Dear parents, students and friends

Feeling a little wobbly? Me too!

As we settle back into the new normal at school many of us, staff and students are feeling a little wobbly. When we are feeling a little overwhelmed, tired and emotional we get wobbly. In children that often shows as being sensitive, being quiet or even getting loud and angry. In adults we feel like we are paddling hard but not getting anywhere, that we aren't heard or appreciated or just exhausted. 

It is important we talk to our children about what happens behind our mask. Let them know when we are tired and how we make a decision to behave in a caring, loving or patient way when our feelings inside make us want to cry, scream or bang something. Often children don't understand that you can make a decision about your behaviour and think others just 'get it' and that they don't. When we make it visible for children they begin to understand how emotions can drive behaviour but don't always have to.

Congratulations to those who follow Richmond and the Melbourne Storm. They were both great games over the weekend. I'm looking forward to watching the beautiful horses running next Tuesday for a very different Melbourne Cup. I hope you and your family have a restful long weekend. Staff are working hard on school reports during this time.