26 March 2020

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Hello Swan Reach,

Our school community resilience is certainly being tested and developed, as the rapidly changing dynamics and precautions due to COVID-19 continue to change our routines. I thank families for taking necessary actions to keep ALL safe. I commend staff, who are working extra hard, to continue delivering face-to-face learning, and are developing and facilitating distance learning as well.

Our most current advice from the Department for Education remains that:

• schools will remain open
• hygiene practises, such as regular hand washing and covering coughs are embedded into daily routines
• social distancing is implemented and being observed
• staff are preparing learning resources for students remaining at home to finish the term’s learning as best practicable

SRAS will endeavour to continue providing families with credible updated information and thank you for your close communication during this unprecedented event.

Parents and Carers can call the Corona Health Information Hotline on 1800020080 for the most updated and reliable information.

STAY HOME IF YOU’RE SICK

The following precautions are advised by the Department for Education:

• If a student becomes unwell with flu-like symptoms at home, parents/carers need to keep child(ren) home until all symptoms cease, seek medical advice and contact the school to inform of absence due to illness.
• If a student becomes unwell with flu-like symptoms while in school care, parents/carers will be contacted immediately to collect the child and seek medical advice.
• It’s important that staff who are unwell to stay at home and recover to avoid the spread of winter illnesses (not just COVID-19).
• If staff present to work unwell, managers will send them home and will advise them to attend a medical practitioner as soon as possible to seek advice on the period of absence.

ANXIETY

There are several articles in this newsletter to assist parents and carers to talk about COVID-19 with anxious and ALL children. One is from our Pastoral Care Worker (PCW), Mrs Julie Maxwell and one written by parenting expert, Michael Gosse. Hoping you’ll find some useful information and tips you can use to discuss with your child(ren).

9 UPLIFTING THINGS TO SAY TO YOUR KIDS

There are many things we can say to our kids that are true, encouraging, positive, and helpful to their growth as humans. Here are 9 uplifting things to say to your kids every day; focusing on things you do want them to internalise.

You are kind. Even if your kid doesn’t have many kind things they do in a day, find one. Once they hear that they are kind, and can be kind, it makes them want to be kind a little more.

I am thankful for you. Never let a day go by where your kid doesn’t hear that you’re thankful for them. We often tell them we love them, but being thankful for them takes it one step farther, into the realm of being glad that they’re right there with you

I love you even when/though… This is one I most often say to my daughter. She gets her feelings hurt easily, especially when she’s in trouble, so I try to remind her as we talk about whatever she did wrong (or whatever mistake she made) that I love her even though she made that wrong choice, etc. It’s because I love her that I try to help her make the right choices. Examples: I love you even though you upset me, even though you hurt your brother, even when you are angry.

What you just said made me feel… I like to use this one as a positive reinforcement most often, but sometimes the opposite way is necessary, too. It’s often a great conversation starter! Examples: When you said you liked the dinner I made, I felt happy that I could make food you enjoyed! Or, when you told me to go away, it made me feel like you were mad at me. Is that what’s going on?

I love it when you… Telling your kids you love them is obviously important. But what’s just as important is letting them know specific things you love about them. Make sure to focus on lots of different qualities, and not just their physical traits, either. Examples: I love it when you give me hugs without me asking, when you say something nice to your sister, when you ask me to spend time with you, etc.

You are helpful when… My kids are still young enough to love helping me. So to encourage that part of them, I try to communicate to them the things they do without me asking that are helpful. Examples: Putting away toys, making the bed, bringing dirty laundry to the right place.

You make me proud. No matter what the reason is, let them know when you’re proud of them. Big things or little things, things they did because they were planned out, or even things they didn’t even know they did. It’s important that they know you are proud of them when they make good choices or do kind things.

Tell me more about that. Letting your child know that you care about what they have to say, and what’s going on in their lives is important. It also helps them learn how to communicate with you (and other adults!) when you let them tell their stories and talk about their feelings.

Yes. Find at least one thing you can say “yes” to each day – reading a book together, having an extra snuggle, playing a game, or eating ice cream after dinner. Being able to tell them “yes” as often as you can creates positivity, and you’ll both have fun spending more quality time just being with each other.

By Meredith - Mom. Writer. Diet Coke connoisseur. Born and raised Texan

Mr John Robertson
Principal

Julie’s Column
Pastoral Care Worker

If you’re like me, you’re probably “over” hearing about the Corona Virus. However, there is a lot of anxiety amongst our population surrounding the virus and the panic buying and I want to help ease your fears if I can. An OT friend of mine gave the following advice which I feel is definitely worth sharing with you.

