My good friend sent me this image at the beginning of last week, and at the time I  loved it, the image was almost in your face, prying. Although thankful my friend was checking in, I was not overly taken by the message. Now some ten days later, I have revisited that image many times. You see this week is Sabbath Week and essentially God is inviting us to rest, take heed, stop. What that means for each of us is different, but what is essential is the order in which the message was given, be well, be safe, be kind to yourself, be kind to yourself first, for it is when we are kind to ourselves that we are able to be kind to others. Look after your body, treat it like a temple, its the only one you (and I) have got. 

We have a 25 year old son, his name is Jordan and I'm sure I have spoken of him in the past. Like every parent, we wanted Jordan to be protected and loved, we didn't and don't want him to feel hurt, pain, suffering, anger, frustration or disappointment.  Life is not only joy, gladness, happiness and love, for a very good reason, we learn from all situations and emotions. So what can children learn from this? Importantly children learn the skills of communicating, processing and managing their emotions from a variety of situations. Children begin to phrase their needs rather than their frustrations, they begin to empathise rather than dismiss other children's feelings, they begin to negotiate and collaborate. For these reasons at Trinity, we don't solve disputes on the playground, we do our best not to ban and we do our best to enable natural play. 

The approach we take is an explicit  teaching approach. It is on the playground that social skills are taught explicitly. When students approach teachers, the response is not, do this, do that. It is, what may have ...... been feeling, why would they react like that, how could you solve that, what do you think is the best solution here? Your support in developing resilient members of the future is essential. When your child comes home and says .................. the first question to consider asking is a wondering question, not necessarily an accusation question. I wonder what is behind this, I wonder what my child thinks and feels, I wonder about perception, I wonder what happened before and after the event. Some guiding questions- I wonder why that happened, I wonder where that information came from, I wonder if that information has been changed, I wonder why the two stories are so different?

It's great restrictions have eased, I can't tell you how happy I am. I would like to put a plea out to parents and parishioners to support our learners in reading by being part of the Reinforced Reading Program. If you have not received training or would like a refresher we are very happy to facilitate individual or group training. Please contact Caz Perryman on caz.perryman@cg.catholic.edu.au

Our first of four Open Days is this Monday afternoon at 4pm at the Terracotta. We hope to see members of the Community Council, staff and prospective parents at this gathering. 

Caz Perryman

Leader Team Trinity