Principal's Update

Taste of Prep

Next Tuesday, we welcome 2024 Preps to the first Taste of Prep evening. This is a fabulous way for parents to introduce their new Prep student to our school and have a taste of learning at school. 

A second Taste of Prep is on Tuesday, 24 October. Each family will have received notification of which evening they are to attend.  

Please contact Jane in the office (5382 3000) to confirm your attendance.

Thanks Fr Matt

We always enjoy having Fr Matt taking time out of his busy schedule to pop in and visit with the children after celebrating Mass with us today. 

Conflict Between Israel and Gaza

This week we have been overwhelmed with the events that have occurred in Gaza and the actions of Hamas. Every night we see the effects of the conflict played out on the news. 

The following is an extract from an article published in 2022 by Dr Justin Coulson on his Happy Families webpage that may assist families in understanding how to broach the subject with their children should the need arise.

What our children need right now

Our children need the world to feel safe and secure. The more they feel this, the more they can explore life with confidence, look to the future with hope, and find a meaningful way forward. And whether we are feeling it or not, it’s up to us to provide them that safety and security. If not, the unpredictable nature of life can consume them with anxiety, fear, apprehension, and worry.

More information is not reassuring

Ever notice that getting more information does not reduce your worries and fears? Scrolling your news feeds doesn’t offer reassurance. It’s the same with your children. They don’t need lots of information. They need to feel safe. And what we do makes a difference.

Kids are anxious. Here are 5 ways to help

Tune out media

Social media algorithms are designed to push more and more of what we see in our direction. The more you and your children watch these events occur online, the more they’ll appear. Keep bad news away from your children – especially younger children – as much as possible.

Remember that emotions are contagious

If you are feeling emotional or overwhelmed, your child will sense it – and catch it. Taking a deep breath, and keeping level and stable will help you respond gently and patiently to your child.

If it’s mentionable, it’s manageable

Rather than asking your child “Are you ok?”, say what you see. “Gee, you look pretty worried about things. What’s on your mind?” Perhaps you could say, “I noticed you were pretty affected by that horrible news. It’s hard to hear isn’t it.”

Side by side conversations

Rather than sitting face-to-face, talk with your children about their questions and concerns while side-by-side. Perhaps it’s a car ride, beside their bed at night, or while you’re doing an activity together. Side-by-side conversations feel less threatening.

Don’t turn on the fire hose

When someone is thirsty, we don’t put their face in front of the fire hose. We give them a glass of water. It’s the same with our kids. Most of the time they don’t want to (or can’t) understand the magnitude of the bad news or even why it happened (if there’s a reason at all). When you answer their questions, keep it simple, invite more questions, and answer the best you can. Kindness and gentle reassurance that you “get it” is typically enough.

In closing

Most of the time the world is a fabulous, beautiful place, but scary things happen from time to time. When they do, remind your child that this is unusual which is why it’s in the news. As Rebecca Solnit eloquently described in her book, A Paradise Built in Hell, “Horrible in itself, disaster is sometimes a door back into paradise, the paradise at least in which we are who we hope to be, do the work we desire, and are each our sister’s and brother’s keeper.”

Reverse Advent Calendar

SMJ is again participating in the Reverse Advent Calendar. A note will be sent home with each child with an item highlighted for them to donate. We don't want this to burden our families; however, we believe it beneficial for our students to understand that a small donation can make a big difference in someone's life. Each note has an item highlighted for that child to donate. Please check your child's bag for the note and information.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.

Andrea