Chaplain's News
Hi All,
I was hoping I wouldn’t have to write this update (ever) but especially after Lockdown 4.0 and last week’s storm, when none of us need any more bad news right now, but also because it’s still very raw for my own kids and I, and we are feeling heartbroken. After declining health this year, our beloved Ronaldo passed away… in the night, with me by his side stroking him.
Ronaldo loved all children. He loved my children and their friends, he loved your children and their friends. He loved his job at Scoresby P.S. and always got an extra spring in his step when I brought out his therapy dog jacket. He loved HIS students. He loved taking care of them, calming them and, most importantly, he never judged them.
Sometimes I think he was my mentor in wellbeing and we called him the Chief Happiness Officer at Scoresby P.S. He would meet nervous children at the gate and walk them to class, and he always wrote back when children gave him a picture or letter (with a little help from me!)
Usually my first ‘get to know you’ session with students was getting them to brush Ronaldo, which they all loved. And Ronaldo knew the drill…he would sit on his mat waiting. I would talk to the kids about using the gentle side of the brush and making Ronaldo feel comfortable. When he liked the brushing, he would stretch his head up and start licking, then soon he would lay down and start snoozing (often snoring!) I would commend the student for making him feel safe and we would watch his tummy doing deep breathing and do some breathing exercises ourselves. Then the student could choose to put little wooden letters on the snoozing Ronaldo’s back. They would usually write their name and a friend's/sibling's name or Ronaldo’s name and their pet’s name. I don’t know how I’m going to do ‘get to know you’ sessions without him. He was my co-worker as well as my companion and I will miss him dearly.
Ronaldo will always have a special place in our hearts. However, not to replace him but to have a new place in our hearts, are the two other dogs I am training up as therapy dogs. Taffy is a 5 year old Cavoodle who should be ready to start work soon. Louie is a 1 year old Border Collie who is a lot of fun and LOVES kids, though he is still a puppy and he is very cheeky! He may be another year or so off being ready to work. They will each come to a school assembly in the near future and will start with short visits to get used to crowds and the school environment.
Next week I will do some creative activities with my Chaplaincy students who wish to honour and remember Ronaldo in this way. Please let me know if any of your children are struggling with the passing of Ronaldo or if it has triggered memories for them of a past loss.
LYNDAL IHLE
Chaplain