Welcome to term 2, hoping everyone had a yummy Easter and enjoyed a break maybe even squeezed in a little holiday or a camping trip away.

Students have returned to school refreshed and ready for another productive term of learning. We will continue to have a focus on attendance and the importance of coming to school every day to make the most of all our learning opportunities. Congratulations to Emma Meade, Izayah Dixon and Ryan Hewitt who all received awards last term for the best attendance in the school. If your child is away please contact the school office or use the XUNO app to record the reason your child is away.

This term we will also be focusing on the use of mobile phones at school, as everyone is aware students are not permitted to use their phones at school at any Victorian School without a valid reason approved by the principal, approvable reasons would be medical. As per HSS mobile phone policy student phones must be turned off and put in the Yondr pouch provided, students are then permitted to keep their phones on them. The student will be required to show the teacher their locked up phone to be ticked off as compliant. Students breaching this policy will be required to leave their phones at the office.  The purpose of this policy is to reduce the amount of cyber bullying at school and allow students to engage fully on their learning. Parents will be contacted if students refuse to comply with these rules. If a parent needs to get a message to their child please ring the school office and they will relay the message. John Keats from Community police will also be visiting the school to support the students to understand cyber bulling and the law and the impact it has on students.

Thank you to all parents who have sent their child’s regular medication in blister packs, our new medication policy reflects that all medication must be provided in blister packs that state the child’s name, the medication, date and dosage.

Thank you.

Take care,

Kylie Carter

Principal

Later Years students have had lots of activities on the go…self portraits and mosaic pots to name a couple. We also have an exciting excursion next week to a Creative Industry Day, at the Lighthouse Theatre in Warrnambool. A flyer is attached.

When something bad happens in the world, like natural disasters, war or terrorism, it might become all you see in the news and social media. How you react is unique to you: it’s normal if you feel really upset, and it’s equally as normal if it doesn’t affect you at all. If you or someone you know is feeling sad about what’s happened, there are a few ways to help.

What can I do about it?

Accept that it’s real grief you’re feeling

You’re not being silly, all grief is valid. Take 10-15 minutes in a private space to feel your grief. You can give yourself this time to express any feelings you’ve stored up. You can cry, draw, pray, meditate, write, or simply sit and think.

Filter your news and social media

Sometimes seeing the never-ending stream of bad news coverage can be overwhelming. Especially if you’re seeing the same disturbing or distressing images over and over again. It’s okay to temporarily switch off to give yourself a break. It doesn’t mean that you don’t care, and can help you refocus and figure out what you can do to help.

Write it down

Putting your thoughts on paper can help you clarify how you’re feeling and make it easier to process. You can also track how you’re feeling over time and record any strategies that helped you to feel better, so that you remember them for the next time you’re feeling down.

Do something to help, like volunteering or donating

Helping a situation get better can be really great for your mental health, and can help prevent compassion fatigue. Feeling active can give you back your sense of control, and help you process the difficult emotions surrounding grief.

Remember to take care of yourself

It’s easy to get caught up in negative emotions. While letting yourself feel the grief will allow you to process it better, it’s also important that you still take care of yourself and do things you enjoy. You could watch a funny TV show, cook a nice meal, go for some fresh air and take a walk, play with a pet or get stuck into a game with some mates.

Allow yourself to do things you enjoy. It doesn’t mean that you’re dismissing the bad things that have happened - it just means that you’re taking care of yourself so you can move forward in a healthy way.