4 July 2019

Newsletter Articles

Important Dates

Assembly Award Winners

Merit certificates awarded to:

From the Principal’s Desk

Term 2 is drawing to a close and the winter weather is with us. Our year tens and twelves look great in their leaver’s jackets. It’s important that students continue to follow the school dress code and wear appropriate tops and jackets. Hoodies are not to be worn over heads as we need to identify students at school. Many staff and students can be seen in our DFES cadet jackets which are very stylish and functional. The uniform shop for the middle school has changed owners and is called Uniform Concepts and is situated at 30 Kembla Way, Willetton. Senior school uniforms can still be purchased from Sevenoaks Senior College.

Parents/caregivers will receive reports posted to them at the end of the term. Each report costs at least $3 to post. We are moving to electronic reports to save money and the environment. They will be available via Connect and the plan is to commence for the 2020 school year. It is vitally important that we have up to date details on all our families, especially phone numbers and email contacts.

Our parent afternoon last week was a great success, based upon the turnout and feedback from staff. I saw many photos of enthusiastic students explaining their work to mum or dad. It is always pleasing to have community members at our school. We try to run many events to get people into the school and to work as partners in the education of the students. From post school options information evenings to Biggest Morning Tea and Market Day, there is always something happening. It has been a very busy last few weeks and these events require a lot of work to set up so thankyou to all the teams involved, in particular Mrs Pears, Mr Hussein and Mrs Griffin.

Stay in touch via our social media platforms following AIR Bear’s adventures and school events. The school band played on Sunday 30th June at Badlands in the city.

As always, if you have any questions about your child’s progress contact the school to arrange an appointment.

Congratulations to our ESSN Art Award winners, Abbie and Lakesha, who won a $25 gift card each. Next term’s theme is NAIDOC. As a school we will be well placed to enter as the students have done a lot of learning about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, language and culture.

Well done to all our student award winners at the assembly and special mention to the year 10 students for staging the assembly. I am sure staff are looking forward to the school holidays as they have certainly earned it and we look forward to term 3. I hope that everyone has a safe and enjoyable vacation period.

Andrew Wilson

The Adventures of AIR Bear

Air Bear has returned from an amazing holiday in Hawaii, where she thoroughly enjoyed herself.

Middle School Open Day

On 19 June, parents/caregivers were invited to attend a very successful open class room event where they enjoyed very impressive displays of students’ work. Thank you to everyone who attended.

Art - Papier Mache cakes

Post School Options Evening

Cannington Community ESC held our annual Post School Options Evening on Wednesday 19th June 2019. This evening provides parents, carers, students, staff and providers the opportunity to network and gain valuable information about support services available.

Our school is proud to be able to promote successful student transitions and help plan pathways that are individualised to the student but also derived from their personal hopes and dreams.

This year we had 29 different providers attend to host and promote their service. This is the most we have had at this event since its opening. We also had 53 school family members attend – including parents, carers and students. We are honoured to have such a strong school culture.

During the evening we had two guest speakers – the first from the Department of Human Services speaking about Centrelink enquiries, Medicare and the My Gov App. We also had Developmental Disability WA present about the importance of pre-planning for NDIS and what parents and carers can expect for their planning meeting.

Events like this would not occur if it wasn’t for our hard working WPL coordinators and team. We thank you so much for your efforts.

Developmental Disability WA are taking expressions of Interest now for their next session on Planning for our NDIS – this will be a more personalised approach to helping families plan for their meeting. If you are interested, please contact our school office on 9351 2480 for middle school and 9356 4996 for senior school.

Angela Whittington

Class Updates

7MST

The end of semester 1 is closely approaching. We have worked hard in year 7 and the blood, sweat and tears have paid off. Our fantastic reports show just how far we have all come in a rather short period. Our hard work has truly paid off.

We have been reading “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” this term. We have enjoyed the many ways Mrs Martlew and Mr Smith have incorporated this into our learning. We have especially enjoyed any learning experiences that have allowed us to taste test. Learning about probability was fun using jelly beans, but the most exciting for us was the skittles rainbow science experiment. We have also just completed exploding lunch bags in science which at times was messy and noisy, but also so cool.

Rainbow skittles

In week 7 we were very excited to go on an excursion to Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Lesmurdie. We learnt so much about various Australian fauna and even got to touch some of them, with the snake being the most popular, but also scariest.

