Notices

As a result of the global pandemic, there has been a noticeable shift in the amount of time people spend on screen-based devices. Families are transitioning back to pre-COVID routines but many are still struggling to re-establish the boundaries and rules around screen use. Some continue to deal with digital conflict and tech-tantrums on a daily basis. The latest research found that 77% of teenagers spend more than five hours on screens per day, but it is important to note that not all screen time is considered equal.

Parents play a crucial role in modelling a positive and healthy approach to using screens and assisting children to navigate the content they watch. It is better to model and mentor screen use, rather than monitor it. Children tend to do more of what they see us do, and less of what we tell them to do. However, it is still important to outline the risks and highlight the benefits of screen use to ensure you keep a balanced attitude. Encourage discussions around the issues that people experience in monitoring their screen time and be honest about your own difficulties.

Parents need to remain firm in their approach to managing screen time. Excessive screen time can be detrimental to a child’s overall wellbeing. Ensuring the correct privacy settings are in place is vital to prevent children from being inadvertently exposed to inappropriate content or online predators. Parents need to also be mindful of the potential impact screen time can have on a child’s social, emotional, educational, behavioural, and even physical domains.

In this edition of SchoolTV, care-givers will be provided with a range of guidelines and strategies to help manage screen time at home. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this month’s edition, and we always welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to this month’s edition https://igssyd.nsw.schooltv.me/newsletter/managing-screen-time

See more information about the Primary School Disco and buy tickets here.

Year 11 families are invited to attend The Butcher and The Farmer on Sunday 29 May from 3 to 5pm.

You can purchase your tickets here.

New families are especially warmly welcomed to attend.

Any questions feel free to contact:

• Karen (Lola’s mum) 0419 361 453
• Lisa (AJs mum) 0409 231 999
• Lynda (Ollie’s mum) 0431 695 965
• Ellen (Hattie’s mum) 0418 355 369

PTF IGS parent volunteers with WWCC clearance are invited to assist at the Spooky Friday 13 May Primary School disco
Kindy to Year 3: 3pm to 4.30pm
Years 4 to 6: 5pm to 6.30pm

The PTF Primary School Spooky Friday Disco will be held on Friday 13 May.

The AGM was held on Thursday 31 March, and a new PTF committee was voted in for 2022.

Executive Positions are as follows:

President Hayley Dean

Vice President High School  Remains Open

Vice-President Primary School and Early Learning  Sofia Zeritis

Secretary Melissa Wroniak

Treasurer Lisa Story

PTF Representative Coordinator(s) Anuja Sawant (Early Learning), Kim Thomas (Kindergarten to Year 3), Virginie Vernin (Years 4 to 6)

Please see the “Committee Members page” for a full list of the PTF Committee Members.

Former PTF President Andrea Belunek presented the 2021 Presidents report. We deeply and sincerely thank Andrea for all she has achieved for IGS over the last 8 years. In her address, new President Hayley Dean said “Andrea, you have been so incredibly kind and generous with your time. Thank you, especially given the fact that you really don’t have to answer my calls or even be here tonight! Thank you so so much. You have left enormous shoes to fill” The entire PTF (and School) wish Andrea and her family all the very best in their future endeavors. 

Unfortunately Former Treasurer extraordinaire Helene Fogerty, who was also set to present her 2021 report, was struck down with COVID and passed on her apologies. Again, we can not thank Helene and her husband Brain for all they have done, the hundreds, if not thousands of volunteering hours they have completed for IGS. Helene will most sincerely be missed by all in the PTF.

On a personal note, I quite literally fell into the role of Acting PTF President at the start of Term 1 and although I was extraordinarily reluctant at first, I have begun to truly value and appreciate this amazing opportunity to support the school my partner and I have chosen to help mold our beautiful boys into the amazing men we know they will be.

The greatest blessing has honestly been getting to know so many people in the IGS Community.

2022 will see a First Nations Coordinator role added to the PTF Committee. Working with Jade Carr and Lucy Howard-Shibuya, it is our hope that we as parents begin to listen, respect and learn from our first nations people alongside our children. The IGS acknowledgement of Country will now be spoken at the start of all PTF meetings.

This is a brand new beginning that we are all very excited about.

Moving forward into 2022, the PTF will continue to remain on our heartfelt mission to help unify the school community through fundraising efforts and events.

The Strategic Plan 2022-2026 notes Aspirations of “Deeper Learning” and “Connectedness” – areas we believe the PTF Committee can offer the greatest value. 

We look forward to “Going Deep and Producing great things” together.

Hayley Dean

IGS PTF President

Australian Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly and Coordinator-General of the National COVID Vaccine Taskforce Lieutenant General John Frewen DSC AM has asked that schools share this message with parents and carers prior to the end of first term to encourage and remind them to book COVID-19 vaccinations for their children if they have not already done so:

Over 50 per cent of all children aged 5 to 11 have now received a first dose, with many now due for a second dose (eight weeks after the first). In particular as we approach school holidays and the weather cools down, it is important to take steps to minimise the impact of COVID-19. Vaccines are a safe and effective way to protect your child, and the community.

