A Message From The Principal

Happy Friday everyone!

We are at the end of Week 6 and we could not be more proud of our community and the way in which everyone is participating and supporting each other during remote Learning 2.0. It is not easy, we acknowledge that, it is not the way we like to teachers like to teach – we miss all the smiling faces at school – however we are so proud of the effort of all the students and our community. Hang in there everyone! We realise we are heading into a period where last time we saw a mid-way ‘slump’ – we understand this may happen but we will endeavour to do everything we can to keep the students engaged and learning. Please contact your teacher if you have any questions or require support around learning. We have endeavoured to improve on our system from the last remote learning and continue to review and revise to make it as easy as possible while providing the best education possible for our students.

PJ DAY

It was fantastic to see so many students participating in our PJ Day. We loved all the smiling faces and were definitely warm and comfortable here on-site! There were a lot of unicorns walking around the school J

SUPERHERO DAY!

In week 8 (not next week but the week after) on Thursday 3rd September we will be holding a Super Hero Dress Up Day. As with the PJ Day students only need to participate if they wish but we are looking forward to seeing all of our Super Hero’s.

MESSAGES FROM THE DEPARTMENT

On Thursday we participated in the Principal Regional Briefing. There were many discussions around the amazing work being done by schools and families throughout Victoria. The push by the Department (which has always been our focus) is that when we do return to on-site learning (no indication was given of when in the meeting) our focus remains on the health and well-being of our students. We need to focus on their social re-engagement as well as their learning. They also acknowledge, as we have, the impact of the loss of special events, especially for our year 6 students. As a school we are endeavouring to plan exciting events, within the parameters we are provided, to ensure that we celebrate the last year of Primary School for these students. More information will come when we are provided concrete advice on the return to school. Please know that it is in the forefront of our minds and planning has already begun.

SCHOOL CONCERT

It is with a heavy heart that I announce that unfortunately due to the current circumstances the Concert Committee have decided to cancel the school concert for 2020. We have no way of knowing when the return to school will be and term 4 is already a busy term. We have some other ideas planned to celebrate the year for all areas of the school however as stated above we are waiting for guidance from the Department of Education.

PLANNING WEEK IN WEEK 9

Planning week is week 9 (the week beginning Monday 7th September – still in Remote Learning)  – We will be holding our ‘planning week for term 4’ in week 9. During this week there will be one day that each area will have as a Specialist Day only. There will be no work provided by your classroom teacher on this day.  MONDAY 7th September – Prep, TUESDAY 8th September – Middle, WEDNESDAY  9th September – Junior, THURSDAY 10th September – Senior, FRIDAY 11th September – Specialist. More information regarding the planning week will be provided closer to the time.

PREP AND JUNIOR PACK PICK UP

We will be holding our Prep and Junior pack pick up on Monday morning 9.10am – 10am. During this time teachers will be available to hand out the packs from the kiss and drop zone. If you are unable to make this time you will need to pull up to the school, ring the front office and wait until someone can bring the pack out to you. Thank you.

Take care everyone, stay warm this weekend with the cold and rain expected!

Suzanne Prendergast

Principal

Whole School News

The Captains’ Crusade

Each week our student leaders will share a post to the school community with a focus on maintaining connection and having fun. They are looking forward to presenting a new theme each week and involving the other student leaders within the school. Check out this week’s edition below…

Wellbeing

Kindness and its impact on wellbeing

In this edition of the newsletter Wellbeing Update we take a closer look at what builds and sustains our wellbeing in these challenging times for schools and their communities. You might think straight away that meditation, exercise or just enjoying something you love like singing, reading or kicking the footy around is the trick to maintaining your wellbeing. And you’d be right! Taking time to reflect and think about how to nurture our own needs are important steps in managing our wellbeing.

However, as we continue to navigate a path through this pandemic and the restrictions, it might surprise you to know that feeling well and happy can be boosted by doing things for others. Have you heard of the expression “random acts of kindness”? Being kind, giving care, support and comfort to someone else actually brings great benefits to the giver. Engaging in acts of kindness produces endorphins, which are hormones within our body that help lower blood pressure and improving our overall heart-health. Producing endorphins also increases our self-esteem and optimism, which is extra helpful when we’re in anxious or shy in a social situation.