Charline Martlew

7WS

In between getting things ready for Market Day, the students of 7WS have been putting the final touches on their fabulous Papier Mache cakes in art, have been stepping up the chicken maintenance to make sure they are looked after in these colder months and have also enjoyed an amazing excursion.

Awesome cakes!

The class went up to the Lesmurdie hills to visit Kanyana Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and had a great day learning about the native wildlife of our state. The staff at Kanyana showed us plenty of different animals with many opportunities to hold some of the reptiles, feed some of the birds and to see different size eggs from a wide variety of different egg laying animals.

It was great for the students to see where their hard earned fundraising money from the sale of chicken eggs at school was actually going. They all left Kanyana with a greater appreciation of the natural environment around them and the animals within it.

The following are the thoughts from some our students on their visit to Kanyana:

I liked the trip to Kanyana. It was amazing to see all the animals. I enjoyed seeing the bilby and I learnt that his tail has a claw on the end of it. Lachlan

I enjoyed looking at the snakes. Ryan

I loved looking at the tawny frogmouth at Kanyana Wildlife Centre. I watched the volunteers feeding the tawny frogmouth with the king worms. Isaac

We went on the white bus to Kanyana and we listened to music. I enjoyed seeing the emu running fast. Amy

I liked looking at all the animals at Kanyana. The centre helps the animals get better so they can go back into the wild. The emu was my favourite as it kept walking. It walked up and down, backwards and forwards. Monique

I liked the emu because I could copy his walk. Dylan

Michael Smith

8C

Brendan Cunnane

8S

The start of this term saw the “AIR Bear” leave Perth with Mrs Sands and travel to Canada and Alaska. We, as a class, had been tracking her journey as Mrs. Sands was keeping us updated via email. The second half of this term began by welcoming the “AIR Bear” who returned to school and shared her wonderful stories and experience with us. The most exciting part was that she brought snow from Canada and we all got to touch and feel the snow which was soft and cool.

Welcome home AIR Bear

Alongside our usual lessons, this term has been bustling with activities and events like the cross country race, zero2hero day, Biggest Morning Tea and parent open day.

Three of us participated in the cross country race which was organised by the college and are proud to have successfully completed the race. We participated in the Biggest Morning Tea organised by the senior school students, making our contribution in supporting the cause. The parent open day was exciting as we got to show our classroom and all the work we do at school to our parents.

We have been practicing our money skills and are looking forward to Market Day on Friday, 28th June as we have got our fridge magnets and key chains ready for sale.

Susan Solomon

8W

This term has flown by with lots of learning and achievements. We have been learning about prejudice and how it can be a negative attitude that can harm people. We were interested to learn the history of prejudice that our own country has with regards to our indigenous people. We also discussed how opinions of groups of people can be influenced by the media.

Earlier this term we had Shamira from year 9 come and talk to us about Braille. She brought her Braille machine (which looks a lot like a typewriter) and let us have a go at typing our own names. We asked lots of questions and afterwards we researched what braille is, how it was invented and learned about the story of Louis Braille.

We have also spent time acquiring volunteer hours for the IGNITE award by cooking soup in the slow cooker each week to donate to the local RSL on Fridays. So far we have cooked pumpkin, chicken and vegetable, and beef and vegetable soup.

This Friday is Market Day. We have been practising our money skills leading up to it so that we are able to calculate change for the different amounts of money we might receive. This has been a difficult concept for some of us, but we are looking forward to having real life practise on Market Day.

Lastly, we have continued to work in our vegetable garden. We have been harvesting rainbow chard, lettuce and Asian greens. The potato plants are looking healthy, as are the broccolini, cauliflower and cabbage. It will be fun to harvest some new vegetables soon.

We also have some mushroom kits in our classroom and we are able to harvest a few mushrooms at a time.

The coming term will have a focus on the environment as well as completing our IGNITE and ASDAN awards for the year, so we are expecting some busy and exciting times.

Rhoda Whelan

Henry making Kimchi for Market Day

9JJ

Thank you Mr Bernardo!

9JJ is very sad that Mr Bernardo is leaving as we have shared so many happy memories with him. Each Monday morning our class begins the day with Drumbeat. The Drumbeat session is taught by Mr Bernardo and is a fantastic way to start the week.

