Welcome to Week 7. The term is racing by as schools in SA continue to return to more familiar routines and learning structures. We are very mindful though that things can change quickly and we are all really grateful that currently we can enjoy a lifestyle similar to times before COVID. We are also very aware of other places in Australia where the pandemic continues to be a source of challenge, impacting on the lives of many people. We pray for all of those affected with hope that things will turn around soon.
We Are the Champions!
I happened to be in the front office one afternoon last week and a lady walked in carrying a box to give to Mr Peter Vorassi, our Year 6 teacher. She asked specifically to speak with Peter so I waited with her in the foyer until he arrived. I’m so glad I did. Peter was presented with a magnificent trophy for the Numerical Acumen Challenge – ‘Inspirational School of the Year!’ and 1st place in the Inspirational Class of the Year – Upper Primary.
Effectively what this means is that for all the schools in the state who competed, we were No.1. This is an outstanding achievement and each and every one of us should be so proud of our Senior Class for this significant result. We be equally proud of 4/5 CP who were presented with the ‘Heel snappers’ trophy or Inspirational Class of the Year – Middle Primary. In any other year there would have been a big presentation ceremony for participating schools. Unfortunately for us in 2020 this cannot happen but in no way does it diminish the significance of this achievement. Congratulations to all involved! Please see the story with picture in the newsletter.
Challenging Times and the Impact on Families
I was reading an online article recently from Cat Lamb who is a Consultant with the Institute of Positive Education at Geelong Grammar School which I found very helpful. She was reflecting on the start of 2020 and how it has been unprecedented for all of us, especially our young people.
She talks about how the current global pandemic of COVID-19 has shaken our foundations and how the resumption of ‘normal’ life remains unknown. It has greatly impacted on all our lives and she looks to what we can we do to be supported during this difficult time. Using four research-supported strategies, Cat shares her actions that may help support you and the young people in your life.
Notice what’s good
It’s easy for us to join the outrage and panic, but our children swim in that same water. If we want them to be calm and optimistic, we need to role model this.
Actions:
- Send a daily gratitude text, email or letter to someone
- Look for and celebrate the helpers in your world, such as the wonderful community groups
- Ask your children to identify a way in which they could help their family. This might be as simple as maintaining good personal hygiene
Be present
Practise mindfulness, and schedule mindful breaks for your children. Just ten minutes of quiet, present-centred reflection can be enough to significantly reduce stress levels. Our body is always anchored in the present, which is why our mindfulness practices often start by focusing on our body or breathing.
Actions:
- Limit time spent scrolling through newsfeeds or consider a media-fast for 48 hours (don’t worry – you’ll hear about any significant events from others around you).
- Create routines for anyone spending long periods at home. Structure and stability cannot be underestimated in their capacity to support mental health.
Acknowledge negative emotions
Feeling scared, uneasy, worried or anxious about the current state of the world is understandable. If we try to ignore these emotions, studies show we will only feel them more strongly.
Actions:
- Understand that the emotion may pass quickly or slowly, but it will eventually pass.
- Curiously examine the emotion. What is creating this?
- Consider: is there a way to ‘reframe’ the experience? Is there anything positive which can be drawn from the current situation?
Get outside & be active
It would be easy for us all to bunker down and lock ourselves away indoors. We know the importance of physical activity for both mental and physical health, and we also know how impactful being in nature is.
Actions:
- Spend some time outside each day; reading a book, drawing something in nature, walking a dog, planting vegetables, taking photos, decorating a balcony…
- Move your body and have some fun with your family
We can never under-estimate how this pandemic is affecting our children and ourselves. Please take time to look after each other and I know we can get through these challenging times by working in partnership.
What we have been able to do in recent times, is host, and plan for recent activities involving the students- incursions and some excursions, sports carnivals, masses and Liturgies. We have also been able to plan for school camps, that will go ahead, subject to any new restrictions being put in place! We enjoy these celebrations as best we can and look forward to more opportunities to celebrate as a community moving forward.
Student Check In
This term every student in a Catholic School within South Australia has participated in a simple online ‘Classroom Pulse Check In’. This Check In has been developed to ascertain how students are currently feeling about their experience in school. It is tailored to allow your child’s teacher(s) to check in and provide immediate feedback and support to them. This is one way we can gather some clear and immediate feedback about what is happening for our children and hopefully it will help pathways forward in supporting our community.
In closing I remind you that we have a Student Free Day on Friday 25th September (last day of the term). Thursday 24th September will be a full school day for students with regular dismissal at 3:10pm. School will resume on Tuesday 13th October to commence Term 4.
The two student free days have been endorsed by the School Board and support our ongoing work with the Eastern Star Project initiatives. The OSHC service will be available for both student free days and is open for booking now.
Enjoy your week
James Meiksans
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