The Department of Community Services

 The Department of Community Services (DoCS) is a NSW government organisation that is responsible for supporting and promoting the health, safety and wellbeing of children and young people. DoCS professionals work to protect children and young people from the risk of harm such as abuse and neglect and also provide care for children and young people who are not able to live with their families.

http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/welcome_to_docs_website.html

Currently, there are seven regional DoCS offices and over 85 Community Services Centres throughout NSW.

http://www.community.nsw.gov.au/docs_menu/about_us/contact_us/community_services_centres.html?s=1422802974

Below are some links that provide further information about their services.

www.community.nsw.gov.au/docs_menu/parents_carers_and_families.html

www.community.nsw.gov.au/docs_menu/preventing_child_abuse_and_neglect.html

www.community.nsw.gov.au/docs_menu/research_centre.html

To report suspected child abuse or neglect, call the Child Protection Helpline on 132 111 (24 hours/7 days)

References:

NSW Family and Community Services (2012a). Parents, Carers and Families, last accessed: 21/10/2012, www.community.nsw.gov.au/docs_menu/parents_carers_and_families.html

NSW Family and Community Services (2012b). Preventing child abuse & neglect, last accessed: 21/10/2012, www.community.nsw.gov.au/docs_menu/preventing_child_abuse_and_neglect.html

NSW Family and Community Services (2012c). Research Centre, last accessed:21/10/2012, www.community.nsw.gov.au/docs_menu/research_centre.html

Managing Stressful Situations

This section will provide you with a number of resources you can use in the classroom to defuse negative behaviours when students get restless in the classroom. They can also be used a ‘brain breaks’ for students, or alternatively used as transitions between lessons.

http://tccl.rit.albany.edu/knilt/images/2/2f/Science_classroom.jpg

’20 minute Brain Breaks’ –

 http://www.minds-in-bloom.com/2012/04/20-three-minute-brain-breaks.html

‘Roll Some Brain Breaks’ –http://yourtherapysource.com/files/Roll_Some_Fun_Freebie2.pdf

‘Ten Simple Activities to Encourage Physical Activity in the Classroom’ –

http://yourtherapysource.com/files/10_simple_activities_classroom.pdf

Positive Affirmations

 Positive Thinking for Positive Changes 

Developing a positive mindset is one of the most powerful life strategies there is. Using positive affirmations are just one of the positive thinking techniques that will help you achieve whatever you want. They will help you transform your professional practice, personal health and renew the joy and passion for teaching. Each day, simply chant the quotes below, out day and you will notice a difference in your attitude.

Re-program your thinking, let go of the negative patterns that have been sabotaging you and adopt powerful success techniques to bring you what you want.

• When I believe in myself, so do others.
• I am my own unique self – special, creative and wonderful.
• All my relationships are loving and harmonious
• I trust in the process of life.
• Life is a joy filled with delightful surprises.
• I accept who I am right now, ‘warts and all’. Once I let go of all my negative thoughts, I can stop stop worrying and start to allow good things in.
• I have limitless confidence in my abilities.
• I have confidence in my ability to do whatever I set my mind to.
• I only have positive mental pictures.
• I stand firmly in my belief in myself.
• I have the power to realise and accomplish my goals
• I have abundant faith in my ability to succeed.
• I accept the learning process involves making mistakes.
• I courageously share my ideas.

References

Vitalaffirmations.com. (2012). Positive Affirmations - A Positive Thinking Technique For Change, last accessed: 15/10/2012, http://www.vitalaffirmations.com/index.php

Affirmations for Radical Success (2012) A List of Positive Affirmations, Last accessed: 15/10/2012, http://www.affirmations-for-radical-success.com/list-of-positive-affirmations.html

Image: http://mixedmarriages.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/positivity_word_cloud1.jpg

Classroom Management Plans

The purpose of a classroom management plan is to outline your current beliefs about classroom management. In this plan, you will mention the theories and practices that will help guide your approach for collaborating with students. This plan is a “working document” and you will make changes to it throughout its implementation in the classroom as they occur. Below is a link to a PDF which covers multiple aspects of developing a classroom management plan including:

• Class Situational Analysis
• Philosophy
• Procedures and Routines
• Responsive Strategies
• Preparation for the Special Case
• Crisis Intervention Plan
• Strategies to deal with bullying
• Communication with parents

A Classroom Management Plan

Image: http://edpsychtemple.wikispaces.com/file/view/LEclassroom_management.gif/222704946/LEclassroom_management.gif