NEXT WEEK IS BUSY

The Care for Self leaders have nominated next week as a Healthy Food and Fitness week, encouraging everyone to Care for Self by bringing healthy lunch and snacks, walking to school or part of the way and playing active games at recess and lunch. Leaders will be spotting and encouraging everyone, culminating in a celebration games afternoon on Friday.

The annual Book Week Parade is on Monday. This year’s theme is Old Worlds New Worlds Other Worlds. We’ll have a parade soon after the bell rings where we encourage COVIDsafe spectators socially distanced (weather permitting).

Wear it Purple – Friday 27th August. Please bring a gold coin donation.  The goal of Wear It Purple is to encourage a culture of acceptance and tolerance, while enhancing awareness of issues relevant to the LGBTQA+ youth community. “Under the ‘Every Student is Known, Valued and Cared For’ strategic framework, it is paramount that schools establish and sustain structures to support student individual wellbeing.”

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FEEDBACK-PARENT OPINION SURVEY – PLEASE COMPLETE

Many parents and carers were invited to participate in the Parent Opinion Survey. Please complete the survey as soon as possible. The feedback is very specific to our school (as opposed to the wider Department of Education) and we take the feedback very seriously. It informs school procedures and policies and shapes our strategic plan.

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2022 ENROLMENT REMINDER FOR SIBLINGS

If you have a child enrolling for Prep next year, please come and collect an enrolment pack from the office as soon as possible. We are having many enquiries for 2022 and we are keen to secure places for families already here at school.

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SOCIALLY DISTANT COVIDSafe GARDENING

We are hoping to have a gardening session on Sunday 29th August. The main jobs are weeding and a general tidy-up. This is a great opportunity to get some fresh air with the family. Please bring gloves, tools, brooms, and blowers for a 9:30am start. Unless things change, masks must be worn.

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BIRTHDAYS

Ben – 13 in the third week of August

Winter–7 in the third week of August

Peggy – 8 in the second week of August

Atticus J – 11 in the third week of August

Ellie – 11 in the third week of August

Aurora – 9 in the fourth week of August

Hip Hip: Hooray

Hip Hip: Hooray

Hooray: Hip Hip

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Suzanne Kinnersly

Principal

Karen Mahoney & Renae Irwin

Office

P/1 J | Eddie B

For showing Care for Self by being in the right place at the right time. Great job!

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P/1 J | Rex S

For showing Care for Others and being a cooperative learner in the classroom. Fantastic effort!

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2/3 A | Isabelle L

For showing Care for Self by making a fantastic start at Winters Flat. It's great to have you with us Isabelle!

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2/3 A | Angus N

For showing Care for Others by being a kind, patient and inclusive friend. Thank you Angus!

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4/5L | Neve D

For showing Care for Self by always being focused and ready to learn. Your ability to get into the task at hand and put together your beautiful work is a credit to yourself and an inspiration to others in the class. Keep up the great work.

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4/5L | Levi J

For showing Care for Self by always being focused and ready to learn. Your ability to get into the task at hand and put together your beautiful work is a credit to yourself and an inspiration to others in the class. Keep up the great work.

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5/6B | Sylvie H

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5/6B | Xander K-M

For showing Care for the Environment. WOW! Xander, what a fantastic, focused session mulching in the garden today; you worked like a machine! Wonderful work Xander. Thankyou for your great contribution to the garden. 

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5/6B | Jesse K

What a wonderful role model you are within our classroom and the kitchen. You are a wonderfully focused worker, working hard at everything you do, displaying a deep care for yourself, others and the environment. You are developing true leadership skills. Thank you Jesse.

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5/6B | Huckle S

For showing Care for the Environment. WOW! Huckle, what a fantastic, focused session mulching in the garden today; you worked like a machine! Wonderful work Huckle. Thankyou for your great contribution to the garden. 

THIS WEEK IN THE KITCHEN & GARDEN...

What we are cooking in the Kitchen...

Jerusalem artichoke soup

Basic bread rolls

Orange, celery, and brown rice salad

Spanish chickpea balls

Orange and cardamom cupcakes with cream cheese icing

Vegetable stock

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Remember, all our recipes are available on our school website, so you can try them at home.

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And what we're harvesting from the garden...

Jerusalem artichokes

Mint

Shallots

Bay leaf

Parsley

Thyme

Kale
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Rosie & Terry
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden

Hello Winters Flat Community! 

The last fortnight has been one of great uncertainty and grim news. However, perhaps within such a world you are managing to find ways to escape the news and be with our families and selves in a hopeful and kind way.

In my experience with children and families, having honest and respectful conversations can be the key to expressing emotions, allaying concerns and creating opportunities for reassurance and nurturing.

Here are some useful articles that can support you and your family with specific conversations about Climate Change and Covid-19:

https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/how-to-support-childrens-wellbeing-in-the-face-of-climate-change/

https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/helping-children-to-cope-with-uncertainty-during-covid-19/

https://emergingminds.com.au/resources/talking-with-children-about-the-covid-19-delta-variant/

Soon Winters Flat, along with other schools and community organisations, will be celebrating RU OKAY? Day on September 9^th. R U OK? is a harm prevention charity that encourages people to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through difficult times in their lives. Perhaps you can try an RU OKAY? conversation at home? Check out this page for simple steps and helpful videos: https://www.ruok.org.au/how-to-ask

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Do you read the Wellbeing entry in the newsletter? What are your thoughts and/or suggestions? Email me!

