Calrossy Junior School

Resilience is the quality of being able to adapt to stressful life changes and “bounce back” from hardship. Resilience is also a person’s ability to experience difficulty and grow from it. The Bible says that the key to resiliency is faith in the Lord: “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6. Knowing that God is in control and choosing to trust Him rather than rely on what we understand, is the best way to stay resilient.

Special Guest

This week, we have had the privilege of sharing sessions with Dr Marshall Ballantyne-Jones, a professional speaker who has addressed, ‘life in a sexualised world’. It has been great to have him address, staff, students and parents and to approach this difficult topic from a collaborative approach. 

One of Marshall’s messages to parents was, “Talk early, talk often and talk well”. Educating children about the sexualised world they live in, does not encourage it, it diminishes it. Educating children does not increase negative behaviours. Key to this message, was when you have to set boundaries that your children may not like, was to encourage children with positive alternatives to do off-screen and off-line. Year 5 and 6 have had a session with Dr Ballantyne-Jones today – use this as a springboard to start a conversation. 

If you have children in Year 3, 4, 5 and 6, this is a conversation you should be having in your home. Year 3 is not too young. If your children are curious, younger than this, ask, ‘What makes you say that?’. This may give light into why they are asking such a question and steer the conversation in a different direction. 

At Calrossy, there is a host of supports available to you and your children, talk to your child’s class teacher if you have concerns or would like advice, engage with the Chaplaincy team, wellbeing team or school psychologists, if you are keen to get some help. We are only too happy to journey with you. 

Marshall Ballantyne-Jones speaks again tonight at 7pm (Tuesday 15th November), don’t miss it. 

Have a wonderful week. 

Claire Smith 

Head of Junior School