Boneo Buzz: 9th June

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we head into our final few weeks of term, it’s timely to reflect on the demands and commitments we all manage on a day to day basis. Just as adults manage stress, so to do our children and we need to teach them strategies for coping. Stress is a normal response to changes and challenges. Life is full of those – even during childhood.

We tend to think of stress as a bad thing, caused by bad events. But upcoming good events like holidays, or new activities also can cause stress.

Children and teens feel stress when there’s something they need to prepare for, adapt to, or guard against. They feel stress when something that matters to them is at stake. Change often prompts stress – even when it’s a change for the better.

Stress has a purpose. It’s a signal to get ready.

When Can Stress Be Helpful?

In small amounts, and when children have the right support, stress can be a positive boost. It can help children rise to a challenge. It can help them push toward goals, focus their effort, and meet deadlines. This kind of positive stress allows children build the inner strengths and skills known as resilience.

When Can Stress Be Harmful?

Stress or adversity that is too intense, serious, long-lasting, or sudden can overwhelm a child’s ability to cope. Stress can be harmful when children don’t have a break from stress, or when they lack the support or the coping skills they need. Over time, too much stress can affect kids’ mental and physical health.

As a parent you can’t prevent your children from feeling stress. But you can help them cope. You can:

• Help them use positive stress to go for goals, adapt to changes, face challenges, and gain confidence.
• Give extra support and stability when they go through stressful life events.
• Protect them from the harmful effects of too much stress, such as chronic stress and traumatic stress.

Reach out to us if you need any support with your child/ren.

Online Navigation

As school holidays approach and children have more free time to scroll on their devices, it is important to have conversations with your child around social media and cyber safety.

It’s these questions that keep many parents up at night—how do you raise a safe, healthy child, in the age of smartphones.  In a time where Australian teenagers are spending over 1200 hours on social media each year, finding a balance is important.

Being active on social media can be beneficial for teenagers, providing them with the confidence to express themselves and the opportunity to develop communication skills. With these benefits, however, there is also some risk. Research shows that, our young people are less able to identify dangerous behaviour and are more likely to act impulsively online. It is, therefore, important that our children have boundaries, rules and guidance from parents and their School to help them make good decisions.

When approaching the age where your child wants to have a presence on social media, it is important to note that most platforms require you to be at least 13 years old. It is also important to make sure your child is aware of the use / dangers of the platform by asking the following questions:

• What would you do if you saw something harmful online?
• How can you tell if an online message or person is safe?
• Who would you go to if something bad happened to you online?

We encourage parents to discuss healthy online boundaries where children are aware of the risks and understand the depth of their social footprint. Here are some topics to discuss when introducing boundaries.

Awareness around social footprint

People have a habit of behaving differently online than they do in person with many believe that their device protects them. Consider asking these questions before posting anything online: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind? Would I say it in person? How would I feel if somebody else said it? Would I be happy for my parents or teachers to see it? Could it damage my reputation or that of anyone else?

It is also important to remember that your comments can be seen by many people and can leave a lasting impression. Remember that hiding behind a keyboard does not protect you from the repercussion that can result from online bullying or harassment.

Respect the privacy of others

While some people find posting embarrassing photographs of their friend amusing, the likelihood is that the friend will not. Be respectful of other people’s privacy, always ask for permission and never share photos or information that may humiliate someone. The Boneo PS Responsible Device Use requests that students behave in a respectful manner, seek permissions before publishing images, understand their rights and protect the privacy of other students.

What you post is permanent

The cyber world is the real world and it has real consequences.

It is risky to connect and communicate with strangers

With many people operating through fake personas, it is hard to tell your friends from your foes. We encourage all students to set their accounts to private and avoid communicating online without parental support.

For further information we recommend the iParent website from the Office of Children’s eSafety Commissioner: https://www.esafety.gov.au/iparent

Congratulations Bodhi W on an outstanding Boneo House Athletics Carnival, finishing first in 10 events; discus, shot put, long jump, high jump, triple jump, 80m hurdles, 100m, 200m, 800m, and 1500m.

We have had a few students in the past win 8 events, and one or two 9 events, but Bodhi is the first to win all 10!

Bodhi will now select 2 events to represent Boneo at the district event.

Good luck to all students who have qualified for the Boneo District Team.

Willum Warrain Indigenous Centre – Year 2

On Wednesday 7th June, the Year 2 students went on an excursion to Willum Warrain Indigenous Centre in Hastings.

First, 2A went on the bus. It was the big bus. The bus was enormous! The bus was so big you could fit 40 kids on it.

Next, 2A got to Hastings. We went into the shed. In the shed, they introduced themselves. There was Aunty Sammy, Uncle John, Sarah and Tammy. I think Sarah was the nicest!

After that, they split us up into two groups. I was with Jack L, Phoenix and a bunch of girls!

Then, I went with my group to the pun pun (AKA river). There was fish, frogs and eels. There were native fish there and the mosquito fish were eating them!

Next, we saw a hut that would fit at least 50 people in it! I felt nervous! When they would make them, they would connect them with a clay tunnel.

Lastly, I got my face painted with oka. Then they tried to start a fire, but it wasn’t working so they got dried leaves and it worked. When everybody was done, we smelt like the Aboriginal people would have.

Finally, we went back to the shed and some people got to wear a possum coat. The possum fur is known as the third warmest animal fur in the world!

I had the best time.

By Grayson

District Boys Netball & Girls Football