Staying safe during online learning. 

Never before has being online been so crucial to our daily lives. Students are logging on to learn and socialise in unprecedented ways but it’s crucial our children stay safe while online.

The Sydney Catholic Schools’ Student Wellbeing Team has created a range of safety tips for both primary and secondary students that cover key online safety issues.

These tips encourage students to engage in an online environment, while also remaining safe and proactive.

We urge parents to ensure their children have read these tips before logging on.

• Online safety tips for Primary school students

• Online safety tips for Secondary school students

For more information:

• See the e-safety commissioner’s website

If parents have questions regarding their child’s learning needs, please contact your school.

Supporting children’s wellbeing during the coronavirus.

Honest and regular communication is key to coping with social isolation and the sense of being plunged into unsettling limbo, says Sydney Catholic Schools’ psychologist and education specialist, Sandra Reynolds.

She recommends starting a conversation with your child and keeping up a semblance of routine for children studying from home, even if this just means not being in your pyjamas all day.

“Check in with them on how they’re feeling about this new way of living,” Ms Reynolds advised.

“Monitor how much (COVID-19) media exposure they’re getting, especially for younger children.

“It’s important you’re able to talk them through it, so they’re not feeling scared or confused about what they’re seeing.”

As classes remain suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, so do opportunities for students to socialise, play sports and experience other school-based rites of passage, Ms Reynolds said.

There is also the added pressure on students to remain engaged in a virtual classroom devoid of human interaction.

All these things can lead to stress and anxious feelings, all the more so in students who were already afraid of being left alone, Ms Reynolds said.

“Students should be encouraged to stay connected with close friends and family, via telephone, video calls and messaging,” she said.

“Taking pictures of your daily activities and sharing them with a friend can help reduce feelings of loneliness and boost motivation to get things done. This generation is particularly fond of visual communication, so pictures are a great way of sharing.”

She said teenagers may be worrying about the potential loss of their rites of passage – their graduation, their formal.

“These are the conversations parents need to be having with their kids, exploring how they feel about this loss,” Ms Reynolds added.

She urged parents of children experiencing high levels of anxiety over the recommended extra hand washing during the pandemic, …

Family ‘brain breaks’ with Mr Kato.

You may be cooped up indoors because of the coronavirus, but that doesn’t mean you can’t stay active, according to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School Randwick teacher Ry Kato.

Mr Kato has created a series of family-friendly physical challenges to get everyone moving in their virtual classrooms.

“The challenges, which I created, are a little bonus to do for a family ‘brain break’ or when they have some extra time,” Mr Kato, who is the school’s PDHPE and wellbeing coordinator, said.

“Staying active is such an important element of a child’s life; this doesn’t change when they’re at home.

“Physical activity gives children a rest from screen time and will assist with their concentration and energy.”

Mr Kato said his challenges are contained within “PE at home” pro forma documents that he created for the school’s pupils ahead of the COVID-19 lockdown and tougher social-distancing rules.

Accessible via Google Classrooms, the pro formas direct pupils to daily workout videos, featuring either Mr Kato or his colleague, PE teacher Liam White.

In these videos, the teachers are seen exercising or dancing. The teachers encourage pupils to complete the fun physical challenges with them, either on their own or with their families as well.

“My main intention was to make sure that each child was able to have access to, and participate in, at least 15 to 30 minutes of physical activity per day in these difficult times,” Mr Kato said.

“I wanted them to be easy-to-follow exercises and dances, led by familiar faces, specific to infant and primary levels that could be enjoyed by all.

“The videos are always family-friendly and usually included a song which the children would know and enjoy listening to.

“I think the main thing from this whole process – which I will continue into next term – …

Parent/carer coping tips around remote learning.

Sydney Catholic School’s Head of Wellbeing has some sage advice for parents in this unprecedented time.

It’s being called a New World Order but, to many parents, life in the COVID-19 era feels more like utter chaos.

In a matter of weeks, they’ve had to find ways to work from home whilst also becoming instant tutors to their children. Many are feeling overwhelmed by these twin challenges but Stephen Said, Head of Wellbeing and Pastoral Care at Sydney Catholic Schools (SCS), says parents don’t need to panic.

“It’s completely natural to feel stressed by all that’s happened in the last few weeks. The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone,” he said. “There are more than 10,000 teachers and support staff working hard to make remote learning easier for families. We are actively assisting many students and families through this transition.”

Mr Said also urges parents not to place too much pressure on themselves during this difficult time. “Don’t expect to do everything perfectly. It’s simply not realistic for anyone no matter how organised and well-resourced they are. Instead, aim for what you can do and don’t worry about what you can’t.”

In fact, Mr Said says this is a good opportunity to teach our children valuable life skills such as resilience, time-management and self-care.

“Children will be looking to us to learn key coping mechanisms. So, be kind to yourself. Take the time to connect with your family, to share the load and to laugh. Cook healthy meals and go for a walk in the fresh air. Also, where possible, take some time out from all the demands and have a quiet moment to yourself.”

“Remember, as a parent or caregiver, you are your child’s first teacher. Trust in your instinct to know when something is …

They are a dependable presence on the playground, and often the first responders when parents seek support on a range of faith and family issues. SCS Family Educators have always been a key link between the school, family and the parish.

As we move to remote learning, and an unspecified period of social isolation, these Family Educators are re-imaging the way they support the wellbeing of students and parents.

“We are now having to evolve in a virtual space, due to the impact of the Coronavirus and the associated restrictions,” said Meredith Lemos, Team Leader of the Family Educator Project. “We are continuing family support, which is critical in this difficult time, by thinking creatively and adapting already effective initiatives.”

“Our team is checking in on, and connecting, people through online activities such as weekly prayer meetings (*SPaRs), realtime playgroup gatherings, emailing wellbeing ideas and posting faith activities packs home”, Mrs Lemos said.

The team will also be emailing online pastoral care forms to families in a number of schools and parishes, providing a safe and dignified way of requesting support if needed.

“This support will come through regular phone calls, referrals to the parish priest, St Vincent de Paul services, CatholicCare and by counselling services,” Mrs Lemos said. “It will be like a hand reaching out to those who want to take hold”.

In a time where families are socially isolated, and the impact on their routines and livelihoods is changing regularly, Mrs Lemos said the dedicated Family Educator team is determined to continue providing pastoral care, links to outreach services, and keeping people connected.

“We encourage all families needing assistance – even if it’s just a listening ear – to get in touch. This is a challenging time for everyone and we’re here to support where we can”, Mrs Lemos said.

For referrals to support …