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SUGGESTIONS FROM WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY
In the last newsletter I asked families to share with me any suggestions, recipes or good news stories they have. I welcome these every week. As we move into the second half of the term any ideas we can share that help all of us manage life with the current restrictions will be great.
NEXT COMMUNICATION
Although school is now operating under this new form of “normal” I will continue to communicate with you on a weekly basis. This way we can use this communication to pass on news, good ideas and celebrations. My next whole school communication will come via the next newsletter on Monday, 24th August.
FAMILY WELLBEING
Suggestions and links for the wellbeing of your children were provided by Alex Parker, mother of Aislin (6KM).
The website www.biteback.org.au has some great resources.
Victoria University where Alex works has provided some content on a youtube channel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMIjlnRsZJDp26HQy8oZCbQ/videos
There are two sessions for children:
Mindfulness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWQZ4Gwg1ME
and
Relaxation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CywPeXecICs
Allie O’Brien (5 FJ) has left a message on her front path for passing walkers.
Maeve (2IK) and Molly McLean (PrepHP) have shared a recipe from one of Maeve’s favourite books 'Nanny Piggins'. I had a go at this recipe on the weekend and they were popular in my house. We substituted sultanas for mixed fruit as some members of my family don’t like mixed peel.
Nanny Piggins Rock Buns
225g Self Raising Flour
1/2 tsp mixed spice (we use 1 1/2 tsp as we like them spicy)
1 tsp baking powder
125g grated butter
50g castor sugar
150g dried fruit
2-3 tbsp milk
1 beaten egg
- mix flour, mixed spice and baking powder
- add butter and mix
- add sugar and fruit, mix, make a well in the middle and add egg and milk.
- once the dough has come together shape into rough ball shapes and place on a lined baking tray
- Bake for 10 mins at 200C.
- Cool slightly and enjoy!
Nanny Piggins also recommends locking all the windows and doors so you don't have to share with anyone but we prefer to share them.
Any other suggestions are welcome feedback@spbentleigheast.catholic.edu.au
Thank you from last week
Last week I shared a list of websites which were sent to me by Sharon Devon, mum of Asher 1GC and Zara 5FJ. I also shared a wellbeing sheet that was provided by Simon Kearney, father of Holly 5GM and Tom 2GP. Thank you both for sharing this information.
FEEDBACK THANKYOU
Last week Ana Mamic mother of Tomas 1GC and Melissa Lee mother of Mya PSH suggested that it would be beneficial to have all the worksheets for Year One and Prep students placed in one document for each year level that could be printed at one time as an alternative to printing when they came up each day. We organised for this to happen within 24 hours and it was well received by parents of Prep and Year One families. We will continue in future two week blocks to provide the links within the planner and as a separate worksheet document. Any feedback is very welcome. feedback@spbentleigheast.catholic.edu.au
DAYS OF NO ONLINE LEARNING
Even while we are in this period of lockdown we are continuing our School Review process to enable us to evaluate the last four years and to plan for the next four years of our strategic plan. Staff will be working in teams online on Monday, 24th August and Friday, 11th September. There will be no online or onsite learning for students on these days. OSHClub will be offering full day programs for children of permitted workers.
SCHOOL FEES
When we are clearer about when the current restrictions end and what implications this has for Term Four I will work with our School Board to look at what changes need to be made to fees and levies this year and in 2021. In the meantime if the new restrictions have added to your financial pressure and you require assistance please email fees@spbentleigheast.catholic.edu.au so that I can assist you in responding to your needs. This email address is only viewed by me and Loretta Ballas, our school Finance officer. All correspondence is confidential.
MESSAGE ON STUDENT POSTURE ON COMPUTERS
Chris Joplin, our ICT leader, emailed this message to all families last week. I repeat it here in case you missed the email.
With the added Google Meets that we are currently having across all year levels we are seeing many of the students who need a reminder about the correct posture. It's important for the students to be sitting correctly both for work and when participating in Google Meet video calls. I have added a child friendly YouTube video showing them how to sit correctly when using devices at home. as well as a document from the Catholic Education Commision of Victoria which you might like to read which will give you some ergonomic tips about desks, chairs, computers, phones and much more.
Video for Students - Health and Safety Authority (HSA) — Correct Sitting Position at a Desktop Computer
Document for Parents - Computer, Ergonomics and Laptops
LIGHTENING THE LOCKDOWN LOAD
A FREE WEBINAR FOR PARENTS IN VICTORIA
Wednesday, 19th August | 8pm
Lockdown is hard. It hurts our kids and it’s a drain on parents.
The first time was tricky. There were challenges. For some, it was horrible. But most of us managed ok and got through it.
This time it’s different. The pressure is higher. The demands are greater. The children are more oppositional. The home learning stretch will be longer. There’s work stress, family stress, and stress about being stressed!
While we can’t click our fingers and make it magically disappear, there are real strategies that parents and children can rely on to not just survive, but thrive – even in a far-too-long lockdown. They’re simple ideas that you can start on right away.
Join Dr Justin Coulson, one of Australia’s most trusted parenting specialists, as he shares 4 secrets to make it through the pain of the winter COVID-19 Victorian lockdown. By the end of this FREE webinar, you will:
- Feel reassured, with less stress and pressure around your kids, their schooling, and life
- Have concrete strategies you can start on immediately to make your family happier
- Know how to be on the same page as your partner
- Be able to develop habits and practices that will ensure your children – and YOU – can get your daily work done, even while everyone is stuck at home.
