Wellbeing

Preparing For Your Return to School

 

As Steve mentioned in Principal News, the well-being of students returning to school is of the utmost importance to our community. We know that student experiences of the pandemic are varied. Despite the restrictions, some children are enjoying their time at home. For other students, it has been challenging or even traumatic. There is no right way or wrong; it just is. With this in mind, we as teachers understand that the return to onsite learning is not a 'one-size-fits all' approach. 

 

Last Monday, staff attended an online professional development with the well-respected Michael Carr-Gregg, a child psychologist. We will continue enhancing our knowledge of what the return-to-school may look like for student wellbeing and mental health by attending another two information sessions with Andrew Fuller over the coming weeks. 

As we prepare for onsite learning again, Michael reminded us that we need to see life as it currently is but focus on the good bits. 

 

Some of the key actions we will be implementing back at school are:

 

- Establishing regular routines – learning, eating, playing with friends 

- Letting children know they are: safe, valued and will be listened to 

- A few interesting techniques for helping children feel calm

- Recognising anxiety and keeping connected with parents about their child/children's wellbeing. 

 

As I mentioned, many students will require additional support to re-engage socially and academically as they transition back to onsite learning. Our responsibility and our honour are to help your children navigate this course on their return to school. 

 

Melissa Nelson's addition to our school staff as our art therapist is a blessing. Her experience, skill and her positivity are great tools. She has currently been busy filming some visualising/mindfulness meditations followed by an art activity. You can find her current video on our Wellbeing Link, in which she has invited families to participate.

 

I know we are looking forward to seeing you, but I want to add, we are looking forward to hearing you again. Won't it be great to ask you to be quiet rather than muting you!

 

I can't wait to hear you laugh.

 

Connie Drossaert

Student Wellbeing