Dear Curtin families,
What a challenge it is to write today’s newsletter. In the space of a few short weeks, our lives have changed dramatically and will continue to change. Like most adults in the community, I am managing my own feelings of fear, information overload and confusion. All staff at Curtin understand the choices so many of our families have made to quarantine indefinitely, limit contact with grandparents or work from home. Many staff are considering the steps they will take for the wellbeing of their own health and families. These choices are demonstration of the deep love that exists within families and our desire to protect those with vulnerability. Being an early adopter of some of these strategies is very brave and takes a lot of sacrifice. You are not alone, as many others in the Curtin community have made the same choices and we are able to use technology to maintain connection.
Across the community, we are witnessing shortages and uncertainty about what each new day holds. As a school, we feel the same lack of certainty about where our next rolls of toilet paper and sanitiser are coming from, and are receiving information from the media before official messages have time to get through. Our usual networks and meetings have also been shut down to reduce contact.
What stands out at this time is the resilience of your children, and the joy they take in playing, imagining and just existing. Many have had questions about coronavirus itself, community issues, cancellations and long term plans. Some have honestly expressed their fears and worries. Where possible, we have been giving them honest information and reassurance, providing advice on living with uncertainty and listening to their ideas. Despite this, they have taken changes to routines in their stride and taken seriously our requests for hand washing and using their elbows to over any coughs or sneezes. My own three year old proudly informed me yesterday, ‘it has to be your own elbow, not your neighbour’s.’ Overall, at school, our children are, at this early stage, continuing with learning and getting on with the job of being kids. As I have moved around the school today, I have heard laughter, reading, questioning, counting and witnessed the smiles of achievement. I have seen children replacing high fives with foot taps, still with big smiles. More and more, I am aware of students physical at home participating in their virtual classrooms and continuing with learning. The capacity of our kids to be so normal in a time that feels so unusual is incredible.
Children are not able to do this without the support of adults. As parents, the school understands you are carrying more than usual and supporting your children each day. I encourage you to continue connecting with school staff and each other. If your child requires support or is sharing emotional challenges, please let us know. If you have questions about their learning, be in touch by email. As we put more physical distance between us, we encourage you to consider ways that children can keep in touch, share ideas and laugh. Reimagining what community looks like is protective for all of us and will enable us to move forwards into the future.
We will continue to provide daily updates for the foreseeable future. These will be posted on Skoolbag and give updates, ideas and resources to support you. We will sent out advice on managing anxiety in children. All students will bring home a small comic explaining basic facts about the virus. Please, as this situation unfolds, let us know if there is information or advice that would be beneficial. In the meantime, as we all make the decisions we need to for our families, all staff at Curtin urge to feel reassured you are part of strong community.
Merryn