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No.8

25th March, 2019

Dear Parents,

Congratulations to the students and their families who made their First Reconciliation last week. Mrs Ronnie Pritchard and the

level 3/4 teachers arranged a beautiful celebration of this sacrament. Fr. Michel joins me in congratulating all of the students

upon receipt of this sacrament.

On Friday, our Senior School Students competed in the District Round Robin Summer Sports. Congratulations to all students

on their sportsmanship and enthusiasm. I’d like to share with you some student reflections about the day:

Last Friday the year 5 / 6’s went to other schools and competed in sports. Rounders

went to Yarra Hills Secondary College to compete. Mrs Primavera and Mrs Huggins

came and assisted us. In our first game we went against Rolling Hills Primary

School. We had great teamwork in our fielding and that gave us the win. By the end

of the game we were on 3 and they were on 2. Our second game was fairly hard for

us as well as them. We were against Ruskin Park Primary School. In the end we won

with 1 run and they left with 0 runs. Because we won the first 2 games we qualified

into the semi-finals. Also in the semi-finals was Montrose Primary School. It was

probably our best round yet with 15 - 2.

Finally we were in the grand final! All the hard work paid off. We tried our best but

this time we didn’t win against St Patrick’s Primary School with them on 10 and us at 3.

We showed teamwork and worked together really well this year. The best part about it was we had so much fun and that’s all

that counts.

It was great to see parents and toddlers last week as Toddler Story Time . If you were unable to join in the fun last week, I

encourage you to come along this Wednesday 8:45 am in the library. And this message from Mrs Meades in the library:

The Victorian Premier’s Reading Challenge

is now open and St Mary’s is excited to be

participating. Children from Year 3 to Year 6 are challenged to read 15 books by 6 September 2019. It is not a competition; but

a personal challenge for children to read a set number of books. Children are invited to register through Mrs Meades. All

children who meet the Challenge will receive a certificate of achievement signed by the Victorian Premier and former Premiers.

To read the Premier’s letter to parents, view the booklists and for more information about the Victorian Premiers’ Reading

Challenge, visit: www.education.vic.gov.au/prc

We hope that the weather will be kind this Friday when we embark on a whole school WATER CHALLENGE on Friday

29th March, 8.45am. This will take the place of the regular assembly in the hall. Please join us on the oval to walk with

buckets of water around our school perimeter. By raising awareness and funds we can assist many of the poor for the basic

necessities like water, education and healthcare.

We ask that if you can, PLEASE give generosity to our Project Compassion St.Mary’s online

page: https://lent.caritas.org.au/stmarysmountevelyn

Thank you to the parents who have completed the ECSI survey. This survey is now open and provides vital direction for school

planning across the next four years. Currently only five parent responses have been completed (we need fifty two!). I

encourage you to please take the time with a cuppa to sit down and complete the survey.

Next Monday is our annual Athletic Sports Day at Morrison Reserve. Notices and information have been sent home and

spectators are invited to join in the cheering on the day. The Student Action Team has met and have suggested that students

wear combinations of any of the following to celebrate their house colour:

Coloured socks

Coloured ribbons, hair ties or head bands

Coloured wrist bands

Coloured zinc or face paint APPLIED AT HOME

Coloured hair spray APPLIED AT HOME

58 Clegg Rd, Mt. Evelyn Ph: 9736-2219 Email: principal@smmountevelyn.catholic.edu.au

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I will be heading away Tuesday night, to join in the Annual VACPSP Conference (for school principals), which runs until

Friday afternoon. Veronica Fraraccio as Deputy will ‘hold the fort’ while I am gone.

Congratulations to two of our Prep families as they welcome baby girls to the family: James (Prep F) welcomes Eden and

Caden (Prep R) welcomes Ava!

