Andersons Creek Primary School Newsletter

Chaplain's Corner

 

 

Hi Everyone. 

Are you feeling a little CONFUSED?  Schools and the Victorian community are receiving constant updates indicating constant changes!  Mentally this can be exhausting!

 

Juggling different timetables, events, online learning/work and changing ‘ROADMAPS’ can all take a toll on our mental health.

Developing the skills of a ‘professional juggler’ takes TIME, ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS, PERSEVERANCE and RESILIENCE!

BUT WE MUST NOT FORGET THE SKILLS IN MANAGING OUR MENTAL HEALTH AND THE MENTAL HEALTH OF OUR LOVED ONES – FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND COMMUNITY.

 

THREE NON-NEGOTIABLES FOR GOOD MENTAL HEALTH

  1.  Plenty of sleep – at least 8-9 hours a day and more for children.
  2.  Healthy eating and keeping hydrated – preferably with WATER!
  3.  Physical exercise.

These are our very basic needs for keeping our mind and body in shape to cope with routine and change.

 

RESILIENCE is our capacity to recover or bounce back from difficulties.  School needs to feel like a safe space. Routine helps. Teacher-student relationships are more important than ever during times of uncertainty, providing space for peer connection - Sharing lockdown experiences - Group challenges outdoors - Collaborative work in classroom - Asking students what would help.

 

Staff at Anderson’s Creek PS have been endeavouring to do all these things, including lots of class work, class outbreak  activities outside, as well as working together on interesting projects and challenges (Mrs. McQualter’s class were busy working in small groups with spaghetti and marshmallows, creating structures and having fun laughing together and interacting in a collaborate way).

 

And let’s not forget to continue to reach out and take care of each other!  An attitude of gratitude for each other and making someone else’s life just that little bit better, actually makes our own life better too!!

 

 Talking about GRATITUDE, today, October 29th is WORLD TEACHERS’ DAY!

Thank you to all teachers (classroom teachers and their support staff) and teachers of Australia and beyond for their MAMOUTHS efforts during lockdowns and remote learning and their concern for their students’ well-being.

 

I am looking forward to welcoming ALL our students back next week! 

So, take care and continue to reach out.

         Robyn Mulholland (School Chaplain)  robyn.mulholland@education.vic.gov.au)