Bellaire PS Remote Learning – Student Kindness Challenge

Why not plan some small things you could do to boost the happiness of someone as a way of keeping yourself strong, resilient and happy? It’s the gift that gives twice!

You don’t need a reason to be kind. Kindness is always a choice. The more you practice it, the more natural it becomes. Practice being kind each day for the next week by choosing 1-4 ideas from the lists below. You can choose from one category or all four each day. Choose your level of kindness. Feel free to Add your own ideas as well…

You may like to upload an example of you being ‘kind’ here (via a Google Form). I would love to share some of your ‘kindness’ in next week’s Newsletter.

Other Kindness Resources:

For some Kindness Ideas, check out the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation website. You and your family might like try some of these to not only boost your own wellbeing, but also boost someone else’s.

Parents – Feel free to click on the following link to read the first chapter of The Kindness Challenge by Shaunti Feldhahn. The book challenges us to rise above culture, open our hearts, and experience the life changing benefits of kindness.

Webinars for parents and carers to help build family resilience

On Tuesday 25 August, the Department of Education and Training is presenting a free webinar for parents and carers by renowned child psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, on building family resilience during coronavirus (COVID-19).

Parents and carers play a vital role in helping children feel safe through uncertain times.

Dr Carr-Gregg’s webinar is aptly named Managing the Coronacoaster – Tips for building resilient families in the coronavirus era.

In this webinar, Dr Carr-Gregg provides tools and strategies for parents and carers to help manage the lockdown and remote learning. Topics include:

  • your supportive role
  • setting the emotional tone
  • focusing on what you can control
  • how to deal with disappointment
  • further resources and where to get help.

Dr Carr-Gregg’s presentation will run for 45 minutes. This will be followed by a 15-minute question-and-answer session in which parents and carers can ask Dr Carr-Gregg questions.

Webinar details

  • When: Tuesday 25 August
  • Time: 7:30pm
  • Duration: 45-minute presentation followed by 15-minute questions and answers session
  • Format: online via Webex
  • Cost: free

How to register

To register and for more information visit the Managing the Coronacoaster – Tips for building resilient families in the coronavirus era eventbrite page.

Ben Raidme

Assistant Principal

OSHC

OSHC Statements will be sent out today, Friday 21st August, with payment due by Thursday 3rd September.  Although the Government subsidised Term 2 fees, many of these accounts are outstanding from Term 1, and require payment in full.  If you are experiencing financial difficulty, please contact the Business Manager, Kate Matthews, on 5243 5203 for a confidential discussion to put a payment plan in place.

Families with outstanding accounts will be unable to access places in OSHC until their account is paid in full, unless there is a payment plan discussed with the Business Manager.

Library

Mrs Thomas has been very busy in the library during the last couple of weeks.  There are over 300 new books on the shelves, with more to come, and the library may look a little bit different when you visit it next!

Don’t forget, you can still borrow books from the Geelong Regional Library (GRL) by using your membership card, and the wonderful library staff will home deliver it to your door.  Visit this link for more information about the GRL Click and Deliver Service https://www.grlc.vic.gov.au/deliver .

Happy Reading!

Important Phone Numbers During This Time

Kids Helpline 1800 551 800

Lifeline 13 11 14

Beyond Blue 1300 224 636

Students of the Week

PLU

  • PAG Ethan K

  • PHP Oliver B

  • PJB Grace K

  • PKE Ollie C

  • PSP Tex M

JLU

  • JCM Max S

  • JCR Angus J

  • JDD Hongyi F

  • JDJ Zahara O

  • JKO Paddy G

  • JLS Tom C

  • JMF Bloom C

  • JNL Aubrey T

  • JTM Van L

MLU

  • MAT Charlie J

  • MJC Che S

  • MLD Kai D

  • MLR Ryder J

  • MMC Indiana O

  • MRN Ashlyn B

  • MTS Jackson A

SLU

  • SAW Lucas T

  • SDP Evan B

  • SGB Valentina B

  • SKR Name Karma B

  • SML Ryder S

  • SRM Riley T