Coping with Corona Virus (COVID 19) Anxiety

Avoid unnecessary travel and crowds

Keep your hands away from your face, especially your mouth, nose and eyes

Wash your hands often with soap and water

Limit the amount of time you spend watching or reading coronavirus news

Focus on what you can control to keep you and your family healthy, and let go of what you can’t

Managing Corona Virus Anxiety
For you –

Avoid excessive exposure to media coverage
Connect through calls/text/internet
Add extra time for daily stress relief. Simple things like a hobby, playing or listening to music, going for a walk or just doing what you enjoy are the best stress relievers and very important for a healthy life balance. Google stress relief or relaxation for other ideas
Practice self-care
Focus on your mental health

For Kids –

Reassure them that they’re safe
Let them talk about their worries
Share your own coping skills
Limit their news exposure
Create a routine and structure

For Quarantine and Isolation –

Keep in contact with your loved ones via social media, texts and phone calls
Create a daily self-care routine
Keep yourself busy – games, books, movies, puzzles, music, etc.
Focus on new relaxation techniques. There are many great relaxation apps such as “Calm”, “Insight Timer” or “Abide” (religious based).
As for the panic buying, we have been assured that there is plenty of food to go around and not to panic. If you do find that you’re running low on food and can’t find what you need in the shops, there is a Community Pantry in Birdwood that I can access through my local church. Give me a call via the school and I’ll make every effort to source what you need.

So, Keep Calm and Carry On (with your everyday life in the most normal way you can).

Mrs Julie Maxwell

SWAN REACH COMMUNITY LIBRARY AND COVID-19

WE are so SORRY, the library will now be CLOSED until further notice.

Unfortunately, the online (click and collect) service has also been suspended. Please do not hesitate to phone me on 8570 2298 if you have any queries or concerns. Also remember you have access to our digital services at the link below which includes eBooks, eAudiobooks, digital newspapers and magazines. Ancestry.com is also available from home at the moment. If you have any trouble accessing these, please give us a call.

Mrs Leanne Griffiths
Library Manager

EARLY CHILDHOOD IMMUNISATION REQUIREMENTS

From January 2020, early childhood services are required to keep immunisation records for children. Parents and guardians with children enrolled in a government early childhood service (eg Preschool, rural care, occasional care, family day care or respite care service) will be asked to provide approved immunisation records for their child. Please contact the school if you have questions or concerns.

Meningococcal Vaccination

Important information for parents and students re Meningococcal Vaccination

The free Meningococcal B catch-up program has been extended until 29th February 2020 for young adults, who were aged 17 to less than 21 years when the program started on 1 February 2019.

The Meningococcal ACWY is offered through the school program to 14 -16 year olds in year 10 however students aged 15 to less than 20 years of age who have not received the vaccine are able to access this vaccine through an ongoing GP and council clinic program.

The Meningococcal ACWY and Meningococcal B vaccines are available from GPs or your local council immunisation service for students who missed the opportunity at school to access these free vaccines.

From January to November 2019 there were 26 cases of invasive meningococcal disease reported in South Australia, compared to 30 cases recorded at the same time last year. Of the 26 cases in 2019, 18 have been serogroup B, four serogroup Y, and four serogroup W.

Ref; SA Health Media release 21 November 219

Help put a stop to this devastating disease.

Students or parents may phone HAIMS 8152 0363 if they have any questions relating to this notice.

PARENTS & FRIENDS NEWS

Well done to everyone involved in Sports Day. It was a fantastic day and thank you all for supporting Parents and Friends. We trialled a new pre-order system that worked extremely well, and will be what we use the future. We will not be very active in the school community until the world settles and we can safely return to normal. If anyone is struggling please reach out. We can be contacted through our Facebook page or a committee member. Stay safe.

Mardi Le Brun
Secretary Parents and Friends.

SWAN REACH AREA SCHOOL SPORTS DAY

Wow – how crazy to think that our 2020 SRAS Sports Day was less than two weeks ago… So much has happened in this short space of time. Upon reflection, I can’t help but to think how lucky we were to hold our Sports Day as planned. The unfortunate reality is that this will likely be our last whole-school or inter-school sporting event for the near future. On that note, I’m excited to look back at some of the incredible achievements and triumphs on this amazing day for our students, school, parents/carers and wider community.