Mr Bernardo is often the very first person we see in the morning when we go to Breakfast Club. Whilst it may be early, we can be very sure that Mr Bernardo is there waiting for us with toast, fruit, pancakes and many other treats.

Having fun at Drum Beat

Last week the year 9 students went on an excursion to Kings Park for our Aboriginal studies and were fortunate enough to have Mr Bernardo join us. It was a fantastic day, but very sad when we all got together for a group photo with Mr Bernardo. The students of 9JJ wish you all the best for the future!

Enjoying Kings Park

Zero2hero Day

On Friday 21 June we celebrated zero2hero day. Zero2hero is a WA-based association dedicated to increasing the understanding of mental health issues and the awareness of mental health services among children and young people through innovative programs and events.

Students are asked to dress as their favourite hero to acknowledge this day. It was very funny in our class as Shamira chose to attend and come as her hero, Miss Sera. We could hardly tell the difference as Shamira had even painted her nails bright orange.

Shamira and Miss Sera

Kings Park

As part of the Aboriginal studies program, the year 9 students attended an excursion to the Kings Park Education Centre. The students participated in activities that followed the footsteps of the Noongar people. We were able to experience first-hand how the resources provided by the land and water were traditionally used, and how the seasons dictated their availability and sustainable use. Oleman Walley, the Aboriginal presenter talked about their culture, discussing the six Nyoongar seasons, special places within the Park, and how plants were traditionally used for food, medicine, tools and shelter.

It was a fantastic opportunity to learn so much about the Nyoongar history and culture. One of the highlights was walking across the ‘Treetop Walk’ which was quite scary as it was very high up from the ground. The bridge is over 500 metres through the Western Australian Botanic Garden.

Tree Top Walk

Market Day Promotion

9JJ is serious about Market Day!! We have started promoting our products using posters and ‘walking signs’ to stir up business. Our class will be selling table sets which include 4 placemats, 4 coasters and 4 serviette rings. We have already taken three pre-orders. We will also be selling our famous healthy sausage rolls. We are looking forward to this Friday where we have the opportunity to buy many products that have been made by other classes.

Judi Janes

Advertising for Market Day

10S

Term 2 has been an exciting time for 10S as the students have been working hard to learn and make a difference within the community. For business management enterprise, we have been learning about different types of products and services. We have used this knowledge to make dog biscuits and design packaging to sell them at Market Day.

We have also been fortunate enough to be able to help out the community by making food for HD Streetwise to give to the homeless on the weekends.

Making cookies to donate to HD Streetwise

During recreational pursuits we have been working on our golfing skills and we have all shown good improvement. This is only a small sample of the amount of work that has been done in 10S this term.

Jason working on his golf skills

Finally, 10S would like to say farewell to Mr Bernardo and wish him all the best for the future.

Jacob Sands

Angus and Malachi saying farewell to Mr Bernardo

Group 1

Term 2 has been a very busy time in Group 1! Some of our highlights have been participating in the Biggest Morning Tea and Market Day, attending workplace learning, attending Deep Water Point, Point Walter and Burswood Circuit as part of HPE practical activities, learning about occupational health and safety at school and in the workplace and winning awesome prizes from the class prize box after counting AIR tokens.

Jenny Lockyer

Occupational health and safety training

This term we have welcomed Jason and Mrs Marshall to our class and we are sad to be farewelling Mrs Athanasiou who will be spending more time in her student services role next semester.

Another exciting new development is that each Monday we share a joke or two with each other. Below are some of our favourite jokes. We hope you enjoy them.

Luke’s Jokes

Zac’s Jokes

Chey’s Jokes

Kevin’s Jokes

Joseph’s Jokes

Jason’s Jokes

Group 2

The second half of term 2 has been productive as our students have worked exceptionally hard to make sure that their unit assessments are up to date.

The students have also been working on our enterprise program in preparation for Market Day which is on 28th June. Each individual has played a pivotal role in making sure the product is completed on time. It is fantastic to witness our students taking pride and showing leadership along the process.

