Message from the office
Last week, as a staff, we attended a workshop on Integrated Learning Therapy. This was presented by Jill Rothman who is a registered Integrated Learning Therapist and who is a previous principal of Kuyasa Special School. She highlighted that many of the learning barriers our children are facing are exacerbated by the early age at which and the unnatural amount of time our children are placed in front of a screen. This can result in Screen Dependency Disorder. I thought the information she shared with us is crucial for all parents to be made aware of, reminded of or even as an affirmation that the boundaries they set are to their daughter’s benefit.
l have shared the information from her notes below.
1. Psychologists are warning of the damage to the brain that excessive screen use has and the consequences.
2. Spending excessive amounts of time on TV, Ipads, Smartphones or Tablets is a wicked practice as bright screens and excessive screen time irritates the brain and over-stimulates the nervous system.
3. Psychologist, Dr Aric Sigman, says ‘Children experience microstructural and volumetric differences in, or abnormalities of both grey and white matter in their brains’ (when on the screen).
4. There is a failure on the part of parents, care-givers and teachers to reduce, stop screen activities and control the use of these devices.
5. Electronic Devices have become the modern ‘babysitter’.
Screen Addicts exhibit the following outcomes
(Information from Victoria Prooday- Occupational Therapist) :
• Children become completely dependent on the devices – even as toddlers
• Children begin to display problematic behaviours as a consequence
• Children show withdrawal symptoms – remain in their room for hours
• They become increasingly more and more tolerant of screen use
• Children begin to lie about extent of use especially at night
• Children display a loss of outside interest, don’t want to become involved in other activities
• Screen Dependency Disorder has adverse consequences like weight gain or loss, insomnia, backache, eyesight problems, headaches, poor nutrition, physical symptoms- lack of exercise
• Other problems include depression, irritability, isolation, meltdowns, tears about minor incidents, less time spent interacting with friends, lack of organisation and failing subjects
• Mental health problems amongst children has increased as have psychosocial issues
• Mood changes and dysfunction within the family structure, disruptive behaviours, dismissive, rude, self-centered, aggression, outbursts, hooked and addicted.
Children are being raised by:
• Digitally distracted parents
• Indulgent parents who let their children ‘rule the world’
• Allow a sense of entitlement rather than responsibility
• Allow their children to stay up late thus have inadequate sleep
• Provide unbalanced, less nutritional meals (rather allow take-aways, always eating out, meals with too many trans-fats)
• Allow sedentary indoor lifestyles
• Provide their children with endless stimulation, technological baby-sitters, instant gratification and absence of dull moments
What our children need:
• To have emotionally available parents
• To have clearly defined limits and guidance on use of Smartphones, Tablets etc
• To take responsibility for their children’s well-being
• To provide their children with balanced nutrition and adequate sleep
• To insist that their children have plenty of movement and outdoor activities
• To encourage creative play, social interaction, opportunities and for unstructured times, so children can learn to use their free time constructively and to learn to take time out
• To allow their children to experience boredom – they don’t always have to be entertained constantly.
If this topic has hit home for you, go to https://www.blackscreens.com.au/what-is-screen-addiction for more interesting reading and links for advice.
School News
Whatsapp Groups
Some of our teachers have opted to set up groups to keep you informed. Please do not use the teacher’s cell number to send messages during school hours while she/he is busy teaching. Please make sure that you read the weekly newsletters as you will more than likely find the information you are needing in there. If you still need assistance, please phone the school office. Our teachers cannot be answering messages while their focus should be on the girls in their class. Thank you for your assistance with this.
Conquesta
Should you wish for your child to participate in Conquesta 2021, entry forms are available from Mrs Sauls. Conquesta is only open to Grades 4-6. Please complete the entry form and send it to school with your daughter, in an envelope marked Conquesta with the relevant entry fee and your child’s name and class. Closing date for entries is 19 March.
Eye screening
On Thursday and Friday, all our Grade 00 and new girls from Grade R to Grade 7, will have basic eye screening. This will take place at school and it is a free screening. We would like to thank Dr Trevor Davies and his team for offering us this valuable service. Early detection and treatment of visual disorders is vital, please follow up on any recommendations that you may receive from this screening.
Aftercare
If you would like your child to attend Aftercare after school on her school days please collect a form from the office. Numbers will be limited due to the Covid-19 regulations, so it is on a first come, first served basis.
