Junior School update

eSmart: Safer Internet Day

This week, as part of our eSmart learning, the Junior School acknowledged Safer Internet Day, a global event that helps create safer online spaces, calling on communities to: 

• Connect safely and with purpose – by keeping apps and devices secure and using social media in positive ways.  
• Reflect before we act – by taking a moment to consider how what we do and say online may affect others.  
• Protect ourselves and others by taking action – by telling family, friends or colleagues about eSafety and how we can help.  

eSafety commissioner

There is a plethora of information available to parents who would like to support their children to stay safe online and a variety of informative webinars scheduled for 2023. You can access these through the eSafety Commissioner’s website here. 

Big Life Journal: supporting your child’s friendship navigation 

Many primary-aged students find resuming, initiating and navigating friendships at the beginning of the school year tricky. Author and child whisperer, and also the founder and CEO of The Big Life Journal, Alexandra Eidens, shared an excellent resource for parents on Coaching your Child through Friendship Drama. Big Life Journal helps children develop strong Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and growth mindset skills and is a valuable resource for parents, children and teachers.

Resilience 

As promised in our Junior School Information Evening talk by school psychologist, Edith Benardeau-Short, information about resilience and practical tips/strategies can be found in this article found here (written by psychologist, author, and parent Karen Young).

Reliable and evidence-based resources for parents/carers can be found at Raising Children website.

Helpful support and resources for parents and young people include:  

• Kids Helpline website or by calling 1800 55 1800 (free phone counselling)
• Reach Out Australia
• Beyond Blue

TheirCare: outside school hours care at Ripponlea Primary School 

We are delighted to be able to offer outside school hours care in partnership with Ripponlea Primary School. (TheirCare.com.au – register via Ripponlea PS.) Those children attending after care will be escorted to Ripponlea PS by a Shelford staff member at 3:15 PM. Please let Shelford know at your earliest opportunity if you register your child up for after care so that we can be sure to arrange her safe delivery to Ripponlea PS. Email vgemmell@shelford.vic.edu.au. 

After school enrichment - Term 1, 2023 

The Junior School is pleased to offer the following enrichment opportunities to students in Term 1.   

Monday 

Creative Movement Club, convener: Karen Robotis, Prep – Year 6, 3:30 – 4:30 PM Pavilion Japanese Enrichment (Day 6), convener: Julie Devine, Prep – Year 6, 3:30 – 4:30 PM C16 

Tuesday  

Directed Drawing, convener: Kath Williams, Prep – Year 6, Year 2 Room French Enrichment (Day 7), convener: Didier Piecoup, Prep – Year 6, 3:30 – 4:30 PM C15 

Wednesday 

Chess Club, convener: Chess for Schools, Year 1 – Year 6, 3:30 – 4:30 PM C12 

Thursday 

Chinese Languages Club, conveners: Audrey Li, Nicole Cao, Prep – Year 6, 3:30 – 4:30 PM C18  

Vicky Gemmell

Head of Junior School – Student Wellbeing and Development

Jacqui Sidaway

Head of Junior School – Curriculum and Innovation