Our community service team, along with Sevenoaks Senior College, organised the Biggest Morning Tea. We managed to raise a total of $703.10! All the money raised will go towards the Cancer Council Australia. I am sure they will appreciate very cent. Special thanks to all the wonderful staff at Cannington Community ESC and Sevenoaks Senior College for providing all the fantastic snacks and Sevenoaks Senior College for donating $110 through their morning tea raffle. We would like to thank Muskaan Malik’s family for their generous donation. Congratulations to Katrina Johnson, the winner of the bike raffle. All in all, the community service team did a fantastic job in preparing and running the event. Thank you all for your wonderful support and contribution.

Mustafa Hussein

Group 3

We have had a busy end to the term, including learning how to prepare for a successful job interview during English lessons. Next term we will be having mock interviews with an external provider and it will be interesting to see how the students handle their interviews.

During DFES lessons some students are learning bush survival skills, including building shelters and solar stills.

It was pleasing to see some of our students riding over 10kms during our excursion at Point Walter. They are all getting better at riding and they enjoyed bush walking on Herrison Island and getting up close and personal with some kangaroos.

We have had some exciting news with Mitchell and Rebecca gaining part time employment. Rebecca had her first day at work last Thursday and it was great to see her so nervous and yet so excited.

Dwayne Griffin

Group 4

Group 4 has been working hard as always. Congratulations to Lakesha Long for winning the Education Support Schools Network Art competition for term 2 and to Tyson Worthington for making the state football team!

Lakesha’s winning entry

Here are some of the topics we have been covering this term:

• English: We are learning about the purpose of job interviews and will soon be conducting mock interviews at school. The year 11 foundation students created an advertisement and wrote an article about the process.
• Mathematics: In foundation mathematics the students have been planning trips using the Transperth app; in year 11 preliminary mathematics the students have been learning about multiplication and division and how they are related; in year 12 mathematics the students have been learning about measurement in cooking.
• Health and physical outdoor education: The year 11 students have been creating an instructional video about snorkelling and completing fitness testing; year 12 students have been learning about factors influencing their health and how to promote health.
• DFES: Year 11 students learnt how to make a bush shelter and the year 12 students have been learning about ambulance emergencies – how and when to call an ambulance.
• Life coaching: The year 11s have completed their first assessment in life coaching. Next term they will be focussing on their MAP goals for their second assessment.
• Music Rocks: The students have been working hard to perfect their new set of songs for their next big performance at Badlands Bar, Aberdeen Street, Perth on the 30th July 2019!

Certificate II in Construction

Year 12 student, Ethan Barbatano, is currently enrolled in Certificate II in Construction Pathways at Rockingham TAFE. During the past two terms, Ethan has attended weekly to learn the skills required to lay bricks and build a small wall. His latest project is building a letterbox and is learning how to carry out measurement and calculations. Ethan will learn how to render and tile a wall, along with some carpentry skills and we are sure that he will continue his positive attitude and hard work to complete the course.

Stephanie Brown

Making an Advertisement

As part of our English assessment in term 2, Hugo and I made an advertisement about drinking water and its benefits to demonstrate the skills we learnt throughout the term. We learned about the types of ads that are on TV and different strategies that are used to attract the audience to buy and/or believe something, such as:

• Weasel words, used to suggest a true meaning without really making a guarantee.
• Bribery, which means something extra.
• Pathos, used to ignite an emotional response.
• Logos, used to state facts of the product/services.
• Ethos, to convince you that the company is reliable and that you should buy its product/services.

Then we made our own advertisement using some of the techniques involved. First, we planned how we would record the ad by putting the script and the facts we wanted to use with the video/action we would film in a storyboard. Then we filmed the video at our outdoor basketball area. We took turns filming each other. I felt shy in front of the camera. When we finished filming, we chose the best scenes to keep. Then I put the videos together to make one commercial using Windows Movie Maker, a video editing program that I commonly use on my PC.

I’m really happy with the finished product. If I were to do this activity again, I would plan out the ad properly and be more confident.

Zidane Hartono

Zidane and Hugo working on the advertisement

Pathways

The Pathways students have been busy preparing their enterprises for Market Day. During the year they have been tending to the worm farm. They have collected and received donations of food scraps to give to the worms. It was very exciting the first time the castings (worm wee) ran from the worm farm tap. The worm wee was then poured into bags ready for customers. Students have also been busy making hanging pots using macramé methods and then planting herbs and other plants into them.

Along with making their products during enterprise classes, the students have also designed their own logos, made posters and produced labels for the “Worm Wee” and hanging pots.

