Woori Yallock Primary School Newsletter

Wellbeing Report 

Andre Campbell

This term it has been great supporting our parents/carers and our students. 

We have had many conversations with our families to better understand the challenges to families since the COVID-19 pandemic started.  If you are needing help with school uniform, a food hamper or enquires for other services please call Lily or myself. 

 

We have spent time talking to parents about strategies to help their children cope with anxiety and fears. Parenting can be hard on a good day and according to Google, “how to be a good parent?” is the most googled question parents have each year.  Lily and I hope all our families have an enjoyable and restful break these holidays. 

We encourage families to continue to have open conversations to gauge how well you are all doing and to give each other space and time to process any worries or questions. Instead of rushing to solve problems, give children time to work things out themselves. Talk about feelings so your child learns to share their worries and fears with people they trust.  Acknowledge your own mistakes to teach children that mistakes are key for learning and growth.  Always remind children of their worth.  One small moment could mean the world to them.   

Conversation tips-

  • “I can see you are feeling challenged? How can I help?”
  • “Tell me what else?” until you get to the bottom of the problem.  Prompting children will help them explain more and hopefully with your help they will make connections to understanding. 
  • What could you have done instead?
  • ‘You guys seem to be struggling getting ready in the mornings. How can we make this better for everyone?”
  • “Tell me the feelings in your heart. Can you name it?”

This term students have learned many skills by participating in the Respectful Relationships lessons and working through their Resilience Project journals. There is so much research and evidence out there to support the benefits for our mental and physical wellbeing which can strengthen relationships and create more joy in our lives. I would like to encourage parents to remind children to practice these GEM strategies at home- 

  • Gratitude-being thankful 
  • Empathy-thinking about other people’s feelings, being kind.
  • Mindfulness-being present helps build awareness of thoughts, feelings, surroundings and calmness. 

Tips!

During the holidays try picking a time of day eg: first thing in the morning or during the evening meal. A regular time can help give your family the structure to start a healthy habit and create some great conversations. 

 

Another idea is each day, ask a family member to write on the calendar something they are grateful for.  It is best if the calendar is in a place where every member of the family sees it often. Over time, people will be reminded the value of these messages and this activity is a fun way for everyone to get involved.  Best of luck!

Playtime-Arguments

For children trying to make things work when they are playing with their friends they often have arguments. Tell your child that arguments happen to everyone and that having an argument doesn’t mean the end of a friendship or being enemies. Point out that in all arguments both people think they are right. Sometimes an argument can be resolved when it occurs. At other times people need to avoid hurting the other person’s feelings too much at the time by going away to calm down, and then trying to resolve it later. Dealing well with arguments protects friendships and reduces bad feelings. 

Tips-

  • Try to stay calm and talk through the problem using a respectful voice.
  • If you or the other person are getting angry or out of control say: ”We’re getting too angry. Let’s talk about it later”, and walk away.
  • Make sure you do talk about it later. When you’ve calmed down, recognise that allowing the bad feelings to continue is not a good thing. You are responsible for dealing with them.
  • When you feel calm, go and talk to the other person.
  • Put your point of view and tell about your feelings eg: I felt bad when you didn’t include me in the game”.
  • Let them put their point of view.  Listen without interrupting until they have finished.
  • Try to find a way to be friends again.

Health update 

For some people getting over their mild COVID-19 symptoms, they may experience lingering fatigue, breathlessness and generally not feeling 100%.  I encourage parents to check in with their children and talk through any health complaints or worries. 

 

Oonah COVID-19 Children’s Vaccinations 

Oonah have organised dates for the Vaccination bus to visit where they will offer free COVID-19 vaccinations to children. For Koorie families looking to make a booking please call Oonah on 59622940.

Oonah Playgroup 

This term Oonah have started playgroup over at the Healesville Community Link (library). Playgroup will run on Thursdays from 11am-12pm.  If you are interested in meeting other families with young children please give Emily a call to register on 59 62 2940.

Term 1 Holiday Activities 

During the holiday break there are some local events and activities that may interest families. The Yarra Ranges Council have put together an Autumn Family fun Activity Resource for families to have fun with their local environment.  You may visit the park or go for a walk and these activities could help families find the fun while enjoying the autumn weather-flyer attached. Also, on Thursday the 21st of April there is a Hands on Clay event at Wesburn.  This is a free event and bookings are essential.  Please see the flyer attached for booking information. 

School Holiday Art Program 

Bec Fillponi is an accredited Mental Health Social Worker is offering a school holiday Art Program where children from ages 6-12 can learn to express and regulate big feelings through Art. Bec is currently taking bookings for-

My Creative Calming Box

Tuesday 12th April @ Wandin Hall

9:30am or 1pm

 

Peter the Plant

Wednesday 13th April @ Kalorama - St Michael's, Anglican Church 1331 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road.

9:30am or 1pm

 

Please see the flyer attached for more information. 

2022 Free Happy Families Membership

Veronica, Lily and I are thrilled that a number of families have joined the Happy Families membership. We have had lots of positive comments that parents and carers are enjoying the website. If you haven’t got around to joining, it’s not too late. The Happy Families membership gives you access to a number of resources which will help families, staff and students to thrive.  Every member will receive a weekly "Lighten the Load" email, which includes a quick, easy to apply tip from Dr Justin, as well as some updates about other features in the membership. There is a library of parenting resources which offers calm assurance, direction and solutions you can try out on your families. If you have any difficulties joining, please tell the Wellbeing Team.

 

Justin Coulson’s Happy Families Member’s Only Webinar

Lighten the Load Monday | The Emotion Train- Dr Justin Coulson’s Happy Families Weekly Email 

When our children are experiencing big emotions (which sometimes feels like "all the time"), it is tempting to shut it down. We might do it kindly: "Ohhh, poor baby. You’ll be ok". We might do it with a desire to stop it: "I know you’re upset. But keep it down ok? "We might do it with frustration or anger: "That’s enough. Quit it already. "These might not be the most realistic examples, but they’re variations on the same response. We say we’re fine with our kids experiencing big emotions, but when they do it, our primary focus is to FIX it. A more helpful response might be to remember that emotions are like a train going through a mountain tunnel. There’s a lot of noise and darkness. But if we are patient, the train will get to the other side of the mountain and exit the tunnel without any problems. Similarly, this week, to lighten your load, imagine that your child’s emotion is that train. Rather than trying to drill a hole down through the mountain to lift the train out the top, give it time. In short order you’ll see that train leave the tunnel on the other side, and carry on its way.(As an aside, this doesn’t mean that you ignore our child. It means that we want to see them in that tunnel and be with them if they want us in their space… until they leave the darkness. Hugs, patience, and talking about those feelings without trying to stop them usually does the trick.)

We hope you all have a fantastic Easter and happy holidays and we will see you next term.

 

Primary Wellbeing Officer

Andre Campbell