It is certainly an unsettling time and I recognise each and every one of our families are affected in some way by this pandemic. Not only are there serious health and safety concerns but many in our school community may have lost some, if not all, of their income. No doubt parents are also anxious about having children at home for an extended period of time and being responsible for their learning during this period.

Thank you once again for your support at this time of uncertainty and as we embark on this new regime of learning for our students. The staff is also very appreciative for the thanks and wishes that have been sent. We are truly blessed to belong to such a wonderful school community

Dear God

Please wrap your arms around those who are hurting today and let them feel how much you love them.  Please keep families, friends and loved ones safe.  Kindly watch over and protect them and comfort their hearts.

At this time, we put our trust in you.

Amen

It is ESSENTIAL that we maintain accurate and current contact information for all families especially given the current COVID-19 situation. If you have changed phone numbers or email addresses especially, would you please ensure we are advised as soon as possible.

Our primary and most effective form of communication is via SZapp and parent email. The SZapp alert installation instructions are available on the website.

https://www.stbedes.act.edu.au/szapp

In order to provide remote learning programs in Term Two, all staff will be undertaking professional learning next week - Monday, 6 April to Thursday, 9 April inclusive.

All parents have been requested by the Director of Catholic Education to make alternative arrangements for their children during this time.  If this presents difficulty, would you please contact Julie today.

Congratulations to all of the winners in our Easter Raffle!

Thank you to all of the families who purchased tickets and donated chocolate and other goodies. Special thanks goes to our parent volunteers for collating and wrapping the prizes! Winners may now collect their prize from the St Bede’s front office foyer.

1st Prize - Robert F (1)
2nd Prize - Kai G (1)
3rd Prize - Olivia H (5)

Our other prizes went to:
Molly C, Jess K (6), Genevieve E (5), Finn M (2), Tom P(3), Sophia G (3), Timmy M (5) & Charlotte M (3)

Happy Easter everyone!

The enrolment period for ACT Catholic schools 

has been extended until tomorrow

29 May

Catholic Education are using an online enrolment application tool which is available on the school website

https://enrolments.stbedes.act.edu.au/act-primary-enrol/start

Hardcopy forms may also be downloaded from our website if you prefer and submitted to the school of first choice.

Enrolment forms may be lodged any time between now and the official end of the enrolment period, tomorrow, 29 May.

Please note ALL applicable listed documentation must be supplied regardless of the lodgement method. 

Offers of places for 2021 will now be made at the beginning of July.

Rumination is the ruination of a peaceful mind. If you’ve ever spent a sleepless night worrying then you’ll know how problems always seem bigger when you keep tossing them around in your head.

It can seem like everything is stacked against you. When this happens you’ve got to find the off switch so you can get away from your worries for a while. The same principle holds for children and teenagers when they worry. Their problems just seem to get bigger and they need to turn them off or tone them down so they can ease their anxiety.

There are eight easy-to-learn strategies that you can teach your kids to prevent them from ruminating – going over the same thoughts and worries over and over again.

Broaden their vision

Kids get tunnel vision when they worry. They often can’t see the bigger picture. For instance, a young person may fret over minor work matters such getting the exact font match for an assignment they are working on, and neglect to get the sleep necessary for good learning the next day. Sometimes it takes a wise adult to remind children and young people about what really is important to them.

Put their attention elsewhere

Placing attention away from worries is an age old technique for parents and teachers. Commonly known as distraction, the act of focusing attention on something other than what causes them distress is vital for good mental health. Examples of distractions include – going outside, playing a game, shooting some basketball hoops or listening to music.

Give the worry a name

Somehow giving a worry a name makes it feel less scary and more manageable. My favourite picture storybook for toddlers ‘There’s a Hippopotamus on our Roof‘ by Hazel Edwards personifies fear of the dark as a friendly hippo. Much more friendly and easier to boss around if you’re a child.

Put your worries in a jar

Wouldn’t it be great to put all your worries into a safe and throw away the key? As an adult you may do this when you take time out to watch your favourite TV show; or lose yourself wandering for hours online. Children need something a little more practical. They can write their worries on some paper and lock them in away in a jar by the side of the bed at the end of the day. It’s good to know that their worries can’t get out because they are locked up tight.

Limit talking time

It’s good if kids can talk about what’s on their mind but talking needs to be contained to prevent their worries from dominating their lives. Set aside ten minutes a day to talk about their worries and then put worry time aside until tomorrow.

Normalise rather than lionise their anxiety

Anxious kids are very sensitive to their parents concerns and worries. One way we build their concerns is by continually reassuring them that things will be fine. One reassurance should be sufficient most of the time followed by “I’ve already talked to you about that.” Continually going over old ground can allow worries to linger longer than necessary.

Give them the tools to relax

Some kids might take their mind off their worries by escaping in a fiction book or playing in the garden. Some children need a bigger set of tools including mindfulness and exercise to help them neutralise their worries. Pay attention to what helps your child sufficiently escape their worries.

Move baby, move

Get kids moving. Physical exercise is not only a great distraction but it releases feel-good endorphins that help children and young people feel better and more optimistic about the future.

by Michael Grose