A Word from the Principal

A Warm Welcome to our Weeden Heights Community

Welcome to week 5 of term 3.  I would like to congratulate you all on the work that you are supporting at home during remote learning.  I know and I hear that many of you are becoming fatigued as you are trying to manage stage 4 restrictions, isolation and conduct your own business/work as well. 

During this time, routine with your children can be important so starting the day with a Google Meet will hopefully assist you in getting your child ready for learning for the day.  If the children can generally complete their learning tasks by lunch time then there is the opportunity for some downtime in the afternoon where the children can be involved in flexible activities and explore things that really interest them.  This can also be the ‘carrot’ to complete the allocated tasks…..work hard to get the reward.

It is important to be kind to yourselves and there will be some days when nothing works.  This is the day that you just manage and you can pick up tomorrow when you start fresh with the next day.  It happens and it is ok!  Wellbeing is important here and I am sure that you have all heard about, eating well, exercising and making sure you are getting sleep. 

Last week, at the NEVR Regional Principal’s Meeting, we were briefed by Dr Michael Carr-Gregg around principal wellbeing.  He was an outstanding speaker and is currently working with many year 12 students in our network.  This week DET is having him conduct a parent webinar and I thoroughly recommend that you tap into his presentation.  The details are below and it is free! 

We need all the help and advice that we can all get to support our children and family during these unprecedented times!

Parent Workshop – Managing the Coronacoaster with Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

On Tuesday 25 August, the Department of Education and Training is presenting a free webinar for parents and carers by renowned child psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, on building family resilience during coronavirus (COVID-19).

Parents and carers play a vital role in helping children feel safe through uncertain times.

Dr Carr-Gregg’s webinar is aptly named Managing the Coronacoaster – Tips for building resilient families in the coronavirus era.

In this webinar, Dr Carr-Gregg provides tools and strategies for parents and carers to help manage the lockdown and remote learning. Topics include:

• your supportive role
• setting the emotional tone
• focusing on what you can control
• how to deal with disappointment
• further resources and where to get help.

Dr Carr-Gregg’s presentation will run for 45 minutes. This will be followed by a 15-minute question-and-answer session in which parents and carers can ask Dr Carr-Gregg questions.

Webinar details

• When: Tuesday 25 August
• Time: 7:30pm
• Duration: 45-minute presentation followed by 15-minute questions and answers session
• Format: online via Webex
• Cost: free

How to register

To register and for more information visit the Managing the Coronacoaster – Tips for building resilient families in the coronavirus era eventbrite page.

School Online Disco

I hope that you all had a fabulous time at our Zoom School Disco.  It was well received by the students and parents that attended and it was great to see everyone having a wonderful time.  I must say there were some terrific dance moves and costumes.  The backgrounds were impressive that families used and many of you have a disco ball so it looked awesome.  The disco highlight movie is up on our Facebook page and in each of the Google classrooms so if you haven’t seen it, take a moment to take a look. 

Congratulations Preps…..100 days at school!

Last week our Foundation year level achieved a significant milestone.  Congratulations to our Prep students who have now been attending school for 100 days! That is a big achievement. The feature of the day was the preps dressing up as if they were 100 years old.  The photos that everyone sent in from home were sensational so thank you for going to the effort.  Well done Mrs Lee and Mrs Michalski on your dress ups as well!

They celebrated with many special activities for students and engaged in fun numeracy and literacy activities involving 100.  Well done Preps! Parents should be very proud of these wonderful young people for what they have achieved so far in their schooling and especially during remote and flexible learning. 

Year 6-7 Transition

Parents of Year 6 students attending government and private schools have now received their placement offer letters for Year 7, 2021. If you have any questions about this process please contact Ms McLaren, our Year 6 to 7 Transition Coordinator.  I would like to thank Ms McLaren for the wonderful work she has done coordinating the process.  

House Colour Day

Thank you to our SRC for their suggestion to run a House Colour Day last Friday.  It was a bit of fun while we are at home and Weeden Heights PS students certainly like to have fun.  I had the opportunity to view a few class Google Meets and the colours looked spectacular!  I wonder what our next dress up day might be…..thinking caps on everyone!

Chookingham Place

Thank you to our families who have continued to care for our chooks during the pandemic.  We really do appreciate that you have taken the time care for the girls and make sure they stay healthy during the isolation period. I would also like to thank Maria and all the student in the onsite classroom for looking after them as well.

Until next time……

Kylie

Ms Kylie Campbell

Principal

Futures are Bright at Weeden Heights!