Many thanks to Zahraa Mansoor for the donation of library books. It is greatly appreciated.
School uniform
We expect our girls to be neat and in the correct uniform for school. Please note that winter uniform is not currently allowed, sports and school uniform should not be mixed, hair should be tied up neatly and only small plain studs and small plain sleeper earrings are to be worn.
There are VP branded navy blue school bags available for purchase for R575. If you would like to view them please pop by the office.
Please find an order form below at the end of the newsletter for the purchasing of school branded flip-flops. The cost is R80 per pair. The girls will be allowed to wear these at school and around the swimming pool. Girls will still be required to wear school shoes and socks to and from school. These flip-flops will be the only ones the girls will be allowed to wear during school and swimming. Please complete the reply slip at the end of the newsletter sent home and return with payment to your daughter’s class teacher no later than 15 March 2021.
VP will be supporting the Reach for a Dream Slipper Day again this year. Girls can purchase a sticker for R20 and will then be allowed to wear slippers at school on the 6 or 7th of May! Please buy these in advance from Mrs Cox (if you are in the Foundation Phase) or Mrs Mgogo (if you are in the Intersen Phase). If you would like to bring slippers to school to wear for the day (on the 6 or 7th of May) without buying a sticker you may do so for a R10 donation. All the proceeds will go to Reach for a Dream an organization that strives to fulfill the dreams of children who are suffering from life threatening illnesses. Note to parents: Buy a sticker and you can claim a free Wimpy filter coffee on Slipper Day (7 May). Looking forward to seeing you in your Slippers, proving that NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES!
Extramurals next week
Every girl must have the following items with them for sport and LSPE:
Please note that the navy blue golf shirts are available from Heinen Embroidery in Somerset Street.
Towel
Extra Mask or 2
Water Bottle
Plastic packet
NO sharing of any sport equipment is permitted.
The girls will attend their allocated sport on their colour groups’ day. Please see the timetable below for details. This excludes the team sports, orchestra and intervention sessions, please see extramural programme for these days and times.
Time | Sport | Grade | Green
Mon 1/3 |
Blue
Tues 2/3 |
Green
Wed 3/3 |
Blue
Thurs 4/3 |
Green
Fri 5/3 |
07:15 – 08:00 | Woodwind Ensemble | Selected | |||||
13:10-13:40 | Walkers | Grade 4/5 | 5J | 5J | 4F&4KC | 4F&4KC | |
13:10-13:40 | Walkers | Grade 6/7 | 6S&7Ma | 6S&7Ma | 6P&7C | 6P&7C | |
13:10-13:40 | Dance Fitness (Court) | Grade 4/5 | 5M | 5M | 5J | 5J | |
13:10-13:40 | Dance Fitness (Hall) | Grade 6/7 | 6G&7Mg | 6G&7Mg | 6S&7Ma | 6S&7Ma | |
13:10-13:40 | Fitness | Grade 4-7 | 6P&7C | 6P&7C | 6G&7Mg | 6G&7Mg | |
13:10-13:40 | Yoga/Pilates | Grade 4-7 | 4F&4KC | 4F&4KC | 5M | 5M | |
12:40-13:10 | Junior Bible | FP | |||||
13:10-13:40 | Bible Study | Grade 4-7 |
Hockey News: There will be hockey trials for the U13A team on Monday, 1 March from 14:10-14:55. A training squad for 2021 will be selected and we will work on skills, drills, and agility during practice. Please collect your daughter promptly after trials from the entrance at the Beaufort Street gate. All Gr 6&7s may try out.
Netball News: The U13 A/B Netball trials will be held on Monday, 1 March 2021 at 14:10 on the netball court. All Grade 6 & 7 pupils that would like to try out for the U13 A/B team are invited to attend. Please make sure that your daughter brings a water bottle and mask with her. Girls are also allowed to bring small hand towels to use if necessary. Please remember that no sharing of water or towels is permitted.
U12 & U13 girls must select between Netball and Hockey, unfortunately they cannot do both.
The following girls will be celebrating their birthday this coming week: Halle Orsmond; Betsega Yocob-Haliso, Anna Malamis, Liyabona Marenene, Michaela Swanepoel, Kgotlelelo Thathe, Kefilwe Racoco; Taylor Arries; Iminathi Kapa & Kaylee May.We hope your day will be very special!
Warm regards
Mrs M Rafferty
Principal