End of Term dismissal

A reminder that tomorrow, Friday 8^th April is the final day of Term 1. Students will be dismissed at 2:30pm tomorrow. We will be holding our end of term assembly on the netball court at 2:10pm prior to dismissal.

Term 2 begins on Tuesday 26^th April (day after ANZAC day).

Rapid Antigen Testing

As you may be aware, the Department has recently announced the extension of twice weekly Rapid Antigen Testing for students for the first four weeks of Term 2. We have received delivery of the test kits and a box for each child for the first two weeks will be sent home with each child prior to the end of term.

Sun Smart Policy

A reminder that our Sun Smart policy requires all students to wear a school broad brimmed hat until the end of April. This means that for the first week of Term 2, students will still be required to wear their hats.

Shade Sails

After some delays, the shade sails over our junior and senior playgrounds and in the pre-school were installed this week. The sails for over the rebound wall are currently being fabricated and we hope these will be up soon.


  

Appreciation – a parenting skill for the ages

by Michael Grose

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.

regards

Ken & Lisa

Bonbeach Farmers’ Market

Sunday 10^th April

8:30am – 12:30pm

We know many of you will be heading away during these holidays, but if you are around, drop into the market because we have close to 60 stalls attending this month! Thanks to everyone in grades 1/2 who have volunteered, and the kinder for running the egg and bacon rolls - without volunteers this market wouldn’t happen!

Bonbeach Farmers Market has made a huge commitment to the farmers and small scale food producers, so please, come down and shop local and take the opportunity to connect with the growers and makers and find out the origins of your food!

Easter treats and goodies available, face painting, live music and a treasure hunt around the market for the kids - prize included!

Sign up to our monthly newsletter at the gates to go into the draw to win a stunning Pali Basket, perfect for market days.

Drop in early to ensure you get all your essential shopping from local farmers, makers, growers, bakers, brewers, distillers and artisans this Sunday.

Farmers Market Committee

                       

Josh Berry is a 16 year old on a mission! He is collecting 50,000 pairs of brand new warm socks so that every homeless person in Victoria, will have 2 pairs each. They are distributed to them through organisations that feed meals to homeless people.

“Homeless people say that one of the things they most need are clean, warm socks. People give blankets and jackets, usually when they no longer fit them or get another jacket, but you never give away your holey socks”.

Let's help Josh achieve this incredible goal and also help homeless people keep warm and have clean healthy feet.

There will be a box located at the office, where you can drop any donations in for the next month!

THANK YOU

www.2pairseach.com.au