L
I
V
I
N
G
A
S
W
E
L
E
A
R
N
SEBASTOPOL PRIMARY SCHOOL
Yarrowee Street, Sebastopol VIC 3356
Ph: 5335 8157 Fax: 5335 9173
www.sebasps.vic.edu.au
INFORMUS NO. 31
October 26th 2017
Children’s Week continues throughout this week across Ballarat. We
were proud to host Messy Play Day in partnership with the Ballarat Toy
Library at school last Saturday. It was a great event with over 170
children attending with their families and friends. This was a great
opportunity to share our school with future prospective parents.
Here’s some of the wonderful activities that were available at Messy
Play Day on Saturday.
Principal’s Message 26th October 2017
Pupil Free Days – Monday 30th October and Thursday 9th November 2017
Please make sure you have these important days on your calendar.
School Wide Positive Behavior SWPB: RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, READY TO LEARN
Staff have been reviewing student behavior data and the common challenging behaviors that decrease
learning time as well as upsetting other students.
Consequences currently progress from: REMINDER, TIME TO RESET IN CLASSROOM,
RELOCATION TO ANOTHER CLASS or LIBRARY (when outside), DETENTION, PARENT
CONTACT, PARENT MEETINGS AND FOR SERIOUS REPEATED BEHAVIOURS
SUSPENSION.
Some students refuse to follow directions when asked to go to another class or the library (from
outside). This step is important as it enables the learning of others to continue and gives the student
time to resettle and make a fresh start in class. Please talk to your children about our school
expectations and our school values of RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY, READY TO LEARN.
We will continue to call parents when students will not follow the SWPB steps and if they are
physically aggressive, verbally abusive or damage school or their peer’s property.
If children require support for wellbeing due to family difficulties or trauma, please talk to us so we
can make sure they have the support to thrive at school. We work with Child and Family Services,
Health Services, BADAC and Judy O’Grady to support student wellbeing and engagement at school.
Thank you for supporting positive behavior and learning achievement at school.
Children’s Week – Ballarat
My thanks to Tracey and Cathy Filcock, Renee Aghan and Judy O’Grady for running the Café for
Messy Play Day. Families and Messy Play day volunteers really appreciated the snacks, warm and
warm drinks. The day was messy and it was great to share our great school facilities with over 300
people, including 185 children aged between zero and 6 years. Many people commented positively
on our great school resources and the Atrium. My thanks to the Ballarat Toy Library committee and
Cheril Kemp for creating such a special event for Children’s Week.
Swimming Program 2017
Well done to students for their improved behavior at the week’s swimming. It was great to see
children conducting themselves with great respect and responsibility. We are seeking male volunteers
to ensure the boys are ready on time. If you can assist please ring the school 53358157 or contact
Andrea Waterhouse in the office. You will require a current ‘Working With Children’ card.
Assembly – New time Monday at 2:45pm
Please join us to share our learning celebrations and sharing.
Sun Safe Hats $8 - students who do not wear hats will be directed to the library to
be sun safe.
Have a great week, Michelle Wilson.
PRINCIPALS PARAGRAPH
Parents Room
From Monday 18th September the Parents Room
will be open from 8.30 am. You will be able to
enter from the outside door. There will be a sign
in book near the door. On the rear of each page
there is a space for suggestions. There is tea/
coffee making facilities available and the
heater will be on. Computers will also be
available for parent use.
We would like parents to come and use this
friendly community space.
Coming up in Term 4
Mon 30th Oct Pupil Free Day
Tues 31st Oct Swimming
Tues 7th Nov Swimming
Thurs 9th Nov Pupil Free Day
Fri 10th Nov Show Day Holiday
Tues 14th Nov Swimming
Tues 21st Nov School Council
Meeting
Swimming
Wed 22nd Nov Magic Show F-3
Tues 28th Nov Swimming
Tues 5th Dec Swimming
Tues 12th Dec Swimming
School Council
Meeting
Transition Day
Tues 19th Dec Swimming
Mon 18th Dec Grade 6 Graduation
Photo’s 10.30am
Presentation begins at
11.45am
Fri 22nd Dec Last Day of Term
Sebastopol Primary School
Enrolments for 2018
Come in and pick up an enrolment pack
from the office. Transition sessions are
starting later this term.
School Swimming Program Just a reminder that on every Tuesday our school
has its swimming program. Don’t forget to pack
your bathers, towel and thongs.
FROM THE BUSINESS MANAGER ENROLMENTS 2018 Sebastopol Primary School is now taking enrolments for 2018 Prep to Grade 6 students. Call and book your School tour today!
CHANGE OF FAMILY DETAILS It is important that we have the correct contact information for our students on our data base. Please, if you
have changed address, phone numbers, emergency contacts, email, court orders, access restrictions,
medical conditions can you please let me know.
BUDGETING FOR 2018 The start of school can be an expensive time of year for families. If you would like to start
making regular payments to go towards 2018 Booklists and other Educational costs please do
so. We have the options of CASH and BPAY and I am in the process of organising Centrepay. If you have any questions please feel free to come and see me.
