Chaplain Heather welcomes you

Lunch-time Chaplaincy Groups 2011

2011-10-11T11:12:00.004+11:00

OMSAI Rhythm

DJEMBE Drumming

Express Yourself Art Group

Mrs Buckle and Mrs Krumm - Volunteered their time
and talent to our Art Groups this year.

The BOAB Tree of Hope Project

Special Award Winners of our Art Group Self Portrait Exhibition

AUSLAN Signing Group

Students from K-Year 6 practising for Carols Evening Performance - I Can Sing A Rainbow

Ex3

This newly introduced program focuses on our unique personalities. Week 1 was fun as we completed a Personality Questionnaire during our Explore session. Week 2, we focussed on the 2^nd of our E- sessions Experiment. And during week 3 together, we brought it all together for our final E-session on Exercise !!

Sibongile Day & Night Care Centre/School

2011-09-21T07:08:00.003+10:00

South Africa comes to our school

During week 10 of term 3, we welcomed my dear friend Nomasango to our school.
Nomasango is the founder and Director of the Sibongile Day & Night Care Centre in Khayletisha, which cares for 31 children with cerebral palsy.

In 2005, at only 15 years of age, Nomasango's daughter passed away. Her legacy is the Sibongile Centre and now newly opened community School.

The Sibongile Centre began with only a bucket full of courage, heart full of love and a Shipping Container.

Now, 11 years on..... http://www.sibongile.org/

2011-06-28T16:06:00.006+10:00

OMSAI Rhythm

What do you think is possible when you bring a group of young boys together, give them an african DJEMBE or a bongo, a little instruction and heaps of encouragement.....

I am blown away each week as I see, and hear, the progress and potential of the group led by a gifted artist who shares heaps of enthusiam and energy with the boys.

Drumming is a spectacular way to manage emotions and spend emotional energy in a positive way. Rhythm drumming can help with challenges we face such as self-confidence, managing our frustrations and anger, or chanelling our worry & anxiety.

Special thanks to Drummer and Group Mentor, Rory Bratby.

"Drumming makes me feel GREAT" Jam Master Finn
"Drumming makes me feel EXCITED" Jam Master Lachlan
"Drumming makes me feel COOL" Jam Master Ethan
"Drumming makes me feel REALLY HAPPY" Jam Master Jack
"Drumming makes me feel AWESOME" Jam Master Callum
"Drumming makes me feel REFRESHED" Jam Master Thomas
"Drumming makes me feel GREAT" Jam Master Jeremy
"Drumming makes me feel HAPPY & CREATIVE" Jam Master Montoyah
"Drumming makes me feel HAPPY" Jam Master Jake

The Amazement Excursion 2011

2011-05-26T11:00:00.005+10:00

"I always look forward to this day of the year as 15 students from K-Year 6, 2 generous parents and one supportive staff member of school accompany me on an adventure to wander and explore mazes, cuddle baby bunnies, tackle adventure trails, pet and feed farm animals.....

It is amazing to see sad, tough and scared little hearts melt as a newborn baby bunny squirms in their hands, or a pony patiently stands and lets their mane be combed, a lamb fed, a baby goat cuddled etc..... The sense of achievement as a ropes course or maze is conquered....

Amazement is a day where kids come as they and leave have experienced something that they may never have before both outside and in.

Our Amazement day is about moments that become life-long and treasured memories. To see a child who rarely smiles, beam. To see the most timid of child try something new as they are encouraged along step by step...

And every year is that little bit unique.

A special thankyou to Lynne and Raewyn for supporting this excursion from the office.

Thankyou to Mrs Dixon Ross, Mrs May, Mr Parker and especially our host, the gorgeous and very talented story-teller, Gennie, whose hospitality is generous and warmth oozes out of her. "

The Amazement experience intends to help build:

Trust Self-Confidence
Interacting with others
Self Esteem

The Amazement experience intends to help us practice:
Being Kind
Being Respectful
Sharing
Learning from mistakes
Looking after others

The Amazement experience can help us find our:
Curiosity and Sense of Fun

Click here to experience Amazement

Click here to ask a question about the Amazement Excursion

OMSAI - Take II

2011-05-18T15:41:00.003+10:00

Worries, Stress, Anxiety

2011-05-03T15:38:00.004+10:00

WORRY- Source: Wonderful-Ways-to-Help-Kids-Who-Worry

Adults and kids alike have episodes of anxiety. We worry about the people we love, about our safety and about our future. Sometimes in an effort to push back our own nervousness on these points, we dismiss our children's worries with blanket statements like "Don't worry about that" or
"It will be fine." If this answer doesn't work for you personally when you are worried, chances are it's not working for your kids either. Have the courage to take your kids seriously and to teach them the skills they need to address worry productively their whole lives through. Here are six activities that have helped my kids (and me!) deal with worry:

Make a Worry Box
Make a Worry List
Make a Worry Ritual
Make a Change
Make Time
Make Friends with a Worry Specialist

Click here to read more on each of the above helpful idea's...
http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/2029/6-Wonderful-Ways-to-Help-Kids-Who-Worry/

STRESS

Stress can affect anyone who feels overwhelmed — even kids. In preschoolers, separation from parents can cause anxiety. As kids get older, academic and social pressures (especially the quest to fit in) create stress.

