5 Harriet Street TOORA, 3962 Ph: (03) 5686 2283 / Fax: (03) 5686 2451

toora.ps@edumail.vic.gov.au Website: www.tooraps.vic.edu.au

Newsletter Issue 11 Thursday 16th June , 2016

2016 CALENDAR Term 2: 11 April to 24 June Term 3: 11 July to 16 September Term 4: 3 October to 20 December JUNE 23rd Student Reports go home with all students 24th All Staff attending Professional Development with Scott Dunbabin 24th Last Day Term2 early dismissal 2:20pm JULY 11th First Day Term 3 HAVE YOU RETURNED: A copy of your WWC card if you’re a volunteer 2016 Parent Payment for your child/ren Asthma Management Plan Change of address details if you’ve recently moved? School Office Hours 8.30am—4.00pm (Wednesdays unattended) Absences - Phone the office or write in your Child’s communication book. All Visitors MUST report to the Admin Office.

From Our Principal Well done to Xavier, Reghan, Jaxon and Will who all represented Toora Primary School in the Lightning Premiership as members of the Corner Inlet Football Team last Thursday. From all reports the boys gave their best effort, showed good sportsmanship and enjoyed themselves. Congratulations and best wishes to Xavier Westbrook who earned a place in the regional cross country championship, representing Toora Primary School, being held today at Lardner Park near Warragul. Thankyou to all of the volunteers and staff for running our successful Clubs program:- Nigel Plowright – Scratch (a software program introducing students to computer coding) Marilyn Zanella – Drawing Kerry & Troy Duroux, Leslie Elliott, Janine Schulz, and Brett – Gardening Di – Weaving Kerry Corcoran and Andrea – Mixed Games Gary and Rachel – Cooking Louise – Photography We cannot run our Clubs program without volunteers and we hope they all enjoyed sharing their interests with our students. Thankyou to Anna Hopkins who has repaired a hole in our front fence and cleaned out the fishpond as well as cleaning up the garden around it to make it safer and more pleasant for everyone. NB the fishpond will be covered with strong wire-mesh before being filled with water and appropriate plants (and possibly fish). Thankyou to all of the parents and friends who have run or assisted with our ‘lunch orders’ this term – the children (and staff) look forward to ‘lunch order day’ every week.

Principals message continued over page:

TERM 2 ends on Friday 24th June at 2:20pm, our local school buses will be operating to this earlier time. On Friday 24th June all staff will be involved in a whole school Professional Development day with Scott Dunbabin. Scott is a leader in the field of student behaviour. Students attending school on Friday 24th June will be taken for a modified school program by Casual Relief Staff. During this program students will be involved in whole school activities and general classroom tidy-up.

Two weeks ago I attended the Positive Schools conference in Melbourne. I had the privilege of hearing many highly respected speakers including Psychologist Michael Carr Greg, Indigenous leader and educator Dr Chris Sarra, Teacher Maggie Dent, internationally renowned expert in motivation Alfie Kohn and Drs Helen Street and Karen Martin from the University of WA and Associate Professor Linda Graham from Queensland University. Interestingly there were many key messages that were espoused by the speakers. Messages that are too important to stay as notes on my ipad so I thought I would share them with you. Firstly it is important to be aware that there is a very strong connection between positive mental health and wellbeing and learning. When a child has good mental health and wellbeing s/he is much more capable of learning and achieving at school. It is a fact that we either grow good mental health and wellbeing OR we grow bad mental health and a poor state of being … so, it is in everyone’s best interest to do whatever we can to grow good mental health and wellbeing. The great news is that there are things that can be done to promote good mental health and wellbeing. I have included some websites that you may find helpful. 1. The single biggest thing that a child can do for their mental health and wellbeing AND learning is to have a good night’s

sleep. Yes, sleep. Hours of sleep: Australian recommendation for school age children is between 9 – 11 hours every night.

