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G uy a l a G a z e t t e Issue No: 4/2020 29 May 2020 Term 2, Week 6 114 Progress Rd, White Rock Qld 4868 PO Box 14009, Mt Sheridan Qld 4868 Ph: (07) 4036 8888 Fax: (07) 4036 8800 E: [email protected] White Rock State School www.whiterockss.eq.edu.au Student Absence Line: Phone 07 4036 8866 or Text 0427 066 107 (no emojis) Office hours: Monday – Thursday 8am – 4pm and Friday 8am – 3.30pm Student Services: Monday – Friday 8.30am – 3.15pm Diary Dates Principal s Message Uniform Shop is open on Tuesday and Thursday 8:30-9:30am Uniform Shop Student banking has been suspended until further notice. Dear Parents and Caregivers, A Great Start! I would like to take this time to thank all of our wonderful families for your support during the Learning@Home phase. Like you may feel, we are glad to see our students return to school. You have done an outstanding job as our students have seamlessly transitioned back in to ‘real’ school. Our teachers have focussed this time to re-establish our routines and global rules of Be Safe, Be Respectful and Be a Learner . Our students are also participating in additional wellbeing activities to ensure everyone is being supported, feeling valued and respected across our school. Excited to be Learning! I have spent the last 2 weeks in classrooms and playgrounds every day and can report back to you that our learners, your children, are engaging well as they explore, design and create their thinking. White Rock is a great school, with great staff, exceptional families and inquisitive learners. Thank you for being a part of the White Rock Learning Together family. Restricted School Entry: Unfortunately we have some families who are not getting the message of essential visits only. This advice is given by the Chief Health Officer of Queensland Health and the Director General from the Department of Education to ensure we are all safe. Can I please remind parents to enter the school grounds only if absolutely necessary. • Use drop off and collection points at the gates • Contact teachers via telephone or email • Do not enter classrooms or other buildings e.g. Library • Do not gather in the undercover play area, at tables, outside classrooms, in carparks or use our playgrounds after hours • Maintain 1.5m physical distancing at all times • Tuckshop orders being paid by EFTPOS will be placed at the front gate from Monday 1 June Thank you for your support in ensuring the safety of our students, staff and community. 27th May - 3rd June National Reconciliation Week Friday 26th June End of Term 2 Monday 13 July First day of Term 3 Friday 28 August School Photo Day Yours in education, Dan Hollis White Rock State School Principal School Photos NEW DATE: Please note the School Photo Day will now be Friday 28 August.

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Page 1: Diary Dates Principal s Message · 2020-05-29 · Diary Dates Principal ’ s Message Uniform Shop is open on Tuesday and Thursday 8:30-9:30am Uniform Shop Student banking has been

Guyala GazetteIssue No: 4/2020 • 29 May 2020 • Term 2, Week 6

114 Progress Rd, White Rock Qld 4868 PO Box 14009, Mt Sheridan Qld 4868 Ph: (07) 4036 8888 Fax: (07) 4036 8800 E: [email protected] White Rock State School www.whiterockss.eq.edu.au

Student Absence Line: Phone 07 4036 8866 or Text 0427 066 107 (no emojis)Office hours: Monday – Thursday 8am – 4pm and Friday 8am – 3.30pm

Student Services: Monday – Friday 8.30am – 3.15pm

Diary Dates Principal’s Message

Uniform Shop is open on Tuesday and Thursday 8:30-9:30am

Uniform Shop

Student banking has been suspended until further notice.

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

A Great Start! I would like to take this time to thank all of our wonderful families for your support during the Learning@Home phase. Like you may feel, we are glad to see our students return to school. You have done an outstanding job as our students have seamlessly transitioned back in to ‘real’ school. Our teachers have focussed this time to re-establish our routines and global rules of Be Safe, Be Respectful and Be a Learner. Our students are also participating in additional wellbeing activities to ensure everyone is being supported, feeling valued and respected across our school.

