Wellbeing

Good afternoon families

Our St Mary’s Stormbirds Program program had its final session this week. 

Stormbirds is built upon the theory of J. William Worden (1996, 2001, 2009), who suggests that adjusting to loss involves four ‘tasks’, which he refers to as ‘grief work’. The concept of ‘tasks’ frames grief as a process, not simply a reaction, which means the person needs to be actively engaged with the tasks. Worden suggests these four tasks are to: 

1. accept the reality of loss
2. process the pain of grief
3. adjust to a changed world after the loss
4. find an enduring connection with what has been lost in the mist of embarking on a new life.

In the Stormbirds Program, Worden’s tasks have been adapted for use in educational settings. The choice of using this theory of grief is significant, as it suggests an active ‘I can’ rather than passive ‘if only’ experience. Hence the Stormbirds program provides participants with space to acknowledge the natural disaster, while learning ways to adapt to the change and loss they have observed and experienced as a result of this. (Adapted from Stormbirds Companion Manual)

In our fourth session this week, we focused on integrating Worden’s fourth task, ‘find an enduring connection with what has been lost in the midst of embarking on a new life,’ with the Stormbirds Program task: ‘growing stronger together.’ This session brought closure to the group. Children explored ways the natural disaster has strengthened their communities, while acknowledging there may still be hard days ahead. They reviewed their learning and were affirmed in their ability to practice what they’ve learned in their lives going forward. 

On Wednesday June 17th parents and carers have been invited to participate in our Stormbirds celebration with their child. 

Julie Cotter

julieann.cotter@smcastlemaine.catholic.edu.au