a. See the following websites for helpful information about sleep and sleep problems i. http://www.healthdirect.gov.au/children-and-sleep ii. http://www.sleephealthfoundation.org.au/fact-sheets-a-z/224-sleep-tips-for-children.html iii. http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/persistent_sleep_problems_children.html 2. The next most important thing is eating breakfast, preferably a healthy breakfast, every day. a. See the following websites for helpful information about breakfast and healthy eating for children i. https://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/the_guidelines n55f_children_brochure.pdf ii. http://www.health.wa.gov.au/docreg/Education/Population/Child_Health/Feeding/

HP003167_food_for_kids.pdf 3. It is helpful for children to minimise the amount of junk food and pre-packaged foods they eat (these are often full of

artificial colours, flavours, too much sugar, salt and bad fats). Junk food and pre-packaged snacks such as chips, cakes, biscuits may give an instant energy boost but then they very quickly then lead to a physiological slump which has a negative impact on learning, memory, emotions and behaviour.

4. Having good emotional regulation, ie being calm and not overly anxious, stressed, angry, very sad, etc. And being able to calm themselves and regulate their emotions.

a. See the following websites for suggestions to help children learn strategies to regulate their emotions i. http://smilingmind.com.au/

ii. https://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/early-childhood/about-emotions/self-regulation/helping-children-manage-their-emotions-resources

Iii. https://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/mental-health-matters/social-and-emotional-learning/anger/helping-children-cool-down-and-stay-calm

5. Having plenty of exercise, preferably outdoors. a. See the following website for suggestions about exercise for school aged children i. http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/F01F92328EDADA5BCA257BF0001E720D/$File/

brochure%20PA%20Guidelines_A5_5-12yrs.PDF 6. Knowing how to make friends, keep friends, maintain friendships and mend relationships when there has been conflict. a. See the following websites for suggestions about helping children make friends, dealing with conflict etc i. https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/tips/making-great-friendships/ ii. https://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/families/about-friendship/making-friends/making-friends-supporting-children-

develop-friendships-and iii. https://www.psychology.org.au/publications/tip_sheets/bullying/ 7. Knowing how to get help and who to turn to when they need help. And, knowing how to help a friend when they need

help. a. See the following websites for suggestions about where children can get help for themselves or someone else i. https://kidshelpline.com.au/kids/ ii. https://www.esafety.gov.au/kids-quiz/ iii. http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/113822/keeping_me_safe.pdf 8. Knowing how to help a friend when they need help. a. https://kidshelpline.com.au/kids/

continued over page:

Unfortunately this will be the last BLUE LIGHT DISCO unless the attendance rate

rises. Please consider Supporting the DISCO

9. Being able to cope with disappointment and frustration. a. See the following websites for suggestions about helping children develop positive coping skills i. https://www.parentingideas.com.au/newsletter/pdf/Coping_eBook.pdf ii. http://www.embracethefuture.org.au/resiliency/index.htm?http://www.embracethefuture.org.au/resiliency/

emotional_skills.htm 10. Getting help when you are concerned about your child’s mental health and wellbeing a. See the following websites i. https://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/families/getting-professional-help/seeking-help-children%E2%80%99s-mental-

health-difficulties ii. https://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/early-childhood/enewsletters/ed-01-aug-2010/recognising-mental-health-

problems-and-seeking-support We know that the mental health and wellbeing of your children is extremely important to you. If there is anything you want us to know that may assist us to support your child’s mental health and learning at school or anything you are concerned about please speak with your child’s teacher – as a Kids Matter school, your child’s mental health and wellbeing is very important to us too. Have a great weekend everyone, Andrea Penrose - Acting Principal

Principals Report continued:

This term has flown by and lots of learning and fun has been had in the P/1/2 classroom. We have begun our transition program for next year’s prep students by going to the kinder for a play and having the kinder kids visit us at school. We have now got 8 (surviving) classroom fish that were kindly donated by Mr Whittle. Recently we have had some snazzy school photos that I’m sure everyone can’t wait to get back, along with our first ever junior school carnival that replaced the athletics day until later in the year when the P/1/2 will get together with other schools and run the junior school athletics carnival. Earlier in the term we went to Foster Primary to visit the ‘Starlab’ where we learned a little more about space and also attended another excursion in Foster a few weeks later where we watched the sticks and stones performance about bullying. Enjoy the school holidays and bring on Term 3! Mrs Wiggins

Prep/1/2 Classroom