The countdown to the end of the school year is on! (Cue in Jackson Five’s ‘Can You Feel It’ and Europe's 'It's the Final Countdown') So much to get done, so many deadlines to meet and so many celebrations happening. Does anyone have a free weekend from now up until Christmas? 

Everybody seems to be getting tired and the busy lives of families at this time of year begins to take its toll; not only on students, but their teachers and parents as well. We are all counting down the days, until the Summer holidays begin. I know many parents dread the summer, but think of it as a welcome pause in the constant rush that seems to permeate your weekdays. No more school lunches to pack, no Compass alerts. No more homework… YAY!

Even if you are looking forward to your kids being on holidays, no doubt you are still feeling that end-of-school-year exhaustion. Add stress into the mix, and it can leave you feeling burned out, frazzled, and deprived of what little patience you had left. Kids feel it too, and they can become crankier than usual, cooperate less, or even fight more with their siblings.  Does this image look familiar???

1. View the end of the school year as the finish line that needs to be crossed - Any runner will tell you that they feel like giving up at some point, even when they know they are close to finishing their race. Break through that feeling and just keep going. 
2. Now more than ever, rely on the tried and true - When you're tired, you're more likely to forget things. Stick to what works! Don't try something new, the stress might be too much for your frazzled nerves.
3. Include a surprise in your child's lunchbox - Think of treats, notes, even stickers. Give your kids something to smile about so it brightens up their day and recharges them.

Parent Teacher Interviews next week - Bookings for our Parent / Teacher interviews will close tomorrow afternoon at 3.30pm. If you need to make a change to your booking time, you will need to do this before the cut off. It is an expectation for all families to make a booking with their child's teacher.

Welcome - a very warm welcome to the following families who joined the St Monica's community this term!