School Holiday Activities & Ideas

Warm wishes to you all this festive season.  It has certainly been a busy, exciting year at Holy Cross and I trust you enjoy some well deserved rest and relaxation over the holidays.
I have developed a little sheet with some ideas, tips, activities and general reminders for the holiday season which I hope you find helpful.  Hopefully it will provide some inspiration!
Happy holidays everyone and see you next year.  Thank you for your continued support over the year.  As always it has been a pleasure supporting your children as they journey through another academic year.
With kind regards,
Jo Betti, HCC Social Worker

Coffee & Conversation

Our last Coffee & Conversation for the year will be on Wednesday 2nd December 2015 at 9:00am.
Hope to see you there!

Jo Betti
HCC Social Worker

Christmas in Ellenbrook!

Aveley Christmas - Carols by Candlelight (plus a visit from Santa!)      
Saturday 5th December, opens at 5pm, carols from 6pm - 8:30pm.
Aveley Playing Fields
Limited parking available nearby at Aveley Primary School, Swan Valley Anglican Community School and Vale Shopping Centre
Smoke, alcohol and pet free event

Ellenbrook Christmas Festival (Markets, Pageant & Carols)
Saturday 12th December 2015
Mega Christmas Markets- 10am to 4pm, Christmas Pageant 5pm - 6pm
Take a leisurely stroll on Main Street through the market, mingle with the locals and entertain the children.  Followed by a pageant from the Library to the Town Square.  The parade is sure to dazzle with the talent of local dance, performance and community groups.
Enjoy carols and entertainment under the stars at Charlie Gregorini Memorial Park from 8 - 9:30pm.
For further details visit: ellenbrook.com.au or www.facebook.com/christmasinellenbrook

Twilight Family Festival
City of Swan are supporting the Swan Valley Community Centre to host their very first Christmas Concert event – the Twilight Family Festival on 13th December at Baskerville Oval.
   
A Big Bug Christmas- Children’s Christmas Party
Ellenbrook Community Library- Wednesday 9th December, 10:30-11:30am.
A fully interactive storytelling session adventure for children aged 2-8 years. This is a FREE event and places are limited. Bookings essential on 9207 8787.

Self talk

An excerpt from ParentingIdeas:

"Self-talk is the foundation strategy to teach kids to shift their thinking about a negative event." A negative event happens such as a child’s sibling won’t share a much-loved toy. The child immediately feels anger. He thinks, “Not again! I hate her! She never shares and it’s not fair.” This thinking feeds his anger, which starts to spiral. In a heartbeat he’s lashed out at his sister for inflicting such an injustice on him. Here’s what happens…… Our thoughts, often reflected through self-talk, change when we experience an emotion. We tend to focus on the event that caused the emotion. Anger shifts our attention outward to the thing, person or event that caused it. Sadness shifts our attention inwards toward the loss. Our emotions change how we see the world. We are usually more optimistic when we are happy and more pessimistic when we’re sad. The key is to change your self-talk. By changing the chatter in your brain from something negative, catastrophic or unhelpful to something more realistic, positive and helpful can help get you through a challenging situation. Positive self-talk examples include: “Stuff happens. I can cope.” “It’s no big deal.” “I’ve put up with worse than this.” “I may want it but I don’t need it.” Help children develop age-appropriate self-talk scripts for a variety of common situations they meet so they can avoid an escalation of their emotions. Then encourage them to change the monkey-brain tape in their heads when they catch themselves saying negative, catastrophic or down-right regretful things.

Ellenbrook Community Posts

Jaxx Espresso Bar and Century 21 are proudly supporting breast cancer research by holding a Pink Ribbon Long Table Morning Tea on 30th October from 10 - 11:30am.   RSVP's to Mandy 0412 850 431 or in person at Jaxx.

Youth Mental Health First Aid
3-day workshop at Aveley Community Centre coordinated by ClanWA.  
Friday 30th Oct, 6th Nov & 13th Nov from 9:30 - 2:30pm  RSVP workshops@clanwa.com.au 

Free First Aid Course for Parents with Young Children

CLAN Midland and RLSWA are providing a FREE workshop for Parents and Carers at the Aveley Community Centre.  

Tuesday 3rd November 2015 from 9.30am - 12.30pm.