And lastly, thank you to the people who have volunteered for this Saturday’s Super Working Bee. There will be lots of

activity (and excavation) on Saturday and in the interest of safety we ask that children not attend this working bee. If you are

available to attend a working bee, please remember that $100 will be rebated from your school levies back to y

Have a lovely week.

Mrs Angela Glennie Principal Congratulations to our students of the week:

PF: Maya D PR: Quinn S 1/2P: Amaia W 1/2M: Sophie C 1/2H: Fraser R 1/2D: Holly B 3/4F: Donna D 3/4M: Liam P 3/4G: Oliver 3/4R: Sienna K 5/6B: Melia A 5/6P: Sam M 5/6T: Lachlan C 5/6F: Jarrah W

Harmony day

By Ashley Glennie

This week on the 21st of March was Harmony Day. Harmony day is a day that celebrates world peace. To

show respect we wear a touch of orange. On this day 3/4F did Harmony Day art of the world with people all

around it celebrating peace. We also did yoga to keep us calm and relaxed. My favourite part of the day

was the art because in the end the drawings and our art wall looked amazing because we all helped which

made it a wonderful day.

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Also available at www.smmountevelyn.catholic.edu.au

Dear Parents,

Parent Teacher Interviews – Online Bookings This term, we will again be using an online bookings system for Parent Teacher Interviews, which will be held on Wednesday 3rd of April from 3:30pm to 8:00pm.

Bookings will open from the 21st of March at 9am. Appointments are allocated in order of the on line booking received. Bookings must be finalised before the 2nd of April at 4pm.

When bookings for this event close, NO further interviews can be booked. Interviews will be held for ten minutes and one interview time can only be booked per teacher. If you require more time with a particular teacher, please arrange an alternative appointment to occur at a different date by contacting the office.

The online address to make bookings is: www.schoolinterviews.com.au and The event code 6mkte use lower case as it is case sensitive). The website has been updated to better suit mobile phones.

Follow these below easy steps:

Logon onto: www.schoolinterviews.com.au

Enter the event code ‘6mkte’ Press Go.

Follow the prompts and enter your required details

Select the teachers you wish to see

Select the appointment times that are available

When you click finish, your interview timetable will be emailed to you automatically with your times.

NB* If your email does not appear in your inbox, please check your junk emails. You can change or edit your bookings at anytime up until the 2nd of April at 4pm.

We

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Monday, 25th March Wednesday, 27th March Friday, 29th March Saturday, 30th March

8.45am 6.00pm 8.45am 8.00am -12pm

School begins Parent Helper Course School Assembly The Water Challenge Walk – Project Compassion Super Working Bee

We

ek

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Monday, 1st April Wednesday, 3rd April Friday, 5th April

8.45am Whole School Sports – Back up 3.30pm 8.45am 2.30PM

School begins Whole School Sports – Morrison Reserve Whole School Sports – Back up PARENT TEACHER INTERVIEWS School Assembly LAST DAY OF TERM – SCHOOL FINISHES AT 2.30PM

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Super Working Bee!

Saturday 30th March

In response to your feedback, the first working bee for this year will be a

Super Working Bee.

This means we will be working from 8.00a.m. until 12.00 midday.

If you have the following equipment it would be appreciated:

Dingo or similar machinery

Blower

Hedge trimmer / long handled cutter / secateurs

Shovel

Rake

The jobs to be completed are:

Move the long jump pit / clear soccer pitch

Clear the bush track of overhanging branches / undergrowth

Clear oval edges of blackberries/undergrowth

Replace eroded soil / grass on oval hill

Clean soft fall area around equipment

Prepare path for new concrete

Create new garden in prep playground

Future super working bee projects:

Build a deck in prep area & a bridge to flying fox equipment

(those with building skills, let us know!)

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2019 WORKING BEES GROUNDS MAINTENANCE

Working Bees at St Mary’s are fundamental to maintaining safe and orderly

learning environments for our students. There are so many tasks to do with such

a large school ground that we need all the help we can get!