Mrs Andrea Waterhouse
BUSINESS MANAGER
The 2017 Energy Breakthrough Push Cart Team is training hard. The team will be finalised in coming weeks based on teamwork, effort at training and demonstration of our school's values: Respect, Responsibility and Ready to Learn!
Thanks to Mr Smith, the Sebastopol Bowling Club, Buninyong Men's Shed and Judy O'Grady for their involvement.
WORKER OF THE WEEK:
Sean Smyth
For great thinking in Maths
STUDENT ACHIEVERS
Cameron McIntyre (F-2L) READY TO
LEARN – For fabulous handwriting.
Isabella Edwards (2/3B) READY TO
LEARN - For your dedication to learning as
well as being a wonderful role model to your
peers in 2/3B
Kaiden Johnson (4/6M) READY TO
LEARN - For great game playing in Maths
and listening so well.
Oakley Hartup (4/6S) RESPECT– for
helping with the Breakfast club on a Friday.
Rhonan Iaquinto (Science - Miss Kellie)
READY TO LEARN - For excellent focus
& participation in class discussion. Well
done.
Sebastopol primary school has been invited by Sebastopol RSL Sub-Branch as thanks for our fundraising efforts to support the establishment of a significant grave and headstone for Joseph Mannion.
We hope to see our students at the cemetery next Sunday Students attending will receive MATRIX money #respect
YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED
Sebastopol RSL and Ballarat Cemeteries Trust invite students and familes to commemorate
The 100th Anniversay of the Battle of Beersheba and memory of
Joseph Mannion - 1499 1st AIF Sunday 29th October 11am
Ballarat New Cemetery Doveton Street North
Ballarat Light refreshments to follow
Students are required to wear full school uniform
NETBALL NEWS 3/4 Team
The 3/4 team played in a round robin game last night. It was a nice way to finish off
the season. The team has had a great season and they should be really happy with
the way they have developed their skills. Well done to all the team and look forward
to seeing them play again next year.
5/6 Team
Last night the Sebastopol primary school 5/6 team played St Columbus (3) in the
Preliminary Finals. It was a tough game and everyone gave it all they had. The score
was 4 to 15 and unfortunately we didn’t make it to the Grand Final. A special thank
you to Mrs Payne and all the Sebastopol Primary School teachers and staff who
came to support the team each week. A big thanks to all the parents/carers, family
and friends who came to support us each week and especially last night. Also a big
congratulations to the 5/6 team for trying their very best every week and getting as
far as they did in the competition, you should be very proud of your efforts. On
behalf of the 5/6 team and your very proud coaches.
BIRTHDAYS: Weekend:
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
THIS COMING WEEK:
Milo Cricket
Donegans Farm F/2L & 2/3B
NOTICES;
Milo Cricket
4/6M Swimming Stories
On Tuesday’s the whole school goes swimming at the YMCA. We get there on the Gold bus and come back on the Gold bus. On the bus we play games. When we get there we walk in, we walk around the pools to the change rooms and get changed. Then we go and sit down. We then get called down to our swimming groups. You learn how to swim. By Kaiden School swimming is a wonderful experience! Every week our miniature school gets us to be partnered to the newest students here at Sebastopol Primary School. I love to meet the preps they always have great stories to tell! By Shanaye Swimming is about having fun and learn about to be safe. We go swimming every Tuesday on the bus. We get a prep to sit next to us. I always get them to talk to me. By Lachlan Looking after preps & year one’s every Tuesday and getting to swim is great! My swimming group is called the ‘Jellyfish’. We do activities in the deep end. By Hope On Tuesdays we go swimming at the YMCA and learn to swim. We get ready to go and we join the little kids then hop on the bus. When we get there we get dressed in the dressing room and then sit down on the seats and wait for the group to get called. When the woman calls our name we line up at the animal and wait for the person to get our group. By Elijah Every Tuesday we go swimming at 1.30pm. The bus picks us up. Before we get on the bus we get buddies. Before the bus drops us off at the YMCA the teacher picks a side of the bus to go first to line up. By Gautam
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Term 4 2017
2017 TERM DATES
Term 1: 2nd February to 31st March
Term 2: 18th April to 30th June
Term 3: 17th July to 22nd September
Term 4: 9th October to 22nd December
BELL TIMES
8.50 am - Music Play
9.00am - School starts
11am - Children eat lunch
11.10am - 11.40am Lunch Break
1.40pm - 2.10pm Recess Break
3.10 Dismissal
Week Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Week 3 23/10 24/10
Swimming
25/10 26/10 27/10
F-3 Donegan’s
Farm
Week 4 30/10
Pupil Free Day
31/10
Swimming
1/11 2/11 3/11
Week 5 6/11 7/11
Swimming
8/11 9/11
Pupil Free Day
10/11
Ballarat Show
Day Holiday
Week 6 13/11 14/11
Swimming
15/11 16/11 17/11
Week 7 20/11 21/11
Swimming
School Council
Meeting
22/11
Magic Show F-3
23/11 24/11
Week 8 27/11 28/11
Swimming
29/11 30/11 1/12
Week 9 4/12 5/12
Swimming
6/12 7/12 8/12
Week 10 11/12 12/12
Swimming
Transition Day
13/12 14/12 15/12
Week 11 18/12
Grade 6
Graduation
19/12
Swimming
20/12 21/12 22/12
Last Day of
Term
Supporting families and children transitioning in and out of primary school
Transitioning in and out of primary school are major events in children’s lives and it is a change for the whole family. While the majority of children cope well with the changes of school transition, many children have difficulty adjusting and coping. It can also be a challenging time for parents and carers who can have concerns around their child’s adjustment, emotional or behavioural difficulties, academic skills, social relationships, additional or complex needs or may have had bad experiences with school themselves. Active and positive involvement with families is crucial for successful school transition. Health and community professionals are well placed to offer support for parents and carers and children in school transition.
