SFS Twilight Community Market

The countdown has begun! We are so excited that there are less than 15 weeks to go until our Twilight Community market. I am in the process of finalising stalls so if you would like to have a stall please let me know ASAP. Email me at rlenko@sfslynbrook.cathholic.edu.au

Student Wellbeing and Performing Arts

We have had a busy start to Term 3 in SWAP. In the first week of term we have been busily preparing for our 2021 school productions of Jesse in the Jungle and Global Groove. It has been wonderful to see our Junior and Senior students working together to help, encourage and support each other. The children really enjoyed trying on some of their costume items and were able to demonstrate our school values of ENTHUSIASM, CARE AND COMPASSION, LOVE, RESPONSIBILITY, HAPPINESS and RESPECT.

During Weeks 2 and 3 this term the children participated in some online lessons in SWAP. Our focus was on Emotional Literacy and the value of Integrity. Here’s what some of students had to say.

Emotional Regulation

What do you think it means to regulate your emotions? Can you think of an example?

I think regulating our emotions is when we take control of our actions when you feel something (for example “anger”) and not letting that emotion take over you. Darryl

I think it means showing the value or emotion at the right time and place. Eg: you shouldn’t be loud at school, at school you should be quiet. You can be loud at the park. Charlotte S.

What are 3 new understandings you have about emotions from this lesson?

1.You shouldn’t try to hide your emotions all the time

2. Ask for help don’t avoid it

3. If you can’t help yourself ask someone else to help you Chanel

1.Emotions are very important and they help you to stay alive because it helps you to respond rapidly to important situations.

2. Another reason why emotions are important is because they communicate what you feel. We learn most of our emotional reactions when we are younger.

3.Some emotions arouse you and some calm you down. Everyone has more unpleasant emotions than pleasant ones. The unpleasant emotions seem less unpleasant if you fight them. Fotis

We all get frustrated and angry sometimes. What are some strategies you can use when you feel angry, frustrated, sad or upset. Some examples could be tightly wrapping yourself up in a blanket, screaming into a pillow, or scrunching up a piece of paper. Highlight one idea you are going to try this week.

You can do some mindful coloring if that calms you down, it can reduce stress and coloring is the opposite.

You can do some meditation and listen to nature sounds or music you love!

Go on a walk and smell some fresh air, listen to some nature and animals around you.

Spend time with a person because you may feel lonely cuddling up with them or play fun games and laugh.

Do some dancing and shake it off! If you love dancing or singing do what you love to make you happy! Isabella S.

INTEGRITY

What does Integrity mean to you?

Integrity means to do the right thing even when no one is watching. Denis
To be kind honest fair loving and treating others the way you want to be treated Izaiah

Doing what you know is the right thing, even if no one is watching and you don’t get a reward or thank you for doing it.

One time I saw my friend drop her diary and I didn’t look inside it, I just gave it back. Sophia.

To tell the truth

Be kind to others

Be helpful

When I hit my brother when I was upset

I told Mum the truth. Jarryd

The Resilience Project

This term our focus for the Resilience Project is on emotional literacy. Emotional literacy is the ability to recognise our own emotions through our bodies and response and recognise how others are feeling and respond appropriately. Use this link to the parent hub https://theresilienceproject.com.au/parent-and-carer-hub/

You will hear stories about resilience, and be introduced to how Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness can support your kids learning and development, and also support you.

Coming up: Altruistic August

As the Dalai Lama explains to us, being kind and warm-hearted is the secret to a happier life and a better world for everyone.

The Altruistic August calendar is full of ideas for how to give something of yourself to help others each day. Please share it too!

