Greetings from St Bede’s.

Hope all is well with you and your families as we step further towards regaining the freedoms and routines we had a couple of months ago, and also that your new normal is as positive as it can be.

Giving everyone here a spring in the step was the return of the boys. They seemed to be happy and grateful to be back as well. Long may that last!!!

We concentrated this week on assessing how the boys were in themselves, and deliberately gave them some latitude in allowing them to share their lockdown stories. We then endeavoured to ascertain those boys who were fully engaged in online learning, those partially and then those who were not engaged at all. Teachers have done well in responding to all their needs. Next week we will communicate to the boys and to the parents the concerns some are raising round senior assessment. Let me assure parents that no boy will be disadvantaged as we judiciously work with each student to modify programmes and assessment schedules; if the need arises.

Many in the community await eagerly for the government guidelines for sport to begin. The staged approach to training, playing and watching sport, whether it is in the gym or on the fields, is the next challenge. There will be more information sent to parents next week, as the respective clubs in the school look to distill the messages from the government, and from other sporting bodies. The boys are champing at the bit!!

We are mindful that in times such as this, that some people are more fragile and as always we have a role to play in providing support to the boys and the families, so please communicate with the school any concerns you have about your son's wellbeing or his learning, which we will endeavour to address as best as we can.

Our team in the Centre of Wellbeing will continue to be available to support their existing caseload as well as any new referrals from students and whanau.

Take good care of yourselves. It is important that if you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed at any time, please contact Mr Gray via email to wgray@stbedes.school.nz. He will either contact you himself directly via phone or he will get his fellow counsellor Mr Williams to make contact with you.

Our counselling staff can Skype, Zoom or talk over the phone. Mr Gray and Mr Williams will be available from 8.00am – 4.00pm Monday – Friday. Please email regardless, but if it’s serious and you are needing an immediate response, please make contact with your GP or Crisis Resolution (contact number below), because it may take a while for one of us to respond, or if it is at a time outside of our hours of work.

If you feel more comfortable talking to someone else, there are some options available to you. Here are just a few:

• Helpline 1737 they’re 24/7 free text or call.
• Youth line 0800 376633
• Crisis Resolution for major mental health worries and concerns Ph 0800 920 092, contact 24/7.
• If at any time you feel unsafe, please phone police or contact Oranga Tamariki on 0508 326 459

To finish off, I also include from The Young Marists a "Thought of the Day" which was published earlier this month. 

The first key of leadership in Marist Youth Leader is “Making a Start.” Being in lockdown has meant the challenge of a new routine, and coming out of lockdown means another change of routine, but it would be silly to think it will be back to our former routine. We have to make a start, all over again. This requires intention and a commitment to action. There is no time for analysis paralysis or becoming one of God’s frozen chosen. It is easier to act your way into a new way of thinking than it is to think your way into a new way of acting.

Until next week,

J. G. Boyle