children and young people by rallying together and knitting purple hats to wear, starting on the National Day of Action Against Bullying on March 15, through until the beginning of winter (but you can still knit right through the cooler months!). With 1 in 4 students experiencing bullying, it’s important to show support to those who are affected and to remind them that we’re all in this together.

 

Donated beanies go inside the Alannah & Madeline Foundation’s Buddy Bags. These are backpacks filled with basic, essential items for the thousands of children in emergency accommodation. The beanies become a gift to children going through one of the worst times of their lives.

At least a couple of our members are trying their hand at knitting little animal blankies for young children.

Cross-stitch has really taken off lately, with a few students completing the starter Rosebud pattern. Some students have progressed to larger patterns and one student is even designing her own characters to be portrayed in cross-stitch.

Crocheting is still the focus for a few students and can be used to easily create some great character toys such as the puffy owls and amigurumi animals.

Yarn and Thread is held every Monday lunchtime in the MERC. Why not come and see what YOU can create using yarn or thread.

 

Diana Hatch

Yarn and Thread Co-ordinator

MCKINNON’S MINDFUL MOMENT PHOTOGRAPHIC PROJECT

Photography is a physical manifestation of mindfulness. It is about pausing, observing, framing, focusing, and capturing a moment in the present time.

 

During the month of May, students were invited to take a photo in a mindful way: using the mindfulness concept of pausing to notice what was around them in the present moment, and then appreciating the visual elements of what they noticed, such as colors, lines, shapes, textures, light, and shadows. 

Students across all year levels submitted their photos, with House Points attributed for each entry. It was delightful to receive a variety of pictures.

 

A slideshow of all the entries has been screening at the front office, for all to enjoy. The printed images will soon be exhibited in the school library.

 

Thank you for all that took part in this project. We hope you enjoyed taking the photo as much as we enjoyed receiving it.

 

The Wellbeing Team