Cindi Griffin

Making hanging pots

Art

Congratulations to the students of 7MST and 7WS, who have worked incredibly hard over the semester to complete their Papier-Mache cakes. They have done an amazing job and the results speak for themselves! Special congratulations to Abbie Gliddon, whose ‘Frozen’ cake won the term 2 ESSN Art Award. Well done!

Carissa Thomas

Design and Technology

Year 7

Year 7 students have been making a Cessna 172 aero plane replica model. This project has involved students being introduced to the wood lathe to turn the nose cones. The propeller for this model is made from acrylic which is cut out on a scroll saw. I have enjoyed working with students who are feeling confident to have a go at both machines.

Lachlan using the wood lathe

Year 8

Year 8 woodwork students have completed and painted a jewellery box and begun to make a formula 1 race car. To make the components of this model, students need to use the fixed belt sanding machines and a jigsaw to create the body panel shape so that it is aerodynamic in the formula 1 style.

Year 9

Year 9 woodwork students have recently completed an Apache helicopter replica model and have started a monster truck. The monster truck model gives students the freedom to customise the body panel shapes and decals. The wooden wheels are quite large and require students to be patient as it takes time for a hole saw in the drill press to cut them out.

Taimana shaping his monster truck

Academy

Students who selected jewellery as a hobby for academy have completed their pendants that are made by creating a cuttlefish bone mould and pouring liquid pewter into them. The pewter then solidifies into the designer’s planned shape. After casting, there is quite a long process using hand tools and electrical polishing equipment to complete each piece.

Making jewellery

Tradestart

Tradestart students have completed a safety induction to sheet metal working. This has included addressing personal safety when working with steel, and the safe use of specialist machines such as a guillotine and magna bender. The class has made a paper model to practice marking out prior to beginning fabricating a sheet metal tool box. Completion of this tool box will require students to become competent using cordless drills and pop rivets to assemble all of the components. This metalworking module will include a look at the manufacture of steel and the properties that make it a product in high demand for many uses.

Mark Arrantash

Luke operating the magna bender

Key for life Program - Senior School Driver Education

Students participating in the Keys for Life Program have completed all of the theory modules and are beginning to attempt online theory tests with great results! We plan to conduct the formal testing for learner’s permits early next term. It is also planned for students to undertake a practical course in basic car maintenance and explore the world of purchasing a second hand car. It would be wonderful if the parents/caregivers of students undertaking this program could share their driving experiences and observations on the road with their student as they drive around. Many students undertaking this program are very keen, and would enjoy sharing your knowledge.

Mark Arrantash

Workplace Learning

Senior School

Wow! What a term we have had! Term 2 has been so very productive with several students gaining employment.

Huge congratulations to Rebecca Percival, Mitchell Keene, Eugini Paesu and Hannah Khalil who have all successfully gained part time, after school employment with K-Mart. Thank you to Edge Employment Solutions for the assistance you provided for our students.

Well done to Jayden Stevens for reaching his goal of securing supported employment at Workpower.

We would like to commend Mitchell Keene, Katie Usher and Pearle Kickett-Littlely for increasing their independence while travelling to the workplace.

Zac Leheste has completed a three-day Try-a-Trade course where he travelled to and from Thornlie TAFE independently. Zac was able to try Painting & Decorating and Bricklaying to decide if these were a path that he would like to follow.

Next term we have three students participating in Passport 2 Employment Program. We are sure Brandon Corby, Callum McSorley-Hayes and Elvis Lewis will represent the school well. This course will give the students confidence and practical skills in preparation for the transition from school to the wider community.

We had a very successful Post School Options Information afternoon with many agencies providing valuable information. We are looking forward to organising another informational meeting to help parents who are preparing for their planning meetings for NDIS.

Carollyn Pears

School Chaplain

Living the Moment

‘Living in the moment’ - ‘Life is available only in the present moment. If you abandon the present moment you cannot live the moments of your daily life deeply’ [Thich Nhat Hanh]

One of my favourite challenging phrases in one of my favourite books talks about ‘making the most of every opportunity’. It’s easy to become distracted by many things – I often have more than one thing ‘on the go’ at a time. Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens. When we practice mindfulness, our thoughts tune into what we're sensing in the present moment, rather than rehashing the past or imagining the future. We only need to ‘be present in the now’.