Excited to be Learning! I have spent the last 2 weeks in classrooms and playgrounds every day and can report back to you that our learners, your children, are engaging well as they explore, design and create their thinking. White Rock is a great school, with great staff, exceptional families and inquisitive learners. Thank you for being a part of the White Rock Learning Together family.

Restricted School Entry: Unfortunately we have some families who are not getting the message of essential visits only. This advice is given by the Chief Health Officer of Queensland Health and the Director General from the Department of Education to ensure we are all safe. Can I please remind parents to enter the school grounds only if absolutely necessary.

• Use drop off and collection points at the gates• Contact teachers via telephone or email• Do not enter classrooms or other buildings e.g. Library• Do not gather in the undercover play area, at tables, outside classrooms, in carparks or use our

playgrounds after hours• Maintain 1.5m physical distancing at all times• Tuckshop orders being paid by EFTPOS will be placed at the front gate from Monday 1 June

Thank you for your support in ensuring the safety of our students, staff and community.

27th May - 3rd June National Reconciliation Week

Friday 26th June End of Term 2

Monday 13 July First day of Term 3

Friday 28 August School Photo Day

Yours in education,

Dan Hollis White Rock State School Principal

School PhotosNEW DATE: Please note the School Photo Day will now be Friday 28 August.

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White Rock State School Guyala Gazette 29 May 2020 • Page 2

Reporting a Student Absence

Please text (or call) before 9.30am.

Be ready to provide us with:

✓Child’s name (please spell out clearly)

✓ Class, reason for absence and your phone number

Text (SMS)*: 0427 066 107

or call the Absence Line: 4036 8866

(*SMS line does not take calls & no emoji’s please)

Please refrain from calling the main line, unless you require extra assistance.

Scholastic Book Club

Scholastic Book Club brochures have been sent home with your child. The closing date for orders is Friday 5 June.

Find out more online at:

National Reconciliation Week

Above: Reconciliation Week display created by our Prep - Year 2 students.

Learn more about Reconciliation Week and Mabo Day at: https://www.reconciliation.org.au https://www.abc.net.au/education/learn-english/the-significance-of-mabo-day/11162746

What is National Reconciliation Week? National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.The dates for NRW remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey - the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.Mabo Day is commemorated on 3 June every year and it’s named after Eddie Mabo. On 3 June 1992, the High Court of Australia recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have rights to the land. This decision by the High Court is also known as the Mabo decision.

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White Rock State School Guyala Gazette 29 May 2020 • Page 3

WRSS Facebook FilmingDo you follow our Facebook page?

Over the last 5 weeks of Learning@Home, our staff have taken a little time out of their crazy workloads to put their dancing, singing and acting skills to the test. Videos were created and we have been uploading these onto our Facebook page to connect with our students and their families. We had videos of Mr McLaren trying to hit the target, the Year 1 team playing some cool outdoor games, Mr Greene and Ms Reid having a dance off, staff around the school grooving along to a song, the Performing Arts crew writing new words to the song ‘Happy’ and even the Year 3s and Year 4s doing a TikTok style dance. There were some creative and funny videos produced!

We hope these videos made you smile and laugh... they certainly did for us! They were a great distraction for how much we were missing our students. If you haven’t seen the videos then head on over to our Facebook page to check them out. See if you can find Mr Hollis, Mr Prior and Mr McLaren having a bit of fun in our ‘Count on Me’ video! Also be sure to keep a look out for one in the next couple of weeks all about how great it is to be back at school!

A big thank you to Mrs Williams who did

all the filming and hours of editing

Thank you

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White Rock State School Guyala Gazette 29 May 2020 • Page 4

Dance Groups

Reading Club

Scratch Club

Breakfast Club is back!

Welcome back! Guyala Dance resumed again this week. We welcome you all back to dancing with our instructors Aunty Pauline and Aunty Shelly. Guyala Dance is held on Wednesdays from 3pm - 4pm in the Hall. Abal Kerem Kebi Werem starts this week and is held on Fridays at first lunch in the Block 5 spare room with Miss Gutchen.