Many kids are too busy to have time to play creatively or relax after school. Kids who complain about the number of activities they're involved in or refuse to go to them may be signaling that they're overscheduled....

For more about Childhood Stress, read on here....

http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/feelings/kids_stress.html

WORRY

If you have a child who struggles with anxiety, it is very important that they are helped to control their feelings.

Book Review: When My Worries Get Too Big (Available at Amazon.com)
For more information, you might like to visit www.asperger.net

Writes the author:
When My Worries Get Too Big! is based on cognitive behavioural management, which is an approach to behaviour management that focuses on teaching children to recognise their own feels of anxiety and then teaches strategies to help them control those feelings.

'When My Worries Get Too Big' is written by Kari Dunn Buron.
This beautifully colourful and creative workbook is one that I look forward to using here in the school. If you would like to have a look at this resource, please let me know.

Ladies - Coffee Catch-up at Felix, Wyoming

2011-02-10T12:43:00.002+11:00

If you often or sometimes wish you had somewhere to go or someone to chat too, then perhaps consider this:

Every Tuesday at 11.30am, a group of people meet for a cuppa and a chat at the Felix Cafe in the Wyoming Shopping Centre. The group is relaxed and fluid, welcoming people when they can come and remembering them with good vibes and wishes if they can't.

If you would like to consider this, why not go along and see what you think. If you need a lift or someone to accompany you, please let me know.

This group is in the care of Mrs Norah Marland, a gentle and caring lady, who is also one of our regional SRE (Scripture) Coordinator's.

A favorite thought...

2010-09-13T16:48:00.001+10:00

The most beautiful things in the world are not seen nor touched. They are felt with the heart.

-- Helen Keller

Homework Club is back... Tuesday lunch-times in the Library for Stage 2 & 3 students

2010-06-30T15:49:00.011+10:00

1. What is Homework Club?

A supervised space for students to attend to their home-work in a quiet, supportive and helpful setting with other students.

2. Who is Homework Club for?

Students from Stage 2 and 3 who are struggling with space, time, incentive and the like to do their home-work ‘at home’.

3. How are students selected?

Teachers are asked to refer relevant students to the program.

4. When is Homework Club run?

Stage 2 students - Tuesday : First half lunch in the Library and Stage 3 students - Thursday - First & second half lunch in 5/6A's classroom

5. Where is Homework Club run?

In the library

6. Who facilitates/supervises Homework Club?

Chaplain Heather
I am pleased to welcome parent, Kylie Armour to our Stage 2 Homework Club

T O P S

2010-06-30T15:39:00.012+10:00

What is T.O.P.S
For half a lunch-time each week, a selected group of our younger boys and myself get together for some facilitated fun. We each wear a hat. Some weeks we have played skittles, another week bowling in the hall, and many other games and activities. We have watched and tried to master juggling sticks. And we have planted and nurtured a vegie garden.

And all the while, what we are doing is learning how to:

Positively and pleasantly interact with others
Find our courage
Build Friendships

The goals of the T O P S program include:

Being Assertive not Aggressive
Finding our Personal Space
Respecting the Personal Space of others
Making Friends and Keeping Playmates
Understanding and practicing limits
Co-operating with others

It is hoped that with a new volunteer parent/grandparent facilitator, T O P S will be back in Term 2. Watch this space.

BKTY - Be Kind To Yourself is back this term...

2010-06-30T15:29:00.017+10:00

For Stage 2 girls

Over five lunch-times, together the girls and I will creatively explore five particular themes:

Success and Being Positive
Uniqueness and Identity
Valuing friendships
Mistakes and Making Good Choices
Things we say and do

Activities include stories, games, creating a friendship rap and more...

Competitions will include making a creation out of 3 pipecleaners with bling.

If there was one thing that I truly hope the girls grab a hold of during the BKTY program, it is this:

You can become the person that you want to be

2009/2010 Programs overview

2010-01-17T11:53:00.024+11:00

Growth - Role Models
Loyalty - Peer Pressure and Fitting In
Our Self - My changing Physical and Emotional Self
Worth - Value and Self-Esteem

Amazement Excursion
Explore, Play, Grow

Building Goals:
• Trust
• Self-Confidence
• Interacting with others
• Self-Esteem
• Kindness
• Respect
• Value
• Curiosity
• Sharing
• Caring
• Learning from mistakes

BE KIND TO YOURSELF

Exercising and Relaxing
Success and Being Positive
Uniqueness and Identity
Valuing love and friendships
Mistakes and Making Good Choices
Things we say and do

Tackling The Tough Times

“I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed.” Michael Jordan

Goals:
• Trust
• Confidence
• Communicating
• Resilience to Bullying

Content:
• Defining Success
• Fear of Failure
• Rejection
• Friendships
• Role Models
• Being Assertive not Aggressive
• Perseverance

I CAN MAKE IT - Stage 2 boys