In this issue
• Sport Aerobics
• Enrolments 2021 and 2022
• House Music
• Dobsons Uniform Shop Re-opening
Traralgon Secondary School
From the Head of Traralgon Secondary School, Mr Brad McCabe. I would like to acknowledge and congratulate our students and families for their efforts with online learning during Term 2. Staff are looking forward to the return to school later this term and no doubt students will be pleased to …
Traralgon Secondary School
From the Head of Traralgon Secondary School,
Mr Brad McCabe.
I would like to acknowledge and congratulate our students and families for their efforts with online learning during Term 2. Staff are looking forward to the return to school later this term and no doubt students will be pleased to see their peers and teachers too.
Once students have returned, teachers will be re-evaluating where students are up to with their learning and curriculum and will quickly follow up with appropriate learning sequences and tasks. I would like to reassure students and their parents that teachers are prepared and will work closely with students to focus on completing essential learning.
Student wellbeing will be a priority on return and teachers will spend time to re-establish positive relationships and ensure students feel both connected and safe.
There will be some changes at school with increased hygiene practices and social distancing as recommended by the Victorian Chief Health Officer and the Department of Education. Teachers will share new routines with students and assist with the adjustment to these changes.
• Bubble taps are not operational and students are required to bring drink bottles. A tap will be available for filling water bottles for student use.
• There will be plenty of soap and hand sanitiser available across the school for student and staff use. Students will be encouraged to use both frequently throughout the day and particularly before and after food breaks.
• Students will be kept, as much as possible, in year level groups and will have separate toilet block access and play areas.
• Playground equipment will not be available for use; however, students will have access to play equipment, which will be cleaned regularly.
• The canteen will be accepting lunch orders but will not be open for recess purchases. All orders will be delivered to year levels.
• There will not be any assemblies or large physical gatherings of students.
To reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 between adults, parents are asked to respect the following requests:
• Parents are not to attend on-campus unless absolutely necessary. Administration staff and classroom teachers can be contacted via email or telephone.
• Parents are to avoid congregating in social groups on campus.
• Parents are asked to remain in their cars during drop off and pick up times for school. A supervised ‘kiss and go’ lane will be established in the Junior School carpark for this purpose. Parents of ELC children will be able to walk their children to the gate and collect from the gate.
• Parents are not to send unwell children to school, especially those who display cold, flu, fever and cough symptoms. Please keep your children home until they are completely well and symptom-free. This will assist us in managing illnesses across the school. Please be aware that any children who become ill at school or who arrive with symptoms of illness will be supervised in an isolated space within the school until they can be collected. This isolation may include wearing of face masks and taking of temperature.
Parents can feel reassured that St Paul’s has implemented increased hygiene practices and additional cleaning is in place with increased cleaners on site and increased daily cleans of high touch surfaces.
Buses will be operational and have also introduced increased cleaning of high touch surfaces as well as disinfectant through the air conditioning systems.
As you are aware, we will have a staggered return to school and as each year level resumes face-to-face learning on site at school, online remote learning will cease for that year level. Learning tasks will be still be provided for long term absent students as they normally would; however, teachers will not be available daily to students who cannot attend school. We hope that parents understand that the staff cannot do both simultaneously.
KEY DATES:
Monday 25 May
All St Paul’s Prep to Year 12 students remain learning online. (State Schools have a pupil free day.)
On campus, supervision continues and ELCs continue to operate as normal.
Tuesday 26 May
Prep to Year 2 students return to learning in classes at school.
Years 11 and 12 students (including Year 10s doing a Unit 1/2 VCE study) return to school.
Friday 5 June
Staff Curriculum and Assessment Day – student free day (no online classes).
Monday 8 June
Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday.
Tuesday 9 June
Years 3 to 10 students return to learning in classes at school.
Friday 19 June
Last day of Term 2.
Families are encouraged to contact classroom teachers to advise of any particular circumstances with which the school can assist.
