WELCOME

A big welcome back to all returning students and families and also to our new students and their families joining us for the first time. While the Christmas break has been quite a tough one for many people, I would like to commend our students on an amazing start to the year. It is great to see so many students engaging with their education in such a dedicated manner. I also would like to take this opportunity to reiterate the support that was offered over the holiday period. Please do not hesitate to contact the school or your son/daughter/person in your care’s PALS or Year Coordinator. If we are aware, we can support.

This year our Chapel is also open to staff and students during Thursday lunchtimes providing opportunity for reflection.

I thought I would take this time to remind our students and families of a few key areas and ask parents to familiarise themselves with our policy documents. The following policies are documented on our school website - http://www.sjedow.catholic.edu.au/policies

• Anti Bullying Parent Response Plan
• Anti Bullying Student Response Plan
• Student Behaviour Management Policy
• Peaceful School Policy
• Hands Off And No Put Downs Policy
• Electronic Communication Device Policy
• School Shoe Guidelines
• Student Attendance Policy
• Student Uniform Policy
• Pastoral Care And Diverse Learning Needs Policy

If there are any concerns in regard to these documents, please feel free to call me on the school number.

STARTING WITH SUCCESS
A lot of research shows that students tend to struggle when they return from long periods away from school and that one of the best indicators of success is developing effective habits and strong routines. As such, it would be important, if you haven’t already, to create some strong routines at home to help your son, daughter or person in your care succeed at school.

• Encourage them to use their school diary to organise their day/weeks
• Create a calendar on the fridge where they are to write key events, various tasks and other school related information
• Set clear routines when they come back from school
  • Engage with them about their school day
  • Allow them to have a quick break and replenish with food and drink
  • Set an agreed upon time where your they will show you their diary, and complete their homework. Preferably, this will be in an open area where distractions like phones are less likely to occur.
  • Set an agreed upon free time where they are able to use their phones, watch TV or spend a specific amount of time on their computer
  • Phones and other devices are kept out of the bedroom.Create strong sleep routines. Specific, agreed upon time for bed,
• If needed, communicate with their teachers via their school diary.

As always, these routines need to work with your family dynamic. If you need any assistance in organising this, please feel free to give the PALS teacher a call.

I have also included two articles from Parenting Ideas on supporting students who are entering a new environment / phase of their educational journey.