Every morning 8am - 8.40am. Every year level is welcome. Meet in the undercover area and you will be taken to the Library.

The latest time that you can join the session is at 8.20am.

Every morning 8am-8.40am. For Years 1- 6. Meet in the undercover area and you will be taken to the Computer Lab. The latest time that you can join the session is at 8.20am.

Starting this week breakfast will be served every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday on the Hall verandah.Serving will start at 7.30am and there is strict ‘last serving’ at 8.30am so that the students can eat and then make their way to the undercover area to await the bell.A big thank you to our P&C President Cathy Zieger and all of the volunteers who do such a great job in providing a healthy breakfast which sets the students up for the great day of learning ahead.

What’s On?Regular Events at White Rock State School

Monday• Reading Club 8 - 8.40am• Scratch Club 8 - 8.40am

Tuesday• Breakfast Club 7.45 - 8.30am• Reading Club 8 - 8.40am• Scratch Club 8 - 8.40am

Wednesday• Breakfast Club 7.45 - 8.30am• Reading Club 8 - 8.40am• Scratch Club 8 - 8.40am• Guyala Dance 3 - 4pm

Thursday• Breakfast Club 7.45 - 8.30am• Reading Club 8 - 8.40am• Scratch Club 8 - 8.40am

Friday• Reading Club 8 - 8.40am• Scratch Club 8 - 8.40am• Torres Strait Island Dancing (Drama Room) 1st Lunch

HPE Update

Learning@Home

GAME ON indeed. Welcome back to all the WRSS students. It’s great to see all the smiling faces keen to get back into it. Hope you were able to spend time every day building up your ‘Move It Minutes’ and got creative with some of your activities. PE classes are back to normal and assessment will be taking place soon in preparation for the upcoming report cards. I look forward to catching up with you all over the coming weeks. Keep moving…

Mr McLaren

Angel, Brock and Jonathan worked hard every day completing their school work during the Learning@Home weeks.To get them in the right frame of mind mum and dad set up a routine whereby the children put on their uniform shirts each morning, packed their lunch boxes, bundled into the car for a drive around White Rock and past the school and then back home and straight to the home classroom. Roll was taken and the children could only call mum Mrs White until learning was over. Dad took on all the PE lessons and insisted on being called Mr McLaren for the sessions.Even lunch was eaten in the ‘Under Cover Area’ at home!Well done Penny and Kenny for keeping your students engaged and in routine.

Pictured helpers: Teacher Aide Kathy Stibbs and P&C President Cathy Zieger

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White Rock State School Guyala Gazette 29 May 2020 • Page 5

HOME ACTIVITIES - Here are some activities that you can do at home during this time while we cannot physically meet up:

Months of the Year This activity helps children understand about time. Talk about when their birthday is and other family members’ birthdays.

What you need: Paper or cardboard, 12 cut out rectangle place cards, marking pen What to do: Name each card a month from January to December

Write on the months the family’s birthdays, teach the name of the months, put the months in order and see if the child/ren can recognise the name when you call the name of the months out.

Glitter Playdough What you need: 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 2 cups water, food colouring, 1 cup of glitter What you do: Put everything into a bowl, and mix together. This is a sparkly dough, ask children to tell you how it looks. Use words like, shiny, glittery, glistening, sparkling, twinkling, shimmering.

Families as First TeachersThis PLAY based Literacy and Numeracy Families As First Teachers group is for children and their families from birth to Pre - Prep age.

Playgroup News

Craft activity packs for playgroup members will be available for collection as of this week (Week 6) from the School Office. If you have any issues collecting your pack please contact Di or Amanda and we will be able to come up with an alternative arrangement. You will find three activities provided per week for the next five weeks. All resources are included. You even get to make your very own Bear Head (pictured).

We have picked fun and easy activities for you to do with your child. Please link into the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PlaygroupQLDSouthsideCairns/ as Di and Amanda will go through each activity over the coming weeks.