To assist planning for this year we are asking each family to attend ONE Working Bee and to indicate which session

(listed below) suits best.

As an incentive this year the families that attend a Working Bee date will be rebated the $100.00 working bee levy from

their account.

In an effort to cater for everyone, we will hold Working Bees across a range of days and times. If these dates to not suit

you please contact the office and schedule a time that will be appropriate. If you are a tradie, we would appreciate your

expertise at times, so please let us know your skills below.

Please complete and return the form to the office by Monday 18th March 2019.

We looking forward to seeing you all,

Veronica Fraraccio

Deputy Principal

Please complete and return to school before 18th March 2019

Family Name: _______________________________Eldest Child’s Grade: _______________

Please circle your selected date below or nominate a date of your own _______________2019

I have particular skills and expertise in the area of ___________________________________

Saturday 30th March – Super Working Bee 8.00am – 12.00pm

Thursday 9th May 1.00pm – 3.00pm

Saturday 22nd June – Super Working Bee 8.00am – 12.00pm

Tuesday 16th July 9.00am - 11.00am

Saturday 14th September – Production 8.00am – 12.00pm

Thursday 17th October 1.00pm - 3.00pm

Tuesday 12th November 9.00am -11.00am

Thursday December 5th 1.00pm – 3.00pm

NB*TERM DIARY - Please find the full term diary online at www.smmountevelyn.catholic.edu.au Please

note updates and changes will be made to the term diary during the term. Please check on the website

for updates.

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FEES and LEVIES have now gone out with Fee Agreement forms. Fee Agreements are now due. Please return them to the office completed and signed.

2019 TERM DATES

Term 1 Wednesday 30th January – Friday 5 April Preps start Thursday 31st January

Term 2 Tuesday 23 April – Friday 28 June

Term 3 Monday 15 July – Friday 20 September

Term 4 Monday 7 October – Friday 20 December

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2019

26 Jan Sat Australia Day

28 Jan Mon Australia Day Holiday

11 Mar Mon Labour Day

19-22 Apr Fri-Mon Easter

25 Apr Thu Anzac Day

10 Jun Mon Queen’s Birthday

5 Nov Tue Cup Day

25 Dec Wed Christmas Day

26 Dec Thu Boxing Day

CURRICULUM DAYS

2nd - 3rd May Thur/Fri School Closure – Professional Development

TRANSITION TO YEAR 7 If YOUR CHILD IS IN GRADE 6

From week 1 Term 2 primary schools distribute a Transition Information Pack to all parents and carers of Year 6 students along with:

Letter to parents and carers (from Regional Director)

Frequently Asked Questions (parents or carers)

List of Government schools in the Region offering Year 7 classes

Application for Year 7 Placement

Parents and carers return Application for Year 7 Placement forms to primary schools by this date. Primary Schools are responsible for checking that the form is accurate and complete and that the parent’s or carer’s preferences are clear. Please return the form even if you have received confirmation of acceptance from Mount Lilydale Mercy College.

ST. MARY’S HOT CROSS BUN FUNDRAISER

It’s nearly Easter and that means Hot Cross Buns!

For every 6 pack of Hot Cross Buns ordered, Bakers

Delight Burwood One will give $2.00 to St Mary’s.

6 packs are $7.50 and flavours include traditional,

fruitless, Cadbury chocolate chip and apple cinnamon

Orders close on Friday 29th March.

Please give your order form with correct money

enclosed to the office.

Hot Cross Buns will be delivered to school and

handed out on Thursday 4th April.

Happy Easter!

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Senior School Fundraiser! 12th March – 1st April 2019

GRADE 5/6 FUNDRAISER

Family Portrait Tea Towel & Family Recipe Cook Book

Grade 5/6 students have combined their family portraits and family recipes into a fundraising opportunity to raise funds for the Grade 6's Fun Day that will take place

in Term 4.

Don’t forget to order a few extras for family members and your keepsake box. A great gift idea for Mother's Day!