To book please phone Fiona on 0449 717 623

BOOST- Help your child to read and spell

A two-part workshop providing information to parents of children in K - Yr 1/ 2 about how literacy skills develop. Held 9:30 - 12:30 at Aveley Community Centre on Thursdays 5th Nov and 12th Nov. All parents will received a “Literacy Pack” valued at over $60! Morning tea and crèche are provided, BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL. To register please phone Caroline 0450 252 784 or Julie 0451 152 781 or email caroline.morrisbrown@clanmidland.org or Julie.cooper@clanmidland.org.

Pram Walk Event
Show your support for antenatal and postnatal depression or anxiety.  Goodie bags and giveaways for all participants, info stalls, face painting and activities for the kids.

Date: Wednesday 18 November, 9:30am, meet at 84 Egerton Drive Aveley

Bring: Shade for your pram, sunscreen, hat and water

Wear: PURPLE and good walking shoes

RSVP: by Wed 11 November to 9250 2221 or info@mwhcp.org.au

Aboriginal Parenting Support Service

Meerilinga has an Aboriginal Parenting Support Service who work with families with children from birth to five years of age.   Ph. 9377 4749 for more info.

Brockman House - Community Support, Child Care & Outside School Hours Care

The Brockman House timetable for Term 4 is available at http://www.brockmanhouse.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Term-4-Program1.pdf

Helpingminds (formerly Arafmi) Carers Support Group - Midland

10am - 12pm at St Vincent de Paul Society, 2 Bayley Street, Woodbridge on the 4th Thursday every month.

RSVP by calling HelpingMinds on 9427 7100, go to http://helpingminds.org.au/ for more information.

Mental Health Services, 360 Health and Community

Two new Mental Health services are operating from the Counselling Room in the Ellenbrook Place Office. 360 Health & Community (formerly Medicare Local) provides free/ low-cost counselling for local residents with a GP referral. There are two clinicians delivering different programs, rotating weekly on Thursdays to deliver an adult’s counselling service and children’s counselling service. For more information see http://www.360.org.au/programs/north/mental-health

Wellness Day Yr. 10

Our Yr. 10's (now officially Yr. 11!) participated in a Wellness Day last week as part of their Transition Week.  Students really embraced the sessions with our guest speaker Claire Eaton from ROC Teen, and enthusiastically joined in activities including a personal training session, learning some relaxation techniques and also making stress balls.  I hope each student enjoyed the day and took away some ideas on how to make the most of the new academic year.  

Coffee & Conversation

Our next Coffee & Conversation will be held on Wednesday 28th October in the College Cafe at 9am.  Hope to see you there.

Yr 9 Wellness Day

During Wednesday’s Wellness Day our terrific Yr 9's were treated to some very special activities and presentations as part of transition week. In addition to making stress balls, doing an energetic fitness work-out with professional personal trainer Sarah and learning some relaxation exercises (for some it was hard not to fall asleep!) the students were privileged to have Claire Eaton from "ROC Teen" provide a range of tips and ideas on how to make the most of a new academic year.  Claire helped empower our young men and women by talking about the importance of facing those inevitable challenges that arise through adolescence, about the big (yes BIG!) changes going on in their brains and about accepting responsibility for their actions. She used a great visual metaphor about ‘above and below the line’ when it comes to the way we think/feel/respond to all the stuff happening in our lives – a great way of visualising positive and negative thought patterns to help stay more resilient, optimistic and confident.  Our students showed Claire much respect and honesty during the sessions.  We are certainly looking forward to having Claire speak next week to the Yr. 10's as part of their transition week.

Claire then returned in the evening to present to parents and caregivers.  We had a terrific turnout of around 35 people attending to hear Claire explain some of the concepts she'd shared with the students earlier in the day.  Throughout her insightful presentation Claire displayed a warm touch of humour and shared some of her personal parenting experiences which many parents acknowledged were very similar to their own.  We hope that parents took away some important messages about coping with the challenges that adolescence brings both at school and at home.   

Thank to you all the parents and caregivers who came along - I think it really shows the level of dedication and commitment to our school community and our young people as they make their journey towards adulthood.  