It has certainly been a most extraordinary and unexpected Term 2. I wish to acknowledge the dedication and determination of our Secondary School staff team as they have launched into and adapted to online learning, each doing their very best. All families are thanked for their cooperation and understanding as we have navigated this period of time together, supporting our students’ learning.
Brad McCabe
Head of Traralgon Secondary School
PERFORMING ARTS – HOUSE MUSIC
During the last few weeks, students have been busy preparing for our yearly House Music competition at Traralgon. As you may know, we would usually be showcasing the efforts of each house on stage to the school community, as well as our three guest judges. However, this is the first year we have managed to prepare for these performances to occur ‘online’. This year each student will provide a self-recording of a song chosen by their house captain, complete with singing and choreography. Once all videos have been compiled, a video-collage will be created for each house, allowing all students to ‘perform together’, albeit remotely! This is an exciting opportunity for students to keep house spirit alive in these difficult times.
Nathan Byrne
Head of Performing Arts – Traralgon
SPORT REPORT
During a time of isolation and online learning, both campuses are bringing physical activities and regular practical challenge competitions to the home learning space of students! Whilst there may be no SEISA, each day we are encouraging students to participate in physical activity by posting a daily session on the St Paul’s Traralgon Sport page on MyStPauls. All they need to do is jump up, put their runners on and get their family involved for a session. It is good for the body and mind.
We have a challenge for this week: Challenge 2 – Can you beat Saskia? How many consecutive tennis ball throws can you complete with your non-dominant hand in two minutes from two metres away?
Mrs Sandra Timmer-Arends
Head of Sport, Traralgon Campus
SCHOOL CAPTAIN UPDATE
The first half of Term 2 at St Paul’s has certainly been abnormal, no different from any other school – or any person’s life throughout these months of 2020. The pandemic has done plenty to alter circumstances of the education here but little to temper its effectiveness (thanks to the work of the staff team). Even largely practical classes like Robotics have found inventive ways to deliver an engaging course – in this case focusing on the comprehensive planning of a robot. There are perhaps even more challenges in delivering pastoral care than a curriculum under these circumstances but fortunately 10B have been frequently interacting through Microsoft Teams and MyStPauls and that seems to be constant throughout the school’s mentor groups. I am glad that my education has been largely uncompromised by COVID-19 and I think that is a shared sentiment by many students. I am also fortunate in that I have been able to keep frequent contact with friends online and I hope that others have been able to do so as well. It will certainly be great to return to face-to-face contact and learning in June.
Ryan Stewart
School Captain
DOBSONS UNIFORM SHOP RE-OPENING DATE
Dobsons uniform shops will commence normal trading from Monday 18 May.
FOR NEXT WEEK FROM 18 to 22 MAY the hours for both stores will be from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
After 22 May the hours will return to normal (as listed below).
Dobsons asks for your patience while they observe social distancing. They will have set limits for the number of customers allowed inside for each store.
You can also purchase uniforms via ‘click and collect’ from the Dobsons website for those wishing to have a contactless transaction and you may collect this on the first day of trade. Dobsons School Uniforms Online
From the Principal
Now that the Premier has provided a return date, we are looking forward to shortly being able to welcome our students back to school. Please …
From the Principal
Now that the Premier has provided a return date, we are looking forward to shortly being able to welcome our students back to school.
Please note the following key dates for the remainder of Term 2.
Monday 25 May
• All St Paul’s Prep to Year 12 students remain learning online. (State Schools have a pupil free day.)
• On campus supervision continues and ELCs continue to operate as normal.
Tuesday 26 May
• Prep to Year 2 students return to learning in classes at school.
• Years 11 and 12 students (including Year 10s doing a Unit 1/2 VCE study) return to school.
Friday 5 June
• Staff Curriculum and Assessment Day – student free (no online classes).
Monday 8 June
• Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday.
Tuesday 9 June
• Years 3 to 10 students return to learning in classes at school.
Friday 19 June
• Last day of Term 2.
With the return of staff and students please be assured that the school will have in place all appropriate hygiene and social distancing measures recommended by the Victorian Chief Health Officer and the Department of Education. These details will be shared with you by your respective Head of School.
