Especean

Junior School

I am sure we are all aware of how serious things are for our southern neighbours in Victoria at this time. Let us be sure to remember these sisters and brothers of ours in our prayers. With all we see on the news, perhaps you, or your children, are worried about what might happen here in Sydney at some point. If that is the case, it is a good time to ask your son to remind you of what he learned throughout the COVID-19 Chilled and Considerate Bootcamp last term.

 

Some key ideas from the course to review include:

  • Experiencing negative emotions due to uncertainty is normal
  • Practising mindfulness techniques can help us notice and manage negative emotions and uncertainty
  • Ignoring or fighting negative emotions does not usually help
  • Uncertainty passes – putting a reasonable timeframe on when we will know can be helpful

There are some important images and metaphors your sons encountered through the bootcamp that would be good to review, too. These include:

  • the Uncertainty Bomb
  • the What-If Weed
  • the Devil’s Snare
  • Riding the Wave

If he needs (or you need) a reminder about any of these ideas, remember that he still has his Student Journal and that last term’s PCP sessions are still available for students through Canvas. The location has changed, from the Westcourt Library course to the Wellbeing pages of the new Junior School course, but the format and content is just the same as before. Each of the eight lesson videos is available along with a link to the Student Journal.

 

Even amidst uncertainty, there are many positives to be found. Again, this week we have reports from the sports fields of Junior School boys helping out under strength opposition teams by offering to temporarily bolster their numbers to ensure a fair and enjoyable game. I really do appreciate what these boys both give and receive when they undertake this simple action. Well done, boys, and thank you for the way you represent your families and the College. We are all proud of you.

 

God bless,

 

Ben Munday

Director of Junior School