Dear Parents, Guardians and Carers,

It was great to welcome everyone back to St Michael’s last Friday after the recent snap lockdown. Despite this being the fourth time over the past 18 months that we have gone into remote learning, it is still a difficult and challenging time for all. The way that you and your child(ren) responded so positively to this latest school closure is to be commended. Please know that the staff of St Michael’s are here to support you and your child, so please let us know if you or your child experienced any difficulties during the lockdown or experience any difficulties over the coming weeks. During times like this, it is important that we stick together and support each other!

The following is an article from Parenting Ideas titled ‘Anxiety requires understanding': which gives some practical tips to help your child if they are experiencing anxiety:

The recent rise in childhood and adolescent anxiety and its acceleration during COVID-19 has worried parents and teachers. Many ask how they can assist kids when they become anxious about seemingly routine events such as attending school camps and excursions, tackling difficult subjects, or facing the prolonged absence of a favourite teacher.

Typical responses such as ignoring their worries or encouraging them to ‘get on with it’ are unhelpful. Allowing a child to avoid an activity that makes them anxious is another unhelpful option. Avoidance may help kids feel safe in the short term, but it risks the establishment of a long-term pattern that can be impossible to shift.

Regardless of the source every child and young person needs an adult in their life that understands them when they are anxious. It may make little sense that an activity makes a child anxious, you just need to understand that they are anxious. They need someone to witness their anxiety without dismissing or ignoring their feelings.

Anxious kids frequently look to parents and teachers for reassurance when they feel anxious. This shows in many ways, including kids continually seeking the opinion of others, wanting parents or teachers to make decisions for them, and continually asking for praise. Adults don’t have to fix kids’ problems, but we do have to understand they are anxious.

The use of ‘Ahhhh’ statements to validate how an anxious child is feeling, is a practical way to show that you are trying to understand them. It’s also a great way to help a child develop a more nuanced emotional vocabulary. Here are some examples:

‘Ahhhh, you’re feeling anxious about going to school camp . . .’

‘Ahhhh, you’re having one of those “I might mess it up” thoughts . . .’

Each child’s anxiety is unique. The first and most important response from an adult is to show a child that you ‘get’ that they are anxious. Having someone understand that they are anxious is an enormous relief, particularly if they haven’t been taken seriously in the past. Sitting alongside a child who feels anxious is an underestimated act of compassion that makes a huge difference to their immediate emotional state.

Just a reminder to please be mindful of physical distancing, when dropping off or picking up your child. Parents are welcome to enter the school grounds for pick up and drop offs, however you must maintain 1.5m distance from each other, wear a mask if unable to physically distance and practice good hand hygiene. Until further notice from DOSCEL, parents will not be able to attend meetings onsite. If you need to speak to your child’s teacher please either email them or call the school to arrange a time for them to call you. We will let you know as soon as there is a change to this recommendation.

We have been working closely with The Summit to ensure our grade 6 camp can proceed. The grade six students are very excited about going on camp and the new activities that they will be experiencing. Contingency plans are in place if the weather gets too bad as the school has full access to all the camp buildings and the program will be modified if required. 

The Parish Sacrament team has also developed a plan for Confirmation if the restrictions on Church numbers aren't increased on Thursday. An email has been sent to the candidates' families to advise them that we still plan on celebrating the Sacrament but that there may be changes to Mass times and the number of people who can attend. We appreciate this could be hard for families, but please know we are all doing all we can to make sure the children can celebrate in these uncertain times.

Lord, 

You send out Your Spirit to touch the hearts of all people, so that they may believe in You and in Jesus whom You sent. 

Look kindly on all candidates for Confirmation as they listen to Your voice. 

Open their hearts to Your Spirit and bring to fulfilment the good work that You have begun in them. 

As we prepare these children for Confirmation, make each of us an instrument of Your love. Teach us to appreciate what is holy in others, and to be patient with what we do not understand. 

Deepen our faith in the Gospel and help us to pass it on by our example. We pray that You will continue to guide us and sustain us. Through Christ our Lord, 

Amen. 

Kind regards

Jodie