Once a year level is invited to return to campus, all online learning will cease from that point. Instead, our staff will return to the normal expectation of conveying missed work to absent students.
In what has been an extraordinary period in the history of education, I thank all of our incredibly dedicated staff for their rapid and thorough adaptation to online learning. Thank you too for the wonderful support you have offered your own children during this time, to enable us to truly educate in partnership. We look forward to a return to the new normal.
Cameron Herbert
Principal
Traralgon Junior School
From the Head of Traralgon Junior School, Ms Tracey King. It is hard to believe we are halfway through what has been a most unusual …
Traralgon Junior School
From the Head of Traralgon Junior School,
Ms Tracey King.
It is hard to believe we are halfway through what has been a most unusual term of schooling. I was so pleased to hear (as I am sure you and our students were too!) the Premier’s message on Tuesday morning about students returning to face-to-face learning on campus.
We have made significant adjustments which were outlined in my correspondence to you yesterday to ensure we all continue to remain safe.
The following is a plan for the remainder of Term 2:
Monday 25 May: Will be an online day for all students and on-campus supervision as normal.
Tuesday 26 May: Prep to Year 2 students return to school and cease online learning. On-campus supervision will continue for Years 3 to 6 students who require it.
Friday 5 June: Will remain as a student free day.
Monday 8 June: Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday.
Tuesday 9 June: All Years 3 to 6 students return to school and cease online learning.
Friday 19 June: End of Semester 1
Please note that if any students are unable to return to school, parents should notify their classroom teacher as soon as possible to discuss arrangements. Staff will not be available to conduct online learning once students return to face to face learning at school.
We have made significant adjustments which were outlined in my correspondence to you yesterday to ensure we all continue to remain safe. A reminder that we request that (parents/carers) should remain in their cars at drop-off and pick-up times and should you need to come on campus for any reason that you contact the Junior School office on 5175 0133. Please continue to email or call staff should you wish to speak to them.
I again thank all families and staff for their outstanding support of our students so far this term. I cannot wait to have our Prep to Year 2 students back on Tuesday 26 May and Years 3 to 6 students on Tuesday 9 June.
Please find below some information from our School Psychologist, Shannon Arfaras.
Children and adolescents continue to be exposed to information about COVID-19 in multiple ways. This includes seeing and experiencing the effects of COVID-19 restrictions first-hand, through conversations with peers and when using social media and mainstream media. We know that our students are experiencing a wide range of responses to this and that families are after information on how to support their children at this time. Here are some tips that may assist you in supporting your child:
Limit media exposure: Much of the information that is presented on social and mainstream media is worded in such a way that fact and opinion are intertwined. Many adults struggle to discern the difference between credible evidence, an “expert’s” opinion and the opinion of the author, so we cannot expect children and adolescents to be able to do this effectively. Much of this information is designed to elicit emotional responses, including those of anger and sadness. Limiting your child’s exposure to social and mainstream media is the best way to protect them from this. If your child does have access, try to limit this to spaces where they are supervised. They should be encouraged to discuss what they have seen/read/heard in an open and honest way.
Create new routines: Routine and structure help to create a sense of safety and security for both children and adolescents. With school now running online, many parents working from home and afterschool activities cancelled, your usual routine may have been thrown out the window. Make sure you create a new routine for this unprecedented time. Have standard wake-up, sleep and meal times, and schedule a variety of activities throughout the day that include a mixture of schoolwork, physical activity, creative outlets, play and downtime. Collaborating with your family when creating this new schedule can help them feel like valued and contributing members of your household.
Maintain connections: Many people are referring to the current COVID-19 restrictions as ‘social distancing’. I prefer the term ‘physical distancing’ – we know that maintaining social connections at this time needs to be encouraged! It is important for mental health. Children and adolescents (and adults!) need social contact. Encourage your child to connect with their friends and family members online or over the phone. This does not have to be limited to a standard phone call or video chat. Find creative ways to stay connected: Encourage them to schedule a game night using Houseparty, have a virtual movie night with Netflix Party or start a virtual book club.