Tea towels and cook books can be ordered via CDFpay

Tea Towel & Cook Book $15

Or

Cook Book only $5

ALL PURCHASES ARE TO BE DONE ON

CDF Pay – Go to the ‘St Mary’s Shop’ for purchases

SELLING FAST

DON’T MISS OUT!

Sale Ends 1st April 2019

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2019 TEA TOWEL Grade 5/6

The design for the whole Senior School will be screen printed in navy blue onto premium

100% white cotton tea towels.

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Child Safety Code of Conduct

St Mary’s endeavours to create and maintain an environment where child safety is paramount and there is zero tolerance of any form of child abuse. What is the purpose of a child safety code of conduct? A child safety code of conduct is intended to promote child safety in the school environment. A child safety code of conduct spells out professional boundaries and acceptable and unacceptable adult/child relationships and behaviour. professional development and training. A child safety code of conduct helps schools, staff and volunteers to raise behavioural issues. It provides a reference point for discussion when there may otherwise be confusion, uncertainty, or a lack of confidence about boundaries for appropriate behaviour with children. The code specifies behaviour unacceptable for a professional relationship between a teacher and a student. All parents, relatives and caregivers attending St Mary’s Primary School to help within the classroom must hold a current Working with Children Check and must have read and signed the Code of Conduct. Please go to our website for more information. CHILD SAFETY CODE OF CONDUCTS CAN BE COMPLETED AT THE OFFICE

School Vegetable Garden News

A BIG THANK-YOU to the parents who help in the

garden, including Liz, Alan, Ginny, and Ilona. The

children enjoy learning in the garden!

It is very dry at the moment so we will rest the garden beds for the next

two weeks. No garden club on 27 March & 3 April.

Next term garden club will continue to run on Wednesdays,

from 10.45 till 11.30am. New parents helpers required. Please

bring gloves and garden tools. All helpers are required to have

a working with children’s check. If you would like to assist, please complete the form below. Or email

rpritchard@smmountevelyn.catholic.edu.au. Thank-you

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VEGETABLE GARDEN VOLUNTEER AVAILABILITY

Name:_______________________________________Mobile:______________________________

Availability: Helping in the garden ⟥ Wednesday 10.45am. Thank-you

Applications for enrolment are due now for

Prep 2020 If you have a child ready to begin school next year, please collect an enrolment form from

the office and return it immediately.

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Other news in Religious Education:

GIVE LENT 100% for

Project Compassion. Over 50% of

children are currently in hospital around the

world simply because they don’t have access

to clean water. Some have to walk up to 7km

a day just to find clean water.

To promote awareness, justice and uphold

dignity we need to look after the world’s poorest.

St.Mary’s will be holding a whole school WATER CHALLENGE on Friday 29th March, 8.45am.

Please join us on the oval to walk with buckets of water around our school perimeter. By raising

awareness and funds we can assist many of the poor for the basic necessities like water, education and

healthcare.

PLEASE give generosity to our Project Compassion St.Mary’s online page:

https://lent.caritas.org.au/stmarysmountevelyn

Please watch Thandolwayo’s story https://youtu.be/JroUjoBwHYA

Class Mass Thursday 28th March Grade 5/6 C.

Parents PLEASE take the time to complete the ECSI survey (Enhancing Catholic School Identity). Each parent was

sent an email with the link to direct you to the survey. If you have any questions please ask your class teacher or Mrs

Pritchard. Thank-you. rpritchard@smmountevelyn.catholic.edu.au

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2019 Registration Form for Basketball - Season 1 – 2019

Any child interested in playing After School Basketball in Season 1 (commences early February 2019) will need to

fill out the following form and return it to the school office by ASAP.

CURRENT PLAYERS: If you are currently playing After School Basketball in Season 2 2019, you will still

need to fill out the following form so I can format the new teams. Games start at 4pm and finish at 7pm on

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday afternoons at Kilsyth or Lilydale Basketball Stadiums.

