On Friday we held our first Assembly for the year and it was wonderful to see so many parents attending. Thanks to the first round of SRC for 2020 for hosting and congratulations to our new Co-Presidents, Luke and Cleo and to our Vice Presidents Lewis and Holly. We look forward to seeing what you guys can achieve this year!

House Captains: Will, Luke, Megan, Holly, Isobel, Nayte, Jozef, Emma, Henry, Sam and Cleo.

In assemblies this term we have adopted a new format, and this includes all of our classes sharing some of the learning we have been doing as a whole school on the Zones of Regulation®. This is an important new program we have adopted as a whole school. The Zones of Regulation®  is a systematic, cognitive behavioural approach used to teach self-regulation by grouping our state of alertness and feelings into four coloured zones. All classes will be involved and we encourage parents and carers to talk at home with your children about what they are learning. In the coming weeks we will also be holding a parent information session to encourage everyone at home to adopt the language and strategies to help our students stay regulated and ready for learning. In the meantime, here is some brief FAQ’s for parents to start the conversations at home.

The Zones of Regulation® is a way of teaching self-regulation developed by Leah Kuypers. Regulation is sometimes called: self-control, self-management, or impulse control.

How does an awareness of our energy and emotions affect our ability to self-regulate?
We focus on the state of alertness of both the body and emotions in specific situations. For example, when a student plays on the playground or in a competitive game, it is beneficial to have a higher state of alertness (Yellow Zone). However, that same energy would not be appropriate in the library. The lessons and learning activities are designed to help the students recognise when they are in the different zones as well as learn how to use strategies (tools) to change or stay in the zone they are in.

What will students learn?
-a vocabulary of emotional terms
-the importance in reading facial expressions and body language
-perspective about how others see and react to their behaviour
-insight into events that trigger their behaviour
-calming and alerting strategies
-problem solving skills

How can I support my child?
Use the language and talk about the concepts of The Zones as they apply to you in a variety of environments. Make comments aloud so your child understands it is natural that we all experience the different zones and use strategies to control (or regulate) ourselves. For example, “This is really frustrating me and making me go into the Yellow Zone. I need to use a tool to calm down. I will take some deep breaths.”

Point out your observations as he/she moves from one zone to another. For example, “Your body looks like it is tired. You must be in the Blue Zone.”
Validate the zone your child is in and help her/him brainstorm expected ways to self-regulate so his/her behaviour is expected for that situation.

Share with your child how his/her behaviour is affecting the zone you are in (as a parent) and how you feel.

It is important to note that everyone experiences all of the zones—the Red and Yellow Zones are not the “bad” or “naughty” zones. All of the zones are expected at one time or another. The Zones of Regulation is intended to be neutral and not communicate judgment.

Kind regards,

Kel Innis

Principal