20 August 2020

Newsletter Articles

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Hello Swan Reach,

There is one group of unsung heroes at SRAS who diligently, and with much care and passion, go about supporting our students and families on a daily basis – our bus drivers. SRAS takes this opportunity to thank you immensely for the extra care you apply to your daily commutes, including:

• Constant safety considerations
• Ongoing conversations with students – some quite entertaining!
• Communication with families
• Checking that all students are on and just as important, off the bus
• Communication with school
• Early starts – especially in the winter months
• Dealing with unexpected issues
• Impeccable driving safety records

Thank you to our main drivers, Mr Christian, Mrs Friebel, Mrs & Mr Warren, Mr Reed, Mr Carter and Mrs Williamson; and to standby drivers, Mr Griffiths and Mrs Gierke. Keep up your tremendous efforts. Special mention to Mr Christian as he steps down from this role after many wonderful years. Really appreciated Phil – we’ll miss you and thank you.

FAREWELL

SRAS wishes Matthew and Anakin the utmost success in their new education settings. We hope they continue to build on the solid academic and wellbeing foundations facilitated by all staff at SRAS.

BASKETBALL GRANDFINAL & P&F LUNCH

This Friday, SRAS looks forward to the basketball grand final. The four teams – Black Bears (staff), Blue Bulldogs, Green Giants and Red Roosters – have battled sportingly and at times, ferociously and awkwardly to gain the prize of playing in the grand final. The Black Bears are favourites but complacency might be their undoing.

P&F are hosting a luncheon - party style – to support the final and SRAS students and staff. We gratefully welcome their return to action and re-connection with SRAS. The P&F team have diligently adhered to appropriate and safe COVD-19 food serving guidelines. Be sure to check out the photos on our Face Book pages.

DAYMAP

A proud partnership between staff and Governing Council is our future implementation of Day Map. Councillors have raised awareness that there are too many communication platforms in use at SRAS that is confusing for the community (and staff!). Day Map is an online application that will cease this confusion and also provide more explicit information about your child(ren)’s learning on a daily, weekly and termly basis.

Its features include:

• Student management and wellbeing
• Assessment and reporting
• Excursion management
• Attendance
• Curriculum mapping
• School organisation and communication
• Parent – teacher interviews
• Document and data management

To review these functions and capabilities, follow the link below:

SRAS staff will be trained over the remainder of this year and begin implementing it so it is ready for 2021 – watch this space for updates on this one-stop system making things easier parents, carers, students and staff.

SPEAKING TO CHILDREN ABOUT COVID-19

The following article is copied from the Generation Next website. The full article can be found using the link below:

Children, youth and families are critical members of the pandemic response.

Our team at Monash Education is conducting an Australian-wide longitudinal study to understand the educational and wellbeing impact of COVID-19 on children, parents, adults and families.

So far, 1987 adults and 256 youth participants have completed the survey. Preliminary findings suggest that parents don’t know how to talk about COVID-19 with their children, and struggle to respond to their child’s questions about the changes – many parents are relying on school to provide COVID-19 information.

Some parents believe their child is too young to know or understand that COVID-19 exists, citing fears of triggering nightmares, while others aren’t sure what to share about the coronavirus at home.

So far, the study data suggests that families need support to have these conversations at home. Many would prefer their children to learn about COVID-19 from an expert, a doctor or scientist. Parents are concerned about sharing false information, and how much is too much information to share.

We need the current health response from the Victorian government, but children and youth are also, critically, part of our pandemic response, and they need specific information about the changes.

Parents and children need this information in the language in which they’re most confident, and in which they speak to each other, to support meaningful conversations about the pandemic. Working closely with community leaders can help with swift translation.

Children have questions about COVID-19 that aren’t being addressed. These differ from child to child. Common questions include: “Why are we using hand sanitiser?” “Why are you wearing a mask? “Can this thing kill us?” “Why can’t I see Grandma?” “Am I spreading it?” “How can I help?”

