We have reached hump week of the term, and an unusual term at that. It is important that we all take time to reset. Time to pause, time out and time to refocus on what is important to us. Family, relationships, connectedness and a perspective on being kind to ourselves when things are tough. Thank you for your ongoing support and feedback it is much appreciated. We are all trying to navigate a challenging time and it is ok if some days it just does not work and other things have to take priority.

I am thrilled to be able to provide an opportunity for our parent community to engage in a live webinar with Maggie Dent. Maggie will explore the concepts I have raised above and how do we parent in a Pandemic. What is important, what are some practical strategies, how do we reset.

Maggie is a well renowned educator, parenting author and is often referred to as the ‘queen of commonsense’. It is such a privilege to have Maggie with us and to have the opportunity to listen to her wisdom and expertise and to then be able to ask questions.

A reminder that this is a free webinar open to the parents of St Michael’s Thirroul. Please follow the Eventbrite link to register your attendance. This will assist in the management of the online event.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Date: Monday 16th August

Time: 3.30pm

Zoom link to be forwarded on Monday

Register Here!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/parenting-in-a-pandemic-an-afternoon-with-maggie-dent-tickets-166252853761

A Maggie Dent Teaser

Here is an excerpt from Maggie’s work that places wellbeing before anything else.

Wellbeing comes first

So keep in mind those of you who are working from home while also having children doing remote learning, that wellbeing needs to come before learning outcomes and work outcomes. Until our amygdala – our threat centre – is calm, all learning and working is compromised. Stressed brains don’t learn well and they certainly struggle to manage big ugly feelings well. Please check out my Maggie Soothers – for simple quick ways of lowering cortisol. Some of them are serious fun and others deceptively brilliant at calming us all down.

While lock down stops real human connectedness, finding a safe predictable place to belong without judgement can be more than a physical tonic – it can fill the heart and nurture the soul. Reach out to your friends over the phone or online as much as you can. 

It's so important to be really nurturing in supporting yourself right now. My team have also pulled together a great list of tips and links to support families through different aspects of isolation 

Finally...

Please remember the power of the simple things, kindness and gratitude. When the grown-ups are able to find the light in the darkness, and bring hope to hide the despair, children learn how to do the same.