I am writing this from Hobart where I am attending the annual Christian Schools Australia (CSA) National Leaders Summit. Our school is a member of CSA and this annual gathering is an important time for leaders in member schools to come together for networking, fellowship and to hear from stimulating speakers.  We always come away inspired and refreshed for the work back at school.

One of our speakers (Dr Jon Eckert) recently published a book on teaching that focused on three important aspects: wellbeing, engagement, and feedback. He is speaking on these three this week. At GPCC we are focusing on these as well because we recognise that wellbeing is vital for students if they are to engage in their learning and feedback is important for their progress in learning.

We have developed a wellbeing framework that sets out how we will approach student wellbeing and how it connects to engagement in learning. Wellbeing is a hot topic in education as schools recognise the post-covid condition of some students and the growing pressures of our current social setting. While covid is largely under control, the effect on our society of the three years of lockdowns and restrictions, changes to work habits, temporary school closures and the debate over vaccination have all impacted on our children more than we imagined. I believe that some of this relates to how we as adults dealt with the pandemic.  Our fears and uncertainty were picked up on by our children and as they did not have the maturity to navigate that well, are left with the after-effects.

While we at school can work to help children find a better place to be, it is also vital that you do your part to help your children find that place. Helping them navigate the current social climate is important and there is nothing more helpful than an adult who has worked that out and can be a role model for their children. Staying calm, not rushing to adopt a position on something because everyone else on social media is doing so, talking things through with children and helping them to process their thoughts and fears all help to assist them to find a good place to be.

As Christians we also believe that having a strong faith in God helps in times like this. We believe God is in overall control and is working out all things for His good purpose, so even though things at times seem difficult or even disastrous, we put our hope in a God who will ultimately bring peace and restore all things to what he intended them to be. In the meantime, He gives us freedom to have a go ourselves but sadly, that usually ends in disaster. Helping children to develop a faith and a hope is a positive way to help them live well in troubled times.

Phillip Nash