There is a great clip to watch with some good tips on being altruistic. https://actionforhappiness.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=38ea3e7c0a12909b5f17eb1ed&id=59beb57bd4&e=9f7519de6e

Child Safety Policy

At SFS, we have a Child Safety policy to ensure that the safety of our students is always at the forefront. Each week in the newsletter, we will share some of this policy. This week we are looking at reporting and responding

Reporting and responding

Our school records any child safety complaints, disclosures or breaches of the Child Safety Code of Conduct, and stores the records in accordance with security and privacy requirements. Our school complies with legal obligations that relate to managing the risk of child abuse under the Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 (Vic.), the Crimes Act 1958 (Vic.) and the recommendations of the Betrayal of Trust report. Child protection reporting obligations fall under separate pieces of legislation with differing reporting requirements. Our school’s PROTECT: Identifying and Responding to Abuse – Reporting obligations [Add a hyperlink to your school’s latest version of PROTECT: Identifying and Responding to Abuse – Reporting obligations], updated on [insert date], sets out the actions required under the relevant legislation when there is a reasonable belief that a child at our school is in need of protection or a criminal offence has been committed, and provides guidance and procedures on how to make a report. Our policy assists staff, volunteers and families to:

· identify the indicators of a child or young person who may be in need of protection

· understand how a reasonable belief is formed

· make a report of a child or young person who may be in need of protection

· comply with mandatory reporting obligations under child protection law, and their legal obligations relating to child abuse and grooming under criminal law

Our school has also established additional internal procedures and processes to help ensure that appropriate action is taken to respond to concerns about the wellbeing and/or safety of a student. When making a report staff members must ensure the following:

Staff members should keep comprehensive notes that are dated and include the following information:

· Description of the concerns (e.g. physical injuries, student behaviour)

· Source of those concerns (e.g. observation, report from child or another person)

· Actions taken as a result of the concerns (e.g. consultation with principal, report to DHS Child Protection etc).

At St Francis de Sales Primary School, if any member of our school community has concerns for a child’s safety they need to discuss, they can notify the school Principal, the Deputy Principal or the designated Child Safety Lead/Officer, Rachel Lenko. If the Principal or Child Safety Officer is not available, then it should be discussed with a member of the school leadership team. Alternatively, any member of the school community may report directly to the responsible authority. The staff member, supported by the Principal or designated Child Safety Officer will follow the step-by step guide to making a report as outlined in the Four Critical Actions for Schools: Responding to Incidents, Disclosures and Suspicions of Child Abuse. Member of the Leadership Team should gather the relevant information necessary to make the report. This should include the following information:

· Full name, date of birth, and residential address of the child or young person

· Details of the concerns and the reasons for those concerns

· The individual staff member’s involvement with the child and young person

· Details of any other agencies who may be involved with the child or young person.

· Upon making a report to the relevant agencies written record of the report which includes the following information must be taken and kept:

· The date and time of the report and a summary of what was reported

SFS Community Twilight Market

We are so excited and hopeful about having our Twilight market this year on Thursday 6th November from 5pm to 8pm. If you have not already, mark the date on your calendar. It’s not too late if you are interested in having a stall. Please email me rlenko@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au for more information.

Respectful Relationships

Respectful Relationships is a program we teach in schools to help prevent gender based violence. We promote gender equality and challenge gender stereotypes to promote equal opportunities for boys and girls. This powerful video expresses the importance of teaching respectful relationships in schools. https://education.ourwatch.org.au/respectful-relationships-education/?fbclid=IwAR33eYCNv-Oh5XLOuA5HD-CpODfWd0Bzu3HF3nV_-Fa4jiOr-pyt5J2Jg48

The Tokyo Olympics are happening and it’s a fantastic opportunity to switch those gender lens’ on!

Why not share the story of how the Norwegian beach handball team and the German Gymnastics team are fighting sexualisation in uniforms

Celebrate Momiji Nishiya’s achievement- the first-ever Olympic gold medal in women’s skateboarding. She’s 13 years old!

What about discussing Equestrian, the only sport where men and women compete equally against each other. Andrew Hoy is riding in his 8th Olympic games and Mary Hana is the oldest Olympian competing in Tokyo at 66 and is the second oldest Olympian in history. Can you think of any other sports where men and women could compete equally against one another?

If you have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Quote of the Day:

Rachel Lenko

Student Wellbeing

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