Paid Union Meeting Wednesday 20th March – Postponed!!!
Due to the Christchurch tragedy the NZEI National Executive (teachers’ union) has postponed ALL Paid Union Meetings throughout the country this week including our one set down for this Wednesday. This means it is business as usual this Wednesday and so we expect all children to be at school all day.
In relation to this, if it is necessary at any time, I would like to explain our school’s lock-down procedures:
• The warning of a lock-down is 5 long rings on the bell in a row.
• At that time children and staff should lie down on floor of the classroom (or if in the library, hall or computer suite if you are in there – don’t try and return to your classroom). Doors closed and curtains pulled (if there are any). If the children are outside or in the playground the staff will take into account the present situation and if they can return to their classroom (or another building) they should do so.
• What until there are further instructions from management or office. They will be in close contact with the police.
• When in lock-down, parents/caregivers will not be permitted to enter the classrooms to get their children (until management says so).
Here is some advice for parents (I sent similar advice to the staff last night). It has been evident from class teachers reports today that the children are happy to be at school and there has been little mention of last Friday’s Christchurch tragedy. There have been a few comments and one or two questions which have been well handled by the teachers.
My advice to the staff was not to dwell on the tragedy. However, if there are questions then answer briefly and explain things as per Nathan Wallis’ (psychologist) suggestions below.
Probably the most important things to do are:
• Reassuring children that they are safe if a similar situation ever occurred here. That the adults around them are feeling safe and that the police will be working to keep us all safe.
• It may be an opportunity to briefly talk about inclusion, caring for one another and embracing diversity in our society.
Nathan Wallis’ advice to parents in Christchurch being:
• Turn off TV and media – it will reinforce the trauma.
• Show you are concerned like them, but still feel safe now. If you feel safe, they are likely too.
• Express confidence in how quickly the police responded and their ability to protect us.
• Be especially aware of how your “tween” is responding. Eleven is a very vulnerable age for loss and grief and our eleven year olds have already been traumatised by the earthquakes.
• Give them a sense of agency by telling them that people are wearing red to show their support of Muslim people and Christchurch people in general. The red stands for a united Canterbury and also signals love. A simple gesture like this can move them into action mode and help to relieve the victimisation feelings linked to trauma.
• Pamper them, cuddle them, support them.
• If they are responding particularly badly – take them to a safe place out of Christchurch if you can – the sooner the trauma stops for them the better they will recover.
A parent sent a class teacher and myself an excellent link that I would encourage parents to view (it is on the ‘Parenting Place’ site). It contains age appropriate advice.
Regards
TIM BRENTON
Principal