Di Sherman - [email protected] 0429 053 187Amanda Franklin - [email protected] Castle - [email protected] 0458 032 992

Instrumental MusicHello White Rock State School musicians!

First of all, I would like to say how proud I am of the many dedicated students who have used this time at home to keep up with their practice and even push themselves to learn new and harder pieces.

This was made possible by the online learning lessons through Blackboard Collaborate which, while quite the learning curve for us all, brought truly wonderful lessons to life.

There was something really special about hearing students from different households play together through the computer from their respective homes while I could watch over their playing and offer instant feedback.

Students should be very proud of their progress achieved during this challenging time and I look forward to starting up band and lessons again this week (Week 6) and bringing all that beautiful online learning back into face-to-face teaching once more.

Yours in Music,

Hannah Trotter

Please Note: There will be no FaFT (Families as First Teachers) or Coffee Club groups running until further notice.

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White Rock State School Guyala Gazette 29 May 2020 • Page 6

Year 1 NewsIt has been lovely to have our students back in our classrooms to see their happy, smiling faces and to help them the best we can. One of the most exciting parts of being back at school is being able to create these wonderful pieces of art. Please enjoy our Rose and Mr Wintergarten artpieces.

Prep NewsPrep Returns to School We were so excited to have our classes back! We want to say a big thank you to the parents for following our social distancing rules, and staying outside the classrooms. We are very proud of the way your children have been coming into class and getting themselves organised and ready for the day. We have been busy getting back into our routines and straight into learning.

It was very exciting to be back with our friends!

We loved being back in our playground and even helped Mr Hollis

pull some grass out of our sandpit.

We had fun making bridges for The Three Billy Goats Gruff to cross the river. Look out for the big TROLL!

We have been working really hard in class!

Year 3 NewsHello and welcome back to our wonderful Year 3s, who have done an incredible job of keeping up with their home learning these last five weeks! From signing in on Blackboard Collaborate, to a wide variety of ways to beautifully organise and decorate their take-home learning packs, the students of Year 3 have really done their teachers proud.

We hit the ground running this week with an excellent start - it was as though no one had ever left in the first place. Everyone knew exactly what to do with our routines and pretty soon we were smashing out our learning in class and back on track to make Term 2 an amazing learning experience. There were a lot of joyful reunions and stories shared of home learning triumphs, which we were delighted to be a part of.

Our first priorities this term - writing historical narratives, nailing fractions, defining what an odd number actually is, and checking our wellbeing with learning about ‘bucket-filling’! Bring it on, we can’t wait to get stuck in.

Love from Mrs Vaughan, Miss Tansey, Mrs Kelly-White, Mrs Krisanski and Miss Cunington

Year 2 NewsWelcome back to all the Year 2s. We are extremely happy to see so many of you back at school having fun and learning. This makes Mrs Nobile, Mrs P, Mrs Cristaldi and Mrs Power very excited!

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White Rock State School Guyala Gazette 29 May 2020 • Page 7

Year 4 News Year 5 News

Year 6 NewsOur first week back coincides with Reconciliation Week. The theme selected for this year is “In This Together”. This turned to be a very important theme in many ways for 2020. One way we can help Reconciliation is to learn together about Indigenous culture, and share what we have learnt with others. To do his the Year 6 cohort have created our own version of “Story Stones”. We looked at how stories have been passed down the generations, through dance, song and art. On the rock art, bark paintings, sand drawings, artefacts and more recently canvases created by Indigenous people we often see different symbols use to represent places people and animals. We learnt about some of the symbols used, and painted them on small squares of timber. These squares were then varnished and then hidden across the school for the younger students to find. Classes were provide with an explanation of each symbol and asked to create sentences from the symbols they found.

Welcome back! After a very long period of time it is GREAT to all be back at school.

