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.