PASTORAL CARE
QUESTION, PERSUADE, REFER TRAINING (QPR)
In order to support the Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM) initiative staff have completed evidence-based online training; Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) in order to further develop:
- knowledge and skills to identify warning signs that someone may be suicidal
- confidence to talk to that person about suicidal thoughts
- awareness and ability to refer to available supports.
We also strongly encourage parents and carers to engage with the training costing $10 a license, taking approximately 60 minutes to complete online and remaining active for 3 years. You can access the training via the Illawarra Shoalhaven Suicide Prevention Collaborative website (www.suicidepreventioncollaborative.org.au/QPR).
If you require any further information on the Youth Aware of Mental Health program or QPR, please don’t hesitate to contact the collaborative on 1300 069 002 or myself on 4423 1666.
ATTENDANCE
I have previously mentioned that, the SJE attendance policy is guided by CEDoW who is informed by Catholic Schools NSW in accordance to the attendance policy outlined by the NSW Department of Education. By law, we are responsible for notifying you of any attendance concern or partial attendance concern, this includes any absences that have been ‘unexplained’ or ‘explained’
If there are any concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s PALS teacher or Year Coordinator.
YOUTH AWARE OF MENTAL HEALTH
As mentioned in previous newsletter additions, Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM) was scheduled for Year 9 to complete earlier this week and in the coming weeks. Unfortunately, due to the current global situation, this has been postponed until a later date. We will endeavour to communicate all updated information as we receive it from the Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Wollongong.
PASTORAL CARE SUPPORT IN THE EVENT OF SCHOOL CLOSURE
Due to the uncertainty we are facing at the moment, I wanted to take the opportunity to discuss pastoral care support in the event of a school closure. At present, we are supporting a number of students and families in managing their wellbeing while at SJE, whether it be through a connection to the Catholic Care Counsellors, Focus Zone, identified support people, PALS teachers, Year Coordinators or classroom teachers. In the event of a school closure, unfortunately, these support structures cannot continue as they would if students were on school grounds.
I urge students and parents who are relying on these as main supports to look to additional, external supports within the community. While I know these are hard to find at times, I have attached our Helping Hands Card that has been issued to every student in our school community as an additional support. This resource outlines a number of support services that students and families can access in person, via the phone or online.
Click here to access the Helping Hands CardMr. James Eirth
Pastoral Care Coordinator