Assistant Principal's Report

Welcome back to Term 2 and a very different environment. The last few weeks have certainly been something of a learning curve for all of our community and we are all extremely proud of how we are all travelling at the moment.

Students have been learning online and participating in a variety of activities that their teachers have been creating. Their transition to online learning is to be highly commended- students are connecting with their teachers, accessing the lesson plans on Compass, attempting the learning tasks and asking for assistance. Students are ‘ready to learn’ with their laptops and attendance to conferencing sessions. The ADP program is still running albeit a modified training program but students are still doing their exercises where possible. Our Fast Track Reading program is being accommodated where possible with an alternate reading program shortly, individually or in class.

Last Friday the school still participated in the traditional Anzac commemoration and whilst not the same as usual we still had the remote learning service where teachers and students listened to some Anzac history, the last call and their participated in a minute silence. We would like to thank Sharyn Campbell who organised this with staff and students, we all felt it was important to try and uphold some of our traditional activities. We also saw some of our students participating in the dawn service and posted some fantastic images.

We would also like to acknowledge the inspirational speech our CollegeCaptains wrote (which is in this edition of the newsletter) on how they were going in this remote learning phase and giving their peers some great strategies to get through these times.

We are a resilient community and will get through this and before we know ourselves we will be back at school and enjoying all our regular activities. It is important that we stay healthy in what we are eating and in our physical health. Staying connected to our friends and family is extremely important, using online platforms to have catch- ups with mates, cousins, grandparents etc. is really important, seeing their smiley faces will help with our mental health.

Personally I throw on my headphones listen to a podcast and take my dog for a walk taking in some fresh air and switching off.

CREATING A RHYTHM

It is important to create a soothing new household rhythm in uncertain times. Predictable activities, rhythms and routines make children and young people feel more secure, safer and cared for. With a little bit of planned structure, children are less likely to feel caught unawares. They will know what to expect. In the current COVID-19 situation with no school and big changes to their daily lives, many children, carers and families are struggling to find a new and reassuring rhythm to their days. Rhythm ─ in your daily schedule, in physical activities like dancing, skipping or playing music, or in physical affection like rocking and patting ─ soothes the parts of the brain that generate feelings of fear, stress, anxiety and aggression. Having ‘rhythm in your routine’ is like dancing to a regular beat ─ it keeps you all in time in a predictable way. It’s not the same as having a strict schedule. In such uncertain times, a regular rhythm to the day can be helpful for anyone, including adults who are stressed and worried about what’s happening in the world. Even by just keeping set mealtimes and bedtimes regular, things can feel more predictable.

Alone, we can do so little; together we can do so much. – Helen Keller’

PARENTS AND CARERS NEED TO REMEMBER TO BE KIND TO YOURSELF

This an unpredictable and uncertain time for everyone. With schools closed many parents and carers are wondering how they are going to cope for long periods at home with the children and young people in their care. It’s the same as what they tell you on planes. You need to put on your own oxygen mask before you can help others. It’s a huge struggle to care for children if we neglect to look after ourselves. While you may think: ‘easier said than done’ – it really does make a difference.

Here are 4 steps you can follow to help you be kind to yourself.

Regulate - Stay calm when you are feeling emotionally out-of-sorts. Think about what helps you to be calm and healthy. Can you build some of these things into your day? They might be quick things like sitting down for breakfast each morning, or longer things like watching a show you like after the kids are in bed. A regular household routine helps. Some examples of things that are known to make us feel better are: getting outside and taking a walk or doing some other exercise, having a regular cuppa and snack break, watering pot plants, doing a crossword puzzle, ringing a friend, listening to music (and singing along), cooking, day dreaming, playing with a pet or sharing some silly messages and other fun things on social media. If you build these activities into your day in a planned way, it gives you a break from monotonous tasks and provides something to look forward to. Even a few minutes of something pleasurable, a few times a day, can help build your tolerance for the challenging situation you’re in.

Relate - Connect with another person to feel better. One of the most effective ways to look after ourselves is to connect with other adults. So, reach out to others however you can – by phone, social media or video calls (FaceTime, WhatsApp, Skype etc.). Share your ideas and questions about how you can support and manage the kids in these new circumstances. Talk about how you can look after yourself and each other. If you have a worker who supports your family, don’t be afraid to let them know when you’re struggling – just talking it through can be reassuring. No-one expects you to breeze through this situation without some tough times.

Reason - Use logical thinking. It’s helpful to limit the time you expose yourself to news and current events. We need to stay informed, but it is important to avoid becoming overloaded and overwhelmed by negative news. Acknowledge your feelings and adjust your expectations, it’s OK to not have all the answers. If you are feeling particularly worried or anxious try and stop what you’re doing. Go to another room (even to the bathroom) and take some deep breaths. If possible, now is the time do something to regulate yourself. Understand that the kids living with you will be looking to you to see how you’re coping. If you show them that you’re staying calm, they will be more likely to mirror that approach. If your kids normally go to school, you can’t recreate school and be a perfect teacher. But you can do fun activities with your kids that will help them learn.

Remember - Looking after yourself is not a luxury – it’s essential. By looking after yourself you’re staying healthy and well – so you can have a better time with the kids. Be kind to yourself and do the best you can. You might need to take it hour-by hour, but this period of isolation is only temporary and will end. And every day is a new day. You can do this.

Glenn Jenner and Rose Thomson 

Assistant Principal's