Dear Parents and Guardians, 

As we approach the final weeks of the school year, many children may experience a mix of emotions—excitement about summer break, sadness about saying goodbye to friends and teachers, or even anxiety about the unknowns of the next school year. Transitions, big or small, can be challenging for young minds. As parents and caregivers, your support can make a world of difference in helping your child feel calm and confident during these changes. 

Here are some simple yet effective ways you can help your child manage anxiety as the school year winds down: 

1. Talk About It

Create opportunities for open conversations about your child’s feelings. Ask questions like, “How are you feeling about the end of the school year?” or “What are you looking forward to next year?” Acknowledge and validate their emotions, whether they’re excited, nervous, or a mix of both. 

2. Maintain Routine

As much as possible, stick to a regular daily schedule. Predictable routines provide a sense of security, especially during times of change. Gradually introduce any adjustments to your routine, such as summer activities, to help ease the transition. 

3. Focus on the Positives

Help your child look forward to the exciting aspects of the transition, whether it’s fun summer plans or new opportunities in the coming school year. Share your own positive experiences with change to inspire optimism. 

 4. Reflect and Celebrate Achievements

Take time to reflect on the growth and accomplishments your child has achieved this year. Celebrate milestones, both big and small, to end the school year on a positive note. 

5. Prepare for What’s Next

If your child is moving to a new grade or school, talk about what to expect. If possible, visit the new school or classroom and introduce them to upcoming teachers to help ease the uncertainty. 

6. Practice Relaxation Techniques

Teach simple relaxation techniques, like deep breathing or mindfulness exercises, to help your child manage feelings of anxiety. These skills can be useful tools they carry into new situations. 

Transitions are part of life, and learning how to manage them is a valuable skill. With your support, your child can feel reassured and prepared to take on new challenges with confidence. 

If you’d like additional resources or support, please don’t hesitate to reach out – we are here to help.

Emma

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Hello Families,

Monday the 25^th of November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Violence against women is a serious and widespread problem in Australia. But violence against women is also preventable. To prevent violence against  women we need to understand it. City of Melton Council is running an informative webinar hosted by African Youth Initiative and Girl Chat. This session will explore what gender-based violence (GBV) can look like, the impact it can have on individuals, families, and communities, and help you understand what you can do to help prevent it and support affected. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how you can make a difference.

• When: Monday 25th November
• Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm  
• Where: Online 
• Cost: FREE 
• Register HERE

If you or anyone you know need some support, below are some support services you can access:

SUPPORT SERVICES

 FAMILY VIOLENCE/VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

The Orange Door Werribee: 1800 271 045 (15-17 Watton St Werribee VIC 3030)

• Support for people experiencing family violence or need support with the care and wellbeing of children and young people.
• Support for people using family violence and want to change
• Specialist support available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, migrant and refugee, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities

* Best place for schools to refer families. Parents will need to self-refer and be willing to engage. Schools may offer support with referral forms or phone calls.

Safe Steps: 1800 015 188 (web chat and emails also available online)

• Crisis response to family violence
• Risk assessment & safety planning
• 24/7 phone support

Specialist support available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, migrant and refugee, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities

1800 Respect: 1800 737 732 (text 0458 737 732)

Confidential information, counselling and support service for family and sexual based violence

24/7 phone support

Sunny app: for people with disability, free to download. Support for people who have experienced violence and abuse

GenWest: 1800 436 937

Family violence support for Melbourne's West

Delivery of programs that support health and wellbeing

Interpreter service available via phone on 131 450

MENTAL HEALTH/SUICIDE PREVENTION

Lifeline – 13 11 14 (online text and chat available on website)

• 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention

Beyond Blue- 1300 224 636 (online chat available on website)

• 24/7 mental health support

ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER

13YARN – mental health Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

• 24/7 phone support
• Ran by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Dijirra – family violence support

• Legal and non-legal support

Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA)

• Support Aboriginal women and children who have experience FV.

*specialist services also available through The Orange Door, Safe Steps and 1800RESPECT

LGBTQI+

Rainbow Door – free specialist LGBTIQA+ helpline with family violence supports

WithRespect – tele-counselling and support

QLife  – counselling and referral service for people of diverse sex, genders and sexualities

SAFE SCHOOLS: provide resources, consult and professional development to school staff and communities to create safe and inclusive schools for LGBTQIA+ students.

