This week we have recognised National Child Protection Week with the theme- ‘Every child in every community deserves a fair go’. Our students have engaged with the theme in a variety of ways including participating in Australia's Biggest Child Safety Lesson from the Daniel Morcombe Foundation which was mostly about consent. Some year levels had a visit from our local police to talk about online and personal safety and we had further messages at assembly this morning about knowing who safe people are , both in our school and in our homes and families.

Please see this link if you would like more information regarding Child Protection Week. The following information is from this website and relates directly to what parents can do to ensure children are protected. 

PARENTS PLAY THEIR PART TO PROTECT AND CARE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE IN THEIR COMMUNITY BY SHOWING HOW TO HAVE RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS.

• Being a parent can be challenging. Accept offers of help (especially the ones where cooked meals are involved!)
• Link in with services that support you – New Parent Groups and Playgroups can be fantastic.
• Parenting isn’t always easy. Share your experiences and skills with other parents – it can help you realise that you are not alone!
• It’s ok to reach out and ask for support, from family, friends, services, health professionals and so on.
• Discover what helps reduce your stress and assists you to best care for your children.Listen to your children and involve them in planning things as a family.
• Play with your children. It can be as simple as a game of “peek-a-boo” or reading to them. Playing with children helps build a positive relationship and connection and most of all it is fun!
• Take time out when you feel stressed or upset – look after yourself. Parenting can be positive – notice the good times too.
  Make plans for enjoyable “family time” – this can help build close relationships.
• Talk about safety with your children. Talk about what being unsafe might look and feel like at home, in their community, online or at school. Make plans about what to do if they feel unsafe.
• Parenting courses can help you be the best you can be.
• Celebrate your children, their achievements, values and interests and support them when times are tough. This will build a strong family that is loving and safe.
• Get involved in your community. Joining groups such as for sporting activities will help you and your children to have fun and meet people.

I was incredibly proud this week to hear all about our Under 10 Football team’s effort at the Blackhawk Challenge. Our team had a great team effort with speed being their ultimate skill and resulting in two wins and two draws, narrowly missing a place in the Semi-final. 

Next week is a big week with most students heading off to the Eisteddfod performing in the Poetry sections across the week. These students have been practicing very diligently and we all wish them well. We look for great attitude and effort and hope for a couple of wins in the process. Any student who can get on a stage and perform in these formal competitions is a winner in my eyes anyway. Thank you to all our teachers for your dedication and continued enthusiasm for preparing our students for these events.

Please also remember we have Ecofest on Thursday at 11.30am - 12.30pm. This event is always a great showcase of the wonderful learning our students have been doing within environmental education so please come along if you can.

Only one more week till school holidays :)

Cheers 

Penny