Wellbeing
SFS Twilight Market and Art show
We are eagerly anticipating our annual SFS Twilight Community market and Art Show which will be held on Thursday 3rd November from 5pm until 8pm.
There are a variety of stalls booked in including clothing, homeware, jewellery and some delicious food trucks.
Start the countdown, 11 weeks to go! We are looking for donations of prizes for the market.
If you have any new items at home that you do not want (e.g. stationery, homewares, gifts) please drop that off at the school office. If you have a small business and you are happy to donate a prize for the market, it would be greatly appreciated.
National Child Protection Week 4 – 10 September 2022
National Child Protection Week will continue to embrace the overarching message that ‘Every child, in every community, needs a fair go’.
In particular, this year we will be shining a light on children growing up safe and supported.
Children and young people thrive when they grow up safe, connected and supported in their family, community and culture.
They have the right to grow up in environments that support them according to their needs, now and into the future.
This year let’s talk about how we create a supportive environment for every child.
National Child Protection Week will be looking at what works to keep children safe and supported… what children are telling us… what families are telling us… what the evidence is telling us… and how to translate this knowledge into action.
We know that too many children are not growing up safe and supported and that Child Protection systems are overloaded. There are many opportunities to change the trajectory for these children.
We can stop child abuse and neglect – and reduce its impact – by working together to make sure every child in every community has a fair go.
New Child Safe Standards
At SFS, Child safety is at the forefront of our mind and we have standards in pace to ensure that ensure we are a Child safe school.
There are new child safe standards that will came into effect on July 1st 2022. The aims of these 11 standards are to:
- promote the safety of all children
- prevent child abuse
- ensure effective processes are in place to respond to and report all allegations of child abuse.
Child Safe Standard 9 – Physical and online environments promote safety and wellbeing while minimising the opportunity for children and young people to be harmed
In complying with Child Safe Standard 9, an organisation must, at a minimum, ensure:
9.1 Staff and volunteers identify and mitigate risks in the online and physical environments without compromising a child’s right to privacy, access to information, social connections and learning opportunities.
9.2 The online environment is used in accordance with the organisation’s Code of Conduct and child safety and wellbeing policy and practices.
9.3 Risk management plans consider risks posed by organisational settings, activities, and the physical environment.
9.4 Organisations that contract facilities and services from third parties have procurement policies that ensure the safety of children and young people.
Australian Childhood Foundation
The following extract is taken from the Connected Parenting: A Bringing up great kids resource, produced by the Childhood Foundation. It is a resource that you might find helpful.
Child’s play is a parent’s business
“Play is one of the most important needs children have. At the heart of play is fun. It is through play that children do much of their learning. Play fuels all aspects of healthy development.
• Running, kicking and throwing balls helps children develop balance and co ordination.
• Singing and rhyming games help with language development.
• Puzzles and problem solving games help children’s intellectual development.
• Turn-taking and sharing in play help develop important relationship skills and self-control.
Play is an important way that children can express and work through their feelings. Through watching and joining in children’s play, you can gain insight into how your child is feeling and thinking. Parents play a crucial role in children’s play .
Joining in play builds positive relationships between you and your children in a climate of fun. Playing with your children promotes opportunities for you to support them as they experiment with new skills. The most positive reinforcement children can get comes from the approval and praise of a parent. The most important play for young children is play with parents – make sure you make some time for play every day. Playing with children Playing activities should be at the right level for your child. Too easy and your child may get bored. Too hard and your child may get frustrated.
• Let your child lead the play. Don’t take over.
• Make sure the play is safe.
• Ask your children what they would like you to do as part of the play.
• Allow enough time for play.
• Don’t compete with young children. This can discourage them from wanting to play.
• Be patient if your child wants to repeat the same play over and over. New skills require lots of practice! Stay enthusiastic.
• Appreciate and encourage their efforts, no matter what the outcome.
• Look for opportunities to engage in play at any time. For example, join your child in making up rhymes or songs about normal daily activities like making the bed.
Most of all have fun and laugh with your children
‘Tuning in’ to your child'
Being ‘tuned in’ is the way that parents come to know what their children are feeling and thinking and what their children need. ‘Tuning in’ is the basis for secure, positive and supportive relationships between you and your child. ‘Tuned in’ parents let children know that their experiences and feelings are acknowledged, understood and will be responded to.
Children can tell if their parents are ‘tuned in’. It is the way that children sense your interest in and approval of them. It forms the basis for a deeper level of connection with your child and builds the platform for positive relationships as children grow. When you are ‘tuned in’, you are able to read your child’s emotional and behavioural cues and respond appropriately. When children feel responded to and understood, they develop confidence and positive self-esteem.”
If you have any questions or concerns about the wellbeing of your child please do not hesitate to contact me rlenko@sfslynbrook.catholic.edu.au
Rachel Lenko
Student Wellbeing Leader
Positive Quote of the Day