Stay positive: It is easy for children and adolescents to become caught up in the things that they are missing out on. Unfortunately, when these negative thoughts take hold, it is easy for them to snowball. Set aside some time each day to be positive. Set up a gratitude tree or box where each family member can note down the things they are grateful for. Seeing all of these positives is a reminder that things are not as bad as they may seem. Alternatively, each night, ask each family member to identify three good things that have happened that day and one thing they are looking forward to tomorrow.
Exercise daily: Whilst your child’s after school activities may have been cancelled, it is still important that they exercise each day. There are thousands of free workout videos available on YouTube and some of these have been highlighted for you on MyStPauls. If you are stuck for ideas for your children, have a look at Cosmic Kids Yoga, Glen Higgins Fitness, Go Noodle, P.E. with Joe, Saskia Dansschool and Yoga with Adriene. If your child usually participates in basketball, karate, soccer etc, find videos that provide them with the opportunity to continue to develop these skills. Allow your adolescent child to explore exercise videos themselves, so that they can choose something that will keep them engaged.
Self-care: In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, looking after yourselves has never been more important. The isolation and need to continuously adapt can lead to increased stress, anxiety and distress. Whilst self-care is something that should be practised daily, it is especially important in times like these. Encourage your child to spend time doing something pro-active that makes them happy. This could be exercising, playing an instrument, drawing or reading to name a few. Make sure you are also making your own self-care and mental health a priority – it is hard to effectively look after your family if you are not looking after yourself!
Remember your supports: This is a time of stress, worry and anxiety for many. Everyone will respond differently and that is okay. If you or your child need support, reach out. The school counselling service continues to be available for students and we are offering a mixture of face-to-face and phone sessions. Our counselling team consists of Shannon Arfaras – School Psychologist (Warragul), Brian Johnson – School Counsellor (Warragul and Traralgon) and Laurie Everaert – School Psychologist (Traralgon).
You or your child are also able to access one of the following services:
• Beyond Blue Coronavirus Support, Phone 1800 512 348, https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/
• Beyond Blue or Youth Beyond Blue, Phone 1300 22 4636, https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ or https://www.youthbeyondblue.com/
• Headspace, Phone 1800 650 890, https://headspace.org.au/
• Kids Helpline, Phone 1800 55 1800, https://www.kidshelpline.com.au/
• Lifeline, Phone 13 11 14, https://www.lifeline.org.au/
Tracey King
Head of Traralgon Junior School
DOBSONS UNIFORM SHOP RE-OPENING DATE
Dobsons uniform shops will commence normal trading from Monday 18 May.
FOR NEXT WEEK FROM 18 to 22 MAY the hours for both stores will be from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
After 22 May the hours will return to normal (as listed below).
Dobsons asks for your patience while they observe social distancing. They will have set limits for the number of customers allowed inside for each store.
You can also purchase uniforms via ‘click and collect’ from the Dobsons website for those wishing to have a contactless transaction and you may collect this on the first day of trade. Dobsons School Uniforms Online
Warragul Secondary School
From the Head of Warragul Secondary School, Ms Laura Butterworth. We were very pleased to receive the announcement from the State Government that we will …
Warragul Secondary School
From the Head of Warragul Secondary School,
Ms Laura Butterworth.
We were very pleased to receive the announcement from the State Government that we will begin a staggered return to school from Monday 25 May. We believe our students have done an incredible job adapting to a remote learning model in such a short space of time and we are very proud of them. Nothing, however, will replace the face-to-face learning experience and we are really looking forward to welcoming our students and staff back on campus. We are currently working on the logistics and protocols for a return to school and we will communicate these to our families as soon as possible.
All updates will continue to be posted on the Warragul Secondary School page on MyStPauls for families and we will email the link to updates via email.
