Student Wellbeing

Wellbeing Support

Things have certainly changed a lot in the world lately. We are each dealing with something we have not had to face before with COVID-19. This impacts all of us differently and we are mindful of the many circumstances of loss, grief and challenge families are experiencing.    

Online Wellbeing Support

The Wellbeing Team would like to remind you that we are available during school hours to provide counselling with students still at home and to assist parents to access supports available.  Please email  WellbeingStrathalbyn@tyndale.sa.edu.au and we will reply to confirm an online appointment time using Zoom.  

Resources

The following resources may support parents and caregivers to connect and care for children and young people during this time.

Children: Short Video for children who are worried, sad or confused about Coronavirus, by Kirrilee Smout, a clinical child/adolescent psychologist and the director of Developing Minds.  www.calmkidcentral.com/covid-19

It is a relatively positive video - and provides an optimistic way of looking at the current crisis, and so will be suitable for most children.  However, please watch it first before showing it to a child, so you can ensure it is right for them and their well-being right now.

There is also a discussion guide and activity sheet for children under the video in the link

Teens: How to cope with stress related to Coronavirus (COVID-19) https://headspace.org.au/young-people/how-to-cope-with-stress-related-to-covid-19/

Adults: FACE COVID – How To Respond Effectively To The Corona Crisis https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmvNCdpHUYM&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1hxRDpPIc2IRtnhh6r77KsWIMyPFavkp8U_NUFW_rETtPAec2y71xTJGQ

In this brief animation, Dr Russ Harris, author of the international best-seller The Happiness Trap, illustrates how to use ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) to deal with the Corona crisis and the fear, anxiety and worry that goes with it.  To download a free FACE COVID eBook with a lot more information, click the link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MZJybtT9KmiE9Dw9EKvPJsd9Ow7gXaMe/view

Nurture your own Wellbeing

It’s important to take time for things that ‘fill us up’ and give our stress responses a break by focussing on what is positive in our lives. Our Wellbeing Patch garden has given students and staff the opportunity to pause and reflect on a job well done, the beauty of nature and the joy of being outdoors.  The most recent addition is a pallet herb garden made by one of the young people in our Tyndale family. I’m so thankful for his amazing work and I also thank the maintenance staff for their support in this project.

Look after each other, take time to embrace opportunities and intentionally connect with your children.  Please contact us if we can be of any support. 

Sue Chapman and Elona Koop

Wellbeing team /School Counsellors

Fleurieu Families

A Word from our Chaplain

For staff devotions this term we are exploring the theme of joy in the Bible. How does this relate to our everyday life with the difficulties and problems we sometimes, experience. With all the changes taking place due to the COVID-19 response, people have had to rethink how they do many things. It has been, and still is an adjustment that has affected many people,

● Socially with limited gatherings and the 1.5m distance precaution

● Mentally, with a change of routines and how we interact with others

● Physically, many of us have missed sporting / exercise activities and have had to do things differently

●Spiritually, the support we receive and give to others has been adjusted, especially for church attendance and the relationships we value.

Some things have been good, and others are still a work in progress.

How does this joy that the Bible talks about address our circumstances, and is it possible to be joyful in stressful, anxious and sometimes depressing situations?

The joy that is associated with faith in God is not dependent on our outward circumstances and can change our stress levels, release anxiety and replace depression with more positive emotions. The Bible says, “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” (NIV).

Bette Midler a number of years ago sang a song, God is watching us, God is watching us, God is watching us from a distance…….well, the consolation from God is not that He is merely watching us from a distance but He is as close as you want him to be. The Bible says, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8, ESV). God is not limited by the 1.5 metre rule “You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.” (Ps 16:11 NIV).

 May I encourage you to talk to God in prayer, allowing His presence to be experienced, in ways that will help you to know this joy. Jesus spoke words of comfort to the disciples and said, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your Joy may be full.” (NKJV).

God Bless, (Rom 15:13 for reading)

Graeme Klix

Chaplain