Rylstone Review Term 3, Week 4, 15th August 2024

From the Principal’s desk

I hope you’re all having a fantastic start to the new school term! As we settle into our routines, I wanted to take a moment to extend a heartfelt thank you and congratulations to all our families for your commitment to wearing the correct school uniform.

WHY UNIFORMS MATTER

Our school uniform is more than just attire—it’s a symbol of our shared identity and school spirit. It helps create a sense of unity and belonging, allowing everyone to focus on what truly matters: learning and growing together. By adhering to our uniform guidelines, you’re not only supporting our school’s values but also helping to foster an inclusive and cohesive environment for all students.

Your Support Makes a Difference

We’ve noticed and appreciate the effort that’s gone into ensuring that students are wearing their uniforms with pride. It’s clear that you value the importance of consistency and are helping to set a positive example for our students. Your support plays a crucial role in maintaining the high standards we strive for and in reinforcing the strong sense of community within our school.

A Special Thank You

To all our parents and guardians who have made the extra effort to ensure their children are dressed in the correct uniform each day—thank you! Your attention to detail and dedication do not go unnoticed. It’s these little things that contribute greatly to the overall success and harmony of our school community.

Looking Ahead

As we continue through the school term, let’s keep up the great work. Your ongoing support in following the uniform guidelines helps us all feel connected and proud to be part of this incredible Rylstone school community.

KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION

Places are filling up fast for our Kindergarten orientation program. This year Mrs Jacklin will be running it and has called the program ‘Rylstone Rangers’. She has lots of fun activities and ideas planned!

Our Information Session and first orientation will be on Friday 13th September at 9:30am. All new parents, even those with children starting in other grades in 2025, are welcome to attend the Information Session and morning tea.

The kinder orientation will then run every Friday morning until 1st November, for children who are enrolled for 2025.

Now’s the time to let anyone who is thinking about enrolling their children in Rylstone PS for 2025 to contact our office on ph: 6379 1404 for more information.

BULLYING NO WAY: NATIONAL WEEK OF ACTION

This year Rylstone Public School is participating in the Bullying No Way: National week of action, 12 to 16 August 2024.

Bullying No Way Week is a commitment being made by thousands of schools and supporters across the country. It provides an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to bullying prevention. It gives us an opportunity to connect with students, staff and school communities to implement workable solutions to prevent bullying.

The theme for this year's campaign is Everyone belongs. This theme highlights the importance of creating a sense of belonging and inclusion for students. We recognise bullying often thrives in environments where individuals feel marginalised or excluded, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that every student feels valued and respected.

“Positive school climates that value diversity and inclusion can foster a sense of belonging and provide a protective factor against negative peer relationships and reduce bullying.” (Australian Education Research Organisation 2023).

For more information about Bullying No Way Week and bullying prevention, visit the Bullying No Way website.

Here at Rylstone Public School, we believe bullying is rare and infrequent. Often what students’ feel to be bullying is simple everyday ‘playground behaviour’ such as not going first on the slippery dip or having to wait for a turn at a certain game.

It is important for our students to understand exactly what bullying is and the importance of being an upstander and not a bystander.

During the week we will be engaging students in meaningful discussions and activities aimed at promoting empathy, understanding, and respect for diversity. We encourage parents and carers to take this opportunity to have open and honest conversations with their children about the impact of bullying and what they can do if they need support. You can visit the Bullying No Way website for tips around how to have this discussion.

THE ANXIETY PROJECT

Our whole school is now up to Lesson 4 and we are learning about managing non-emotional problems at school. Children will:

• apply calming techniques, including Belly Breathing, to hypothetical, non-emotional classroom experiences
• apply ‘Wise Words’ in conjunction with calming techniques
• monitor their feelings with an ‘Anxiety Thermometer’.
• use the metaphor of ‘flipping their lids’ to explain why they over-react to false alarms.
• use the Glitter Jar as a metaphor for a calming brain due to Belly Breathing.
• use selected pre frontal cortex functions to imaginatively talk to their amygdalae before ‘flipping their lids’ (preventative) or after ‘flipping their lids’

FOSTERING A POSITIVE SCHOOL COMMUNITY: LET’S PUT AN END TO HOME/SCHOOL GOSSIP

At our school, we are dedicated to creating a supportive and thriving environment for our children. Every day, we work to ensure that our students feel safe, respected, and encouraged to do their best. This commitment extends beyond the classroom, into our interactions as parents and members of this community. One area where we can make a significant impact is in our approach to communication—specifically, by addressing the issue of gossip.

