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Hello Swan Reach,
Thank you to all families and parent /carer groups for supporting our students. Your desire for the best education and wellbeing for your child(ren) is highly evident and demonstrated in the way you regularly communicate their needs with SRAS, especially in times of adversity. The home and school partnership is a vital one to maximise education opportunities. We are on the same team and want the very best for our students and child(ren).
It’s been another challenging time over the last week, as directions change almost daily. Last Thursday and Friday no students attended SRAS, showing our community’s commitment to the state-wide lockdown. This week most students have returned and SRAS is able to conduct core teaching and learning business, as normally as possible.
COVID-19 UPDATE
Current SA Health and Department for Education (DfE) advice is for schools and preschools to minimise parents and carers being on-site. This means for SRAS the following applies until further notice:
- Playgroup suspended
- Parent Child Mother Goose Suspended
- Community library closed
- Parents & carers asked to avoid the front office and communicate via phone where practicable
- Drop off and pick up in the car park or at the ELC gates only
- No volunteers on-site
- Non-essential external agencies not on-site (RAGE, Stormbirds and Drumbeat are being facilitated online)
- No principal tour this Thursday
- Only Occasional Care and school students to attend end of year Christmas parties
Current advice also means that excursions are permissible, therefore the following excursions will continue as planned:
- All Self-Esteem course activities
- Primary excursion to Illawonga and Murray Bridge Water Park
- Primary swimming lessons
Current advise on school ceremonies and assemblies is that they can go ahead with as long as they comply with state directions and social distancing. For SRAS this means:
- Year 6 graduation will proceed
- Year 12 graduation will proceed
- Presentation Evening – schedule to be held outdoors to ensure social distancing
Personal hygiene and the hygiene standards in our schools and preschools are critical to reducing the risk of infection. All children and staff must be encouraged to:
- wash their hands regularly, particularly after using the toilet and before eating
- avoid spreading infections to others by staying home if they are unwell
- cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue
With the dynamics of COVID-19 restrictions ever changing, SRAS will inform our community of any changes to these restrictions. For instance, news is reporting that they could change depending on how SA goes over the next 7 days.
FIVE WAYS TO BUILD RESILIENCE IN KIDS
By Rachelle Matheson https://www.generationnext.com.au/2019/05/five-ways-to-build-resilience-in-kids/
What is resilience? It is the ability to ‘bounce back’ following a disappointment or adverse event. A child with good resilience generally has good social and emotional competencies for their age that help them name their emotions and their feelings, show good problem-solving capabilities and generally make good decisions.
There have been many studies and research carried out over the years on resilience, but much of this has resulted in contradicting information. Common sense tells us, however, that resilience is linked to a sense of self-worth. The small interactions we had with our parents as we were growing up, layer upon layer over time, have built our feelings up to the point that we felt valued, listened to and heard.
Because we live in a world where people are becoming busier, however, children are not allowed to be children for very long and are under tremendous pressure to ‘be mature’ and to ‘grow up’. This may mean they may not get the same time or opportunity as they may once have to develop emotional maturity. This is when certain psychological factors such as resilience can become a problem.
Nowadays in most families, both parents must work, so less time is spent on parenting and stress factors can kick in for all parties. This can have a flow-on effect onto children as we lose the all-important ‘time’ factor which is critically needed to help raise strong and resilient children.
The great thing about resilience is that it is something that children can learn. With guidance, support, and most importantly love and connection, you can encourage the growth of resilience in children. Here are five ways you can help children build resilience.
- Be Present
Our children need us to be there in every sense of the word. They need us to be present with them, which can be hard to do, but it is imperative that we hear them and make sure that they know they are being listened to.
You can do this by really engaging with them when communicating. Stop what you are doing, get to their level, physically turn towards them and make eye contact. This is not only important with children but it’s actually a critical factor of communication in any relationship.
If you are busy and really can’t stop what you are doing then you can tell them that you want to listen to them and give them your undivided attention because you really want to hear what they have to say, but you just have to finish off doing what it is you’re doing. Just don’t leave it too long before you do turn to them.
Get rid of the distractions. Turn off your phone, step away from the screens and listen to them. Really listen….and this applies to children of any age. Whether they are coming to you to tell you a made-up story or something that happened to them that day, listen.
- TIME equals LOVE
Listen to the language you are using. How often do you hear yourself saying ‘I’m busy’ or ‘I haven’t got time at the moment’? If your children hear that a lot, then they are getting the message that they are not important and that whatever it is that you are doing is more important than them.
When our children have our undivided time and attention, they will feel important, loved and worthy. Make sure you schedule in one-on-one time with them too, as this can quite often be the most important way to show them our love – especially in a world now where time is the most precious commodity we have.
The value they gain during this time is immeasurable, and it also gives you the opportunity to connect with them on a level that reaches far beneath the superficial level. But it’s not all supposed to be serious – hang loose with them. We don’t always need an agenda or to be doing something ‘important’. Take time to just hang out and be present and see what happens and where the conversation goes.
- Growth mindset
We can say things to our children with such great meaning and good intentions that we are not even aware of how it can be restricting to them. In a fixed mindset you’ll hear things like ‘I can’t do this”, ‘this is stupid, it’s too hard’, or ‘I’m no good at this’ and this implies that the child is not seeing any option other than failure.
We know this to be detrimental to an outcome of success as there is no room for other possibilities, whereas with a growth mindset, you’ll likely hear comments such as ‘oh that didn’t work, I wonder what it is I need to do different next time’, ‘I can always learn’ or ‘What am I missing, what do I need to do now?’ This allows room for growth, and room for improvement, and helps that person see that there are other possibilities to every challenge or event.
