Carrie-Anne Thomas – Acting Deputy Head of Primary

Dangerous online challenges

The popularity of social media and the internet has led to the development of many new crazes: children and young people have recently been completing a slew of online challenges. Unfortunately, while many of these challenges are fun and light-hearted, others are harmful and dangerous. 

Trying to stay abreast of new trends can be daunting for schools, parents and caregivers. As such, Julie Inman Grant, eSafety Commissioner, recognises the importance of developing the critical reasoning skills of young people, encouraging children to question what they see online and to remember that it is never worth risking the wellbeing or physical safety of themselves or their peers.  

Dangerous challenges can originate from many platforms, one of which is the social media platform Tik Tok. Whilst the minimum age for users on Tik Tok is 13, some students in the Primary School may have access to this app. The internetmatters.org website provides parents with information about Tik Tok and many other apps, including the current trends and challenges and safety features. 

The eSafety Commissioner also offers a range of FREE webinars for parents and carers to develop knowledge, skills and tools to support children to have safe online experiences. This month the webinar will focus on setting up devices and apps to help keep young people safe online. Further information about this webinar, including how to register, can be found here.

If you cannot attend the webinar, there is also a short video available on parental controls. 

Paws b Mindfulness program (Year 2)

The 6-week Paws b Mindfulness program began running in Year 2 this week. Paws b is an awareness-raising exercise to give all students a taste of mindfulness so that they know about it and can use it throughout their lives if they choose to do so. 

PAWS b covers the following concepts:

• Specific areas of the brain and how these affect our ability to focus, make good choices and recognise when we need to steady ourselves when our body or mind is busy or out of balance.
• Ways mindfulness can support us in many day-to-day activities, including concentration and memory, behavioural self-management, and relationships with family and friends.
• Ways to respond rather than react – and therefore make better choices and take the best care of ourselves

Thank you to Kim Slender and Belinda Gold, for helping to facilitate this program with our students in Year 2 this term.

Interrelate (Year 5)

In Weeks 6-8, the Year 5 students participate in the ‘Moving Into Teen Years’ Interrelate Program. This program is run during school hours by an external presenter with the support of classroom teachers.

The program covers the following topics: 

• Acknowledging personal differences and promoting respect for and acceptance of others
• Increasing awareness of personal safety and protective behaviours
• Developing students’ understanding of physical development at puberty, and providing strategies for managing these changes
• Discussing different types of relationships and strategies for managing conflict

If you have any questions please contact your child’s teacher. 

Student and Parent Interrelate Session (Year 6) 

On Wednesday 1 June 2022, 6.00 pm – 8.15 pm, Year 6 students and parents will participate in an online session hosted by Interrelate. Interrelate is a specialist organisation with over 90 years of experience in teaching sexuality and relationship education in NSW schools. This year’s sessions will focus on ‘Where did I come from?’ and ‘Preparing for puberty’. This online event is compulsory as it covers content in the curriculum. Therefore, it is essential all Year 6 students attend with at least one parent.

More information will be sent to Year 6 families directly.

If you have any questions, please contact your child’s Year 6 teacher. 

Dr Justin Coulson Presents: Encouraging Good Behaviour 
Upcoming webinar for parents 

This webinar, presented by Dr Justin Coulson, is relevant for parents who have faced challenges when encouraging good behaviour in their children.

The key learning and discussion points include: 

• Why the centuries-old strategies should be left in the past 
• How discipline  can go wrong and why 
• Real-world examples of discipline that are as imperfect as parents and their kids, but that still work
• Ideas for discipline that turn everything you thought you knew about the topic on its head 
• Applicable strategies for everyone 

The webinar will be held on 8 June 2022 at 8.00 pm – 9.00  pm AEST and is FREE to Emanuel School parents.

Download the information PDF for details on how to redeem your free access to this webinar.