In our study, one parent found “an online picture book, which the kids liked. I think what kids need varies from child to child. My son is very mathematical, so it reassured him knowing that no children had died from COVID-19, and that the risk to us was only 0.2%.”

“My daughter wanted to know a bit more about how she would know if she had it, and both of them wanted to know what they could do to avoid catching it. It empowered them to feel like they had a bit of control in their own health.”

Another parent suggested that: “It is critical they know the information (eg., for prevention) and I omit distressing information (eg., death rates).”

The youth in our study also want more information. Most get their COVID-19 information from social media (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter), and are less likely to learn about COVID-19 at school, or talk about it with their parent/caregiver.

Many want to learn about COVID from professionals or at school. Some of the questions from teens we have received include:

How it started. Why it happened. If it’s possible to develop a vaccine. How it will impact our attitude to hand hygiene in the future. More about how it is treated. Why people aren’t listening.

Is it like the flu? Will there be another wave? What makes it kill you? How long will it last? How can we prevent a third wave of it?

How close are we to finding a cure? What is the probability of it reaching home? What makes it distinguishable from the flu?

Are we going to get a vaccine for corona? Are we ever going to cure corona? What is the chance that you will get or have gotten corona?

Can I have a sleepover with a friend? How effective is social distancing? Can the disease happen to disabled teenagers? Can teenagers in general get the disease?

Are pets at risk of carrying the disease? How effective is cleaning surfaces in stopping transmissions? Can I hang with friends?

Here are a few suggestions to support families talking about COVID-19 at home, and answer some of these questions if your teen asks.

Conversations about COVID-19 should happen at multiple levels – and be aided by campaigns where children’s questions and concerns can be acknowledged and addressed state-wide, and even nationally.

One way to start talking about COVID-19 at home is by sharing stories of people helping during these tough times. For example, the Australian Red Cross shares a collection of silver linings during COVID-19 from around the world.

Kindness has been found to support wellbeing during COVID-19, and counteract “doomscrolling”.

Here are some of the “quiet kindness” stories to talk about: Holli Morgan, a fifth-grade student, who started making masks for first responders, is experiencing the joy of helping someone, especially those who need it most. Or Jayden Perez, another 11-year-old student, who donated 1000 hand sanitisers to his school because he was concerned other students didn’t have them. Scout Quinn Callander (12) donated self-designed 3D-printed ear guards for hospital workers to alleviate ear pain from wearing masks for long shifts – a wonderful example of innovation and compassion during strange times.

These stories add to our “emotional toolbox”. They help build a bigger picture during restrictions, and show that in life there are challenges, but what we learn from them is important. It can help to acknowledge that while times get tough, we can support each other with even small acts of kindness.

This isn’t to say that everyone is affected the same way, though, as families have different vulnerabilities and supports available. Also, allowing yourself and your child time to adjust to the changes will help.

Another way to talk about COVID-19 at home is to ask your child what they know or want to know about COVID-19. As our preliminary findings suggest, there’s plenty of ambiguity about the long-term impacts of the pandemic. If you don’t know all the answers, it’s OK – parents don’t need to have the perfect responses every time, and not knowing models an important skill of tolerating uncertainty.

The key is to try to not brush off the hard COVID-19 conversations – say that you’re not sure if you don’t know, and together seek the information from reputable sites or call the COVID-19 hotline on speaker phone. Encourage your child to ask anything they’re not sure about.

Unsurprisingly, many people yearn for things to return to pre-COVID-19 life, and report a sense of loss as a result of the pandemic. This is often around mental and physical health, but it also has to do with people’s sense of community and social life. Looking after yourself and checking in with others can improve the way you feel and how you can support your child.

Mr John Robertson
Principal

STUDENT FLASHBACK

Back to the class of 2015. Apologies to Libby, who was omitted from the last newsletter.

Libby Rogers – Libby is living in Morgan and raising a son. She is very happy and enjoying motherhood.