Supporting families with children transitioning in and out of primary school
In preparing for starting school, health and community professionals can help support and encourage families to attend information nights and transition sessions held by their school, set up meetings or phone calls and share information about their child and their previous environment, get to know school processes, expectations and communication procedures; and speak with school staff regarding concerns and possible support strategies. Health and community professionals can also work with education staff before, during and after transition periods to ensure coordinated support strategies are in place.
Helping parents and carers manage their child’s separation distress can be particularly important for transition to primary school. Employing strategies such as communicating with new teachers, developing a positive goodbye routine, reassurance of when collecting them, avoiding lengthy goodbyes, talking positively about school day experiences and self-care strategies can assist families.
Noticing an increase in behaviours during school transition that may indicate a difficulty can help families and professionals intervene early. Behaviours to observe transitioning to primary school include: clinging behaviour, restlessness, withdrawing, anxiousness, refusing to comply, avoidance, planning and organisation difficulties, increase in crying and tantrums, changes in eating habits, sleep difficulties, regression to younger behaviours and aggressive behaviours. Behaviours in high school transition may also include: refusal to talk about school, low confidence/self-esteem, drop in grades, school refusal or lack of involvement, little or no talk about friends, little or no interest in doing homework. Discussing with families that these behaviours can be typical for children, but if they persist or are interfering with the child’s daily life it may indicate mental health difficulties, it is important for accurate early intervention.
Other things to help parents and carers assist children managing change during transition
Learning from other transitions (e.g. holidays, moving house, welcoming a new sibling, etc.) and what has helped them to cope
Utilising early childhood educators or primary teachers to help provide information and support the process
Using children’s strengths and skills Developing and practising independence skills like self-help skills, responsibility, care for
belongings, decision-making, and understanding social rules Developing and practising social and emotional skills such as relationship and friendship
building skills, refusal skills in engaging in unsafe behaviours, sharing and taking turns, conversation skills, managing emotions and getting to know other families and children
Developing and practising learning skills such as literacy and numeracy skills, ability to focus on an activity, listening skills, following instructions, hands-on approach to learning and hand-eye coordination
Parents practising self-care skills, and understanding their own experiences with school and being aware of their language/messages regarding school when talking to their children
For transition to high school specifically, parents and carers may also need support in understanding the use, impact and how to manage their child’s using social media (e.g. Instagram, SnapChat, Facebook, etc.).
School transition programs are also available for both transition in and out of primary school that help children understand what school will be like, help build positive relationships with peers and staff and practical skills to make the transition easier (e.g. independency, behavioural expectations, interactions with others, adjustment to rules, size of class, etc.).
Helping children cope with transition in and out of primary school
Helping children recognise, express and talk about their feelings, as well as managing strong emotions is important in managing adjustment issues with transition. Assisting parents and carers in developing strategies to help children calm themselves, such as counting to ten, taking five deep breaths, doing star jumps, going to a quiet place, etc., can help calm children’s strong emotions. Assisting parents in helping their children cope with strategies that help parents actively listen and talk to their child, provide appropriate comfort, model behaviours, encourage help-seeking behaviours and problem-solving skills and talking positively about attempts to cope.
Utilising helpful thinking strategies can also assist children facing difficulties adjusting. This can involve working with parents to acknowledge and validate children’s feelings, reminding children of a time where they coped with something similar in the past, help encourage helpful thinking such as “I can be brave or “I can try my best” and modelling helpful thinking strategies themselves (e.g. thinking out loud). This can help promote coping behaviours and help the child feel more confident.
Helping develop a coping plan can be important for both families and children. The coping plan needs to be achievable, ensures the child is comfortable with the first step, allows for flexibility (e.g. extra time and practise at a step) and utilises parent’s encouragement and recognition of a child’s hard work in facing their fears. This plan might also involve arranging school visits and supporting children to initiate contact with school, developing and practising routines, and helping children familiarise themselves with school environment.
Other resources/links:
Transition: A Positive Start to School Resource Kit
Promoting positive education and care transitions for children
Transition to primary school
Transition to secondary school
Enrolling in secondary school
Promoting positive education transitions for children
Preparing children to start primary school
Preparing children to start secondary school
Helping children when they are changing schools
Top Related