Respectful Relationships & Wellbeing News

Berry Street and Respectful Relationships

On Friday the 28th the staff did another wonderful session with the instructors from Berry Street focusing on relationships. This was a brilliant session, providing our teachers with 'more' tools to further enhance their relationships with our students - the backbone of everything we do in education. Whilst it was pleasing to be exposed to this new learning, perhaps the most affirming aspect was noting how much we already have imbedded in our School.

Typically when children don’t receive the care they need, their brains and bodies adapt to keep them alive - survival mode. They can get stuck in a cycle of fight, flight or freeze responses when they experience stress or fear. Even when they’re physically safe, many don’t feel safe. Things that don’t scare others may be terrifying to one child because of past experiences. They may be walking a tightrope of fear and anxiety every day, scared by the world and well-meaning people around them.

When we are empathetic you’re showing that even though they feel like that, you care about them and are not judging them. By doing this, you’re helping the child understand their emotions. You’re helping them build resilience to deal with painful feelings. You’re also separating out their feelings from their behaviours – you see and accept their feelings, even as you set limits on their behaviours.

Sometimes it feels like empathy (and acceptance) are the same as condoning poor behaviour – but they aren’t! You can make it clear that the behaviour wasn’t OK and needs to change, while still conveying acceptance and empathy for what underpinned that behaviour.

Our Respectful Relationships and Berry Street training this year go hand in hand in building our school to be a place where children feel safe to come and enjoy which in turn leads to them learning. We are really proud of our community and the wonderful children we have here.

"I am Enough "

I would just like to share with you one of my favourite clips from the Dyl and Friends podcast which regularly has a number of guests talking about wellbeing and how we can support one another. In this episode with Ben Crowe he talks about teaching ourselves and our young people in our lives that they are enough.  We don't need to compare ourselves with others as it becomes exhausting and impacts our self esteem and over all wellbeing.  

sbrown@shsandringham.catholic.edu.au  

Simon Brown

Head of Wellbeing