I would like to firstly credit all of our students who participated in the combined 3000m/1000m event held on Wednesday, 11th March. The 1000m event was a new option for students this year and the results speak for themselves. All together, we had over 60% of the school students competing in the combined event.

There are many highlights that I would love to mention, but above all, the new bungee run event was a huge success. All students had the opportunity to participate in this exciting new event, with plenty of fun had by all of those who attempted the enduring bungee challenge. We sincerely thank Steve for bringing us this event; I’m sure we all look forward to competing in this again next year.

Another of the many highlights of this day, was the opportunity our students had to participate and to be part of a team. As witnessed in the exciting finish to the day, students competed in a number of team games, including the baton relay, tunnel ball, firemen’s relay and tug of war to name a few. Although conditions weren’t great, students fiercely competed to fill their team’s bucket of water in the firemen’s relay. Likewise, the brute and strength of the tug of war event saw many great contests between the Eagles and Kangaroos. Parents were even able to get in on the action of this event, competing against the staff. FINALLY, the parents were able to get a win up on the staff. Although I think a young, fit Mr Robertson was able to get the better of Clinton Griffiths in our parent vs staff bungee run decider… We’ll call it a draw for this year I think?

Congratulations to the Mallee Kangaroos on winning the SRAS Sports Day for 2020. Also, congratulations to the individual trophy winners who are listed below.

It is really important that I thank the efforts of many important people who volunteered their time to help make this day possible and successful. There are simply not enough staff members to be able to run all of the different activities that are held on this day. I send out a huge thank you to the following people who volunteered to help marshal: Di Robertson, Clinton Griffiths, Briannah Griffiths, Troy Haby, Mick Dabinet, Ben O’Shaughnessy, Sam Stewart, Sally Stewart, Niecy Ray Stewart, Matthew Bolt and Janet Le Brun. Thank you also to anyone else who helped out at particular events in need.

We can’t go past the incredible work done by our Parents & Friends team. They are simply amazing! Once again, they have kept us fed, watered and energised to make it through this big day for all involved. Thanks again P & F team.

I save the last thank you for all of the staff who helped me with preparation, set up and pack up of this event. I would like to especially thank the efforts of our groundsman, Phil Carter. I said it at the conclusion of our sports day, SRAS has been so lucky to have the best groundsman in Australia look after us for so many years. Phil – you are a legend and we simply wouldn’t be able to enjoy this day without you.

Individual Trophy Winners

Thanks all,

Mr Jayden Coleman
Sports Coordinator

SRAS Sports Day 2020

SCHOOL LUNCH ORDERS

We thank the Swan Reach General Store for supplying lunch orders for the school. The menu and ordering details are below. Please note there are no lunch orders available on Wednesdays.

RSPCA FUNDRAISER REPORT

In Term 4 last year I did a cupcake fundraiser for the RSPCA. The cupcake stall raised over $120 and I added $50 of my own money towards the final amount. I used the $170 to purchase pet supplies for the RSPCA. Here is the list of things that I spent the money on:

• 4 pet carriers
• Ice cube trays
• 2 bales of hay
• Collars and harnesses
• 120 cat ball toys (12 packs of 10)
• 12 dog rope toys.

I also saved up recycled things including:

• Toilet roll tubes
• Cardboard cereal boxes
• Tissue boxes
• Beer cartons (cardboard)a.

On the 1st of January 2020, I walked into the RSPCA and I got to give the toys and items to all of the animals.

Thank you for your support.

Cora O’Shaughnessy.

RSPCA FUNDRAISER

SRAS WEBSITE

The Swan Reach Area School website is where you can find all the school information including the newsletter, forms and polices. Please visit the link below:

NEWSLETTER INFORMATION

Due Date for the next Newsletter is 10:00am, Tuesday 9 April, 2020. The newsletter is distributed via the SZApp and school website. Printed copies are still available upon request.

Articles can be emailed to dl.0423.info@schools.sa.edu.au clearly marked in the subject box as Newsletter, faxed to 8570 2325 or delivered to the library/front office. Due to the way the Newsletter is now being set up, not all photos are included in the print copy, however there are several photo galleries included online and via the SZApp.

PLAYGROUP

Please note these sessions have been cancelled until further notice.

P-CMG/Playgroup

Please note that all Parent Mother Goose and Playgroup sessions have been suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Coming Events 2020

Community Notice Board

Kids Club

Unfortunately this event has been cancelled.

Easter Fair

Cancelled

River Run to the Reach and Street Party

Cancelled

Purnong Trash and Treasure

Cancelled