It’s an increasingly busy world and one of the things we are starting to hear from secondary schools is that children need help to build more resilience. This is a term that is often misunderstood. It isn’t about ignoring bad things or poor behaviour, or not reacting to stressful events.
Resilience doesn’t mean you don’t feel the intensity of the event or problem. Instead, it just means that you’ve found a good way of dealing with it to bounce back. When things go wrong, resilience is what helps you to cope and get through hard times. Our Zones of Regulation program and restorative justice practices are two practical programs we run here at school, but there are many strategies that all of us can implement every day to build resilience in our children.
There is more information here: https://kidshelpline.com.au/teens/issues/building-resilience
The seminar on anxiety last week attracted a good audience and had some relevant and useful information that also links to resilience building. This is the website for Resilience Kit: https://www.resiliencekit.com.au/anxiety/how-to-help-with-anxiety/
We are constantly adding to our resources and strategies to address children’s sensory and emotional needs and this week have put a few wobble stools into classrooms. These stools are an aid for children to stay focussed and allow a range of movement without disturbing others. The base is rounded, allowing the sitter to fidget to their heart’s content! So far, so good.
As our centenary approaches in 2021, the School Board is calling for interest from people who would like to join a Centenary Working Group to create a Richmond Centenary Book. Let me know if you are keen and more information will follow. The P&C is creating a nature playground as their centenary project and is consulting with designers and seeking grants. Both projects are long term undertakings from these very enthusiastic and committed groups.
Thank you to everyone who sends in suggestions for programs or events that they would like us to run at school. I run all ideas past the staff or P&C or School Board, but so many things are suggested every day that we just don’t have the time or resources to do them all, or sometimes they don’t fit into the curriculum. We do pack a lot into most weeks, so please understand if we don’t run with your idea. If you have a great idea that you would like to implement yourself, please let the P&C know in the first instance and they will table it at a meeting.
Thanks to everyone who has helped raise funds for our P&C from the Gilbert’s Fresh, Hilton SOS Program. Richmond PS has 116 supporters, who have raised $1,381 since we joined in October 2017. Similarly thank you to everyone who is putting their Woolworths stickers into the Richmond box at the supermarket each week.
Tables for the quiz night on June 14 are flying out of the door. There are just a few left. Lots of people have taken advantage of the opportunity to reserve seats rather than a whole table. The theme is ‘celebrity doppelganger’ which gives you scope for dressing up as much or as little as you want. Some of the plans sound amazing and I think it will be a lot of fun! Just call Lara to reserve your table or seat on 9438 8700.
Lots of children are absent with colds this week, so stay warm and hopefully get well soon.
Lisa Dentith