I would like to thank all of our families for their continued support during this time. It has certainly been very challenging but many of you have emailed or called through messages of care and encouragement and being able to forward these onto our teaching staff has been a great pleasure. I think we would all agree that the teachers and support staff have really worked tirelessly through this period to deliver innovative lessons whilst maintaining connection to our students and for our students.
A message from our School Captains
Our wonderful School Captains Rachel Jennings and James Gourley, and Deputy School Captains Nixon Hall and Eliza Greenall have recorded this message for you to enjoy. Please click here to watch.
Sage Hyde – Premier’s VCE Award
The Premier’s VCE Awards recognises students who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in the Victorian Certificate of Education. Sage Hyde was recently awarded a Premier’s Award for her study of Units 3 and 4 Philosophy in 2019. Sage completed her Year 12 subject whilst in Year 11 and scored a perfect 50 in this subject. Only two students were able to achieve a perfect score in Philosophy last year and we congratulate Sage on this incredible achievement. Sage was taught by Stephanie Marshall last year who wrote:
“Watching Sage’s grit, resilience, passion and incredible determination throughout her studies in Year 12 Philosophy – and the astonishing success she achieved as a result – is one of those things that will be indelibly etched into my memory forever and one of the true highlights of my teaching career. Only two students in the state achieved a perfect score of 50 in Philosophy in 2019, with Sage being one of them, and when you add the fact that she completed the course as a Year 11 student, the magnitude of her achievement is brought into stark relief. I am absolutely delighted that Sage’s efforts have been recognised in the recent VCE Premier Awards and I could not be prouder of all that she has achieved!”
Remote learning continues
Remote learning has offered our staff a unique opportunity to really get to know our students in a different way. Ms Hoskings’ 10.1 Mentor group shared pictures of their pets and special items which were collated in a collage for the group.
One of the highlights of the Year 10 Commerce course is a unit called ‘Commerce on Show’. Students research the viability of a business idea, write a business plan and, under normal circumstances, run a micro business at the Junior School during a lunchtime. Unfortunately, this has not been possible but they have had a lot of fun setting up their businesses at home and completing the task despite the circumstances. Great work Year 10 students.
Mrs Loomes shared that her 7.4 Mentor group have been keen to continue our ‘Warm Fuzzy Friday’ routine, where they receive a classmate’s name and write a warm, friendly message to them. Instead of sticky notes, messages have come to me via the virtual channel and it has been so uplifting to hear their kind, caring words. From gestures of “I miss you so much” to declarations that “you are a genius at Maths”, 7.4 have helped each other feel good about themselves and collectively kept hope alive during this difficult time. Regan Smith has even created some decorative posters for students to cherish.
Prefects in isolation
Our Prefects have shared their experiences of life in isolation and captured some lovely and funny moments to share with our school community. Please click on this link to watch them in action.
Autumn leaves
Our campus is at its most beautiful during Term 2 when the leaves start to change from green to glorious yellow, orange and red before falling from the trees. Here are some beautiful images captured by Lauren Clark (Class of 2018) to remind you of autumn at St Paul’s.
Softly fall the autumn leaves
Upon the earth they land
Softly fall the autumn leaves
I raise one to my hand
Softly fall the autumn leaves
This time, it is so strange
Softly fall the autumn leaves
The season, it will change.
Ms Laura Butterworth
Head of Warragul Secondary School
DOBSONS UNIFORM SHOP RE-OPENING DATE
Dobsons uniform shops will commence normal trading from Monday 18 May.
FOR NEXT WEEK FROM 18 to 22 MAY the hours for both stores will be from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
After 22 May the hours will return to normal (as listed below).
Dobsons asks for your patience while they observe social distancing. They will have set limits for the number of customers allowed inside for each store.
You can also purchase uniforms via ‘click and collect’ from the Dobsons website for those wishing to have a contactless transaction and you may collect this on the first day of trade. Dobsons School Uniforms Online
SPORT AEROBICS TRAINING – ONLINE
As yet, the final decision on the running of the Sport Aerobics Competitions have not been decided by the organising committees. However, our coaches Bella and Jemma, Jo Fraser and Melissa Hoskings are committed to provide opportunities for our teams to be active and enjoy Sport Aerobics!
