Sacred Heart Kew

Deputy Principal/Student Wellbeing

Staff Absences 

With winter fast approaching and a number of nasty germs in the air (in addition to COVID), we will continue to do our very best to deliver the best learning experiences possible to all our children at Sacred Heart Kew (despite a few of us already catching some of the dreaded lurgies that are floating about).  As some of you may have heard from your little people over the last two weeks we have been juggling a number of staff absences due to all of the above. This will no doubt continue for the next few months. Please be aware that when we are unable to cover staff absences we may need to adjust our usual learning provisions from time to time due to a depleted pool of Emergency Teachers available. Thanks for your understanding and support as we navigate this tricky time for all of us. Hopefully, we can dodge as much sickness as humanly possible over the next little period.  

Majeda Beatty

On Tuesday we acknowledged Reconciliation Week with a performance by Majeda Beatty. The performance was based on Australia's First Nation dreamtime through an interactive and vibrant experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island cultures. Majeda is a Sydney based singer, actress and dancer who comes from a proud Wuthathi mother, her roots stemming from Far North Queensland and an African American father. Growing up she was taught the importance of her culture from her mother through movement, song and storytelling. At five years of age Majeda started performing in schools with her family’s cultural dance group and over the years her talents have seen her perform over a wide variety of mediums. In recent times she has become well known for her starring role in the ABC 3 Drama series ‘Ready For This’.

 

Education Support Day 

On Monday 16 May we celebrated our fabulous Sacred Heart Kew Education Support Staff with a morning tea. We appreciate and thank the following staff for supporting our school to run smoothly, assisting our students to learn and our teachers to teach: Alison Toomey, Kelly Story, Caroline Reid, Jasmine Dabley, Brittany Martin and Marianne Moore.

Looking after your child's wellbeing (Part 2)

Take notice or being mindful

Mindfulness is paying attention to how you feel and what you see, hear, taste and smell. It is the opposite of rushing and multitasking. Mindfulness is being in the present rather than thinking about the future or the past.

 

It can make us more aware of our thoughts and feelings and can help reduce stress and anxiety. Mindfulness can help us slow down and promtoes rest and healing.

 

For information about mindfulness with children and young people, see https://www.smilingmind.com.au/

 

Practice kindness and gratitude

Gratitude is about taking some time recognise and celebrate the people and things we love and are thankful for. Being grateful can have a big impact on wellbeing as it strengthens relationships and makes us more optimistic.

 

You can help your child practice gratitude by talking to them about:

  • Things that make them happy
  • Things that inspire them
  • People and things that nurture them
  • Experiences and thoughts they would like more of
  • Helping them notice small pleasures like a cool breeze or a warm smile.

Being kind to others also supports wellbeing. It promotes feelings of gratitude as well as compassion and empathy. Kindness helps to build a sense of community and reduce stress.

 

With your child, make a list of all the ways they can be kind to family, friends and your community. Together, choose a few things to practice being kind.

 

Promote help seeking

It can be hard to ask for help but it is important that your child knows that it is okay. Encourage help seeking in your child by:

  • Asking how things are going
  • Letting them know it's okay if they are feeling sad or frustrated
  • Listening without judgement when they seek out your support
  • Providing teenagers with a range of information about where to get help if they need it.

Set rules and boundaries

Clear rules and boundaries help children and young people feel safe.

 

Involve your child in making the rules and they will be more likely to stick to them. Negotiating rules is a way of showing you respect their growing maturity. 

Parent Seminar Tuesday 7 June

A reminder that the '5 Secrets to develop Confidence and Resilience' Parent Seminar is Tuesday 7 June at 7pm. A flyer was sent home with your child this week. Please return the slip to your child's classroom teacher to indicate that you will be attending by Wednesday 1 June.