From the
Assistant
Principal
WEEKLY CHECK-IN
We are asking our families to 'be involved, be connected' during this remote learning time, and we know that you can only do this is we are supporting you to engage. Last time during remote learning we found your feedback invaluable to refining our processes, and a lot of the changes you have seen this term have come from what we received from these surveys.
We will be sending this survey out every week on Friday to check in on our families, and our school leadership will be taking time on the following Monday to go through the results.
Please use this link SMPPS Family Check In - Term 3 Week 1 to 'be connected' and have your say.
MANAGING ANXIETY
Anxiety is a very difficult emotional response to manage. We also know that one of the biggest causes for anxiety is uncertainty, and if there has been a time where there has been more uncertainty than now in the last twenty years then I cannot easily think of it. Therefore, if you or your child are experiencing anxiety then we want to assure you that this is a normal response to the current situation.
Incorporate breathing exercises into your daily routine can help you manage these emotions. Practicing breathing techniques at times of low stress, means that you are better prepared to make use of them at times of high stress. Various techniques can be found in books, online or can be taught in stress management or other courses. Post your favourite technique on the fridge so that you can practice regularly.
Try the following Breathing Waltz:
- Breath in for the count of 3
- Hold your breath for the count of 3
- Breath out for the count of 3
- Repeat steps 1 to 3 for a period of one minute
The SURF acronym is another strategy you can use to help you take control of your emotions, and it provides you with something tangible to do to address any feelings of anxiety.
These resources are from the Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria (ARCVic), which is a state-wide, specialist mental health organisation, providing support, recovery and educational services to people and families living with anxiety disorders. If you need further support they are a great resource to reach out to.
FREE PARENTING PROGRAM - TRIPLE P ONLINE
Families can now access free expert parenting advice through the online Triple P -Positive Parenting Program.
The program is for families with children between 2 and 16 years and provides strategies to deal with specific challenges, such as building children’s resilience and dealing with conflict.
There are courses specifically for parents of toddlers to tweens, and for parents of pre-teens to teens.
It gives parents strategies to:
- raise happy, confident kids
- manage misbehaviour so everyone in the family enjoys life more
- set rules and routines that everyone respects and follows
- encourage positive behaviour
- take care of themselves as a parent
- feel confident they’re doing the right thing.
Sign up to the Triple P program via their website:
https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/vic-uken/triple-p/
PLAYGROUND FUN!
At this stage I know the idea of students being back on site and enjoying the playground may seem a very long way off. When we do return to school, it would be great for us to be able to provide more activities for our students to engage with at recess and lunchtime. I have noticed that some of our families have been doing some amazing arts and crafts over the remote learning period. We were wondering whether any of our families would like to take on the challenge of trying to construct some play equipment for the school while they are learning remotely?
You might have some old wooden pallets in a shed or some old kitchen materials that you would be able to paint and repurpose. If not, the school would be able to provide the supplies for you to pick up, and this could be a project for you to work through with your child that they can then enjoy when they are back on site.
Please find examples below:
We are open to any other ideas you might have and we would love to discuss them with you. We do need to be mindful of safety and not having ‘equipment’ that students will be jumping on or off.
Please email the office south.melbourne.park.ps@education.vic.gov.au if you would like to take on this challenge and we will be in touch to discuss your ideas!