07-Aug-2020
Dear Families,
This week certainly hit home that we are in the middle of a huge public Health Crisis and we understand that this may cause pain and discomfort in the weeks to come. We will continue to do our best to support and assist all of our Edithvale Primary School families through this time. Not since the Second World War has a State of Disaster been declared and it will take an enormous commitment and social effort from all of us to help get this virus under control.
The DET guidelines mandate what we have been directed to follow and they restrict what we can do (there will be no more learning lunches that we can deliver for example), but we remain determined to face the challenge head on together with you. We know for many families the juggle between work and caring for your kids can be challenging. It is critical that you take steps to ensure your own wellbeing during this time and to access any supports available to you. The Health and Wellbeing for all of us will become increasingly important over the next few weeks. For any parents who might need support, the following options come recommended from DET
Parentline: 13 22 89
Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 46 36 or beyondblue.org.au
Tips for parents supporting students at home during the coronavirus pandemic from the DET webpage can be found in the link below
https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/a-z-health-reference/coronavirus-and-children-in-australia
I hope that last week’s gratitude focus questions continue to help.
What are 3 things that went well for you today?
Who am I most grateful for today and why?
What am I looking forward to tomorrow?
This week’s focus turns to empathy (more specifically compassion) or putting ourselves in the shoes of others to feel and see what they do.
Every time we do something kind for someone else, our brain releases oxytocin. Oxytocin leads to:
• increase self-esteem / confidence
• increase energy
• increase levels of happiness
https://theresilienceproject.com.au/at-home/learning/
On Friday August 14 we are looking to prioritise Family health and wellbeing by creating a Friday Family Fun Day. For those who are willing and able to participate in this there will be a range of activities and tasks available to attempt as a family unit. We are hopeful that on Friday or over the course of the weekend some of these fun and challenging activities will provide a welcome distraction. There will be more details provided next week.
Team Kids has moved to a single staff model for the remainder of the lockdown commencing next Tuesday 11th August. This is to ensure they are able to remain viable and can open for those permitted workers that require care. Throughout this period, bookings will be reviewed on a weekly basis and I will provide an update on these at the end of each week. Should attendances return to above 5 children during this period, an additional staff member will be rostered on to support the program. Please contact TeamKids directly at teamkids.com.au as needed.
Finally, thank you for submitting all requests for on-site care and supervision in a timely manner. This helps us to issue our staff permitted workers permits for each week and ensure the supervision requirements can be met.
All of our staff have been directed to work from home if they can. Minimal staff will be on-site over the course of the school term in an attempt to help limit movement in our community and reduce the risk of community transmission. We will be contactable through the regular communication channels during this time.
James Whitla