Monday: Grade 4 - Grade 6 Boys

Tuesday: Grade 3 Boys

Thursday: Grade 3 - Grade 6 Girls

Friday: Grade 2 Boys & Girls

Name_____________________________________ Age 2019_____ Class 2019_______

Are you currently playing After School Basketball? Yes No (please circle)

Have you played competition basketball before? Yes No (please circle)

Parents Name___________________________________________________________

Home No____________________________Mobile_____________________________

Email Address___________________________________________________________

Are you able to help as : Coach Yes/No ` Team Manager Yes/No

NOTE: If you are currently playing After School Basketball and do not want to continue in 2019, could you please

return your washed basketball singlet top to the office in a bag, clearly marked with your name and class on it. You

will then be eligible for your refund.

2019 BASKETBALL CO-ORDINATOR REQUIRED

FOR ALL QUERIES PLEASE CALL SINDY VITALE

ON 0423 354 217

St Mary's Basketball Singlet Tops Children playing in the after school basketball competition are to wear navy blue shorts (the shorts you wear for PE

at school are perfect), runners and the St Mary's Basketball Singlet Top. Tops are $25.00 to hire, however, once

your child returns the top back to school they will receive a $20.00 refund. Payment can be made by cash or

cheque. Cheques need to be made out to "St Mary's Parents and Friends Committee”

Could all payments for the singlet tops and this form please be given to the office ASAP, in an envelope, clearly

marked "Basketball Singlet Top Money". If you still have your top from last season, you DO NOT need to pay any

more money, just hang onto the one you have and use that again.

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MLBC Lakers Basketball Club are now taking

Registrations for Winter 2019 Season!

* Summer season Term 4 & 1. * Winter season Term 2& 3. JUNIOR BOYS CO-ORDINATOR-UNDER 7 to 13 SENIOR BOYS CO-ORDINATOR-UNDER 14 to 21

Carrie Beriman Jessica Hanger

Mobile: 0407 568 612 Mobile: 0402 446 977

Email: boys@mlbclakers.com.au Email: boys@mlbclakers.com.au

GIRLS CO-ORDINATOR

Solina O’Kane * Under 7, 9 and 11 Girls play Tuesday

Mobile: 0412 784 489 * Under 12 to 21 Girls play Wednesday Email: girls@mlbclakers.com.au * Under 7 to 21 Boys play Saturday

All new Mini Ball Players (7 years and under) receive free first seasons fees, a free Basketball and a free Drink Bottle! All other new players receive a free drink bottle!

MLBC Lakers is a community club that is dedicated to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to play basketball!

Training takes place at Mount Lilydale Mercy College in the Doyle Centre. Games take place at Kilsyth Stadium, Lilydale Stadium or Oxley Stadium.

Don’t delay – contact a co-ordinator TODAY! See you on the courts! Visit our website: www.mlbclakers.com.au for more information.

Migrant English Conversation Classes

Funded by St Vincent de Paul

FREE – LIMITED NUMBERS

School Terms:

When:

Mondays 10am – 11.30am

Wednesdays 7pm – 8.30pm

Where: St Peter Julian’s Church

240 Hull Rd Mooroolbark VIC 3138 (walking distance from Mooroolbark station)

Contact: Jan on 0414 763 801 for bookings.

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NO NUTS AT ST MARY’S We have children attending our school with severe (life threatening) peanut allergies.

As always, we are concerned for the safety of our children, and ask everyone to avoid bringing any items that may

contain peanuts to school, as the smallest amount of peanut or proteins of peanuts on benches, etc., can affect an

allergic child. Whilst we can appreciate that there may be children who just love to have their Nutella and Peanut

butter sandwiches or bars alternatives must be given.

