What a week! Last week we thoroughly enjoyed welcoming you and your children back to school, the excitement and energy levels were palpable. Overnight, learning was swiftly moved to Home School and yet our learners continued to engage. As a staff we could not be more proud of their positive attitude and what they have achieved in the past few days.

In the words of Dr Bloomfield this week "is like being on a roller coaster when you haven't bought a ticket", but once again, I have been awed by the ‘roll up our sleeves’ attitude of our staff and community.

There is no doubt of the toll the COVID experience has had on us all, we have weathered this extraordinary experience over the last year. If we, as adults are feeling it, imagine what it must be like for our children.

There is no silver bullet to caring for and growing your children’s wellbeing. Just like the dashboard in your car, no single gauge tells you how well your car is running, but rather it is a combination of all of the important information you possess.

In these uncertain times, we have become acutely aware of the need to 'check-in' with our children and monitor their wellbeing. There are some simple things you can do as a family to keep each other healthy:

Positive Emotions 
It is the frequency of positive emotions, not their intensity, which has the greatest influence on growing your own and your children’s wellbeing. To self-generate positive emotions, you could exercise first thing every morning, text a friend who is struggling, aim to do three kind acts every day and Facetime grandparents.

Engagement
Your own negative mind chatter, which causes you to experience fight or flight responses will probably be the biggest thing for you to control and overcome. Remember your children are likely to imitate you. To focus yourself try: create positive I can and I will self-talk statement to combat the negatives, breathe deeply and slowly.

Empathy
Other people are the best antidotes for life’s ups and downs. Use Zoom, Skype and Google Hangout for you and your children to see happy and smiling faces, break out Uno, Scrabble and other fun games to generate laughter, have fun cooking up hot cross buns, and do Wellbeing Fitness Challenges together.

Purpose
In these times, feelings of vulnerability are perfectly normal for both you and your children. To relieve these feelings, having a strong sense of purpose to focus on something bigger than yourselves to devote your energies to, will assist. As a family, make cards to drop in the letterboxes of elderly people in your street, make fun family videos, and as a family follow and learn about a caring charity.

Optimism
To cultivate feelings of optimism in your family that together you can influence your own futures, set a goal at home every day. Try starting a vegetable garden with your children, paint a room or piece of furniture, do one extra sit up or push up, encourage your children to complete one thing at a time from their teachers or an online wellbeing activity.

Strengths
To keep your own and your children’s immune systems strong, focus on the big five – healthy fresh eating, one hour’s exercise, at least 8 hours sleep, drinking plenty of water and looking on the bright side of life. An uplifting family activity is to identify your top character strengths by doing the free online Strengths Survey at www.viacharacter.org. Everyone puts their strengths on the fridge and try spotting them.

For more tips to go to www.learningcurveathome.com 

As we all adjust once again, remember that there is no rule book, no right or wrong in how we look after our children's wellbeing, it is about doing what is right for your family at this moment. Kia kaha. 

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THE FOLLOWING NOTICES ARE ALERT LEVEL DEPENDENT 

Annual School Picnic - Friday 26 February

On Friday 26 February, 4 to 6 pm, you are invited to our Annual School Picnic. Bring a picnic and relax on the school field, catch up with friends and meet some new ones! We look forward to seeing you all there.

Please note that the pool is available. The school will not be providing supervision so all children must be accompanied by a parent.

Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC)

Next week, there are many exciting learning experiences taking place outside of the classroom.

EOTC is an important part of the PE and Health Curriculum and goes far beyond the teaching of practical skills. Access to hands-on experiences gives students unique and stimulating learning opportunities and a way to demonstrate competencies (as identified in the NZ Curriculum) such as managing self, relating to others, participating, and contributing. The programs reinforce learning by enabling students to make connections between what they have learned in the classroom and the world beyond the classroom.

At Stanley Bay, we have a progression of EOTC activities that build onto the previous year's program. This year;

Year 0/2 students will be setting up a campsite on the field, this will be their base for the day; imaginative play in the tents, 'bush' art, creative play, a scavenger hunt, team building games, and of course.... a sausage sizzle!

Year 3/4 students are off to Birkenhead Leisure Centre where adventure awaits! There we will be having a go at bushcraft, orienteering and rock climbing. Back at school, the learning continues camp cooking and scavenger hunts.

Year 5/6 are heading off to Camp Adair for four days of adventure where they will be climbing high ropes, bushwalking, kayaking, completing confidence courses, climbing walls, and experiencing dormitory sleeping!

Good luck to all our adventurers and the exciting experiences ahead!

If you would like to know more about EOTC in the NZ Curriculum go to Education Outside the Classroom

Assembly Reminder

Friday 19 February, 9.10 am is our first assembly of 2021. The assembly will begin with the mihi whakatau to welcome new students and staff to the Stanley Bay family. We will also be announcing the 2021 House Leaders, Sports Leaders and Arts Leaders.

As always you are warmly invited to attend and we look forward to seeing you there!

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Following the Prime Minister's announcement later today we will be in touch via email to let you know 'what next'. Hopefully we will see you all again very soon. 

Nga mihi

Lucy Naylor
Principal / Tumuaki