OLA Newsletter

Wellbeing

Josy Reeder

FRIENDSHIP SKILLS MUST BE TAUGHT NOT CAUGHT (Click here to read this article)

 

 

Garden Club

The Garden Club had the opportunity to see the $1000 grant received last term come to life. The old hen house is being transformed into a Greenhouse. In 2023 the Garden Club members will work on planting and maintaining the OLA Green House. 

Choir

Mrs Harrison and the Choir lunch club celebrated their achievement today with the school by performing during lunch time. 

Transitions and Change

Transitions are a normal part of life. We all go through them at some stage in our lives.  Sometimes there is great excitement with transitions, sometimes there are unknown feelings and sometimes there is anxiety. This is a good time for parents and teachers to be aware of our children and some of the things they may be thinking, feeling and what we can do to help.  Some tips for parents during times of transition are listed below. These recommendations come from Parentline in their Tips for Transitions.  

  • Keep talking and develop a supportive family environment

Talk about changes with your children and share experiences you’ve had. Normalise the feelings of anxiety that your child might be having. Discuss some strategies for things they may be worrying about or read books to discuss the ideas further.

  • Prepare for the new routine and environment

Be prepared for the beginning of the transition - have materials, uniforms ready in advance. Practise new routines for getting to the classroom / school. Lots of sleep and a good diet during transitions is also helpful.

  • Be available when things get tough

Transitions can sometimes take a while to settle into. As parents, if you are there to hear about how children are transitioning, sharing some of the things that are happening, positive or negative, this can support the process. Plan some strategies with your child around ways they can move forward with things they are worrying about.

 

 

To prepare families for the upcoming holiday period, I am linking the headspace factsheet “Supporting your young person during the holidays”. Please also refer to the  resources on Beyond Blue’s website called “Healthy Families”. 

 

 

 

Fun ideas for the School Holiday break

Click the underlined words for detailed descriptions of the activities

  1. Donate. Before or after new toys make it into your house, make a few piles and choose what to donate, throw away or keep.
  2. Go on a scavenger hunt outside
  3. Make bird feeders for your trees outside.
  4. Go for a hike .
  5. Turn your playroom into a grocery store , toy store or coffee shop.
  6. Work off some energy in your own boot camp.
  7. Go on an alphabet hunt.
  8. Play hide and seek.
  9. Go on a photo safari and write a book about your neighborhood.
  10. Make a mural .
  11. Make your own constellation.
  12. Make a volcano without too much mess!
  13. Have an ice cream taste test.
  14. Start a journal
  15. Measure with lego

 

Stay Safe and Have a Merry Christmas! 

 

Josy Reeder

Learning Diversity/Wellbeing Leader