• We have had various styles of learning during the isolation period.• Learning at home on the work packs.• Learning at home using the iPad or mobile phone to join some

interactive lessons.• We have used the phone to participate in a teleconference call.• We have come to school and sat in a class of approximately 12

children and worked on our work packs.We have had fun learning in different ways and now we are focused and ready to learn. It has been an interesting journey and it is great to be back.Ms Reid, Ms Griffin, Mr Greene

Special Education Programs (SEP) UpdateIt has been great to welcome back all our students and it is nice to see the SEP classrooms alive with chatter and laughter once again. Over the remainder of this term some of our students will be exploring the Zones of Regulation program. The Zones of Regulation is a complete social-emotional learning curriculum, created to teach children self-regulation and emotional control.The children will learn to identify how they are feeling and which zone (Blue, Green, Yellow or Red) they fit into. The will also learn strategies to help them move between the ‘Zones’. For example: if they are angry and in the Red Zone they will learn what helps them to regulate their behaviour and move back to the Green (happy, calm) Zone. Kelley-Jean Randall, SEP Coordinator

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White Rock State School Guyala Gazette 29 May 2020 • Page 8

Term 2 Tuckshop Menu

P&C President: Cathy Zeiger E: [email protected] Care of 114 Progress Rd, White Rock Qld 4868 PO Box 14009, Mt Sheridan Qld4868

Term 2, 2020 Phone: 4036 8823

MMoonnddaayy Burrito Bowl $5.00 Mexican beef, corn, sour cream, cheese with corn chips.

TTuueessddaayy Chicken Nuggets $3.00 WWeeddnneessddaayy Chicken Sushi Bowl $5.00 Tuna Sushi Bowl $5.00 Sushi rice, cucumber, mayo, nori avocado (when in season). TThhuurrssddaayy Hot dog $3.00 Hot dog with cheese $3.50 FFrriiddaayy Meat pies $4.00

DDrriinnkkss Popper juice $2.00 Chocolate milk $3.00 Strawberry milk $3.00 Bottled water $1.50

Sausage roll $3.00 Pizza rounder $3.50 Quiche $4.00 Hot sweetcorn cob $1.00 Chicken and cheese pocket melt $4.00 Ham and cheese pocket melt $4.00 Sauce - BBQ or tomato $0.30 Muffins $1.50 Fresh fruit $1.00 Yoghurt – smooth $1.50 Yoghurt - fruit $1.50 Vegemite on crackers $1.00 Cheese on crackers $1.50 Popcorn $0.50 Sultanas $0.50 Dried apricots $0.50 Boiled egg $0.50 Carrot sticks $0.50 Bega cheese $1.00 SSaallaadd ccuuppss Salad cup $5.50 Chicken salad cup $6.00 Ham salad cup $6.00 Egg salad cup $6.00

SSpprreeaadd SSaannddwwiicchheess $$22..0000 Choice of: Vegemite, peanut butter, honey, Nutella or jam SSaannddwwiicchheess ((11 ffiilllliinngg)) $$22..5500 Choice of 1 filling: ham, chicken, egg, tuna or cheese SSaannddwwiicchheess ((22 ffiilllliinnggss)) $$33..0000 · Egg & lettuce · Ham & cheese · Chicken & cheese SSaannddwwiicchheess ((wwiitthh ssaallaadd)) $$66..0000 · Chicken & salad · Ham & salad · Tuna & salad · Full salad only ($5.50) AAddddiittiioonnaall iitteemmss $$00..5500 eeaacchh For example: ham, cheese, tomato (add tomato) = $3.50

TTooaasstteedd SSaannddwwiicchheess $$00..2200 eexxttrraa For example: ham, cheese, tomato (add tomato and add toasting) = $3.70

AAddddiittiioonnaall ffuullll ssaallaadd $$44..0000 eexxttrraa Includes: lettuce, tomato, cucumber, beetroot, carrot and cheese.

WWrraappss Sweet chilli chicken Tenders wrap $4.00 with lettuce & mayo Pork riblet wrap $4.00 with lettuce & BBQ sauce

Chicken & cheese wrap $3.00 Ham & cheese wrap $3.00 Chicken & salad wrap $6.00 Ham & salad wrap $6.00 Egg & salad wrap $6.00 Tuna & salad wrap $6.00 Full salad wrap $5.50

$ 4.00 HAPPY PACK Includes: cheese, vegemite crackers, yoghurt, boiled egg.

