Wellbeing Report

Greetings

John Donne wrote a well-known piece in 1624, while convalescing after a seriousness illness. He wrote;

No man is an island, Entire of itself

Every man is a piece of the continent, A part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less,

As well as if a promontory were: As well as if a manor of thy friend's

Or of thine own were. Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind.

And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee.

This week we have commenced recognizing RUOK day, and this reflection by Donne reminds of the human experience, that we are all connected though our humanity and the experiences we encounter. It reminds that what happens to another, could be what we experience, so our journeys are intertwined.

It reminds us of the benefits of being empathetic, and to be willing to be present for each other. Though ‘RUOK’ is sometimes dismissed as a one-off, perfunctory event, the values it presents are worthwhile considering. It highlights the importance of meaningful conversations, in particular of being an active listener when we ask, “are you ok?” 

It fosters well-being by recognizing the humanity of another through active listening, improves the connectedness of our Nazareth community, and reflects well the notion of 'being known' through being involved in each other’s humanity. Young people can be particularly vulnerable, so the significance of a teacher taking the time to listen is considerable.

The principal’s office published the following which encapsulates these ideas particularly well;

As we move through the term, this week serves as a timely reminder of our unwavering commitment to maintaining a child-safe environment. Creating a safe, supportive and nurturing school community is a shared responsibility that belongs to every member of our staff.

We encourage all staff to take a moment this week to reflect on our daily practices, ensure our spaces remain welcoming and secure, and engage in conversations with students about their safety and wellbeing. Thank you for your ongoing dedication to placing our students' safety and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do.

I leave this report with a link to the ROUK website which contains valuable resources: https://www.ruok.org.au/

I also offer the following link: Scripture passages, everything will be OK. These many passages show that our faith recognizes the human condition and how faith can support well-being.

God bless