The Department of Health website provides a number of resources with further information about seeking COVID-19 vaccination. Attached is a Fact Sheet which you could use to have a conversation with your child. Further resources are also available here.

Vaccines are widely available across the country at general practices, pharmacies, state-run clinics and Aboriginal Health Services. You can find a participating clinic and make an appointment by visiting the Vaccine Clinic Finder.

Thank you for your efforts to keep your child and the wider school community safe.

We invite the IGS community to view this newly created IGS Parent Communications Summary of all the different platforms utilised by the School and their purpose. View the summary here.

We are pleased to advise that a new edition of this valuable safety
resource is now valuable online with updated safety content.

We urge all parents and carers to download this latest edition and
discuss the safety content with your children. Read the new edition here.

Vaping is becoming a trendy pastime that is growing in popularity across Australia, especially amongst teenagers. It is the act of inhaling a vapour created by an electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette. Many teenagers are succumbing to peer pressure around this risk-taking activity due to the ease of accessing and hiding vapes. They are often cheaper than conventional cigarettes, making it more cost-effective and attractive to young people.

Although under 18s are not legally allowed to purchase any type of e-cigarette or vaping product in Australia, teenagers are finding ways to access them online. Australia has strict regulations in place for nicotine-containing products, and attempts are being made to regulate vaping and ban the importation of them. Many of the flavoured liquids associated with vaping, contain not only high levels of nicotine, but other potentially harmful additives. Many of these “e-liquids” contain chemicals that are likely to be toxic, that when inhaled or vaped repeatedly, can cause severe damage to the lungs.

Vaping is often marketed as being the “healthy” alternative to smoking. However, doctors strongly advise that if you do not smoke, then you should not start vaping. Most teenagers are unaware of the associated risks and potential impact vaping can have on their development and overall health. Parents are encouraged to discuss the dangers of nicotine addiction and include e-cigarettes in the discussion alongside alcohol and drugs.

This Special Report highlights the facts around vaping and e-cigarettes and what are the potential risks. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report https://igssyd.nsw.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-vaping-au

Around the world, people are saddened and devastated by the events unfolding in Ukraine. Both adults and young people alike are feeling the stresses of war from afar as they experience fear, frustration and helplessness. The 24 hour news cycle has shown us upsetting images raising many questions, especially for our young people, about what is happening.

Parents and caregivers need to be guided by their child’s curiosity. There is strong evidence to suggest that having a supportive discussion about a stressful event in a developmentally appropriate way, can actually decrease distress. It’s best to “name it, to tame it.” This will also combat any misinformation to which they have most likely already been exposed to through social media, pictures or video clips.

Children need to know that they are being taken seriously. So it is recommended that you don’t avoid the difficult questions. Ensure you address their questions honestly and sensitively. With less life experience than adults, young people may need help navigating news about this crisis. Use this is as an opportunity to model and encourage compassionate views towards fellow humans, regardless of distance or circumstance.

This Special Report offers guidance on how best to discuss the conflict in Ukraine. We hope you take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report https://igssyd.nsw.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-conflict-ukraine-au

Please see here a recent update from the Uniform Shop in regards to winter uniforms.

Due to the pandemic, recent world events in the Ukraine and the impacts of the floods in Queensland and NSW, the world we now live in is a very different place. The hyperconnected nature of our current environment means that we are constantly being reminded of the challenges we face via numerous media and social media channels. Our connectivity to the digital world exposes us to a barrage of messages that can leave us feeling overwhelmed. As a result, many children and their parents are reporting higher levels of stress and anxiety.

Unfortunately, our brains have not evolved fast enough to adapt to this digital landscape. The combination of constant access to information and having little control over the situations presented, can be stressful and overwhelming. It is therefore important for adult carers to check in with their children and be aware of what information they may have been exposed to. It may not necessarily be the information itself that is harmful, but more their inability to process and make sense of it. Providing children with the skills and strategies to cope will enable them to flourish and thrive, socially, emotionally and academically.

The blueprint for parenting, based on our own experiences, is no longer fit for purpose in raising kids as citizens of tomorrow. This can be inherently stressful and overwhelming, not only for parents and carers, but children alike. If left untreated or unmanaged, constant stress and anxiety can lead to a number of behavioural issues or health consequences.

This Special Report suggests a number of strategies to help manage any feelings of overwhelm that you or your child may be experiencing. We hope you take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report https://igssyd.nsw.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-managing-overwhelm

See here for more information about the Sustainable School Shop, a PTF initative to assist the community with the buying and selling of secondhand textbooks and uniforms!