Paul Dillon
Read more: Transitioning Back to College, Paul Dillon online seminar, Child Safety Handbook.
This week I met with Dr Tom Brunzell and his team to discuss transitioning back to school. Dr Brunzell is the Director of the family services organisation, Berry Street, and has worked with schools across Victoria after their long lockdown. His research at the University of Melbourne investigated both the negative impacts of secondary traumatic stress and the positive impacts of wellbeing on teachers and leaders.
Dr Brunzell stressed the importance of routine when our students return to campus next week. He went on to say that we cannot underestimate the importance of reconnecting with each other, and student schoolwork during this transition phase.
The College has also been looking at evidence from the Northern Hemisphere to put in place strategies to best help our students return to campus.
The circumstances of this situation have significantly impacted us all. For some, it has been an opportunity to reflect on what is important, whilst others have embraced the opportunity to learn new things.
Many young people may be excited at the prospect of restrictions being lifted, whilst others may be feeling mixed emotions. Reactions will differ depending on how well they cope with stress and change. Keeping a check on your child’s mental health and wellbeing as they adjust to new routines, will be vitally important. We encourage parents to reach out to their son’s Mentors or Head of House if circumstances have changed during lockdown, or they are detecting any flags such as anxiety or unusual lethargy in their sons.
There is still a lot of uncertainty ahead of us, so focusing on the things you can control or enjoy doing, can help establish predictability and familiarity for the whole family. Adult carers need to provide young people with reassurance by acknowledging any concerns and fears they may have at this time. Consider this to be a normal reaction, however it may be best to focus more on their feelings and emotions, rather than the practicalities at this stage.
SchoolTV Special Report
The latest Special Report contains ideas about how to help ease this time of transition.
>>> Click here to view the Special Report ‘Transitioning Back.’
If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your son, please contact the wellbeing team for further information or seek medical or professional help.
Paul Dillon Online Seminar Reminder
Don’t forget our parent seminar next week featuring Mr Paul Dillon from Drug and Alcohol Research Training Australia. Paul will be presenting exclusively to the College community online next Thursday.
Reenforcing our ‘wellbeing partnership’, Paul will also be presenting to students in Years 10 and 11, and to staff earlier in the day.
Parent Seminar: Thursday, 28 October, 6pm-7:15pm
>>> Click here to view the Zoom link to the parent seminar by Paul Dillon.
Meeting ID: 844 1268 5711
Passcode: 156047
Child Safety Handbook — COVID-19 and Bush Fire Updates
The NSW Police Legacy Child Safety Handbook is a comprehensive resource to assist parents and carers on a range of topics essential to child safety. The handbook has been updated to include key messages about COVID-19 safety and bush fire safety with summer just around the corner.
>>> Click here to view the Child Safety Handbook.
This handbook also includes important content updates from: NSW Ministry of Health, NSW Police Force, Fire and Rescue NSW, Rural Fire NSW, Transport for NSW, Sydney Trains, NSW Department of Family & Community Services, eSafety Commissioner and NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian.
Mr Patrick Brennan
Deputy Principal (Staff and Student Wellbeing)
E: pbrennan@waverley.nsw.edu.au
