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The Oak Leaf |
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Address: Willett Avenue, Oak Park VIC 3046
T:(03) 9306 9182 E: [email protected] |
Issue 20
December 4th 2020 |
Oak Park Primary School will work collaboratively to provide a stimulating, safe and challenging learning environment that promotes resilient, innovative thinkers.
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Calendar of Events
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Don’t forget our breakfast club mornings – Monday, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8:30am
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Principal's Column
Helping our children navigate the stresses and strains of daily life is more important than ever, especially in this year that we all wish didn’t happen. We cannot remove all the challenges that our kids will face, but we can pass on skills to help them cope with stress and adversity. We talk a lot about resilience at school - the ability to ‘bounce back’. Our brains respond to the information around us, so resilience can be taught, modelled and nurtured at any age. And by doing this, through strong support networks and encouraging communication, we can help kids understand when they feel down and know what they can do to make themselves feel better. I read an article recently that highlighted six ways we can help build resilience in kids. Have one-on-one time with each child, without distractions Resilience comes from relationships; children need nurturing. It’s not a magical “inner strength” that helps kids through tough times; instead, it’s the reliable presence of one, supportive relationship, be it parent, teacher, relative or family friend. The key point is, it’s quality, not quantity, that counts. Ten minutes of fully focused attention is better than an hour when your mind is on other things. Give sleep a chance We often see children who are struggling to sleep, waking tired, especially at this hectic time of year. A lack of good-quality sleep is a huge driver for stress: it has a negative effect on memory, concentration, cognitive function, and decision-making. One of the fastest ways to improve sleep – for all of us – is to limit screen time before bed. The type of blue light emitted by digital devices suppresses production of melatonin, the hormone that signals to the body it’s time for sleep. In addition, looking at screens before bed keeps us emotionally wired and stimulated, making it harder for us to switch off. It’s a brave parent who can ban tech completely, and I don’t think you need to. But I would urge you to issue a ban on devices at least an hour before bedtime. Turn off the wifi, if need be. Get out and exercise We all know that regular activity is important, and that most of us, children included, need to do more of it. But what if I told you that, as well as keeping them physically fit, exercise will increase your child’s resilience? It actually strengthens the brain. Teach delayed gratification Resilience means understanding you can’t always have what you want as soon as you want it. It’s an important concept to pass on in the age of Spotify, Netflix and Uber. Psychology teaches us that people who can accept delayed gratification lead happier, healthier lives. Without the ability to defer pleasure and reward, our kids are losing an important skill for their wellbeing. A good way to teach it, I reckon is board games. These require impulse control, turn-taking, and mental flexibility. Board games are also a good way for you to model resilience by being a good loser. Eat well Nutrition has a significant impact on mental health. Full stop. Model gratitude I was at a seminar a while ago at which the famous psychologist Marty Seligman, spoke. He said the single best thing you can do to improve your mental health is to help someone. He also spoke about practising gratitude – and I think there is something huge in that. Instead of asking our kids, “How was school?” and, “What did you do today?” teach them to reframe their day. Try asking them to list three things they were grateful for. At first it will be hard, but reframing our thinking means we get better at it the more we practise. It helps to teach gratitude, nurture optimism, and recognise kindness. Try it. Foundation News
On the 11th of December, Foundation students are invited to participate in our Pyjama Day and Hot Chip Lunch. We have organised the chips through Jim's Seafood and Grill in Glenroy, who are providing Halal chips for the students. We ask that students who are participating please bring $2 towards the hot chip lunch by Friday the 4th of December. This needs to be paid to your child's classroom teacher, not on Compass Grade 3 / 4 News
The Grade ¾ End of Year Fun Day is to be held on Tuesday 15th December. Look out for further details will be posted on Compass shortly. Library
Dear Families, Students should keep reading for at least 10 minutes a day over the school holidays to set themselves up for a great start to the new school year. It will keep their brains active, develop overall reading skills and their love of reading. To help families keep their reading momentum rolling over the holidays, Scholastic are releasing some reading resources at the end of term, including
Happy summer reading! Michelle School Library Wellbeing
Our Breakfast program is now running and we’d love to see you there. Breakfast is offered every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday morning from 8.30am to 8.50am. Please come to the staffroom between these times and have breakfast with other children. We offer Cheerios, fruit cups, weet-bix, porridge, muesli, fresh fruit, milk and milo. We had 27 students eat breakfast at school on Monday morning and we’d love to see you there. Breakfast is provided for ALL students, so come along and have a fun time with other children and staff in the staffroom. Maria Giordano Assistant Principal 
Grade 6 Graduation
Some important details about the Grade 6 Graduation Ceremony scheduled for Thursday 10th December. To allow for the maximum number of people to attend, we are hoping to host the event outside on the synthetic turf near the Multipurpose Room. If we are able to do this, two adults for each student will be able to attend. This is of course dependent on the weather. If the weather won't allow for an outdoor event, we will need to hold the Graduation in the gym. Should this happen, only one adult per student will be allowed to attend. We will need to make a call on the weather/location reasonably early (perhaps the day before) so that the necessary preparations can be made. Just another opportunity for us to exercise our adaptability in 2020! If you were planning on having two people attend, please ensure that both understand that there is the possibility that one may not be permitted to attend. Please note that in either case, this year's Graduation will be live streamed so any number of family members will be able to watch the ceremony from home. Students are to arrive at 4.45pm. Parents arrive at 5.45pm. There will be light refreshments on the synthetic turf for parents following the ceremony. Students to be picked up by 9.00pm. Further information to follow. Grade 6 Swimming
Info for Parents:
COVID-19 – Wearing of Masks for Pick up and Drop off at School
A reminder about mask wearing in and around school areas. When you are gathering in groups, please be mindful of students and parents if they can’t pass you within the 1.5m distance – and if you need to pass anyone at a distance closer than 1.5m, please use your mask. Community News
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Rosehill S.C. Year 7 Orientation Day
Parents of students attending Rosehill Secondary College in 2021, would have received an email with regards to their Orientation Day. If you did not receive this email, please call the Rosehill S.C. on 93372488 
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School Contacts
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