*specialist services also available through The Orange Door, Safe Steps, Genwest and 1800RESPECT

CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY DIVERSE PEOPLE

inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence- 1800 755 988

• Provide services, programs and responses to FV in migrant and refugee communities
• Translators provided

*specialist services also available through The Orange Door, Safe Steps1800RESPECT and GenWest

 

WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES

Sunny App – 1800 Respect

*specialist services also available through The Orange Door, Safe Steps1800RESPECT and GenWest

MEN

Men’s Referral Service – 1300 766 491

• Support for men who use violence to change their behaviour
• Support for male victims of family violence

Men’s Lines Australia - 1300 78 99 78

• Mental health support
• Support for men who use violence to change their behaviour

Support for male victims of family violence

 

LEGAL SERVICES

Women’s Legal Aid Victoria

Victoria Legal Aid

Fitzroy Legal Service

Refugee and Immigration Legal Service

 

FINANCIAL ABUSE SERVICES

WIRE Money Problems with Your Partner / The Purse Project 

Financial and Consumer Rights Council

 

 

 

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Dear Families,

The Victorian Government is delivering the School Saving Bonus – a one-off $400 support for government school students from Prep to Year 12 in 2025.

From Tuesday 26 November 2024, you will receive an email from the Department of Education with your unique $400 School Saving Bonus code.

The School Saving Bonus will help families cover the cost of uniforms, textbooks, excursions, activities and more.
If you have multiple children enrolled in Victorian government schools for 2025, you will receive one School Saving Bonus code email per child. These emails might arrive on different days. Please make sure to check your spam/junk email folder.

Parents and carers can choose to access the School Saving Bonus online system, where they can allocate part or all the $400 bonus to use at school nominated-online suppliers (this relates to school uniforms and textbooks) or for school activities like camps and excursions.  To learn more about the School Saving Bonus, visit School Saving Bonus | vic.gov.au (www.vic.gov.au). A step-by-step user guide will be available on their webpage next week.

If you have not received your School Saving Bonus code via email by Friday 29 November, please contact the Department of Education by emailing school.saving.bonus@education.vic.gov.au

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Please see below the list of children who will be presented with an award at assembly on Friday 29^th November:

FMC	Charlie A
FRT	Jai C
1/2J	Freddie F
1/2M	Agustina HC
3/4S	Estelle K & Ruby F
3/4F	Amelie R & Aidan K
3/4A	Zachary B & Arihia G
5SP	Andre H
5CH	Ruby M & Ben E
6EH	Susan T
6AW	Elli M
6LA	Rosamund H & Summer W

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We will be holding our annual holiday stall on Thursday 12th December. Students will visit the stall located in the hall or library during school hours in their class groups; and will have the opportunity to buy family & friends a small gift. Gifts are priced between $2 - $8. A compass note will be sent around closer to the date, along with a volunteer sign up link.

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NOVEMBER 2024
Fri 29th Nov	2025 Prep Transition Day Uniform Sale - 8.30-9.15am & 10.15-11am
DECEMBER 2024
Fri 6th Dec	2025 Prep Transition Day Uniform Sale - 8.30-9.15am & 10.15-11am
Thur 12th Dec	Holiday Stall KPS Kids Disco - Foundation - Year 2 - 4.30 - 5.30pm - Year 3 - Year 6 - 6.00 - 7.30pm
Fri 13th Dec	2025 Prep Transition Day Uniform Sale - 8.30-9.15am & 10.15-11am Holiday Raffle - drawn at Assembly
Wed 18th Dec	Grade 6 Graduation
Thur 19th Dec	Grade 6 Adventure Park Excursion
Fri 20th Dec	Last Day of Term 4 - 1:30pm dismissal

Roster for Assembly Items – Term 3

29th Nov - 1/2M
6th Dec - 6EH
13th Dec - 5SP
20th Dec - No Assembly Item - Year 6 Graduation Song

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Happy Birthday to Luke E, Harry B, Shakira M, Lenny M, Jonas H, Ayat F, Isabella C, Georgia S, Maya L, Avery K, Henry H, Liam A, Emily H, Maisie R, Quincy M, Amber S, Sean G, Edie W, Phoebe O.

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