Wellbeing

TRANSITIONS

The transition into a new school year can be both an exhilarating and worrisome time for some students – new classroom, new friends, new play spaces, new teachers and new routines. Transition can take time as children build new relationships and start to feel more confident in their new classroom community, refusal and reluctance can appear as fatigue sets in (especially in the junior years). For our senior students, transitions are equally as important – greater responsibilities, high expectations and new wonderings about a transition into secondary school. 

Some strategies that might help include:

• Talk to your child about their goals and what they like at school
• Give time to worry, and then move on – acknowledge and validate (“that must be hard” “I’m sorry you feel that way”) and then positively reframe (“I bet you solved that really well” “It sounds like there were lots of great things too”), avoid bringing it up frequently and instead be guided by your child (even if its conveniently right at bed time).
• Contact families in your class and encourage social relationships – the more socially connected your child can feel, the more successful a day will be
• Cut down on stress – minimise after school activities, feed well, sleep well with regular bed times, reinforce healthy habits by limiting the use of devices especially before bed
• Get to know your child’s teacher – remember, our teachers are ready and available for a 1:1 check ins with you at any point you feel it’s needed. Getting to know your child’s teacher can support the establishment of positive relationships and connection for both you and your child.
• Stick to and establish routines – getting ready for the school day, packing bags the night before, being clear who is picking up or dropping off, which day is afterschool care / which day isn’t – these are all transitions that take time. Consistency can help a child feel safe and secure.
• Focus on the positive. Fatigue may cause your child to dwell on a negative aspect of a day or a new school-year transition, actively help them to see the positive. Point out the benefits of managing something new, getting to know the teacher, or the classroom. Keep your emotions in check. It’s normal for you to feel anxious too, but you don’t want those feelings to rub off on your child. Stay calm, and be confident. If you are finding that you need support, take action, meet with the teacher as a first step.

For more ideas, there are some great resources available. Check out:

Beyond Blue - Strategies to support anxious children 

Childmind: what-to-do-and-not-do-when-children-are-anxious

Vic Gov: Tips for starting school (especially Prep) 

Headspace: transition-from-primary-to-secondary-school

Raising Children Network: moving-schools

The Resilience Project – as mentioned in last week’s comms, we are offering another parent session with the team from TRP. Thursday 23rd March 6:30 to 7:30 on line.

When building positive mental health in schools, we know the best impact happens when we work together.

The ‘Authentic Connection’ presentation helps do just that by sharing those same evidence-based strategies being taught in the classroom, so they can be also practised at home and beyond. Attendees will also be reminded of the importance of their own wellbeing - we bring the best versions of ourselves to our family and community, when we make time to look after ourselves.

Parents and Carer will need to register for the webinar using the following link:https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMkfuipqD8qE9W3e5ySVSZgpLSwgmocjYTiUpon registration, registrants will receive a link to attend the webinar, along with a reminder the day prior.

See below’s flyer for details.

Family Life and Stride Education will be giving parents and carers from Bayside and Kingston the opportunity to attend workshops on...

• Tuesday 22nd March - Creating Confident Teens
• Tuesday 3rd May - Creating Confident Kids

to better understand and support their children and teenagers.