Mt Evelyn Chess Club

The Mt Evelyn Chess Club

started up again Monday 11th

Feb, 7pm til 9pm at Hardy

House, the RSL Hall, 49

Birmingham Road Mt Evelyn.

All welcome – beginners to

players.

Is anyone available to run the Chess Club from early May

to mid July as Tim will be overseas. Email Tim on

therlihyau@gmail.com or phone 0419 102 380.

This club is supported by the Mt Evelyn Township Group,

the Mt Evelyn RSL and a grant from Yarra Ranges Council

to purchase the competition standard chess sets and

clocks. Gold coin donation.

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School Procedures for the Bushfire Season

Fire danger ratings and warnings are used in Victoria to provide clear direction on the safest options for

preserving life.

Schools and children’s services listed on the DET Bushfire At-Risk Register (BARR) will be closed when

a Code Red fire danger rating day is determined in their Bureau of Meteorology district. Our school has

been identified as being one of those at high bushfire risk and is listed on the BARR.

Where possible, we will provide parents with up to four days notice of a potential Code Red day

closure by letter and SMS message. A Code Red day will be determined by the Emergency

Management Commissioner no later than 1.00 pm the day before the potential closure. Once we are

advised of the confirmation of the Code Red day we will provide you with advice before the end of

the school day.

Once confirmed, the decision to close will not change, regardless of improvements in the weather

forecast. This is to avoid confusion and help your family plan alternative care arrangements for your

child. It is also important to note that:

No staff will be on site on days where the school is closed due to a forecast Code Red day.

School camps will be cancelled if a Code Red fire danger rating day is determined for the Bureau of Meteorology district in which the camp is located.

All bus routes will be cancelled.

On these Code Red days families are encouraged to enact their Bushfire Survival Plan – on such days

children should never be left at home or in the care of older children.

For those of us living in a bushfire prone area, the CFA advise that when Code Red days are forecast, the

safest option is to leave the night before or early on the morning of the Code Red day.

As part of preparing our school for potential hazards such as fire, we have updated and completed our

Emergency Management Plan.

What can parents do?

Make sure your family’s bushfire survival plan is up-to-date and includes alternative care arrangements in the event that our school is closed.

Ensure we have your current contact details, including your mobile phone numbers. Keep in touch with us by reading our newsletters and checking our website.

Most importantly at this time of year, if you’re planning a holiday or short stay in the bush or in a coastal area, you should check warnings in advance of travel and remain vigilant during your stay.

If your child is old enough, talk to them about bushfires and your family’s bushfire survival plan.

You can access more information about school closures on the Catholic Education Commission Victoria (CECV) and Department of Education and Training website – see <www.cecv.catholic.edu.au> and <http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/pages/closures.aspx>.

For up-to-date information on this year’s fire season, visit the CFA website at www.cfa.vic.gov.au or call the 24-hour Victorian Bushfires Information Line on 1800 240 667

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Classroom Helpers Program

Would you like to assist in your child’s Literacy lessons at school?

Would you like to learn more about how to assist your child with reading and writing at home?

We are offering you the opportunity to participate in our Classroom Helpers Program. This program gives parents an

insight into:

how children learn to read and write ( the processes)

how to help your children and support them in their learning (strategies)

the types of learning activities that are used in the classroom (practice)

how to assist classroom teachers during the Literacy Block

The program will be held on Wednesday 27th March 6.30pm-8.30pm.

If you are interested in taking part, please fill in the form and return to the office by March 18th.

For further information contact Veronica Fraraccio via email at

vfraraccio@smmountevelyn.catholic.edu.au

Please detach and return to Mrs Veronica Fraraccio, via reception, no later than Monday 18th

March 2019

I would like to take part in the Classroom Helpers Program.

Name___________________________________________________

Child/ren’s name/s and Grades :

__________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

Phone ___________________________________________________

Email ____________________________________________________

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18 March 2019

Responding

constructively to

the Christchurch

shooting

POSITIVE PARENTING

by Michael Grose

Last Friday’s shooting of innocent people in two Christchurch mosques is an event that has shaken

people to the core worldwide.

