As COVID has re-emerged in the Auckland community, I have been awed by the ‘roll up our sleeves’ attitude of our staff and community.

Last week, the good old fashioned belligerent, ‘this thing isn’t going to get the better of us’ mantra echoed around the classrooms, staffroom, playground, and at the school gate. 

As a nation, we felt fortunate to have beaten the virus into submission for the past 100 days. We hold up the enormity of that achievement as a badge of pride. Realistically, however, we had been warned this was likely to be a temporary state. The chances of maintaining COVID free status in a world where it continues to run rampant were always slim.

There is no doubt of the toll the COVID experience has had on us all, we have weathered this extraordinary experience over many months, staying positive, begin kind and getting through. We are now faced with uncertainly of how this will play out in the coming weeks and months. We are all a little COVID weary; outwardly putting on the energetic, brave face but underneath there is a certain amount of anxiety bubbling away beneath the surface. 

If we are feeling it, so too are our children, digging deep and bouncing back is harder than it was - children will be feeling this in their own way. There is no doubt that this is a time to nurture and to be kind.

By understanding a little more, we can help our children navigate these uncertain times. Here are a few tips that may help. 

WHAT IS YOUR CHILD EXPERIENCING DURING COVID-19?

• Seeing global pandemic and worrying.
• Feeling a big change in schedule and normal life.
• Hearing parents trusted adults and leaders expressing alarm or worry.

HOW DOES THIS IMPACT ON YOUR CHILD’S BEHAVIOUR AND HEALTH?

• Increasing worry and stress.
• Acting out or holding feelings inside.
• Expressing fear in the form of anger or arguments.
• Causing sleeping problems.
• Changing eating habits, which can lead to stomach aches and headaches.
• Provoking tears easily in some children.

WHAT DOES YOUR CHILD NEED?

• To feel safe.
• To belong.
• To have a feeling of control.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Manage moods. Maintain a consistent routine. Connect. Grow.

• Focus on staying calm.
• Help your child cope in a healthy way - play games, be active, draw, listen to calming music.
• Give your child control by giving choices – clothes, foods, chores.
• Set a regular bedtime and turn off devices one hour before.
• Create a daily schedule with your child.
• Spend time together as a family.
• Help your child chat virtually with friends and family.
• Do something new and different.
• Create a warm, loving environment - use calm voices and share kind words.

As we navigate Level 3, there has been little bemoaning our current reality, just a stoic digging in to do what must be done. Be assured that SBS staff are here to support our children and we hope that through Home Learning we can offer some semblance of routine, an opportunity to connect with classmates, a few laughs and some fun along the way. 

From Team SBS to you, our community, 'we've got this'!

Lucy Naylor 
Principal / Tumuaki