Why Gossip Matters

Gossip, while often seen as harmless chatter, can have unintended consequences. When conversations about school or fellow students take place outside of school, it can create a negative atmosphere that affects everyone involved. It can lead to misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and a breakdown in the strong, supportive network we strive to build. Our goal is to foster an environment where every member feels valued and where constructive, respectful dialogue prevails.

The Impact on Our School Community

When gossip takes root, it not only affects the individuals involved but also impacts the broader school community. It can undermine trust between parents and school staff, create divisions among families, and detract from the positive atmosphere we all want for our children. Instead of focusing on the negative, we have the opportunity to come together and build a community founded on understanding, empathy, and mutual respect.

How We Can Make a Difference

1. Focus on Positive Communication: When discussing school matters, aim to share positive experiences and constructive feedback. Celebrate achievements, acknowledge the efforts of teachers and staff, and offer support to fellow parents.
2. Address Concerns Directly: If you have concerns or questions about school-related issues, approach them through the appropriate channels. Communicate directly with teachers or principal to address any issues rather than discussing them in informal settings.
3. Encourage Open Dialogue: Foster an environment where open, honest conversations are encouraged, and where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns in a respectful manner.
4. Be a Role Model: Set an example for others by practicing positive communication and showing respect in all interactions. Your behaviour influences both your child and the community and helps create a culture of respect and support.
5. Support Each Other: Remember that we are all working toward the same goal—providing the best possible education and environment for our children. By supporting one another and focusing on the common good, we can create a nurturing and collaborative school community.

In Conclusion

Let’s commit to moving away from gossip and toward a more positive, supportive approach to communication. By focusing on constructive dialogue and mutual respect, we can strengthen our school community and ensure that our children benefit from a unified and positive environment.

As I always say... If you believe everything that is repeated at home, we will believe everything repeated to us at school (and trust us, we get told A LOT)!

Children learn by your example; they are learning how to navigate social situations and friendship groups by watching you do it. They are watching and listening to everything you do and say and often mimic that behaviour here at school. You are their first teacher, they take their cues from you. If they are going to get more attention from you after school by telling you negative things, that is what they will do.

Try some of these positive conversation starters for when your little ones come home from school…instead of asking ‘what happened today?’ try these:

1. What was the most fun thing you did at school today?
2. Why was ___________ so fun?
3. Who did you talk to or play with the most?
4. When were you the happiest today?
5. Tell me something that made you laugh today.
6. Tell me about the best part of your day.
7. What was the hardest thing you had to do today?
8. Did any of your classmates do anything funny?
9. Who did you sit with at lunch?
10. Can you show me something you learned (or did) today?

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to our school. Together, we can make a difference and foster a community where everyone feels valued and respected.

ONLINE GAMES

We all have different styles of parenting. Some of us believe it is okay for our children to play adult computer games or have unsupervised time on their iPad. Others of us keep a tight control on what our children see and do online. This being said, some children are coming to school and wanting to play more ‘scary’ games based on the online games they are playing at home. I have asked children to stop playing these games such as the ‘Huggy Wuggy’ game as it is frightening some children and is not appropriate for school.

OPEN DAY

Last week we had our annual Education Week Open Day. It was a fabulous day, and we had a record crowd come along to see what the children are learning in class, listen to our choir sing and then participate in our fun afternoon activities. It was such a positive celebration of education and the wonderful things going on in our classrooms. Picnic lunch in our playground was also a great opportunity for parents to socialise and meet the other parents in their child’s class. Thank you for the positive feedback and comments. It was a wonderful day!