Principal's Message
In this time of COVID-19, we pray:
When we aren't sure, God,
help us be calm;
when information comes
from all sides, correct and not,
help us to discern;
when fear makes it hard to breathe,
and anxiety seems to be the order of the day,
slow us down, God;
help us to reach out with our hearts,
when we can't touch with our hands;
help us to be socially connected,
when we have to be socially distant;
help us to love as perfectly as we can,
knowing that "perfect love casts out all fear."
For the doctors, we pray,
for the nurses, we pray,
for the technicians and the janitors and the
aides and the caregivers, we pray,
for the researchers and theorists,
the epidemiologists and investigators,
for those who are sick,
and those who are grieving, we pray,
for all who are affected,
all around the world...
we pray
for safety,
for health,
for wholeness.
May we feed the hungry,
give drink to the thirsty,
clothe the naked and house those without homes;
may we walk with those who feel they are alone,
and may we do all that we can to heal
the sick—
in spite of the epidemic,
in spite of the fear.
Help us, O God,
that we might help each other.
In the love of the Creator,
in the name of the Healer,
in the life of the Holy Spirit that is in all and with all,
we pray.
May it be so.
Presently our world seems to be one of uncertainty and unpredictability. Initially from a very local level with Caine’s announcement last week that could create a feeling of uncertainty and a questioning around “Where will we get another teacher from at this time of the year”. Please be assured we will be advertising this position very shortly and we have already considered back ups plans and a range of options to ensure that learning for all in our community continues without interruption.
The postponement of the Ballan Autumn Festival and the decision not to attend the inter school sports at Mason’s Lane have combined to create an unsettling feeling in us all. Our regular or normal interactions at a social and physical level are being challenged.
At a broader level the coronavirus pandemic is creating a sense of panic and even fear as we see supermarket shelves being stripped bare as many in our society are stockpiling food essentials. While it is important for us all to be well prepared and to attempt to keep ourselves and our families safe, we also need to keep an eye and an ear out for those who are less fortunate than ourselves. For some within our community, they rely on social contact and support from others to assist in meeting their needs. We need to become creative yet thoughtful in the manner we continue to keep all within our community safe.
Food for thought: At a time when we are being reminded that hand washing with soap and water is the best protection against Coronavirus (COVID-19), we might pause to consider the three billion on the planet who, according to UNICEF and WHO, lack basic hand washing facilities and the 2.2 billion who lack safe drinking water. See https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/18-06-2019-1-in-3-people-globally-do-not-have-access-to-safe-drinking-water-unicef-who
This time can be especially overwhelming for our children. The following social story and links to further resources for children, may help them to better understand, offer some reassurance and ease anxiety.