The mental health support system is under immense pressure since Covid-19 began last year. If you are having trouble accessing any services please contact me on hannah.okeefe@education.vic.gov.au. I am available for a chat/meeting on Tuesdays and Fridays between 9:30 and 2:30.

By far the best service you can contact if you or your child are experiencing mental health issues is the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS). They have a 24 hour number you can call to talk with someone and access services in the region: 1300 363 788 (https://www.bendigohealth.org.au/ChildandAdolescentMentalHealthService/).

The Loddon Orange Door is also an excellent free service for adults, children and young people.  They can link you in with services. They are available 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday (closed public holidays). Call 1800 512359

The following list is a comprehensive directory of mental health support services, including out of hours support. (If your safety or the safety of others is at risk, contact emergency services on 000)

HeadtoHelp 1800 595 212

Cairnmillar Institute (free telehealth counselling) - https://www.cairnmillar.org.au/telehealth

Beyond Blue

1300 22 4636 (24 Hrs)

Lifeline
13 11 14 (24 Hrs)

Suicide Call Back Service
1300 659 467 (24 Hrs)

Kids Helpline
1800 55 1800 (24 Hrs)

Other helplines

Tandem Support and Referral Line information, support, advocacy or referral for family members or friends who are supporting a person with mental health issues. Call 1800 314 325.

Blue Knot Foundation Helpline information, support or referral for adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse. Call 1300 657 380, 9am-5pm / 7 days a week.

Butterfly Foundation's National Helpline counselling and treatment referral for people with eating disorders, and body image and related issues. Call 1800 33 4673 8am-9pm / 7 days a week.

Child Protection (5pm to 9am Monday to Friday, 24 hours on weekends and public holidays) For children and young people whose safety is at risk Call 13 12 78

eheadspace mental health and wellbeing support, information and services to young people aged 12 to 25 years and their families. Call 1800 650 890.

MensLine Australia telephone and online support and information service for Australian men. Call 1300 78 99 78, 24 hours / 7 days a week.

Men’s Referral Service (8am to 9pm Monday to Friday; 9am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday). For people at risk of using family violence. Free, confidential, expert support for men and their family and friends. Call 1300 766 491

MindSpot Clinic telephone and online service for people with stress, worry, anxiety, low mood or depression. Call 1800 61 44 34 AEST, 8am-8pm (Mon-Fri), 8am-6pm (Sat).

QLife telephone and web-based services to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTQI) people. Call 1800 184 527, 3pm-12am (midnight) / 7 days a week.

PANDA (Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia) telephone information, counselling and referral service. Call 1300 726 306, 9am-7:30pm AEST (Mon-Fri).

Brother to Brother, a 24-hour crisis line for Aboriginal men has been set up to provide extra support during the coronavirus pandemic. Call 1800 435 799.

SANE Australia support, training and education enabling those with a mental illness to lead a better life. Call 1800 18 7263, 9am-5pm (Mon-Fri).

Safe Steps (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) For women and children who are victims of family violence. Web chat support service Monday to Friday 9am until midnight. Call 1800 015 188

Sexual Assault Crisis Line (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) For victims of sexual assault. Call 1800 806 292

The Compassionate Friends Victoria information and peer support for families trying to rebuild their lives after the death of a child, sibling or grandchild, from trained volunteers with lived experience. Call 9888 4944 or 1300 064 068 24/7. Siblings (aged 18-30 years) can use the web chat daily, 3pm-12am.

Open Arms (Veterans and Families Counselling) 24/7 free and confidential counselling to anyone who has served at least one day in the ADF, and their families. Call 1800 011 046.

With Respect (5pm to 11pm each Wednesday and 10am to 10pm on Saturday and Sunday) Specialist LGBTIQ family violence service. Call 1800 542 847

Victims of Crime Helpline (8am to 11pm, 7 days a week) For adult male victims of family violence and victims of violent crime. Call 1800 819 817 or text 0427 767 891

Mental Health Foundation Australia National Mental Health Helpline offers emotional and practical support to families, carers and individuals with mental health issues. The response team does not provide counselling but can arrange a call back from a trained Psychologist or Counsellor. Call 1300 643 287. 

If you feel that the stress or anxiety you or your family members are experiencing is getting too much, a psychologist may be able to help. Psychologists are highly trained and qualified professionals skilled in providing effective interventions for a range of mental health concerns, including stress. A psychologist can help you manage your stress and anxiety using techniques based on the best available research. If you are referred to a psychologist by your GP, you might be eligible for a Medicare rebate. You may also be eligible to receive psychology services via telehealth so that you do not need to travel to see a psychologist. Ask your psychologist or GP for details.

There are number of ways to access a psychologist.

You can:

• use the Australia-wide Find a PsychologistTM service. Go to findapsychologist.org.au or call 1800 333 497
• ask your GP or another health professional to refer you.
• Investigate other mental health services, including domestic violence services via the link: https://mhaustralia.org/need-help

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Hannah O'Keefe

Wellbeing Officer

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*If you wish for your child/ren to participate in sessions with Hannah, please ensure you provide permission on XUNO or sign a hard copy of the permission form available at the office. 

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY...

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