Wellbeing

Thankyou Lucy, we will miss you!

Hello BPS community, I'm presuming that most if not all of our community have read on Compass about the passing of one of our students in Grade 5, Lucinda Bird. Lucy and her family have been valued members of the BPS family for many years. Lucy's older sister also attended BPS for her primary years. 

Lucy was diagnosed with cancer 14 months ago and over that time I have had the privilege of getting to know her better. I learnt things about Lucy but I also learnt things from Lucy. I learnt about her love for her family, that she was honest and would speak her mind, that she was strong physically and emotionally and brave. She was kind and had a great sense of humor. I learnt about her favourite pastimes; playing Fortnite, playing sport, including basketball, soccer and swimming. I learnt about her special friends from school, her favourite music etc. 

What I learnt from Lucy though, was that you never give up! Lucy had courage and determination well beyond her 10 years. She pushed herself to regularly attend school even though there were days that she felt unwell, exhausted or had medical procedures. Lucy embraced life as much as she could. I also learnt from her family, particularly her Mum Mandy who I spent time with at school, about the act of service and sacrifice as a parent and caregiver in the face of an incredible challenge. 

In response to Lucy passing away, a well being space was created to provide an opportunity for the kids or staff to have a quiet, reflective space to remember Lucy or process their feelings. This space was supported by staff each day last week to assist students. For many of the kids this has been their first experience of death. Some wanted to chat or draw, or sit quietly or read, some made friendship bracelets. Lucy's family also came and spent time last week reading all of the beautiful messages and pictures and were very touched.

As a school our lives have been so much richer for having beautiful Lucy and her family as part of the BPS family. Thankyou Lucy for showing all of us what it is to be resilient, to keep fighting even when things look really tough. To lean on friends when things really suck, and to make the most of each day no matter what. 

Personally I want to thank Mandy and Michael Bird for allowing the BPS students and staff to spend time with Lucy over the last 14 months and for sharing your story with us. 

My thanks to all of the incredible BPS staff who have demonstrated such beautiful compassion, care and love to the Bird family, the BPS kids and each other as they navigate the loss of beautiful Lucy. 

If there is anyone in our community either adult or child who needs support at this time, please reach out to me anytime, even over the holidays. Grief is hard, and can raise past hurts, so please don't battle on your own. May the coming holidays bring some rest for you all as you enjoy time with each other. 

Lisa Osborne

lisa.osborne@education.vic.gov.au

Ph:0409559059