Counsellor/Wellbeing News
Welcome to Term 1
For many of us, the holiday period and even the start of term may not have been the best for various reasons. It is important that we remember to keep an eye on our friends and family, ask them “R U OK? Be supportive, really listen and acknowledge other’s feelings. Grief is a natural response to loss but remember, in the words of Michael Carr-Gregg “Grief is like a fingerprint, it’s unique to everyone, and so is the way you process it. However, the inability to accept loss, causes a great deal of psychological pain to many people.” So let’s all do our best to look out for each other and remember to always reach out for help and support for yourself and encourage others to do the same.
For those new to MCC I would like to introduce a great resource that is available to you. SchoolTV is an online resource designed to provide clear, relevant and fact-based information to assist parents and carers to raise safe, happy and resilient young people. You will find a range of topics with comprehensive videos from leading specialists, including one of Australia’s high profile psychologists, Dr Michael Carr Gregg. SchoolTV has great content from organisations such as Beyond Blue, ReachOut, HeadSpace and others. It also provides fact sheets, suggested books, apps, websites and much more. You can access MCC SchoolTV on the College website here.
This month I would like to highlight two topics on School TV that may be useful - School Transition and Moving to a New School.
School transition is a very exciting time for students and parents. However for many it may also feel quite stressful. Parents need to be aware of their child’s feelings and help to minimize anxiety but also talk to them about their expectations and being more responsible for their own needs. Here is the link
https://mccww.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/school-transitions
The other special report is Moving to a new school.
Moving to a new school is a big deal! Your child is going to meet lots of new people and be thrown into new situations. That’s bound to make them feel lots of different emotions. They may feel worried and anxious, but also excited and happy – all at the same time!
It is considered to be one of the most important transition periods of a student’s life and can present some significant psychological challenges for both students and parents.
Making new friends, learning new routines, discovering new environments, accepting new cultures and adjusting to new learning practices is all part of the process. Some children will sail through this period of change, whilst others may need a bit more guidance. It is important to give your child the chance to feel comfortable in their new space. This may take a few months, but ensure you keep the lines of communication open and check in regularly with your child to see how they are settling in.
In this Special Report, parents and care givers will be presented with a number of strategies that can be deployed to help ensure a smooth transition. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.
Here is the link to your special report https://mccww.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/moving-new-school
If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.
I look forward to working with the students, staff and families of Marian Catholic College throughout 2020. All the very best for the year ahead!
Karen Surian
School Counsellor/Social Worker