Through line overview for this term - WELLBEING AND SAFETY

This term, our whole school Inquiry through-line is Wellbeing and Safety. As we start a new year, it is important that our children feel safe and supported, as well as be aware of the skills and strategies needed to manage their well being. Updates from the classroom will be shared in our first Curriculum newsletter in week 6.

PHOTO DAY TIPS:

Dress: Clean and tidy as per school uniform guidelines.

Full Summer Uniform to be worn. (Maroon Jumpers are not required to be worn). If your child has

sport on this day, they may bring their runners to change into after their photos are taken.

Hair: Neat and swept off face

Online Orders: Use your personal Order and ID Numbers found on your order form and go to www.schoolpix.com.au.

Orders can be placed online up to 2 working days after photography.

( Order forms do not need to be returned to school)

Sibling Orders: For a special photo of your children together order online by 8am on photography day.

Only siblings that have had an online order placed will be photographed.

If you have any questions call the school office, SchoolPix on 1300 766 055 or email help@schoolpixx.com.au

RSVP for tours is essential via this booking form.

Appreciation – a parenting skill for the ages

Do you have a child who craves attention? Does their attention-seeking at times deflate and overwhelm you? If so, you are not alone. Attention-seeking is perhaps the most common misbehaviour in families.

“Look at me, Mum” and its many variations become like a nervous tic driving parents to distraction. It’s good to give kids your undivided attention but there are limits to how much attention you can give. Unfortunately, attention-seeking becomes a pattern of behaviour that’s hard to break.

My first parenting mentor Prof. Maurice Balson, author of Becoming Better Parents, believed that children who constantly seek attention are generally discouraged. “I am not good enough” is their belief.

The antidote to discouragement according to Balson, was to increase the amount of encouragement that a child or young person received. Encouragement, literally meaning ‘to give heart or courage’ focuses on the processes of improvement, effort, enjoyment and contribution.

The latter, contribution, is the most potent of these processes. Kids will usually belong to their families in two ways. They are either contributing members, or are known for their poor behaviour. For kids known for poor behaviour, their usual way of operating shows a mindset of “If I’m not appreciated, at least they’ll know I’m around”.

Attention or appreciation? There’s no contest. Appreciation is the genuine deal when it comes to helping kids feel good about themselves.

Why appreciation works

Appreciation is highly motivating. Even adolescents will generally respond to a parent’s appreciative comments, although their faces won’t always not show it.

Appreciation has an old-brain connection. The job of our old brain or survival brain, is to keep us safe. Our safety can only be guaranteed if we are a part of a group, so parent appreciation helps kids feel secure, preventing them from resorting to negative attention-seeking behaviour to feel part of the group.

Appreciation is approval on steroids

Approval says I like what you do. Appreciation means much more. It shows how behaviour impacts on another person on an emotional level, which has a stronger impact.

Showing appreciation is a wonderful way to shape a child’s behaviour in positive ways. “Thanks so much for cleaning your toys away without asking. It makes my life so much easier.” This type of comment will usually generate a dopamine (feel-good chemical) response from a child, which means they are likely to repeat the behaviour to replicate the feeling.

How appreciation works

There are four rules to be mindful of, when you show appreciation:

It must have meaning

Appreciation must be real and related to a specific behaviour for it to be effective.

It should let child know the emotional impact of their behaviour

Either with words (“It makes me feel happy”) or through non-verbals (a smile, a hug or high-five) your child should see that their behaviour has had a positive impact on you.

It should be genuine

You can’t fake sincerity with a child or young person as they are generally adept mood detectives.

It’s best if it has small differences

Showing appreciation is not a one-size fits all behaviour. Appreciation should be shown a way that matches the situation and suits your child. Consider writing a note to show appreciation for something special. Boys often prefer private encouragement rather than public acknowledgement so consider when and where you shower them with encouragement.

Positive side effects

There are plenty of positive side effects to showing appreciation for a behaviour. An appreciative parent comment helps create a healthy, happy family atmosphere. Appreciation can change the mood of the giver and receiver and it’s a behaviour that if adopted by children can be experienced by the next generation. That makes parent appreciation a behaviour for the ages.

Meet the new Co-ordinator!

Hello families! My name is Cindy, the new OSHCLUB co-ordinator at St Thomas More.

I have been working at OSHCLUB as a casual educator since June 2021, and this year I have decided to take on the role as co-ordinator. I have a passion for working with kids and enjoy being a part of the OSHC community. I am currently in my final year of study. I am studying a Bachelor of Education (Primary) at Australian Catholic University. I hope to have my own classroom one day :) As a co-ordinator, I aim to offer fun and engaging experiences for the students and ensure their experience at OSHCLUB Is always a good one. I cannot wait to get to know all the students and meet the families! Feel free to come say hello and see what Is happening at OSHC this year!