Wellbeing 

For those in our school community who have families affected by flooding

in Queensland or New South Wales, or with little ones distressed by the 

news coverage, ‘Birdie and the Flood’ is a great resource to help young

children to process and understand what happens during a flood. https://www.childrens.health.qld.gov.au/chq/our-services/mental-health-services/qcpimh/natural-disaster-resources/storybooks/?fbclid=IwAR3E2rLVQVw_ydZ0rsmIQNoEj69-rf0mj-KJ4CibdF9YiAIUHx9VRdqQQc4

Below is another resource that may assist families to have difficult conversations

with their children about the conflict in Ukraine. 

https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/printables/2021-22_Kindness_Calendar_for_Schools.pdf

Carine Bezuidenhout

Welfare

SchoolTv Special Report - Managing Overwhelm

Given the current events in the Ukraine and the recent flood disaster in Queensland and NSW we thought it timely to send out this reminder about the Managing Overwhelm Special Report. This Special Report is about managing overwhelm in the age of information overload. We are constantly receiving a barrage of messages from various media platforms which can lead to feelings of stress and anxiety. 

This report offers a number of strategies to help manage these overwhelming feelings.

Due to the pandemic, recent world events in the Ukraine and the impacts of the floods in Queensland and NSW, the world we now live in is a very different place. The hyperconnected nature of our current environment means that we are constantly being reminded of the challenges we face via numerous media and social media channels. Our connectivity to the digital world exposes us to a barrage of messages that can leave us feeling overwhelmed. As a result, many children and their parents are reporting higher levels of stress and anxiety.

Unfortunately, our brains have not evolved fast enough to adapt to this digital landscape. The combination of constant access to information and having little control over the situations presented, can be stressful and overwhelming. It is therefore important for adult carers to check in with their children and be aware of what information they may have been exposed to. It may not necessarily be the information itself that is harmful, but more their inability to process and make sense of it. Providing children with the skills and strategies to cope will enable them to flourish and thrive, socially, emotionally and academically.

The blueprint for parenting, based on our own experiences, is no longer fit for purpose in raising kids as citizens of tomorrow. This can be inherently stressful and overwhelming, not only for parents and carers, but children alike. If left untreated or unmanaged, constant stress and anxiety can lead to a number of behavioural issues or health consequences.

This Special Report suggests a number of strategies to help manage any feelings of overwhelm that you or your child may be experiencing. We hope you take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report https://edenhope.vic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-managing-overwhelm