$ 8.00 LUNCH PACK Includes: fruit, vegemite crackers, popper, muffin and sandwich (ham or cheese or chicken or egg or any spread).

Prices correct as of, March 2020. Menu items and prices are subject to change.

$ 4.00 HEALTHY PACK Includes: cheese, ham, apple, carrot.

Find Dr Cameron, The Story Doctor, online!

Do you rememer Dr Cameron coming to WRSS a couple of years ago? We have some of his books available in our school Library.For eight weeks (18 May – 12 July), you can join Dr Cameron, Author and Illustrator of the Pie Rats, Scallywags and Stroogle series, on the State Library’s Reading Adventure Club website! Cameron will be blogging with the children of Queensland in an action-packed 8-weeks of drawing challenges, exclusive short grab videos and interactive blogging. He can’t wait to hear from students!Parents can find out more by visiting: www.slq.qld.gov.au/readingadventures

Tuckshop Service Times:

Breakfast 8.00am – 8.50am

First Lunch Break 11.00am – 11.45am

Second Lunch Break 1.30pm – 2.00pm

Tuckshop Contact Information:

Tuckshop Convener – Lesa Jarvis

White Rock State School Tuckshop – 4036 8823

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White Rock State School Guyala Gazette 29 May 2020 • Page 9

Community Notices

Invites

Prospective 2021 Year 7 Students and Parents/Carers To the annual

Information Evening & School Tour Date: Wednesday 17th June 2020

Venue: Woree SHS – Enter via RIGG ST Time: 5:00pm

Experience “The GREAT Woree State High School” Enjoy a Tour of the school:

• Be guided by a current WSHS junior secondary student around the school visiting each faculty to experience the high school learning environment

• Watch videos of students in action • Check displays of student work and resources

Receive an Enrolment Pack for Year 7 2021 which includes:

• Expression of Interest Form (this starts the Enrolment Process) • General Woree SHS Handbook • Year 7 – 9 Junior Secondary Subject Guide • Media & Internet Consent Forms • Student Resource Scheme Forms • “Responsible Behaviour Plan 4 Students” Agreement and more information

Meet the:

• Executive Team – Principal and Deputy Principals • Head of Department – Junior School and Junior Secondary Student Support Services Officer • Heads of Departments – Curriculum, Diverse Learning, Learning Support & Support 4 Students • Student Support Services Team – Guidance Officer, Community Education Counsellor, Youth Support

Coordinators, Chaplain, Responsible Behaviour Officer • Clontarf Academy Staff

**Given the current COVID restrictions, we ask that only 1 parent/carer accompany their child (where possible)

** RSVP by Survey Monkey – which will be sent out by YOUR PRIMARY SCHOOL. For further information please contact: Linda Jones - Head Of Department Junior Secondary

Phone: 4081 5222 Ext 216 Email: [email protected]

Provided as a part of our school’s Parenting Ideas membership parentingideas.com.au

Stay calm

Anxiety is very contagious, so it’s easy for us as parents to take on our children’s worries and fears. The reverse is true, and kidscan pick up our worries, taking them on as their own. As a bu�er against anxiety ensure you do something each day that bringsyou some joy, whether it’s listening to music, going for a walk or having a co�ee with a friend.

Look aer yourself

 In recent months parents and teachers have been doing significant emotional labour. The learning and adjustment curves havebeen massive, with little time to relax and take a break. Consider your own emotional resources and make your wellbeing apriority, which will make it easier for you to stay calm if your child experiences di�iculties.

Communicate confidence

It’s a fine line that many parents walk between being flippant (‘you’ll be right’) and showing confidence (‘you’ll do okay’) whenkids struggle to adjust to change. My research into childhood anxiety reveals that children and young people want parents andteachers to understand their fears and anxieties, and to coach them to negotiate di�iculties including adjusting to change. Youcan support your child through sharing stories of resilience, focusing on the positives and letting them know that will eventuallyadjust.

