Parents, carers and the community

As a parent or carer, you are an important part of our school community. We offer a range of services to support you and your family.

Dear Parents,

Our names are Amye and Libby and we are the school counsellors working at Bonnyrigg High School. Like so many right now we are working from home during this lockdown. We know how hard this time can be for families, especially in the Fairfield region. We are hoping to add some additional tips for your child’s wellbeing as well as your own wellbeing during this lockdown.

A great resource we encourage you to use as a parent is Parent Line NSW:

• Their website has resources and tips - https://www.parentline.org.au/ 
• They provide free counselling available for all NSW parents of children aged 0-18 years from 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday and 4pm to 9pm on weekends – ph number: 1300 1300 52
• You can follow them on Instagram and Facebook for tips such as their “5 ways with Parent Line NSW” series.  We’re including two recent posts that might be useful:
  • 5 Ways for busy parents and carers to maintain work/life balance during lockdown
  • Establish regular routines and rituals to mark transitions e.g fresh air/exercise, dinner, bath, stories, bed etc
  • If space permits create separate work/study spaces or use aids like a portable screen or throw to close off spaces when not in use 
  • Implement regular screen time breaks
  • Use 'creative' opportunities for 'time out' e.g sitting in the car, walking the dog, hanging out the washing etc
  • Lower your expectations of yourself and children, reward yourselves with healthy activities and occasional treats
  • 5 Ways for busy parent to practice self care

1. Listen to something calming like music, talking book, podcast
2. Get up before the kids to do something for you
3. Go to bed at the same time as the kids
4. Have a relaxing bath or shower
5. Practice brief grounding exercises like 3 senses ... "What can I see, hear, feel?

If you are finding that circumstances are particularly difficult and you need extra support, you may like to consider Family Connect and Support (formally known as Family Referral Service). FCS can connect you to local services that can help with:

• Understanding and managing your child’s behaviour.
• Budgeting and money matters.
• Alcohol, drug or gambling problems.
• Access to housing, health care or other community and government services.
• Building strong family relationships.
• Keeping everyone safe at home.

These are just some of the things that FCS can help with. 

For more information go to https://www.familyconnectsupport.dcj.nsw.gov.au/families

If you would like further information please take a look at these other links that can help 

https://www.unicef.org/coronavirus/covid-19-parenting-tips#10

https://www.unicef.org/media/67211/file

We hope you find this helpful and that you can all stay as safe and well as possible during this time.

Amye Pagett and Libby Ahearn, School Psychologist/Counsellor, Bonnyrigg High School

Community Cooking Classes

Community Cooking Classes are a great way for parents, carers and the community to come together with staff and get to know each other while enjoying learning about different foods.

Classes are $10 per person and places are limited, so please book through the front office at least two weeks before the class you wish to attend. To participate in the class you must:

• wear leather enclosed shoes
• tie long hair back
• wear a full apron
• wear clothes that are nonflammable and do not dangle
• notify staff of any allergies or dietary requirements

Payment can be made at the front office or through the make a payment section at the top of this page. 

Counselling for families

The school counsellor can assist when families undergo a trauma or big change. Contact us to make an appointment. For information in community languages, see school counselling service.

Outside of the education system, free telephone counselling services are available to support families who may be going through a difficult time.

• Lifeline – 24-hour telephone counselling service. 13 11 14.
• Mensline Australia – 24-hour telephone counselling service for men. 1300 789 978.
• Parent line – 24-hour advice and information service. 1300 1300 52.

Interpreting and translations

We will help you communicate with our school. If you’d like an interpreter for a school meeting, let us know and we will arrange one, if available.

If you don’t speak or understand English well and want to contact us, call TIS National on 131 450 and ask for an interpreter in your language. The operator will call the school and get an interpreter to help. This service is free.

For more information, listen in your language.

Visit the department’s translated documents section for important information that’s relevant for your child’s education in many languages.