Wellbeing

Welcome to 2021! We are looking forward to welcoming educators, children and families back for the start of the Flinders year. January at Flinders is a time of change – new families beginning, existing families transitioning to new buildings, and educators finding their feet as they navigate new buildings and relationships. At the beginning of each year, we ask two things from our families; patience, and courage. Patience, as we navigate a new space with new people. Patience, as we become familiar with you and your family. Patience, as we learn all about your child. Courage, as you bring your child to a new space with new people. Courage, as you say goodbye bravely and confidently. Courage, knowing that you have made a great choice by bringing your child to Flinders, and that they will be nurtured. We know how difficult transitions can be for families and children, even when these are cushioned by the stability that looping brings. We are here to provide the support and comfort that you and your child need as we navigate this transition together. For families who are new to Flinders, trust that we will get there, together. Last year we posted some tips for smoothing the transition for your child, and we share them again below; Sharing your positive thoughts about Flinders and the things your child might do Being brave Taking time to stay and play at pick up time, and making drop offs brief and kind Talking about children and educatorsRead more

Kindness is an important part of the programs at Flinders and is a value that forms the foundation of behavioural and social learning. We see kindness as an invaluable aspect of humanity, and as an essential part of effective community engagement. In role modelling and teaching kindness, we hope to help educate a generation of children who engage in radical kindness, who are empathetic and considerate. “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” The 14th Dalai Lama Part of our approach to teaching kindness is recognising spontaneous acts of kindness. In keeping with this, we would like to acknowledge the kindness we have experienced within the Flinders community over the past couple of weeks. Thank you to those in our community who have; brought us essential and difficult to get items such as nappy wipes, disinfectant, toilet paper and hand sanitiser emailed us beautiful, considerate and respectful words in response to our communications written cards and notes of thanks delivered flowers, chocolates and other delights to brighten our day demonstrated empathy and understanding as we attempt to navigate the new territory of education and care at Flinders in the time of COVID-19 made us laugh and cry with stories and moments of joy from home Experiencing these kind acts shows us that the vision of a generation of children who are radically kind is not a dream, but an emerging reality. Kindness grows from kindness, and these children, your children, are experiencing it in spades in their homes andRead more

Nature is a tricky mistress, isn’t she? While we deal with the challenging aspects, like global pandemics, we are also heavily reliant on nature for our positive health and wellbeing. At Flinders, we are making the most of spectacular autumn weather, heading outside early and coming in late. We continue to share meals outdoors, to use the outdoors as a location for learning, and to ensure free-flow between the indoor and outdoor environments as much as possible. Nature provides us with solace and comfort. Getting out into the fresh air, into wild spaces, have been shown to improve wellbeing and mental health. It is an essential part of our self-care, especially as we navigate uncertain times. As we head towards the Easter long weekend, many of us are no doubt missing our previously planned trip away, which no longer fits into government recommendations regarding essential travel. But there are still some things that we can do to break the monotony of home and connect with the natural world: Set up your tent in the backyard and have a sleepout Take a walk in your local National Park or Conservation Park. Whilst many facilities are closed, taking a walk through your local park is a great way to get out into the fresh air. You can find out more details on the Parks SA website Try your hand at nature weaving Go on a nature scavenger hunt in your backyard or on a neighbourhood walk We wish you a peaceful longRead more

Hello to our amazing, brave families and readers. We want to start by saying thank you. Thank you for your compassion, for your bravery, for your smiles, for your kind words and for your support over this challenging time. We are navigating uncharted waters and we are unsure of exactly where we will end up. But we are going together. Many families are spending more time, or all of their time, at home. This can be challenging for people so used to spending time out of the house. We will be using the blog as a way to share some ideas and tips for families who want to bring a little Flinders home with them. If you would like to receive all our posts in your inbox, please go to the About page on your PC, scroll to the bottom and enter your email. On your mobile device a “follow” box will hover on the bottom of your screen; tap on that to enter your email. Many children at Flinders have baked bread over the last couple of years. Whilst at this time we have suspended our cooking programs, you might like to have a go at baking bread at home. Easy Bread adapted from Baking Bread with Children by Warren Lee Cohen Ingredients 1kg strong flour (we use half white, half wholemeal) 100g extra flour, as needed to keep dough from sticking 30ml natural sugar (we use honey) 15ml dried yeast 600ml warm water (body temperature) 30ml vegetable oilRead more

We find ourselves in uncomfortable, uncertain, and unprecedented times. We are unknowing, and the immediate future is unknowable. There is so much that is complex and “un” in our world right now. But there are also children pressing their hands into sand. Children discovering flowers. Children oblivious of social distancing who greet their loved ones with hugs. Children who share their drawings, their found objects, their wonder, their light. And so we wander an uncertain path, but we are reminded daily to wonder. To recognise the beauty of the world. To pause, take a breath, and look forward. As I walked through the Houses this morning, a wise educator commented; “This is a sanctuary. A place to remember all the things that are good in the world.” And she was right. May Flinders long be a sanctuary for children and families.