From The Principal Week 3
Dear SCA Families
“Mr E,” said a worried looking Year 1 child (let’s call her Jane) to me some years ago, “my friend called me a Poo poo head.” I responded seriously, “Thank you for telling me. Now Jane, are you a poo poo head?” Jane looked at me, scoffed and said, “Mr E, you know I’m not a poo poo head.” I explained to her that it doesn’t matter, then, what someone else says, if she, her parents and her principal know what the actual truth is.
As your child grows and starts to navigate the world around them, it's important to teach them how to stand up for themselves and assert their boundaries. However, it's crucial to differentiate between standing up for oneself and retaliation.
Standing up for oneself means advocating for one's needs, asserting boundaries, and expressing yourself in a confident and assertive manner. It's about communicating effectively and advocating for yourself without hurting others. Retaliation, on the other hand, involves responding to a perceived wrong with an act of revenge or harm, either with words or actions, towards the other person.
Teaching your child to stand up for themselves doesn't mean encouraging them to retaliate or seek revenge. It's important to teach them how to communicate their needs and boundaries in a respectful manner, without resorting to hurtful words or actions. This can include using "I" statements, such as, "I feel uncomfortable when you do/say X," and teaching them to listen actively and empathetically to others' perspectives.
Bullying is a serious issue that can have long-lasting effects on children's mental health and well-being. As a parent, it's important to teach your child how to stand up for themselves against bullying while also promoting non-violent and respectful behaviour. Here are some tips to help you teach your child to stand up for themselves without resorting to name-calling or violence:
- Empower your child: Teach your child that they have the right to say no and set boundaries. Encourage them to use assertive communication, such as "I don't like it when you do/say that, please stop" or "I need you to stop doing that now" or “I’m not going to listen to this anymore.”
- Stay calm: Help your child learn to stay calm and composed when facing a bully. Encourage them to take deep breaths and count to 10 before responding to the bully.
- Seek support: Teach your child to seek help from trusted adults, such as teachers, counsellors, or parents. They can also seek support from friends who can help them feel safe and confident.
- Avoid name-calling or violence: Remind your child that resorting to name-calling or violence is not the right way to deal with bullying. Encourage them to respond in a respectful and non-violent manner.
- Lead by example: Set a good example for your child by demonstrating respectful behaviour in your own interactions with others.
By teaching your child to stand up for themselves in a healthy and respectful way without resorting to name-calling or violence, you are helping them develop important life skills such as self-confidence, empathy communication, and problem-solving. By promoting a culture of respect and kindness, we can help our children build healthy relationships and thrive in all aspects of their lives.
You’ll be pleased also to know that, when I checked back with Jane, she had no further problems with her friend calling her names.
Mother’s Day Celebrations
Thanks to Karen Snowball, Fay Holden and Jo Reed, who did so much to ensure our Mother’s Day breakfast was so well organised and catered for. Thanks also to the parents, grandparents, staff and students who helped set-up, serve and clean up.
Just Occasionally
Our Tuckshop has a wonderful manager, Michelle, and part time assistant, Nina, who work hard to ensure all orders are served on time each day. We also rely on volunteers, but fewer people have a weekly or fortnightly time to help.
Have you considered taking a personal day once a term just to help at your child’s school. If this is something you would be interested in doing, please check in with the office, or contact Michelle directly (michelle.wood@cg.catholic.edu.au) .
Athletics carnival
We are excitedly looking forward to the perfect weather that this coming Monday will be sure to bring (please, please, please). Please remember to send your child to school dressed in their sports uniform (with House Team coloured shirt if they wish), and school hat ready for an active day outside.
Parents are welcome to come along to spectate, or even lend a hand, at Woden Park Athletic Track (Ainsworth St Phillip).
Reconciliation Day Public Holiday
On Monday 27th May (Week 5), the ACT will mark Reconciliation Day with a public holiday. As it is a public holiday, all schools in the ACT, including SCA, will be closed on that day.
Enrolments – Close on 24th May
We have a great school, with wonderful kids, dedicated staff and supportive families. Please spread the word amongst family and friends, reminding those with pre-schoolers that enrolments close on Friday 24th May.
It was once said…
Blessings to you and your family.
Matt Egan-Richards
Principal