From the Assistant Principal - Students
Welcome to the start of Term 2.
School TV
St Andrews families have been given access to a wellbeing resource called Schooltv. This resource is designed to assist parents and students with difficult issues. It has been designed and supported by top people in each field and is available for anyone to view. Open the following URL and have a look at the resources.
Schooltv introduction
“Because parenting doesn’t come with instructions, SchoolTV is a wellbeing resource that can support you in the challenges relating to modern-day parenting.
This award-winning resource helps build relationships, foster connections, enable understanding and break down barriers to navigate a pathway towards better mental health and wellbeing for young people. It can assist in starting conversations on topics that are sometimes awkward or difficult to tackle.”
The URL for the school TV :
Mental Illness
The stigma around mental illness has disappeared, and people are more willing to say they have a concern and reach out for help. One complaint that I hear on a regular basis is that Mum and Dad don’t understand what I’m going through. Sometimes parents don’t have a lot of knowledge about mental illness, and this prevents them from fully understanding the needs of the child. There are many websites, e.g. Beyond Blue, Headspace, black dog, that have information on mental illness to assist families in understanding what is going on.
The College has 2 counsellors, Mrs. Castle and Sister Cristina, who are available to the students and their families if there are any concerns about mental illness. Starting a conversation about what is going on is the first step in helping the young person through their difficult time.
Why are some of our kids suffering from Mental Illness?
Kids these days are over-stimulated and over-given material objects, but they are deprived of the foundations of a healthy childhood, such as:
- Emotionally available parents
- clearly defined boundaries
- Responsibilities
- Balanced nutrition and adequate sleep
- Movement in general but especially outdoors
- Creative gaming, social interaction, informal gaming opportunities and spaces for boredom
What are some of the issues with our kids?
- Digitally Distracted Parents
- Pampering and permissive parents who let children "rule the world"
- Kids are given everything without earning it or being responsible for getting it
- Inappropriate sleep and unbalanced nutrition
- A sedentary lifestyle
- Endless stimulation, constant technology, instant gratification and absence of boring moments
What can you do?
- Set boundaries, don’t be afraid to say "no" to your children
- Offer children a balanced lifestyle
- Provide nutritious food and limit junk food.
- Spend at least one hour a day outdoors doing activities
- Enjoy a daily family dinner without the distraction of smartphones or technology.
- Play games with the family.
- Involve your children in a task or housework.
- Implement a consistent sleep routine to ensure your child sleeps long enough.
- Teach responsibility and independence.
- Don't do everything for your children; instead of giving them the fish, show them how to fish.
- Teach them to wait and delay gratification.
- Provide opportunities for "boredom", because boredom is the moment when creativity awakens. Don't feel responsible for always keeping your kids entertained.
- Do not use technology as a cure for boredom.
- Avoid using technology during meals, in cars, restaurants, etc These are socialising moments.
- Be emotionally available to connect with children and teach them self-regulation and social skills:
- Turn off the phones at night when kids have to go to bed to avoid digital distraction. Please leave them in another room to allow proper sleep.
- Teach them to recognise and handle their own frustrations and anger.
- Teach them manners and social skills
- Connect emotionally - smile, kiss, kiss, tickle, read, dance, jump, play with them.
What’s in the Planner?
This week, the focus is on Respectful Relationships. Students should connect, respect, and protect each other. Be mindful of others' body language, have empathy for another person’s situation and feelings, use your strengths to help others, call out the students who are being aggressive or mean or tell a teacher.
One of the focuses we should have is Active Constructive Responding (ACR). This is about listening enthusiastically, making eye contact, and sending positive gestures to make them feel valued. We must be mindful about being dismissive, showing no enthusiasm or being nonresponsive to others. Positive, engaged listening to others helps us build relationships.
The focus over the next few weeks is:
WHAT’S STRONG, NOT WHAT’S WRONG
God Bless
Mr. Nicholas Thrum
Assistant Principal - Students