Assistant Principal's Message
Maramba Vision
Providing a caring environment where aspirations are nurtured, positive relationships grow, success is celebrated and a passion for lifelong learning is ignited.
Nurture. Innovate. Celebrate.
Dear Students, Parents, Carers and Families,
RAISING LEARNERS PODCAST
The Department of Education and Training has funded a 10-episode podcast series through the Raising Children Network called ‘Raising Learners’. It features parenting experts from organisations including the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Career Education Association Victoria, as well as the Australian eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman-Grant.
Raising Learners provides parents with practical advice, tips and ideas for supporting children’s health, wellbeing and engagement at school and at home. Topics include:
- How to connect with your child’s school and community,
- how to best support your child’s learning,
- what to expect for VCE and VCAL students and
- how to keep your child safe online.
These topics were drawn from common questions that parents raised with the Department’s coronavirus (COVID-19) hotline and Parentline.
The first four episodes are now available and the rest throughout Term 3 and 4.
Raising Learners can be accessed via podcast apps and Raising Children Network website.
https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/podcasts-and-webinars/podcasts
CARING FOR OURSELVES
With us hopefully well over half way in this Stage 4 lockdown, I think many of us have had to dig deep to see the positives and keep holding the line. These are some tips you may want to try:
1. Change Your Mindset
Sometimes you just have to reposition or readjust your thinking. Think of this time at home, not as forced isolation but a time to recharge and reset.
2. Be Grateful
Have a Google and there are heaps of studies that show being grateful can make you happy. Rather than stress yourself out with what’s wrong, give thanks for what’s right. Be grateful for isolation, you get to keep yourself (and your family) safe.
3. Connect with Others
Isolating at home with family, take this time to reconnect and enjoy each other’s company without outside distractions although it is important to have some alone time too, especially if you’re not used to being altogether all of the time.
Keep in touch with friends and family, if you’re not a call person, text instead. Do not forget the elderly and vulnerable, just a quick call or text can really make a difference to their day.
4. Sleep Well
Sleep is so important, especially at times when we are under stress. Try to stick to your regular sleep routine and if you do wake up in the night and really can’t get back to sleep, get up and have a cup of herbal tea and read a book. Do not watch TV or check your phone because that pesky blue light will play havoc with your body clock!
5. Laugh
Seriously, laughter is such good medicine. If you cannot make yourself laugh, talk or text someone or watch a movie that can.
6. Eat Something Delicious
You might actually have to plan ahead for this one.
7. Write It Down
There is evidence that tells us that writing about our experiences and feelings can be wonderfully cathartic. It’s the next best thing to talking to yourself!
8. Self- Care
Too often we put self-care at the bottom of our to-do list but when you are isolating, you will have plenty of time on your hands to take care of you. This will look different for everyone, maybe some time to meditate, soak in a hot bath
9. Create something, anything!
It does not matter how or what you create, just do it! Whether you knit or sew, draw or paint, colour or crochet or bake your way through isolation. The possibilities are endless and this could be the perfect time to start that craft project that you never have time for. If you have a garden or a balcony, get out in it and if you do not, open a window – there is nothing like a breath of fresh air!
11. Read, Watch, Listen
Whether you are a bookworm, a TV addict, into music or all 3 use your time to work your way through your To-Read/Watch/Listen lists – there is literally a world of entertainment out there and so much of it is free!
12. Get Fit
You might not be able to go to the gym but you will still be able to have fun and keep fit at home.
13. Do 101 Things in 1001 Days
If you have a list of 101 Things in 1001 Days, you will be surprised at how many things you can tick off and if you have not got one already, there is no better time to start!
I hope all the Maramba School community have a safe and restful holiday.
Kind regards,
Diane Morwood
Assistant Principal