Principal Message
Be Kind, Be safe, Be respectful, Be responsible, Be resilient, Be ready
Dear Parents and Carers,
In this Year of Jubilee, Pope Francis asks that all members of our global Church family share hope with those who struggle in any way. This is the hope that Jesus brought into the world and which he announced at the start of his mission.
This week we celebrate Catholic Education Week, which has the same theme as the Jubilee Year, Pilgrims of Hope. Catholic Education Week is a special week of celebration for all who work in Catholic education across our Diocese of Sale. There are 39 primary schools and seven secondary schools in the Diocese. Collectively our schools support 20,588 students and 3,289 school staff. This week, we join with Catholic schools across the Diocese as we focus on the theme of this Jubilee Year, Pilgrims of Hope. We are thankful for the gift of our education, for our students, teachers, parents, priests and religious and all who support us in our faith and learning. May our Catholic schools continue to serve our families, our communities and our country.
As part of the Resilience Project, we have been teaching the children about emotional literacy. Emotional literacy is the ability to recognise, understand, express, and manage emotions effectively. It involves being aware of your feelings, empathising with others, and using emotions constructively in relationships and decision-making.
Often, children have difficulty dealing with their feelings of anger. Helping children express their anger healthily is key to their emotional development. Here are some approaches that might help:
1. Teach Them to Name Their Feelings
Encourage them to use words to describe their emotions. Instead of reacting physically, they can say, “I feel frustrated because…” or “I’m mad because…”
2. Model Healthy Expression
Children learn by watching adults. Show them how to express frustration calmly by talking it out or using techniques like deep breathing.
3. Create a Safe Space for Expression
Let them know it's okay to feel angry and they won’t be punished for expressing it. Encourage them to talk about their feelings without fear.
4. Encourage Physical Outlets
Sometimes, anger needs a physical release. Activities like running, jumping, punching a pillow, or drawing their emotions can help channel it constructively.
5. Teach Coping Strategies
Simple techniques like counting to ten, breathing exercises, or squeezing a stress ball can help them calm down before responding to a situation.
6. Problem-Solve Together
Once they’ve calmed down, talk about what caused their anger and how they can handle it next time. Brainstorm solutions together so they feel empowered.
7. Use Books or Stories
Reading books about emotions can help children understand anger and see positive
Keep Smiling
Cathy
