Wellbeing
Change and loss are experiences that affect all of us at different stages of life. At St Mary’s, we recognise that when children and young people experience significant change or loss, such as the death of a family member or friend, separation or divorce, or other related circumstances, they may benefit from additional support to help them understand and manage these experiences.
St Mary’s is pleased to offer Seasons for Growth, a highly regarded education program that supports children and young people to build emotional literacy, resilience, and wellbeing following experiences of change and loss. The program is grounded in research highlighting the importance of social support and the opportunity to practise new skills in a safe and supportive environment.
Seasons for Growth is facilitated in small groups of students within the same age group and focuses on helping participants to:
· Acknowledge their experiences and recognise that they are not alone
· Understand that their feelings and reactions are normal
· Develop skills for managing emotions, problem-solving, decision-making and positive choices
· Build effective communication skills and peer support networks
· Restore self-confidence, self-esteem and a sense of belonging
The program runs for eight weeks, with weekly sessions of 40–45 minutes held during school time, and concludes with a celebration session. I will be facilitating the groups, having received specialised training in the Seasons for Growth program.
As children need time to process grief and loss, it is recommended that students participate at least 6–12 months after the significant event.
We will be running Seasons for Growth groups this year if there is sufficient interest. If you feel your son or daughter may benefit from participating, I encourage you to talk with them first and then contact me at school by Thursday, 12th March.
If you have any questions or are unsure whether this program would be suitable for your child, please feel free to contact me at school.
My email is jcarr@smcolac.catholic.edu.au
Yours sincerely,
Judy Carr
