Wellbeing Team

Be Gentle on Yourself

Over the past term our Wellbeing articles have focused on how we can best provide a safe space where our children can learn and navigate the online world. The technology at hand is truly fascinating, something which takes time and aptitude to understand and best utilise. 

We face constant pressure from our young ones, stating emphatically ‘ALL my friends play this game’, or ‘EVERYONE is on this platform’… adding to the pressure to cave to their demands! There are ‘social influencers’ who give rise to dreams of being a Youtuber or of finding Tiktok stardom, all making the requests from parents to have eye contact when we speak to our children an ever-increasing battle. 

It can feel overwhelming. It can make us feel hopeless. It can sometimes seem easier to cave to pressure as the fallout from saying ‘no’ may be intolerable.

So, what should we do?

Well, perhaps consider this idea - 

We need to learn to be gentle on ourselves. 

The online landscape is ever-changing. As soon as you’ve wrapped your head around one social media platform or gaming community, another is seen to be cooler, better, more fun, the ‘in thing’! Be realistic that as parents, our children will often seem to be ahead of the curve embracing the latest and greatest. To keep up with them may feel too hard a task! However, as parents we have the ability to grasp a bigger picture; we can see multiple steps down the road whereas our children may only see the here and now. That perspective we bring to the conversation as an adult needs to temper unbridled enthusiasm. 

Adam Wood

Director of Faith Formation and Wellbeing

Farewell to Mrs Steph Reedman

It is with sadness that we let you know that after much prayerful consideration Mrs Steph Reedman has made the decision to conclude her time working as Counselling Team Leader (ELC-6) at Emmaus Christian College, to pursue further studies in the counselling field. Steph will be finishing at the end of Term 2.

We are deeply grateful for Steph's invaluable support of our school community these past years! Whilst she will be greatly missed, we wish her every success in her future endeavours, and pray God’s blessings upon Steph, her husband Tim and their family. 

Adam Wood

Director, Faith Formation and Wellbeing

Dear Emmaus families,

It is with a heavy heart that I write this farewell note. Over the past two and a half years, I have had the privilege of walking alongside so many wonderful children and families in the Junior School. I am so grateful for the time that I’ve had at Emmaus, and I will continue to pray for each child and family who I have had the opportunity to support and care for in my counselling role. 

Although I am sad to be leaving, I have a deep peace about the next season that God is calling me and my husband into. God has continued to expand our hearts for the vulnerable children in our community, and we are filled with faith and expectation as we step out in obedience.  

I pray for God’s continual blessing to be upon all of you and your families!

Steph Reedman

ELC - 6 Counselling Team Leader