Warm regards, Ms Betti, HCC Social Worker

ELLENBROOK COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS

Ellenbrook Place Children & Families Community Workshop

Thursday 22 October, 9:30am - 12pm (registrations and tea/coffee from 9am)

Ellenbrook District Open Space - North Pavilion, Maffina Pde, Ellenbrook

How can we make our community the best place possible for children and families? 

Morning tea will be provided and a crèche is available (bookings essential). 

To register your attendance please email seanna.dempsey@swan.wa.gov.au, or phone 9207 8577 with any queries.

People at Place- October

People at Place is a quarterly networking meeting for local volunteer groups, sports clubs, schools, businesses etc to share information, learn about what is going on in the community and develop potential partnerships.
Tuesday 20 October, 6:30pm - 8:30pm,

Ellenbrook Community Library, 90 Main Street, Ellenbrook

To register, or for more information contact Beth Weston on beth.weston@swan.wa.gov.au or 9207 8579

First Aid Club

City of Swan are running a 10 week program for primary school students (Years 3 to 6) to learn the essential of First Aid. Commencing October 14^th, the course will run on Wednesday afternoons, 3:30- 4:30pm above the Ellenbrook Community Library. The cost is $10 per child and registrations can be made at the Ellenbrook Community Library. 

There are limited spaces left so get in quick! Contact Beth Weston at beth.weston@swan.gov.au for further info.

NDIS in the Your Area

The National Disability Insurance Scheme or NDIS has been operating in the City of Swan and the Shires of Kalamunda and Mundaring for more than a year and has well over 1000 people who are benefiting from the scheme. 

For more information please contact NDIS if you think that you may be eligible.

Parenting WA: Positive Parenting Program (Triple P Teen)

FREE program for parents/carers of children 11 -16

Program runs for 4 weeks with 2 hour sessions each week. 

Please phone 08 92554910 to register interest or email sue.marsh@dlgc.wa.gov.au.

Writing Successful Grant Applications- FREE TRAINING EVENT

The Swan Volunteer Resource Centre and Ellenbrook Place Community Development team present an insightful and informative step-by-step grant writing workshop, facilitated by Wendy Lamotte from Mad Enterprises. This workshop will provide you with the techniques that you need for a successful submission.

Date:        Tuesday 10 November 2015

Time:       6.00pm-8.00pm

Venue:     Ellenbrook Community Library, 90 Main Street Ellenbrook

Please register by Wednesday 3 November. Phone 9278 9690 or email swanvolunteers@swan.wa.gov.au

Strategic Community Plan Review

The City of Swan is seeking your feedback on the future vision, aspirations and priorities for

the area in the next 10 years. You can get involved in various ways, by calling the City on 9267 9267 or emailing at scp@swan.wa.gov.au. 

Understanding Anxiety & Depression in Youth

When: Thursday 22nd October 2015

Where: Aveley Community Centre

Time: 9:30am - 12pm

Cost: FREE

Light refreshments & handouts provided

To book a place please email: workshops@clanwa.com.au. 

Youth Mental Health First Aid

A three day workshop containing lots of information on common and disabling mental health issues as they are experienced by youth, including depression, anxiety, psychosis, eating disorders, self-harm, and substance use problems.

When: Fridays 30th Oct, 6th & 13th Nov 2015

Where: Aveley Community Centre

Time: 9:30am - 2:30pm

Cost: FREE

Light refreshments & handouts provided

To book a place please email: workshops@clanwa.com.au. 

Ellenbrook Place Senior’s Expo

The Steering Group meeting has already taken place, but for more information about how to get involved in the Expo please contact Jade on 9207 8578 or jade.contarino@swan.wa.gov.au.

Seniors Week- Have a Go Day

The annual Have a Go Day Event will be taking place Wednesday 11 November 2015 at Burswood Park, Great Eastern Highway from 8.30am and 3pm.  Visit the SRCWA website for further information:  http://www.srcwa.asn.au/have-a-go-day.html

Thank a Volunteer Day

28^th November 2015 at the Valley Bowls Club. If you would like to find out more about this event and how to nominate your volunteers, please contact Beth on 9207 8579 or email beth.weston@swan.wa.gov.au.  