Robin Williams’ character in “Dead Poets Society’ challenges his students to ‘seize the day’. What do you do to ‘seize the day’, to get the most out of your day? When someone says ‘have a great day’, how do you approach that day, and all it’s moments, to get ‘the most out of every opportunity’? All we have is NOW. Let’s see those around us, see nature around us, understand how life is affecting us, and choose to use our time wisely, with whatever life presents us. Let’s live every moment with openness to whatever potential lies in that moment.

Quote of the week: “Happiness cannot be travelled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.” [Denis Waitley]

Edgar Reyes

Key Word Sign – using our hands to talk!

The students have been making great progress in their signing. Some teachers have really embraced it, coming up with interesting new ways of integrating it into the Curriculum.

Mr Sands’ year 10 class has been learning to sign the Australian National Anthem. Hopefully by the end of term 3, all students will have at least learned and had a good go at it.

The year 10 students have also learned Key Word Signs along with Noongar. We can look forward to them sharing this with the rest of the school. Keep up your great work and enthusiasm!

Mr Cunnane’s class has been practising their new signs every day, as part of their morning routine. This is an interactive, multimedia activity which incorporates videos from the Auslan Signbank website, which also integrates their learning of The Zones of Regulation. Well done!

Carissa Thomas

Office Information

Payments

Thank you to everyone who has paid their contributions. Just a reminder you can pay your contributions by EFTPOS, direct debit or by a payment plan. Please contact the office to arrange a payment plan. All contributions for years 11 and 12 students are compulsory. Our bank details are BSB 016 270 A/C 340822406 (when using online banking please remember to state your student’s name in the details box otherwise we cannot identify the relevant student).

Middle School Parking

We have new parking bays for 2019. 2 visitor bays are now located at the school entrance. Please note that parking is not permitted in the drive way as indicated by the ‘no stopping’ markers and yellow line, as this causes a traffic jam on Wharf Street and is dangerous for students. Your cooperation would be appreciated. Parents are welcome to park down the side of the school near the bus bays.

Visiting the School

All visitors must sign in at Reception/Business Centre and receive a yellow visitor label.

Tanya Buchan

Just like physical fitness, mental fitness takes regular effort

Good mental health allows young people to deal with the changes and challenges life throws at them and live their lives in a positive and meaningful way. It includes things like being able to work and study, deal with day-to-day life stress, feel connected to others, be involved in activities in the community and ‘bounce back’ when things go wrong.

Just like physical fitness, mental fitness takes regular effort. There are lots of things that family and friends can do to support a young person to look after their mental health. Here are some things you can encourage your young person to do to build their mental fitness every day.

One of the most effective ways to support young people to look after their mental health is to model healthy habits yourself, so it’s a good idea for you to practise some of these tips as well.

Get enough sleep

Sleep is really important for young people and their mental health. You can help them by encouraging regular sleep routines and gently helping them get up in the morning. Encourage them to switch off or reduce the time they spend on their phone or devices a few hours before bedtime. You can also help them to make their bedroom cool, quiet and dark during the night.

Keep learning

Setting goals and learning new things are really important for your young person’s mental health. You can help by talking to your young person about their interests and hobbies and encouraging them to take part in them. You may want to help them find a hobby group or learn more about a topic they are interested in. Helping them to set realistic and achievable goals, while celebrating their achievements, can be really empowering for them. Listening to their challenges and disappointments is also important.

Eat well

Eating well can improve your young person’s mood, energy levels and general health and wellbeing. Cooking nutritious meals and encouraging your young person to fill up on good food (like veggies, fruit and whole grains) and drink plenty of water is good for their physical and mental development. This also teaches them to set up healthy habits for their future.

Stay active

Regular exercise can help your young person to sleep better, improve their ability to cope and boost their mood. Regular physical activity is also related to better wellbeing, which can lower depression and anxiety levels. Going for a walk with your young person can help increase their activity level and provides a great opportunity to talk. Supporting them to find a sport that they enjoy and encouraging active interests in your young person are also great ways to facilitate exercise.

Connect

Spending time with friends and family (including pets) and people in the community is an essential part of being human, and can really strengthen your young person’s mental health and wellbeing. Regularly spend time connecting with your young person by setting up an activity that you both enjoy – like a regular walk, a hot drink together after dinner or a drive. Ask questions and listen without judgement to your young person. You can also encourage and support meaningful and healthy friendships. Listen to their concerns about relationships and encourage opportunities for them to make new friends in the community.

