Kingston State School is OPEN!!

Principal Update

We will be open on Wednesday, 12th March!

Please note the following:

** Access to some Year 5/6 classrooms will not be available until mid afternoon on Wednesday.  Students will work from alternate classrooms for this time.  This is due to a tree currently leaning on a F Block.  The area will be cordoned off and this tree will be removed in the morning.  The building itself has been deemed safe.

** It will be a full wet weather lunch and play.

** The tuckshop will be running on a limited menu for this week.

** Breakfast club will be on for our students, but stock may be limited.

** In some cases, students will not have their normal class teacher.

** Please note for your Year 3 and Year 5 families - NAPLAN will start next week.  Please refer to previous newsletters for further information about this.

** Guidance Officer Update **

Dear Parents and Caregivers,

A traumatic event is any situation that we experience as being distressing or frightening, including natural disasters. You may be wondering how you can help your child to be resilient during and after the cyclone and flooding we have experienced.

Parents/caregivers can:

• Be aware of your own reactions. Children pick up on emotions of the adults around them. If they sense that you are feeling anxious or scared, they can also feel this way.
• Monitor media exposure, especially the repeated graphic images on tv/internet.
• Provide age appropriate information to younger children – too much information can make them confused and worried. Give accurate and basic information and use Birdie’s stories to help your child understand what has occurred.
• Be empathic and encourage them to express their worries in their own words.
• Provide assurance about their safety.
• Make an effort to maintain routine and continue with familiar activities – this will help them to feel secure. As soon as it is safe to return to school, ensure they attend.
• Ensure that you see your GP if you think your child needs additional or more intensive support.

Today and over the coming weeks, you may be concerned about your child’s reaction or expression of feelings. If you have concerns about your child’s wellbeing, we encourage you to talk to your GP first and to also let our school guidance officers know.

Children’s Health Queensland have a series of age appropriate online books to support children understand what has occurred during significant events.  Their book series includes: Birdie and the flood, Birdie and the cyclone, Birdie and the storm and Birdie and the shelter. These stories help children to learn about what happens during and after storm events, to work through sad or scary feelings and understand they will feel safe and happy again.  Birdie’s stories can be accessed at: https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/our-work/birdies-tree-natural-disaster-recovery/birdies-tree-storybooks.

For up to date information on road closures, public transport and for support (including emergency accommodation, food and financial support), the City of Logan Disaster Dashboard has a wealth of information: https://disaster.logan.qld.gov.au/.

Over the coming weeks, ACCORAS will be assisting our school in providing a free session on resilience after a natural disaster. If you would like your child to be included in this program, please email our school guidance officer at: bcoll229@eq.edu.au.

Support contacts for children:

• Kids Helpline:         1800 55 1800
• Lifeline:                 13 1114
• Your local GP

On-line support/counselling assistance for students:

• Kids Helpline Webchat Counselling: Kids Helpline Webchat Counselling
• Headspace On-line - Counselling: Headspace Online Counselling
• Youth Beyond Blue:                            Youth Beyond Blue

Support for parents and caregivers:

• Kids Helpline for Parents:   1300 30 1300
• Gunya Meta 3558 1600