From the Principal

Welcome to June

Hasn't the weather gotten chilly & windy? As we head towards the end of term & a winter break I hope you all stay well and warm.  Please send students to school in a uniform jumper or a navy jumper to handle this chilly weather.  Trackpants or tights should also be navy in colour.  All our air conditioners have now been updated and checked so as we hit those winter months & then summer our classrooms will be ready!

Some of you are aware that we have recently sold our house.  We are moving over the next few week to a new home.  I will be away for some days in week 9 & 10 to faciliate this move.  I wanted to let you know that I am not leaving the school or retiring as some have asked.  While I am away Mrs McDougall will be acting principal during this time.  She always does an amazing job & I am very grateful for this.

8 Tips to help children build resilience

Let’s be honest, saying “Be resilient!” is not helpful. Instead, give kids practical ways to make lemonade out of lemons!

“Resilience” has become a common word heard around schools and seems to be a big focus for both educators and parents. While we understand the importance of helping our children build emotional strength in the face of adversity, it is sometimes less obvious how to teach those critical skills.

We want kids to recognize the life lessons in tough situations and have the ability to ‘get back up on the horse’ and try again. However, in a world of Helicopter Parenting and click-of-a-button convenience, it is even more important to explicitly teach social-emotional skills to harness grit and resilience.

Here are a few strategies to help children strengthen their resilience:

1. Use Friendship issues as a teachable moment. Friendships mean the world to kids, but as Friendship Fact #1 states: No Friendship or Relationship is perfect. Use the lens of friendship to teach skills to build resilience. A step-by-step approach for dealing with Friendship issues helps children climb out of emotional holes and take control of social dynamics. Research shows that about 90% of conflict that occurs at school are really a misunderstanding.  Conflict-resolution is fundamental in building resilience.
2. Use child-friendly language. Words like “resiliency” and “anxiety” are adult words that sound really scary to children. Replace the word “anxiety” with butterflies. Butterflies are not to be feared and can be set free.
3. If you want a child to be resilient, articulate the behaviors you would like to see. For example, if you have a student or child who gives up easily you could say, “I notice you’re having a hard time with the test and seem to be getting frustrated. Why don’t you try tackling the easiest problems first?” Give them specific suggestions for ways to persevere.
4. Avoid saying to a child, “Be resilient!” This statement is in the same family as, “Suck it up,” “Be a man,” “Just ignore it,” and “Grow up!” It offers no practical strategies for children and, as mentioned above, most kids do not even know what it means. Articulate what specifically a child could do that would ultimately demonstrate resilience.
5. Help children put their struggles in perspective. Sometimes children make mountains out of molehills. While adults have life experience and a greater understanding of The Grand Scheme of Things, children are not quite there yet. Talk to them about what is important and help them understand where this particular struggle is on the hierarchy of ‘what matters most.’ (Keep in mind, however, that their broken iPad might be at the top of the list and it may take some convincing to help them understand it is NOT the end of the world!)
6. Be honest with children. Sometimes kids’ greatest stressors come from the unknown. Fill in the blanks for them and, if necessary, come up with a plan together. If they are worried about trying something, get them to put a name to their butterflies and come up with a strategy to tame the ones they can control. Help them release the ones they can’t control because it’s wasted energy.
7. Have a plan. Give children all sorts of tips and strategies for calming themselves down in emotionally-charged situations. Go for a walk, drink water, put your hands in your pockets, doodle, chew gum, listen to music, journal, talk to a friend. Sit down with them and make a Calm Down Kit together. Resilience is about feeling in control. When we have a plan, even when we are in the dumps, we are more likely to rise above it.
8. Empathize. Sometimes a child just needs some extra support and that hand-up can come in the form of words of empathy. While you should definitely cheer them on, remind them that they can do it. Be their #1 fan! Watch this amazing video on empathy by Brene Brown and get in the hole with them.

from UR Strong

Athletics Carnival

This event will be spread over 2 days this year.

Thursday - 16/6

Sprints - whole school

Field Events

Yrs 3-6 - oval

Prep - 2 - around the school

Friday - 17/6

800 metres 

200 metres

Relays

Presentations

Pokemon Cards

I had lots of requests from students that wished to trade Pokemon and we set up some processes around this for students to have this privledge.

Trading can only happen on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays before school or at first break in the library, UCA or Admin if it is open.

Students should only bring cards to trade that are not special or valuable to them.  The school will not be following up or investigating lost or stolen cards.  Cards are not to be traded for money.

Students may lose the privledge to trade if they are not folllowing these rules.  Unfortuately we have managed many incidents as staff on trading happening at inappropriate times, during lessons, or days.  Some students have brought in money to buy cards.

I have discussed this with all students several times and staff are growing tired of managing this & the interruption to learning time.  Trading these cards can support students building communication skills.  The arguements and disruption to learning are beginning to outweigh this benefit.

Please discuss this with your students and reienforce this at home.  The trading of cards has been removed from some students and if interruptions continues there will no further trading allowed at school.

Drop off Safety

Another reminder about the safety of using our drop off lane correctly.  We have started putting cones out again to ensure the bus has the needed space to park to collect students.  Parents are to stay in their car and keep moving forward to ensure there is room for more cars.  We have also witness cars doing u-turns across double lines and over painted islands.  Please ensure you are following these guidelines for the safety of all.

School payments

Please continue to make payments for student resources and camp, regular payments help to make a different to your amounts owed.  End of term statements will follow as we progress through the term.

Get involved in National Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements. NRW, which is held from 27 May to 3 June, provides an opportunity for all of us to explore how we can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. This year’s theme is: “Be Brave. Make Change”, which presents a challenge to all Australians to tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation for the benefit of all Australians. The dates for NRW commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey: the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision, respectively. For more information and some great resources, head to the NRW website.

Flu season is here - are you prepared?

The flu is a serious illness for everyone, and while people with underlying health problems are at a higher risk of complications, healthy individuals can get really sick, too. It is not possible to predict how severe the 2022 season will be, however, a low incidence of flu in one year could result in a severe season for those who haven’t been vaccinated or had natural exposure to flu viruses previously. Vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent both children and adults from getting the flu, becoming seriously ill from the flu, or passing it on to others. For more information visit, https://tinyurl.com/9h7ebhu2.