As a result, online training sessions for Sport Aerobics will run every Wednesday during Term 2. The Senior team scheduled from 7:30 am to 8:30 am and the Junior team will be scheduled from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
The session will run through Microsoft Teams and involve a combination of fitness and learning routines. All students are required to be in their PE uniform.
We are excited to continue the exciting start our teams had to 2020!
If you have any questions, please contact Melissa Hoskings (Head of Sport) via email mhoskings@stpaulsags.vic.edu.au
Ms Melissa Hoskings
Head of Sport – Warragul Campus
Warragul Junior School
From the Head of Warragul Junior School, Mr Rowan van Raay. It is hard to believe we are halfway through what has been a most …
Warragul Junior School
From the Head of Warragul Junior School,
Mr Rowan van Raay.
It is hard to believe we are halfway through what has been a most unusual term of schooling. I was so pleased to hear (as I am sure you and our students were too!) the Premier’s message on Tuesday morning about students returning to face-to-face learning on campus.
We have made significant adjustments which were outlined in my correspondence to you yesterday to ensure we all continue to remain safe.
The following is a plan for the remainder of Term 2:
Monday 25 May: Will be an online day for all students and on-campus supervision as normal.
Tuesday 26 May: Prep to Year 2 students return to school and cease online learning. On-campus supervision will continue for Years 3 to 6 students who require it.
Friday 5 June: Will remain as a student free day for all Preps to Year 6 students.
Monday 8 June: Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday.
Tuesday 9 June: All Years 3 to 6 students return to school and cease online learning.
Friday 19 June: End of Semester 1
Please note that if any students are unable to return to school, we will continue to support these students and parents should notify their classroom teacher so arrangements for work to be sent home can be made. Staff will not be expected to run both face-to-face and remote classes once students return to learning at school.
A reminder that we request that (parents/carers) should remain in their cars at drop-off and pick-up times and should you need to come on campus for any reason that you contact the Junior School office on 5622 6131. Please continue to email or call staff should you wish to speak to them.
I again thank all families and staff for their outstanding support of our students so far this term. I cannot wait to have our Prep to Year 2 students back on Tuesday 26 May and Years 3 to 6 students on Tuesday 9 June.
Please find below some information from our School Psychologist, Shannon Arfaras.
Children and adolescents continue to be exposed to information about COVID-19 in multiple ways. This includes seeing and experiencing the effects of COVID-19 restrictions first-hand, through conversations with peers and when using social media and mainstream media. We know that our students are experiencing a wide range of responses to this and that families are after information on how to support their children at this time. Here are some tips that may assist you in supporting your child:
Limit media exposure: Much of the information that is presented on social and mainstream media is worded in such a way that fact and opinion are intertwined. Many adults struggle to discern the difference between credible evidence, an “expert’s” opinion and the opinion of the author, so we cannot expect children and adolescents to be able to do this effectively. Much of this information is designed to elicit emotional responses, including those of anger and sadness. Limiting your child’s exposure to social and mainstream media is the best way to protect them from this. If your child does have access, try to limit this to spaces where they are supervised. They should be encouraged to discuss what they have seen/read/heard in an open and honest way.
Create new routines: Routine and structure help to create a sense of safety and security for both children and adolescents. With school now running online, many parents working from home and afterschool activities cancelled, your usual routine may have been thrown out the window. Make sure you create a new routine for this unprecedented time. Have standard wake-up, sleep and meal times, and schedule a variety of activities throughout the day that include a mixture of schoolwork, physical activity, creative outlets, play and downtime. Collaborating with your family when creating this new schedule can help them feel like valued and contributing members of your household.
Maintain connections: Many people are referring to the current COVID-19 restrictions as ‘social distancing’. I prefer the term ‘physical distancing’ – we know that maintaining social connections at this time needs to be encouraged! It is important for mental health. Children and adolescents (and adults!) need social contact. Encourage your child to connect with their friends and family members online or over the phone. This does not have to be limited to a standard phone call or video chat. Find creative ways to stay connected: Encourage them to schedule a game night using Houseparty, have a virtual movie night with Netflix Party or start a virtual book club.