Senior School Transition - Summer Term

Next term the Senior School Transition commences - current Yr. 9's will become Yr. 10's, our Yr 10's will begin Yr. 11 and Yr. 11's will start their final school year!  This is an exciting time for Holy Cross College senior students and we have several activities and special events planned to aid a smooth transition.

We will be holding two "Wellbeing Days" for our Yr. 9 students and Yr. 10 students - on the 14th October and the 22nd October respectively and I am so pleased to announce that Claire Eaton from ROC Teen will be presenting to our students on these days.  Claire is a vibrant and enthusiastic facilitator with a passion for helping young people build their Resilience, Optimism and Confidence as they face the many challenges that adolescence brings.  I'm sure that our students will really enjoy Claire's ideas, her sense of humour and gain much from the wealth of knowledge she brings. 

Luckily, parents and caregivers won't be missing out on Claire's experience and insights ... parents of our Yr. 9's and 10's will be formally invited to a special event where they can meet Claire during the evening of the 14th October.  I encourage parents to attend and look forward to seeing you there!

Kind regards,
Jo Betti, HCC Social Worker

Upcoming Relationships Australia workshops as follows:

Dads Raising Teenage Girls – Thursday 24 September at 22 Southport Street, West Leederville 6.30-9. $25.00.

The father-daughter relationship is particularly important during the teenage years to help girls navigate this difficult time. Find out how you can build a more rewarding relationship with your teenage daughter. For further information ring 9489 6322.

Mums Raising Boys- up to the age of 12 years – Wednesday 14 October at 22 Southport Street, West Leederville 6.30-9. $25.00.

However well-prepared mothers are logically, the emotional response to having a boy is often still, ‘Wow! This is unknown territory.’ It is true that for many mothers, the idea of raising a son carries its own set of worries. As the primary female role model in a boy’s life, mothers play an important role in the development of their son’s identity including their ability to be nurturing. This in turn affects how they relate to others, particularly to girls and women.  For further information ring 9489 6322.

Parent-Teen Connection – Tuesday 20th October x 4 weeks at 22 Southport Street, West Leederville. $50 per person/ $75 per couple

We have all come through adolescence – do we remember?  It has always been a challenging, sometimes frustrating period of life’s journey. Thankfully, today’s parents are usually more inclined to listen.   Living with teenagers can be confusing and even worrying, but also rewarding.  This course reduces stress and teaches parents to communicate, negotiate and minimise conflict. For further information please ring 9489 6322.

Relationships Australia Parenting Courses

Further information about the following courses offered by Relationships Australia can be found at Courses and Seminars.  Locations include West Leederville and Midland.

Briefly, upcoming August/September courses include:

WEST LEEDERVILLE:
Parent Child Connection (Wednesday 26th August x 4 weeks)
Mums Raising Boys (Tuesday1st September)
Fathering After Separation (Thursday 3rd September)
Parent Teen (Saturday 5th September)
Kids and Today's Technology (Wednesday 15th and 22nd September)
Dads Raising Girls (Thursday 17th September)
Mums Raising Teenage Girls (Monday 21st September)
Mums Raising Teenage Boys (Tuesday 22nd September)

MIDLAND:
Fathering After Separation (Tuesday 22nd September)

Phone 9489 6322 for information, costs and availability.

National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence

Last Friday was the 2015 National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence.  It was great to see so many students taking the 'pledge' to stand up to bullying at school and a good way to raise awareness about what students can do if they are being bullied or if they are aware of bullying occurring.  Students enjoyed some free cupcakes and there were armbands and handy reference cards available.  
For further information about the National Day of Action parents and others who may be interested can visit http://bullyingnoway.gov.au/.  
I hope that this important National Day will be recognised at Holy Cross College each year through activities and events.  

Bullying. No Way!

This week our attention is on the topic of bullying and we have registered for the 2015 National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence taking place on Friday 20th March.  Students have participated in extended HTG activities to get them thinking and talking about the topic, and on Friday I'll be having a stall to raise awareness and provide students with an opportunity to pledge their support and promote the message that bullying is not cool at Holy Cross.  Each day this week I've also been posting some resources and information on LifeSupport (taken from the www.bullyingnoway.gov.au website) to help educate and guide our students.  Also on this website you'll find a link for parents at http://www.bullyingnoway.gov.au/parents/index.html.

