From the Assistant Principal 

Talking about the news

After 2 years of a constant Covid news cycle, as parents, it has been tricky to manage the exposure that our children have to worrying news or images. In the last fortnight, the developing situation in Ukraine - as well as the floods in Queensland and New South Wales have seen an increase in students talking about or worrying about current affairs. Whilst we don't want to ignore or squash natural curiosity - nor do we want to dwell on details or worrying about the news that we cannot control. Teachers do a great job of finding a balance, and when necessary - holding age-appropriate conversations that demystify some of the assumptions that children make. 

Below this article, I have included some links you may find useful to read regarding talking to kids about traumatic or disturbing news events. 

As with all parenting, I always think that 'cherry picking' the advice that suits your family best is the way to go. In our family - with regards to disturbing news content that means:

• limiting but not banning news coverage
• encouraging questions and opinions in a safe and non-judgemental context
• limiting our answers to age-appropriate details and only exactly what was asked (not adding on lots of extra detail if it wasn't asked for)
• modeling optimism by looking for positive news stories like the amazing Sikh volunteers or the kindness shown by Polish people to their Ukrainian neighbours.
• in our family, we also do not allow the use of any social media until the recommended age of 13....at the moment platforms such as TikTok and others  are rife with disturbing and unnecessary content.

Your rules or approach might look different from ours and I encourage you to do some 'cherry picking' of your own and do what you need to do to support your family to feel resilient and optimistic.  

Some  articles you might find useful:

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/talking-to-your-children-scary-world-news

https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/news.html

https://www.savethechildren.org.au/our-stories/how-to-talk-to-your-children-about-the-news

Stepping Up in 2022

This year we have launched the 'Step Up Program', which will be the umbrella name for all of the fantastic support programs we have at Kalinda Primary School - some old and some new! The name Step Up has been chosen to reflect the opportunity for students to be selected for programs that are aimed at promoting growth and progress in both academics and wellbeing. 

Under the leadership of Mrs. Kristie Bell (who will be handing over to Ms. Ashlee Kidner when she leaves), Shaun McClare, and myself, the Step Up Program includes the following opportunities for selected students. 

• MiniLit and MacqLit: an evidence-based, explicit and effective literacy intervention program.
• Tutor Learning Initiative: A Victorian Government initiative to provide students with targeted learning support in 2021 and 2022. 
• Australasian Maths Games and Maths Olympiad: weekly extension opportunities for students in Grades 4-6 who show an aptitude for Maths. 
• Hand-writing and fine motor support (Grade 1/2)
• Life skills: a fun and inclusive program aimed to promote communication skills, problem-solving, resilience, and getting along.

If your child is invited to be a part of these opportunities you will hear from us, students in MiniLit, MacqLit, and Maths extension have already been notified and sessions have begun.

Together with our commitment as staff to constantly review and prioritise individual student learning outcomes and goals, we are proud of our holistic approach to striving for growth for our students. 

New staff at Kalinda

I'd love to introduce you to 2 more new faces on the Kalinda staff, we are so pleased they have joined our team!

Mrs. Mandy Boulton - Grade 1

Hi, I’m Mandy Boulton and I teach grade 1 here at Kalinda in 2022. I love taking my dog Lexi for long walks, going for runs, and camping with my family. I am looking forward to this year!

Ms. Philippa Sinfield

Hi, my name is Philippa, also known as Ms. Sinfield. Most people call me Pip for short.

I am the new grade two teacher at Kalinda Primary school. I have worked as a CRT at Kalinda Primary school for over three years.

The things I love in life are reading: I’m enjoying reading lots of children’s books as I have a ten-year-old son who also loves to read. I love to travel; I lived in England for eight years.

I would describe myself as a creative person who loves to draw and paint. I have a twin sister who looks nothing like me and I love spending time with my family and pet dog, Bobbie.

I’m really looking forward to teaching my own class in 2022.

We are kind. We are resilient. We are respectful.