The inclusion of any community advertising does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation thereof by St. Michael’s School. 

St. Michael’s does not accept any responsibility or liability for the conduct or content of those advertisements and sites and the offerings made by the third parties.

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Parenting Ideas Webinar

Our school has a membership with Parenting Ideas, one of Australia’s most trusted sources of parenting education and support.  Great news – through this membership, you can attend all of their webinars for parents in 2019 at no cost! Here is the information about the next upcoming webinar:

Step back so kids step up
As young people spend increasing amounts of time online, their social lives, and in turn, their social and emotional wellbeing, they become increasingly entrenched in the digital world. As they journey through adolescence in this permanently public landscape, dealing with the effects on self-esteem, friendship issues, self-worth and wellbeing can be challenging to say the least.

Join Martine Oglethorpe, a technology expert who is an accredited speaker with the Office of the eSafety Commissioner, has a background in secondary education and a Masters in Counselling.

This webinar will look at how we can best equip our young people to thrive both online and in real life as they grow up immersed in online spaces.

When
Wednesday 30 October 2019 8:00pm – 9:00pm AEDT.
 
How you can register

1. Click this link: https://www.parentingideas.com.au/parent-resources/parent-webinars/webinar-strengthening-kids-self-esteem-in-a-digital-world
2. Click ‘Add to cart’
3. Click ‘View cart’
4. Enter the voucher code DIGITAL and click ‘Apply’. Your discount of $37 will be applied to the order. This voucher is valid until 30 November 2019.
5. Click ‘Proceed to checkout’
6. Fill in your account details. These are the details you will use to login to your account and access your parenting material
7. Click ‘Place Order’

 

 

Creating healthy digital habits in your child

Surveys have consistently shown that children are being exposed to increasing amounts of screen time each year.

As parents we’re often concerned about the connections children and young people are making and the subsequent impact on their wellbeing. The time they spend online, scrolling, searching and swiping which could be spent doing outdoor activities is also concerning.

Digital devices are here to stay, so it’s imperative to look at how kids can remain in control of their screen use, and ensure the time they’re investing online is adding something helpful, positive and meaningful to our lives.

Here are four tips to help kids develop healthy digital habits. Being mindful of how time is spent on devices, is certainly not just reserved for young people.

1. Encourage creation not just consumption

Is your child more of a consumer or creator when they’re online? Check to see if they spend time online time in creative mode such as making things, creating own videos, editing photos, writing posts, coding a video game or composing a song. Encourage them to be creative rather than mere consumers of digital content.

2. Discuss who they are following

The digital world encourages leaders and followers. It places people and individuals from all walks of life in close contact with your kids. They can follow companies, musical icons, sports stars as well as friends. Encourage your child to follow people and companies that can fuel their passions.

For instance, if they love space, search for NASA and related accounts. If they love photography, help them find great photographers sharing their work online. When they’re following people that teach, inspire and ignite their passions, they’re less likely to spend valuable time with energy zappers.

3. Digitally de-clutter regularly

Many kids collect apps on their devices in the same way that former generations collected football cards or swap cards. Encourage them to delete the apps they no longer use or apps that offer no benefits to their lives. Could there be better games to play? Are there better videos for them to watch than the ones that the YouTube algorithm believes they want to see?

4. Show kids good practices

Most kids learn much more from what they see and experience, rather than from what they are told. As a parent be intentional with your screen time.  Do you:

• Follow people that support you, challenge you in helpful ways or inspire and lift you up?
• Interact in positive ways?
• Give people your attention rather than scroll whilst others are talking to you?
• Put your digital devices away in order to fit all the other important things into your day?

Setting your kids up with healthy digital habits will help make these practises the norm. If you don’t want your children falling prey to the harmful and unhelpful

 

 

24:7 Bassendean Youth Group

For all youth in Years 6-12

Every 1^st, 3^rd and 5^th Friday of the month, from 6:30-8:30 in the Parish hall

Call Aloyse (0401 348 508) or Anthony (0481 737 771) for more information

 God bless,   Aloyse & Anthony    –   24:7 Bassendean Youth Ministers    www.247youthministry.org

 

 

VacSwim 2019-20

 Enrol now for VacSwim summer holiday swimming lessons!

With swimming pools and beaches a big part of the Western Australian lifestyle, it’s essential that your children learn how to swim and stay safe in the water.

VacSwim is for all children – from beginners to more advanced swimmers. Your children can start as young as five years old. 

There are over 180 VacSwim locations around Western Australia, so wherever your family is spending these summer holidays, there will be lessons near you.

Enrol your children in VacSwim now at education.wa.edu.au/swimming.

 

Volunteers needed for St Vincent de Paul Society home visits

Dear St Michael’s Community

St Vincent de Paul Bassendean Conference are seeking Associate Members as volunteers for the emergency relief home visitations we do in our Bassendean, Ashfield and Eden Hill area.

Visits occur each Monday, Wednesday and Friday and the number of calls ranges between 1–5 which would take roughly an hour’s duration. William Thomas, St Joseph’s Parish Bassendean Conference President is seeking casual volunteers to assist with the visits as home visitations have to be made in pairs; the Bassendean Conference has been in existence since 1939 and currently is short of members, owing to ill health and an ageing membership.

If you are available or know of someone who may be able to volunteer some time on one or any of these days — on a casual basis — could you please make contact with him?

Volunteers must visit in pairs and you will always be accompanied on the home visits. The volume of calls for urgent financial and other assistance is growing, especially in the winter months. Please contact William if you could spare some time Mobile 0437 707 670 Email williamanthonythomas@gmail.com

 

 

The Ascot Kayak Club have an exciting new junior program with courses starting in term 4. Many of you will know that our past St Michael’s student, Blake Sheridan is a keen kayaker and he is now successfully competing in state and national kayaking events in sprint and marathon kayaking. Blake started learning to paddle through the Ascot Kayak Club and he’d love to see some St Michael’s students at the club giving kayaking a go!