While we’d like to protect our children from such events, in reality it’s impossible, as the news

coverage is so widespread and the event itself has impacted so many people. The personal nature of

this particular tragedy makes it even harder to stomach than some recent natural disasters that have

made the news, as awful as they have been.

Let your child or young person know that it is okay to talk about the events in Christchurch. Listen to

what they think and feel.

So how do you approach this with your children? What do you say to a young child who

wants an explanation? How do you respond to a primary school child trying to come to

terms with the fact that one person could commit this offence? How do you respond to a

teenager who is angry that a gunman could target one particular community group? There

are no easy answers to these questions, but be assured that your child will benefit from

talking to you. These ideas may help:

Be available

Let your child or young person know that it is okay to talk about the events in Christchurch. Listen to

what they think and feel. By listening, you can find out if they have misunderstandings, and you can

learn more about the support that they need. You do not need to explain more than they are ready to

hear, but be willing to answer their questions.

Filter the news

While we don’t advocate censorship, we do suggest that you take particular care about your child’s

exposure to news events. The consistency of images can be frightening for young children who don’t

understand the notion of distance and have difficulty distinguishing between reality and fiction. Older

children and teenagers will probably be interested in news events, but they probably need an adult

available to answer their questions and reassure them.

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Engage in the news with older children

Many issues are now arising from this event that may be of significant interest to older primary-aged

children and teenagers. Be prepared to engage in discussions about political leadership, gun laws, the

coverage of the event itself by the media and other issues that will emerge. Increasingly, young people

are demonstrating that they want to have a voice in shaping the world they live in. Give them a chance

to air their concerns and formulate their ideas in the safe confines of home.

Manage emotions raised

The Christchurch tragedy may raise many emotions for children and young people including sadness

over the loss of life, confusion over how such an event could happen, and outrage over injustice. Take

your cues from your children and follow the threads that emerge. Demonstrate that you understand

how that they maybe upset and clarify their emotions if possible: “It’s understandable to be angry

when you hear news like this.”

Moderate your language

Currently, we live in very divisive times. The fact that this shooting was carried out on one particular

group demonstrates just the extent of the divisiveness of our community. Encourage kids to be

inclusive, steering clear of valued-laden, extreme language such as ‘terrorists’, ‘evil’ and ‘horrors’ when

describing the events and the alleged perpetrators. Not only does this type of language encourage

children and young people to take a position rather than focus on the problems, it risks desensitising

them to the reality of the impact of this event. The use of more sedate, yet descriptive language such

as ‘gunman’, ‘awful’ and ‘tragedy’ can take remove the emotional sting, while demonstrating the

enormity of the event’s impact.

Keep to a normal routine

Your child may feel powerless. You may feel the same way as that’s what events like the Christchurch

shooting does to us. Maintaining the same sleeping, eating and daily routines can help to restore a

sense of control over our daily lives.

Show them how to change the world

Arguably, these are the worst of times in terms of social divisiveness. Our children in many ways are

letting us know that they don’t want to continue living this way. So how can they have an impact?

Recently a timely clue came my way in the form of a notification from Facebook. Over the weekend, a

parent shared an existing message to her Muslim friends as a message of hope. The quote reads:

“Don’t become too pre-occupied with your child’s academic ability, but instead teach them to sit with

those sitting alone. Teach them to be kind. Teach them to offer help. Teach them to be a friend to the

lonely. Teach them to encourage others. Teach them to think about other people. Teach them to share.

Teach them to look for the good. This is how they will change the world.”

We get that power back when we start to impact the people around us in small ways, making positive

changes for the better.

‘Kindness’, ‘helping others’, ‘encouraging’, ‘sharing’ and similar concepts don’t make great political

slogans but they form the basis of every strong community- which is precisely what kids need.