Links - Term 2 Week 4 Dear Friend of PLC A Message From Principal, Cate BegbieWhilst school starts to return to a ‘new normal’, as staff, we remain cognisant of the impact this unsettling time and COVID-19 has had on our students. We are also mindful that the impact may continue for some time. I thought that this week I would share an article from the Alliance of Girls’ Schools Australasia with information you may find interesting and helpful. If your daughter does require any additional support at this time, please don’t hesitate to contact the School for help. Macquarie University’s Centre for Emotional Health and School of Education have combined forces to launch the COVID-19: We’ve got this covered! website to give parents and teachers free access to evidence-based information on preventing anxiety and depression in children and teens during the COVID-19 pandemic. The website provides comprehensive online information, tip sheets, videos and FAQs on topics ranging from how to support young people’s mental wellbeing to when and how to seek help if they are not coping. Professor Jennie Hudson, Director of the Centre for Emotional Health, says that the website was developed in response to multiple requests for support and input on how to prevent the development of anxiety and depression in children and teens during the pandemic. “The isolation, uncertainty and change that has come about because of the COVID-19 virus really provides a perfect storm for the development or exacerbation of anxiety and depression in children and young people. But,” she says, “it’s well documented that the prevention and early intervention of anxiety and depression in this age group can result in a number of benefits across the lifespan. It might be health benefits, or economic, social or education benefits.” After surveying young people, parents and teachers, the Centre for Emotional Health found that half of parents (52 per cent) feel they would benefit from more information about how to help keep their children mentally healthy during this time. For parents of children and teens who are anxious, the Centre recommends two strategies for reducing anxiety. The first is to change worried or panicked thinking into more realistic thinking based on fact. The second strategy is to reduce avoidance behaviours. Avoiding certain situations makes us feel safer in the short term but it is not helpful in the long term. The key is for young people to gradually face situations they are afraid of by starting with less scary situations and working up to more challenging ones. Through continuous practice, children learn that a situation is not scary, increasing their confidence and independence. To do this well, parents need to work out why their child is avoiding a particular situation. They suggest parents find out what their child is worried about by saying, “I can hear you are feeling worried. What do you think is going to happen?” The response may be, “I’ll get sick” or “I’m behind in my schoolwork”, or they may be worried about reconnecting with friends. Then ask your child three questions: What are the facts? What is most likely to happen? Will I be able to cope? If your child is worried about catching COVID-19, the Centre for Emotional Health suggests saying that the fact is that most people don’t have it and almost everyone gets better. Furthermore, by following the rules, they are unlikely to contract the virus but, if they do, it will be like when they have been sick before, perhaps with a cold or the flu, and they will get better quickly. Even in countries where children and teens are at lower risk of contracting COVID-19, they are not immune to anxiety. The Centre says that it is important for parents to listen to their child, acknowledge their worries, and normalise their response. Try not to dismiss their feelings but also avoid “excessive reassurance”. Steer clear of saying things like, “Don’t worry”, “You’ll be okay” or “Everything will be fine”. Statements like these are not helpful and “you can’t truthfully guarantee that nothing bad will happen”. Research also shows that when parents say things like this, “it sometimes makes children more anxious and prevents them from developing their own skills around thinking rationally, staying calm and learning that they will be okay”. Instead of rushing to reassure your child, ask them what they can do to help them worry less, and if their worry is getting out of control because they are having unrealistic thoughts about what might happen, try to help them to think realistically by focusing on the facts and problem-solving solutions that will work for them. Another strategy is to talk with your child about times in the past that they showed courage or dealt with a worry. Use what experts call “labelled praise” to shape their behaviour by focusing on the times they are courageous and rewarding the behaviour you want to see. Finally, says the Centre for Emotional Health, one of the most useful things that parents can do to reduce their child’s worry is to be a calm role model. “Our children take cues from us about how to react and they learn how to handle challenging situations by watching and listening to what we say.” When should you seek help for your child? Clinical psychologist Dr Ella Oar advises that if your child’s or teen’s worries, sadness or irritability are impacting on their schooling, friendships or family life, then they may benefit from extra mental health support. Signs that this may be occurring include if your child’s anxiety or depression is stopping them doing things they enjoy; if their distress is out of proportion to the situation; or if their altered mood lasts most of the day, every day, for more than two weeks. For young people with anxiety, this can include frequently seeking reassurance, being reluctant to leave the house, avoiding situations or objects they are afraid of, becoming upset or crying easily, and stomach aches or headaches. Signs of depression include low energy, a loss of interest in things they usually enjoy, making negative comments, a loss of appetite, altered sleep patterns, or becoming easily upset, irritable or annoyed. References COVID-19: We’ve got this covered! (2020). Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University. Retrieved from: https://www.mq.edu.au/research/research-centres-groups-and-facilities/healthy-people/centres/centre-for-emotional-health-ceh/covid-19-weve-got-this-covered! Co-SPACE Australia Study. (2020). Centre for Emotional Health, Macquarie University. Retrieved from: https://www.mq.edu.au/research/research-centres-groups-and-facilities/healthy-people/centres/centre-for-emotional-health-ceh/our-projects/co-space-australia-study. -Cate Begbie, Principal A Message From Deputy Principal, Chris RobinsonDuring the last holiday break I had the pleasure of reading a published article by Rachael Noble, a current Physical Education teacher at PLC, entitled ‘Physical Activity Levels of Girls and Boys During Year 8 Secondary School Physical Education Lessons’. As part of her Masters degree research, Rachael’s article focused on assessing the intensity of students’ physical activity in PE lessons and evaluating the effectiveness of PE programmes. Her study found that girls are better able to monitor the level of their own exercise and, as such, a simple self-report scale can be an effective tool for measuring physical intensity. High intensity activity plays a key role in disease and obesity prevention and supports mental health and academic achievement. Physically active children are also likely to become active adults; thus it is important that it is promoted from childhood. This knowledge has directly informed Rachael’s teaching at PLC. Her lessons are designed to maximise physical activity and keep students highly active, whilst also creating fun and positive learning experiences. Rachael has implemented student assessment protocols to determine if students are getting enough moderate to vigorous physical activity during lessons and therefore, achieving learning objectives and standards. She is focussing on combining games and skills that require lower levels of physical activity with activities and fitness that are inherently more active. Rachael is passionate about helping her students develop to their full potential and have them effectively increase their active learning time in PE lessons. - Chris Robinson, Deputy Principal Junior School Co-Curricular SportIt has been wonderful to see our Co-Curricular Sport programmes re-commence this week. Our modified programme is available to our Pre-Primary to Year 6 students and includes Fitness, Fundamental Movement Skills, Run, Jump and Throw, Running Club, Minkey and Netball. There is no need to pre-register; students need to be at the venue at the start time. The students who attend can arrive and stay in their Physical Education uniform for the whole day. Thank you to Ms McGurk and Miss Harris for creating this opportunity for the students. PLC AppJunior School information is published via the PLC app. Please ensure you check the app and re-enable your notifications to not miss any important communications from the School. UniformA reminder that we have one more week where students can wear Winter or Summer Uniform. From Tuesday 2 June, all students are expected to return from the mid-term break in full Winter Uniform. Please click here for Winter Uniform information. Students in Years 3 to 6 are required to wear their blazer and beret to and from school each day. Please ensure that all items of clothing are clearly labelled, taking special note with blazers, jumpers and tracksuits. We regularly have an abundance of lost property and it is very difficult to reunite clothing with its owners if items are not labelled clearly. ICAS CompetitionsRegistrations for the ICAS Competitions are still open. Please complete and return the Registration Form by 28 May. Please note that we were advised this week that the ICAS Writing Assessment is not available this year. - Richard Wright, Head of Junior School As the Senior School begins to return to a new normal, all students will once again have access to their lockers and we will return to face-to-face Year Meetings, with students able to socially distance in our beautiful Hazel Day Drama Centre. Virtual Assembly TomorrowThis Friday, we will also be having a Principal’s Assembly with a difference. Students will be treated to a special surprise and then will be able to watch the assembly online from their House Tutor Group rooms. Year 10 Parent Student Teacher EveningAll Year 10 parents and guardians have been sent information about our virtual Year 10 Parent Student Teacher Evening. These interviews are designed to help students navigate their upcoming subject selections and to help keep parents informed about their daughter’s progress. If you have difficulties booking please contact Lyn Taylor (lyn.taylor@plc.wa.edu.au) for assistance. I hope that the interviews go smoothly, however, if you have difficulties with the technology please notify the School so that we can arrange an alternative time for you. Health CentreAs the flu season approaches, please know that our Health Centre is here to advise you of whether your daughter should be attending school. You are welcome to contact them to discuss concerns you have and we appreciate your help in keeping the School safe. I also wanted to mention that we have received a few reports of head lice in the Senior School and therefore, I thought it was timely for a reminder to check your daughter’s hair for lice. Year 12 Common RoomThe Year 12s are privileged to have access to their fantastic Common Room, and we know that they enjoy being able to study after school in this space. We would like to offer all Year 12 students the opportunity to study until 5.30 pm in this area. Please note that if students decide to study in the Common Room, they will not be actively supervised.
- Rebecca Watts, Head of Senior School Co-Curricular Sport is Back!Click here for times and dates. No need to sign up! Swimming will also commence on Tuesday 26 May for the remainder of Term 2. However, there is a limit on the number of students allowed to attend swimming training, therefore, each swimmer will be required to individually register their interest here. Please register by Sunday 24 May. |