I was very pleased this week to acknowledge at assembly, a number of students across our school we have seen really going out of their way to do good things. I have seen students picking up rubbish when coming back from our oval, collecting leftover balls from play time and generally showing some commitment to what it is to be a St Benny’s student. It is very pleasing to see that sense of belonging growing and especially reassuring to see that our students are developing that value of community that we know was so important to St Benedict.

You recently received some magnets from school for your fridge that reflect the work we have been doing as a school community (staff, Board & students) to establish our expectations around behaviour especially in terms of taking responsibility for our words and our actions.

‘The Golden rule- Do for others what you want them to do for you’ Matthew 6:12

The magnets highlight the links that can happen between the Zones of Regulation (framework for emotional regulation) and the Levels of Consequences. The Zones of Regulation acknowledge that all emotions are a part of life and therefore we have times where we experience happiness, sadness, worry, silliness, anger and frustration. The Zones of Regulation help us to acknowledge the emotion we are feeling and to make a choice about what to do with that feeling. We certainly don’t want to sit in the sad (Blue) or Angry/frustrated (red) zones for too long. Using strategies from our toolbox (personalised for some individual students or as class groups or you could even have some for home) should help us get back to the happy and calm, ready-to-learn or focus (green) zone. However if we make inappropriate choices, it can lead us to the Yellow, Orange or Red Levels of Consequence where we find ourselves in trouble. That is - being angry on its own doesn’t get us in trouble but the choices we make with that emotion can which is the message we are building in our students - they always have a choice about their own words and actions.

‘All rights have to be balanced by responsibilities because we are in relationship’. Bishop Michael Putney, address to State P&F, 2016

Tomorrow we have our Athletics Carnival where the students will participate in some races and novelty events. Again, as our nominations for the Redtrack team have already gone tomorrow’s focus will be on having a fun, active day with some great encouragement on the sidelines. We look forward to seeing you on the day. Please remember to get into the spirit of the day by dressing up in your family’s house colours if you want to but try to be as sun-safe as you can.

I hope you all have a fabulous week.

Cheers

Penny