CFS VISIT

On Friday, 14th August the Country Fire Service visited the school. All primary students were involved in safety activities presented by CFS Community Education Officers, Adrian & Yvette. Mrs Williamson also helped the students. They got to check out the fire appliances and received a bag of goodies to take home.

CFS Visit

ELC ACTIVITIES

ELC fun

PARENTS & FRIENDS NEWS

Parents & Friends are looking forward to the lunch day tomorrow! The committee are busy cooking and baking and can’t wait to see the quality basketball (including the resourceful tactics the teachers are bound to produce)!

Mardi Le Brun
Secretary

IMMUNISATION EVIDENCE REQUEST NOTICE

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.

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 18th August, 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

Swan Reach Playgroup at SRAS Early Learning Centre. Every Tuesday during term time 10am-12pm. All children birth to school age are welcome for indoor and outdoor play. Please wear sun-smart clothing, bring a hat, water bottle and fruit/veg to share for healthy snack time. $2 per session, per family.

For more information contact the school on 8570 2053.

P-CMG/Playgroup

Parent Mother Goose sessions will soon return to Swan Reach in the Early Learning Centre. Dates and times to be advised. PCMG is a chance to get out of the house for babies and toddlers and their carers. Bond with your children and have fun using the power of songs, rhymes and stories. Trained facilitators lead a relaxed session for parents and children with a play and coffee and chat after. Sessions are free and there is no booking involved!

SILENT AUCTION

The Swan Reach Area School is offering a TaskAlfa 4551ci Printer/copier under the conditions of a silent auction. The printer comes complete with a set of toners and waste container. The machine measures 1600mm in length, 800mm depth and 1200mm high and is in very good condition. The machine has no warranty and the school will not be responsible for machine maintenance, service, consumables or any associated management. Therefore, all responsibility lies within the purchaser and communication with Kyocera for all matters. All offers should be forwarded to the front office in an envelope marked – PRINCIPAL- OFFER- SRAS PRINTER no later than 9am, Friday 21st August 2020. The successful tender will be notified by COB on Friday 21st August, 2020 and be available for collection.

Coming Events 2020

Community Notices

Community Library News

The library is once again open for borrowing. In accordance with Covid-19 procedure we ask you not come to the library if you are feeling unwell or have cold/flu symptoms. Use sanitiser and maintain social distancing of 1.5 metres. Library users are required to sign in as well. Many of you may have received overdue notices and possibly fines in the last week or so for overdue items. Accordingly, the Public Library Service Consortium is working through the impact of Covid-19 and has set down a minimum standard for notices to ensure that overdue items are followed up and library items circulate through the network efficiently. Notices are set out as follows:

1st notice - checkout receipt when borrowing takes place.
2nd notice – pre-overdue email as a courtesy reminder of the due date.
3rd notice- overdue notice from the checkout library.

A final notice may be issued by the library which could include a fine to cover the costs of materials replacement.

It is not the intention of the Swan Reach Community Library to charge fines nor issue bills for items held at our library. However, replacement costs may be incurred under conditional circumstances. This courtesy does not extend to all other libraries in the consortium and fines will be issued by these libraries. Fines or associated costs will be waivered if the item/s is returned in due course. If you have any queries regarding this information, contact me at the library and I will be happy to sort out any problems. Don’t forget click and collect is still available and take advantage of the digital online library. The library has undergone a revamp with an exciting new look! Many old materials have been removed refreshing our stock with new and updated titles.

Regards,
Mrs Leanne Griffiths
Library Manager.

Community Library Hours

Recess time- 10:40-11.00am
Lunch time-12:40-1:25pm
Phone 8570 2298

Kid’s Club

FRIDAY 21st AUGUST
3:15 to 4:30 pm
At the Swan Reach Lutheran Hall
For Reception to Year 7
Cost $1
Enquiries Phone Taryn 0427702377 or Kristy 0438857721

Op Shop