If you or your children have concerns or questions about bullying, please don't hesitate to contact the school.
 




 

Lost in Concentration - article from "Parenting Ideas"

Lost in concentration

by Michael Grose

Electronic devices such as tablets and mobile phones are ever present. They are heaps of fun, the source of so much knowledge and a great way to stay in touch with others. The flip side is that their hypnotic effect is powerful so that frequently all our concentration is directed at them rather than our kids.

There are five BIG opportunities available to you as a parent if you choose to be in the moment when you have children.

1. Build their language

Recently, I saw a mother walking side by side with a young toddler playing a simple language game. She would make a sound with her mouth and her young son would mimic her. This is language building at its most natural and finest, and wouldn’t have happened if this mother was on the mobile phone rather than being present with her child. Whether you are with a toddler, primary aged child or a teen the language building opportunities are endless. You just have to focus on the one you are with and let things happen naturally.

2. Teach your children about their world

Most children are naturally curious and will ask lots of questions. “Why do dogs bark?” “Why is the sun round?” “Where do babies come from?” Yes, some are simple, some are hard to answer and some you are just not ready for. But it’s through these simple interactions that you become your child’s first and most important teacher. 

3. Impact their thinking

Influential British educator Charles Des Forges says, “If you want to influence your child’s thinking then you need to talk to him. If parents want more influence then they need to talk more to their children.”  According to Des Forges it’s through the conversations that parents have with their children that they impact the way they think, as well as influence their values. Nothing kills personal conversation with a child or young person like a mobile device.

4. Build relationships

Relationships are built through common interest, good intent and respectful behaviour. I can think of no better reason for being in the moment with your child than the opportunity it presents to build some common interest and rapport.  It’s reassuring to know that you’ve made plenty of deposits of goodwill to draw on, particularly in the tricky teenage years.

5. Build memories for you

As a parent of adult children I now treasure the memories of times I was fortunate to have spent with them as young children.  It’s strange how these memories resurface at the most unexpected time. Recently, I was in a supermarket and I remembered the time when I enthusiastically asked my youngest, who was three at the time, to get the box of cereal with the big red K. Off she went feeling all important and returned with a triumphant smile armed a box of dog food. “Thanks darling. Nearly!” was my reply desperate not to quell the enthusiasm to help that only a three year old can have.

The key to positively influencing your kids, building strong relationships and building enough fond memories to last a lifetime is to make sure that your mind is where your body is and be fully present when you are with your kids.

New Headspace Premises!

Headspace in Midland has moved to bigger premises in 2015, re-opening at:

64 Morrison Road, MIDLAND (above Gilbert’s Fresh Markets – entry off Keane Street).  

The same contact number can be used to get in touch with a friendly member of staff at Headspace: 

(08) 9274 8860.

This terrific youth service provides free health and wellbeing services for young people aged 12-25, including:

• Counselling and mental health support
• Assistance with employment and education
• Alcohol and other drug support
• Youth friendly doctors

Welcome

Welcome students to the Summer term at Holy Cross College.

For some of you this will be your first week at Holy Cross – either as brand new students or perhaps as a student transferring from another school.  You may be experiencing information overload and feeling completely overwhelmed, however please remember:

Don’t panic!

It’s totally normal to feel like this when you start something new.  Transitions and changes are typically exciting but also difficult and scary (moving from a familiar environment, where you’re the oldest in the school to an unfamiliar environment where you’re the youngest).  Trust me though, things generally get easier as you find your way around the College, as you meet new people, as you get to know your teachers and get a grasp on your subjects, homework and class timetable.  

The important thing is to ask lots of questions if you’re not sure, seek help when you need it, try to stay open to forming new friendships, smile a lot, endeavour to be as organised as you can as early as you can, keep calm (breathe in … breathe out …) and just take one day at a time. 

As the School Social Worker I’m here for you if you need a little help navigating this sea of change, or with any problems or worries as they crop up over the year both at school and outside of school.  Sometimes it can help just talking to someone when you’re feeling confused or upset and so if you’d like to make an appointment you can contact me either directly via Conneqt, through your Teacher or Mrs Nolan in the Admin area. 

I hope you have an amazing year and I wish you all the best for the adventure that lies ahead.

Warm regards,

Ms Jo Betti

HCC Social Worker