Stay positive: It is easy for children and adolescents to become caught up in the things that they are missing out on. Unfortunately, when these negative thoughts take hold, it is easy for them to snowball. Set aside some time each day to be positive. Set up a gratitude tree or box where each family member can note down the things they are grateful for. Seeing all of these positives is a reminder that things are not as bad as they may seem. Alternatively, each night, ask each family member to identify three good things that have happened that day and one thing they are looking forward to tomorrow.
Exercise daily: Whilst your child’s after school activities may have been cancelled, it is still important that they exercise each day. There are thousands of free workout videos available on YouTube and some of these have been highlighted for you on MyStPauls. If you are stuck for ideas for your children, have a look at Cosmic Kids Yoga, Glen Higgins Fitness, Go Noodle, P.E. with Joe, Saskia Dansschool and Yoga with Adriene. If your child usually participates in basketball, karate, soccer etc, find videos that provide them with the opportunity to continue to develop these skills. Allow your adolescent child to explore exercise videos themselves, so that they can choose something that will keep them engaged.
Self-care: In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, looking after yourselves has never been more important. The isolation and need to continuously adapt can lead to increased stress, anxiety and distress. Whilst self-care is something that should be practised daily, it is especially important in times like these. Encourage your child to spend time doing something pro-active that makes them happy. This could be exercising, playing an instrument, drawing or reading to name a few. Make sure you are also making your own self-care and mental health a priority – it is hard to effectively look after your family if you are not looking after yourself!
Remember your supports: This is a time of stress, worry and anxiety for many. Everyone will respond differently and that is okay. If you or your child need support, reach out. The school counselling service continues to be available for students and we are offering a mixture of face-to-face and phone sessions. Our counselling team consists of Shannon Arfaras – School Psychologist (Warragul), Brian Johnson – School Counsellor (Warragul and Traralgon) and Laurie Everaert – School Psychologist (Traralgon).
You or your child are also able to access one of the following services:
• Beyond Blue Coronavirus Support, Phone 1800 512 348, https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/
• Beyond Blue or Youth Beyond Blue, Phone 1300 22 4636, https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ or https://www.youthbeyondblue.com/
• Headspace, Phone 1800 650 890, https://headspace.org.au/
• Kids Helpline, Phone 1800 55 1800, https://www.kidshelpline.com.au/
• Lifeline, Phone 13 11 14, https://www.lifeline.org.au/
Rowan van Raay
Head of Warragul Junior School
DOBSONS UNIFORM SHOP RE-OPENING DATE
Dobsons uniform shops will commence normal trading from Monday 18 May.
FOR NEXT WEEK FROM 18 to 22 MAY the hours for both stores will be from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
After 22 May the hours will return to normal (as listed below).
Dobsons asks for your patience while they observe social distancing. They will have set limits for the number of customers allowed inside for each store.
You can also purchase uniforms via ‘click and collect’ from the Dobsons website for those wishing to have a contactless transaction and you may collect this on the first day of trade. Dobsons School Uniforms Online
From the Chaplain
PEARL OF GREAT PRICE. Natural pearls form when an irritant works its way into an oyster, mussel or clam. As a defence mechanism, a fluid …
From the Chaplain
PEARL OF GREAT PRICE.
Natural pearls form when an irritant works its way into an oyster, mussel or clam. As a defence mechanism, a fluid is used to coat the irritant. Layer upon layer of this coating, called ‘nacre’, is deposited until a lustrous pearl is formed.
What a challenge to me when those irritating people get under my skin; I know that I could never be like that to others. Instead of responding in anger, nursing resentment or retaliating in hurt, I seek to cover and coat those irritants with love. Our inner character – being shaped by God – and our willing, gracious responses to those around us are of eternal value. This is the pearl of great price being formed within us.
Lynton Allan
Chaplain