The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown up many di�iculties requiring us all to quickly adapt to new situations. Flexibility is a primecharacteristic of resilient people, so if nothing else, getting through these challenging times will make us all more resilient.

Michael GroseMichael Grose, founder of Parenting Ideas, is one of Australia’s leading parenting educators. He’s anaward-winning speaker and the author of 12 books for parents including Spoonfed Generation, andthe bestselling Why First Borns Rule the World and Last Borns Want to Change It. Michael is a formerteacher with 15 years experience, and has 30 years experience in parenting education. He also holds aMaster of Educational Studies from Monash University specialising in parenting education.

Provided as a part of our school’s Parenting Ideas membership parentingideas.com.au

INSIGHTS

Successfully transitioning students back to school

The recent home-schooling experience of Australian students is about to end with most states and territories transitioning kidsback to school. For parents, many of whom have discovered just how complex teaching can be, the return to school will be awelcome relief. For children, going back to school may bring a mixed bag of feelings. Eager anticipation about reconnectingwith friends and teachers will probably be accompanied by a level of anxiety about what school may be like upon return.

School undoubtedly will be a di�erent experience for students post COVID-19. For a start they’ve just experienced a prolongedperiod of remote learning and an absence from their friends, which will take time to process when they return to school.

With organised extra-curricular activities put on hold most children have had a great deal of free time, which has placed thelocus of control firmly in their hands. I suspect many kids will grieve their lack of freedom, as they’ve had a glorious glimpse ofwhat an unstructured life is like. It may take some time for them to get back into the swing of school life.

With the return to school imminent here are some sensible strategies to make adjustment easier for students.

Get ready for a return

Worriers and anxious types in particular like to know what’s ahead so your approach will make a di�erence. Prepare your childfor a return by discussing the safety procedures the school will be implementing. Let young children know that an adult won’t beaccompanying them past the school gate. Ask your child what they are looking forward to and check in with how they arefeeling about a return. Validate any fears and apprehensions and correct any misconceptions.

Go slowly

This period will mirror the start of the school year when your child had to adjust to new teachers, di�erent classmates and a newyear level. Adjusting to change takes a great deal of personal energy, so you child or young person may become tired, grumpy,even moody at home. Make allowances for these personal changes and make sure they have plenty of free time to unwind a�erschool.

Focus on reconnection

Make reconnection the theme for your child’s return to school. He or she will have to reconnect with friends, teachers andlearning, which takes time. In all likelihood, your child’s teachers will use many strategies to help your child connect with theirfriends, reflect on their time at home and move them back into full-time learning mode. Support these activities and keep yourlearning expectations for your child in check.

It may take the rest of the term for some children to adjust to their life back at school.

Kindergarten for 2021 – Enrol Now

If your child turns 4 before June 30, 2021, they are eligible to attend kindergarten in 2021.

Families are invited to place your child’s name on the online waitlist www.candk.asn.au/whiterock or call

us on ph. 40360859.

Enrolment offers for 2021 will be going out shortly.

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White Rock State School Guyala Gazette 29 May 2020 • Page 10

Please support our Sponsors

CATHY ZEIGER4044 3073 M. 0411 437 [email protected]

facebook.com/CathyZeigerDiv3CRC

www.cathyzeiger.org

www.cairns.qld.gov.au/council/ mayor-and-councillors/division-3

YOUR DIVISION 3 COUNCILLOR

We offer a free home pick up and drop off bus service.

Long Day care Service 6:30am -6:30pm Before school drop off

Afterschool Care Pick up available Vacation Care available 5yrs-13years

Enquiries 40361055

Would you like to Sponsor our Newsletter and advertise your

business here?

Advertise HERE

Please call Deb at our School Office on 4036 8888 for more information.

NARELLE SLATYER

EMMETT THERAPIST

0427 555 275