Here we are again!! School is officially closed for a period of Remote learning up until 12th February (half term holiday) meaning that children are not scheduled to be back in school again for face-to-face teaching until 22ndFebruary 2021. I must admit it is very hard to understand and comprehend at this moment and I am sure like ourselves in school, you have a lot of mixed emotions going on within your households right now. Whatever transpires over the next few weeks we know we are blessed with the most wonderful children and very supportive parents who I believe know that we will always have the best interests of the St Mary’s community at the heart of everything we do. Let’s continue to stay strong, stay together and stay positive.
Today is the feast of the epiphany and normally we would, as a schooling community have attended mass. If you were able to tune in this morning, Father McGrady mentioned the three gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh that the three kings brought and he related them to gifts we could give to each other over these next few weeks. Importantly, he mentioned the gift of prayer and praying for each other to ask God to help us through the next few weeks. To the children he reminded them of the importance of taking a little time to pray for themselves, their families and also to pray for their friends. We will all miss our friends throughout the next few weeks and one little gift we can give to our friends is to pray to God to look after them. The prayer he referred is attached below and I would encourage you all to say this each day, with your child, to ask god to help us all during this great period of uncertainty.
This theme of Father’s sermon also relates to our “WRAP” programme that Mrs O’Neill and our Parent Support Group have worked so hard to put together. Today was scheduled to be the official launch of “Wellbeing Wednesday” whereby the whole school community; pupils, staff and parents; would be encouraged to devote some time each Wednesday to explore issues around taking care of our own wellbeing and taking better care of our holistic self. Each month had a particular theme and the poster attached gives a few more details.
The themes explored are very relevant to now. It is vital we take the time to look out for ourselves and look out for others, where that is possible. It is so easy to become weighed down with what is going on in our world today, the pressures of home schooling and everything that entails and at the same time dealing with our own feelings and emotions and how our actions influence and impact upon others.
Each Wednesday, therefore, during this period of school closures we will be putting up some thoughts, ideas and suggestions on how you may wish, as a family, to get involved in “Wellbeing Wednesday” at home. Today I have attached a few “Growth Mindset” posters, as a means of introduction, for your information. All we ask is for you to be open to the ideas expressed and maybe pick one theme, line or quotation and try to incorporate it into your home. I have also attached a “What just Happened?” guide to coping with Covid for parents and information poster from Bernardo's.
If you ever need any help or assistance from the school, you can do so by contacting your child’s teacher or by getting in direct contact with myself.
Take great care of yourself and take care of each other.
Mr Gilchrist
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