From the Assistant Principal Students
TRAVELLING ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Transport NSW has contacted all school to remind us that we must wear a mask while travelling on public transport including hire buses.
It is every student’s responsibility to have a mask with them at all times weather they are on public transport or not. We need to be prepared for a breakout and having hand sanitizer and a mask on us at all times is being prepared. Please ensure that your child has a mask in their possession when they leave for school each day.
STUDENTS AND GAMING AND SOCIAL MEDIA
Gaming is becoming a concerning addiction for many young people. Our Government has put out some guidelines to help parents in regards to gaming.
Here are some tips parents can use to help their gamers play a little more intelligently.
1) Parents, try to invest some time into their gaming, either as a cheerleader / fan, or a player. The benefits of being coached in their favourite game are very important. One reason is understanding the information on the screen, and another reason would be connecting with your kid. The tone of the conversation changes when they see you as a teammate and not an opponent.
2) Try to promote quality over quantity. In this case, suggest that they prioritise real life friends rather than their online friends for the next little while. Don't worry, they'll know how to connect with friends from school online.
3) Try to take a couple of days off gaming per week where you spend a little more time as a family being productive or planning something that can be done when you're out. In this case, even if it's watching movies on another screen, it's a different activity.
4) Help them understand that overplaying will take them beyond the benefits they think they are going to get from playing. Expect more frustration, less concentration and ultimately less fun.
Limit gaming sessions based on these criteria:
A 3 hour session is plenty and beyond that they will start to feel the effects of overplaying.
Stick to 3 hours as a max, take a day or 2 off, and they will find themselves enjoying their gaming time a lot more than if they were to over indulge during this tough time. Try and keep gaming and social media to weekends and free time and use the week to concentrate on schooling.
What in the planner this week?
ARC stands for Active Constructive Responding. This is using welcoming body language and listening to others with enthusiasm. This type of listening promoted positive relationships as it show the other person that you care about what they have to say. When you listen to someone think about how you are listening, are you dismissive or attentive?
Brain pathways
Your thoughts and practices are influenced by your experiences. Your brain changes all the time as we experience different things. We learn from mistakes, failures and triumphs. Every experience helps our brain develop and get stronger.
To become the best possible self
- believe in your self worth as a person
- learn form negative feelings and experiences to build your resilience
- use positive self talk to look for what is right
Act if you notice yourself
- not looking at the bright side of life
- not trying new things
- blaming others for what you do
- feeling that your best is not good enough
- prefer to be alone often
Our key strengths to practice are Fairness and Creativity. How can you practice these in your everyday life? Come up with a suggestion to get bonus House points. Email or see me with your ideas.
God bless
Nick Thrum
Assistant Principal- Students