We are so proud of SLPS Community. These are very trying times with life as we have known it change so rapidly. Worry and fear for the health of our loved ones; especially those in the high risk category, for the economic repercussions affecting the livelihood of many, and just wondering “What next?” has placed enormous stress and anxiety across our community.
It is with sincere gratitude that we thank our parents/carers, staff and students for being understanding of the daily notices and for respecting the measures put in place. It’s not always easy to follow directives, when we’d really like to be doing something else, so it has been so positive to see our community acting in such a cohesive manner.
The corridors are beginning to resemble the streets, with far less traffic being noticed daily. For those who have been home, we are thinking of you, miss you and look forward to seeing you. For those who are here, it is a pleasure to see such positivity and joy in these trying times.
So please, our number one message, is to look after yourself and each other. You will have noticed a Well-Being section in the Home Learning Support documents made available to you on Skoolbag. It is so important that your family have some fun and keep laughing as much as you can.
In addition to those, we’d like to support you to deal with any anxiety in your home, and suggest that you look at these sites.
Mental Health Resources
Mindfulness, “The awareness that arises from paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally” (Kabat-Zinn, in Purser, 2015) has many benefits including improved physical and mental health, enhancing social/ emotional skills and developing intellectual skills.
https://positivepsychology.com/mindfulness-for-children-kids-activities/
https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/mindfulness.html
Cybersafety Resources
Whether through choice, necessity or clear direction, an increasing number of people are staying home and the digital platform is being promoted as a way to stay connected and for students to access learning. We would like to encourage parents and students to revisit online safety, and have therefore included these websites from which you can get good information for parents and a range of age appropriate materials for children including games etc.
https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/cyberbullying
https://kidshelpline.com.au/kids
https://www.education.vic.gov.au/Documents/about/programs/bullystoppers/rtppix.pdf
Family Struggles
In this economic climate, more than ever, you may find your pantry looking pretty empty.
There are donations of snacks in the Well-being room, so please tell your child/ren to visit Mrs Baker, because her cupboard isn’t bare. There are also some items in the Community Care Pantry.
In addition to the support of our school community you may find these websites useful.
https://anglicaresa.com.au/support/food/
https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/care-and-support/concessions-and-grants/emergency-financial-aid
Please reach out if you are in need.
Pupil Free Days
You will have noticed that the final day for students at school is Friday 3 April. Please remember that the Monday of next term is a planned Pupil Free Day so our first day back will be Tuesday 28 April. We will continue to keep you informed of the latest information from the DfE about the delivery of your child’s education at SLPS.
COVID-19
Tips on how to stay safe online during the COVID-19 pandemic
Whether through choice, necessity or clear direction, an increasing number of people are staying home as COVID-19, a new strain of coronavirus, sweeps the globe. It’s a worrying time, with implications for personal wellbeing right through to international stability.
We are adding new content every day to help you stay safe online through Skoolbag and our Website.
It is with the warmest of hearts that the staff from SLPS thank you for your well wishes, and we would like to wish you well also. Take care and stay safe.
Jo Meredith, Acting Principal
Kathy Baker, Inclusive Education Coordinator
