Dear Families We are looking forward to having our year 3 to 6 children back on site next week. The staggered drop off and pick up times have been sent through Flexibuzz and I request that we adhere to these times to keep our families and children safe. I stress the importance of our parents/carers keeping the 1.5 metre distance from other adults at the school gates as you wait for your children. Prep to 2 pickup and drop off time remain the same. Return to school: Coming to school times for Tuesday 9th June: 9:00 – 9:10: Grade 3/4 students arrive through the Back gate 9:10-9:15: Grade 5/6 students arrive through the Back gate Going home from school times for Tuesday 9th June: 3:15: Grade 3/4 students depart through the Back Gate 3:20: Grade 5/6 students depart through the Back Gate Students will pick up their younger siblings and then exit. REMEMBER: No parents on the school grounds and everyone must bring their own drink bottles. Watch our return to school video: https://vimeo.com/422340052 Have a lovely long weekend and I look forward to having all students back at school on Tuesday the 9th of July.

Mrs Margaret LEACH School Principal

Day Date Activity June 2020 Monday 8 Queen’s Birthday – Public

Holiday Tuesday 9 Years 3 - 6 return to

on-site school Friday 26 Last day of Term 2 Finish

time 2.30 pm July 2020 Monday 13 Term 3 starts 8:50am

Some Tips from the MHPS Wellbeing Team

The S.T.O.P Practice for Stress from Elisha Goldstein (from Mindful Magazine posted 19.3.20)

Creating space in the day to stop, come down from the worried mind, and get back into the present moment has been shown to be enormously helpful in mitigating the negative effects of our stress response. When we drop into the present, we’re more likely to gain perspective and see that we have the power to regulate our response to pressure. Here’s a short practice you can weave into your day to step into that space between stimulus and response.

A Guided S.T.O.P. Practice for Stress S = Stop Stop what you’re doing right now, get in a comfortable position, either seated or lying down. T = Take Take a few deep breaths. Maybe in through the nose initially, and then out through the mouth. With each exhalation allow your body to soften a bit more. As long as you’re here with the breath right now, allow your body to settle into its natural rhythm of breathing. Breathe in and sense the breath coming in. Breathe out and sense the breath going out. Allow your body to take the breath it needs in its natural rhythm of being alive. O = Observe Begin to observe your body, noticing if there’s any tension or tightness anywhere, including the face. If you do notice any of that just allow it to soften, or just mindfully adjust your body as it feels like it needs to. Be aware of how you’re feeling emotionally right now. If there’s a sense of calm or ease, maybe some restlessness or irritation, or maybe even sadness. Or you could be feeling neutral. Whatever’s there, see if you can be aware of it and notice how it feels physically in the body. Continue to observe yourself physically and emotionally in this moment, just letting things be. Be aware of and observe your mind right now, noticing if it seems distracted or cluttered or if it seems like it’s settling into being here. Either way, it’s OK—the “o” of observe is just to allow us to be aware of our experience in the moment; physically, emotionally, and mentally. The moment we notice that our mind is off is a moment we’re present. Settle in, be aware of the fullness of your experience physically, emotionally, and mentally, and just let be. P= Proceed Proceed is just dropping the question of: “What’s most important for me to pay attention to right now?” or “What am I needing right now?” Allow whatever answer is there to simply percolate and arise. Proceed with that in this next moment. Always remember to acknowledge yourself for taking this time. This is a great act of self-care; take the final moment to acknowledge yourself for taking this time.

Returning to School Anxiety Free Michael Grose

Going back to school after the enforced COVID-19 break is a source of mixed emotions for many children and young people. Some students, who revel in face-to-face interactions, just can’t wait to reconnect with friends and teachers. Others who have appreciated the break from constantly being emotionally switched on when at school may be reticent to return. Regardless of how your child reacts there’s bound to be a level of anxiety attached to returning to school after such a long break. The following strategies sourced from my book, Anxious Kids, will help your child make a smooth transition back to school. Park your expectations School undoubtedly will be a different experience for students post COVID-19. It may require you to adjust your expectations, particularly academically, so patience is definitely required. Education is a long game, so if you are worried about your child missing the educational beat, recognise that this experience has been a blip on the educational curve. It’s worth remembering that anxiety loves company. Park your expectations for a time, so your child won’t pick up your anxieties. Understand that their anxiety is real An anxious child desperately wants a parent to understand that they feel anxious and apprehensive. Even if, you can’t comprehend the impact that a return to school has on their state of mind and physiology, recognise that their anxiety is real. “Ah, I see you’re worried that you won’t know what to do when you go to school” is the type of response that an anxious child wants from a parent. Validating your child’s feelings will help them feel safe and secure, putting them in a good position to make a return to school. “Mum/dad know that I’m feeling nervous” is very reassuring for a child. Prepare them Worriers and anxious types in particular, like to know what’s ahead. Prepare your child for a return by discussing the safety procedures the school will be implementing. Let young children know that an adult won’t be accompanying them past the school gate. Ask your child what they are looking forward to and check in with how they are feeling about a return. Check in regularly with how they are feeling and correct any misconceptions. Focus on reconnection Make reconnection the theme for your child’s return to school. He or she will have to reconnect with friends, teachers and learning, which takes time. In all likelihood, your child’s teachers will use many strategies to help your child connect with their friends, reflect on their time at home and move them back into full-time learning mode. Support these activities and reassure your child that they’ll feel comfortable very soon with their school experience. Stay off the roundabout for a while This period will mirror the start of the school year when your child had to adjust to new teachers, different classmates and a new year level. Adjusting to change takes a great deal of personal energy, so your child or young person may become tired, grumpy even moody at home. Make allowances for these personal changes and make sure they have plenty of free time to unwind after school to relax and play. Take care of yourself In recent months parents and teachers have been doing significant emotional labour. The learning and adjustment curves have been massive, with little time to relax and take a break. Consider your own emotional resources and make your wellbeing a priority, which will make it easier for you to stay calm if your child experiences difficulties. The COVID-19 pandemic has thrown many difficulties, requiring us all to quickly adapt to new situations. Flexibility is a prime characteristic of resilient people, so if nothing else, getting through these times will make us all more resilient

Office Hours Monday—Friday

8:30am to 4:00pm Last day of each Term the office will close at 2:30pm

The office is CLOSED during all school holiday periods

HAVE YOU CHANGED YOUR DETAILS?

Please immediately notify the School Office of any changes to your address or contact details

We are delighted to advise

that the Canteen will reopen

from Tuesday, 9 June 2020