- Autonomy
Regardless of your child’s age, autonomy is a huge part of allowing our children to grow up with their own sense of self and self-identity, and adds to a child’s resilience. All too often, we parents feel the need to control our children, and we feel they must pay attention and do as we say. But at what cost?
Whilst our children need to have rules and boundaries, are we need to ask: are we giving them enough flexibility to learn for themselves about what is acceptable and what is not? Are we giving them enough choices and allowing them to decide for themselves where possible so that they can learn about making decisions? Are we allowing them to experience the emotions that come when things don’t turn out the way they expected? Are we allowing them to bounce back from adversity or are we controlling the outcome because it’s easier that way?
Instead, ask your child how they are feeling about what a situation means to them and help them work out a way around their predicament. Acknowledge their feelings, let them experience what they are feeling, and work with them to help them find the strategies to work their way through those emotions and come out with a solution.
- Role Modelling
When our child is being challenging with their behaviour. it’s easy for us to lose our cool and all too often, we end up responding with anger. I know it’s easier said than done, but you are the adult here and you need to stay in control of your own emotions and respond to childlike behaviour with adult-like maturity.
If we shout angry words when we have lost our cool, it can make our child feel unsafe, uncared for and unheard. It’s important to remember that challenging behaviour (outside of diagnosed mental disorders) is generally born out of some unfulfilled need our child has.
How we respond to life’s challenges will, over our child’s informative years, be passed on to them, so show them how it’s done. Show them it’s okay to mess things up, it’s okay to make mistakes, it’s okay to not have all the answers, and it’s okay to apologise.
These are just five ways to help start building your children’s resilience. If you would like to find out more, head to www.fusioncoachingandcounselling.com.au
Rachelle Matheson is the founder of Fusion Coaching and Counselling and is a master practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming, and professionally trained counsellor.
Mr John Robertson
Principal
This year the school magazine highlights the school's curriculum and events. It is a full colour yearbook which contains lots of photographs and student learning. Please contact the front office to place an order. Each magazine costs $20, which is payable to the school. Dont forget it would make a great Christmas Present for the grandparents. Magazines are now available for purchase and pick up from the front office.
During the last week of school primary and secondary students will be involved in a range of events and activities as we round off what has been an extraordinary year.
This year's Self Esteem Course was a tremendous success. All student's participated at the highest level and engaged in a range of activities as part of their learning experience. Presentations were held at the Nildottie Hall on Friday 4th December with all students attending the event.
Mr Jayden Coleman
Self Esteem Coordinator
The Swan Reach Area School website is where you can find all the school information including the newsletter, forms and policies. Please visit https://swanrchas.sa.edu.au.
PLAYGROUP & PARENT CHILD MOTHER GOOSE
PLAYGROUP & PARENT CHILD MOTHER GOOSE
Playgroup & Parent Child Mother Goose sessions have returned to Swan Reach in the Early Learning Centre. These are being held fortnightly and will alternate on Thursdays from 10am.
Parent Child Mother Goose - Will begin on Week 4, 18th February, 10am-12 noon. (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!).
www.facebook.com/pcmgswanreachsa.
PLAYGROUP - Week 5, 25th February, 10am-12 noon.
Due date for the next Newsletter is 10:00am, Wednesday 24th March. 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 & PARENT MOTHER GOOSE INFORMATION
Swan Reach Playgroup and Parent Mother Goose sessions are held at the SRAS Early Learning Centre. Date and times will be advised as soon as arrangements have been made.
10-11-12 March | Staff Training Days |
15-16-17 March | 3-way Conferences |
16 March | 3 way conferences, early dismissal, 2:20pm. |
22 March | Governing Council 5:30pm |
23 March | USE Athletics at Karoonda Area School |
26 March | SAPSASA Swimming |
2 April | Good Friday |
5 April | Easter Monday |
7 April | SSSSA Athletics |
9 April | End of Term 1, early dismissal 2:10pm |
18 April | 2021 Swan Reach Classic Car and Motorbike Run |
23 May | 8-hour Pedal Prix - The Bend, Tailem Bend |
July 31 | 12-hour Pedal Prix - The Bend, Tailem Bend |
11-12 September | 2x6-hour Pedal Prix - Murray Bridge |
KIDS CLUB
3.15pm-4.30pm. FRIDAY 19th March at the Swan Reach Lutheran Hall, for Reception to Year 7 children. Cost is $1 each. For more information please contact Taryn 0427 702 377 or Kristy 0438 857 721.
SACWA NILDOTTIE and DISTRICTS BRANCH - 2021 CALENDAR DATES
EXHIBITION
An exhibition of paintings by Tanuna artist:Marco Angelo is now on display in the Gallery at the Swan Reach Women's Rest Rooms (Victoria St). There is also pottery by various artists until the end of April. Opening times 10am-1pm; Monday, Wednesday & Saturday, and when a volunteer is available.
BIBLE STUDY
Swan Reach Christian Women's Group invite you to join them for Bible study and fellowship each month. 11am, second Tuesday of the Month at the Swan Reach Lutheran Church Hall. BYO lunch. For more information please phone Taryn 0427 702 377 or Josie 0419 708 224. All welcome.
PURNONG TRASH & TREASURE
The 2021 SWAN REACH CLASSIC CAR & MOTORBIKE RUN TO THE REACH will be held at Len White Reserve on Sunday 18th April, 10am-3pm.