Relax

Taking a moment to slow things down is important for both physical and mental health. Encouraging regular relaxing activities, especially during stressful times, can help your young person develop a routine. There are many ways to relax – like having a warm bath, writing a journal, reading a book, listening to slow music, stretching or sipping a warm drink.

You may want to learn about techniques to relax the body and manage thoughts and feelings, such as ‘progressive muscle relaxation’, ‘relaxation exercises’, ‘creative visualisation’, ‘mindfulness’ and breathing practices.

A few websites and free apps that can help are listed here:

Learn the steps involved in progressive muscle relaxation and get tips on what to do if you’re not getting the hang of it.

Learn about lots of different types of relaxation exercises, including deep breathing, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, creative visualisation and yoga.

Learn mindfulness meditation techniques to help reduce pressure and stress in your daily life. Many students at CCESC are currently using the Smiling Mind App and feedback from both students and staff has been overwhelmingly positive.

Learn breathing exercises to help reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety.

For more information please visit the link below or chat to one of our friendly staff members.

Katherine Athanasiou

Information from the Community Health Nurse

Sex - talking to your child

Parents often feel uncomfortable raising this topic with their children, but young people need accurate information about sex and sexuality in order to be able to negotiate sexual relationships safely and responsibly and to become sexually healthy adults.

Your child will hear information from many sources, but as the most influential role model in your child’s life you have an important role to play in ensuring that your child receives the information that allows them to make safe and healthy choices.

Useful Resources

'Talk soon. Talk often. A guide for parents talking to their kids about sex' is an excellent book that will help you with tricky conversations. Get your free copy at:

Try the ‘Get the Facts’ website and discuss with your child -

SECCA - a non-profit organization designed to support people with disabilities, in their efforts to learn about human relationships, sexuality and sexual health across the lifespan; as well as helping them to develop skills that will empower them to make informed choices, while acknowledging their own individual capacity to enhance the quality of their lives.

SECCA App - The SECCA App is a free innovative resource to support access to relationships and sexuality education for people of all ages and abilities. Register for free at:

If you have a concern about your child’s development, please contact your local Community Health Nurse, Amy Myles on 9351 2411.

Baby think it over

Senior students have been wondering how to skip our ‘Baby Think It Over’ classes this term, in fact in general! Christina, from Red Ginger Services visited our school again to show students what it would be like to be in the third trimester of pregnancy. She brought along a pregnancy vest that students could wear to experience how difficult it might be to complete the simplest of tasks. Weighing around 10kg, it had many perplexed at how to tie up shoelaces or get up from the floor. One very keen student tried taking a short run with the vest on, testing out the recommendation of “taking it easy”. While learning about making informed choices in these classes, students always get a laugh at the real challenges parenting throws at you!

Holly Coombe

Feeling the discomfort of the pregnancy vest

Farewell from Bernardo Dewey, Student Support Coordinator

As I prepare to transition from my role at Cannington Community ESC into my new role at UWA, I have come to realise just how fortunate I have been to be part of such a wonderful school and team for the past four years. During this time, I have had the pleasure of watching our students grow, develop and reach many milestones.

It has been a real privilege to work with the CCESC community and an honour getting to know you all. I am going to miss coming to school every day. Although, I will miss it dearly I will not be too far away – this time I’m not moving overseas! - and will most definitely be popping into CCESC from time to time to HOLA!!

Bernardo Dewey

Enjoying camp

Transperth - track your child’s bus or train trip live

Following the progress of your child’s trip to school and back has never been easier. With the Transperth app, you’ll know exactly how far away their service is, when it departs and when it has safely reached its destination.

Once you’ve downloaded the app, you simply select the service you want to monitor. As soon as the bus or train starts its trip, a yellow LIVE icon will appear. You can then follow its progress along the route map in real time.

As a bonus, you can also save your regular journeys and routes for quick access.

To make your travel even easier you can link the app to your Transperth My Account. Then you can manage your SmartRider, SmartParker and My Alert subscriptions, all from the same place.

The Transperth app is free and easy to use.

Android and iOS versions are ready for you to download now at the App Store and Google Play. Please see link below: