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Henry Kendall High School

Henry Kendall High School

Developing confident, responsible citizens who strive for excellence.

Telephone02 4325 2110

Emailhenrykenda-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Important Update

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Dear parents and carers,

 

As the number of coronavirus cases rise across Australia, the level of anxiety within the community is increasing. Feelings of worry and unease can be expected following a stressful event, such as the recent declaration of a global pandemic, however, it is important that we learn to manage our stress before it turns to more severe anxiety and panic.

 

This message outlines some useful strategies, sourced from the Australian Psychological Society, which can help both adults and young people cope with the stress or anxiety experienced as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

 

Learn the facts

Constant media coverage about the coronavirus can keep us in a heightened state of anxiety. Try to limit related media exposure and instead seek out factual information from reliable sources such as the Australian Government’s health alert or other trusted organisations such as the World Health Organization.

 

Keep things in perspective

When we are stressed, it is easy to see things as worse than they really are. Rather than imagining the worst-case scenario and worrying about it, ask yourself:

• Am I getting ahead of myself, assuming something bad will happen when I really don’t know the outcome? Remind yourself that the actual number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Australia is extremely low.

• Am I overestimating how bad the consequences will be? Remember, illness due to coronavirus infection is usually mild and most people recover without needing specialised treatment.

• Am I underestimating my ability to cope? Sometimes thinking about how you would cope, even if the worst were to happen, can help you put things into perspective.

 

Take reasonable precautions

Being proactive by following basic hygiene principles can keep your anxiety at bay. The World Health Organization recommends a number of protective measures against the coronavirus, including to:

• wash your hands frequently

• avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

• stay at home if you begin to feel unwell until you fully recover

• seek medical care early if you have a fever, cough or experience breathing difficulties.

 

Practise self-care

To help encourage a positive frame of mind, it is important to look after yourself. Everybody practises self-care differently with some examples including:

• maintaining good social connections and communicating openly with family and friends

• making time for activities and hobbies you enjoy

• keeping up a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting quality sleep and avoiding the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs to cope with stress

• practising relaxation, meditation and mindfulness to give your body a chance to settle and readjust to a calm state.

 

Tips for talking with young people about the coronavirus

Adolescents will inevitably pick up on the concerns and anxiety of others. In today’s world they are also incredibly connected through social media and exposed to local and world events, and given the extensive media coverage and the increasing number of people wearing face masks in public they are very aware of what is transpiring. It is important that they can speak to you about their own concerns. Do not be afraid to talk about the coronavirus with your children.

 

Providing opportunities to answer their questions in an honest and age-appropriate way can help reduce any anxiety they may be experiencing. You can do this by:

• speaking to them about coronavirus in a calm manner

• asking them what they already know about the virus so you can clarify any misunderstandings they may have

• letting them know that it is normal to experience some anxiety when new and stressful situations arise

• giving them a sense of control by explaining what they can do to stay safe (e.g., wash their hands regularly, stay away from people who are coughing or sneezing)

• not overwhelming them with unnecessary information (e.g. death rates) as this can increase their anxiety

• reassure them that coronavirus is less common and severe in children compared to adults

• allowing regular contact (e.g., by phone) with people they may worry about, such as grandparents, to reassure them that they are okay.

 

It is important to talk about how they are feeling. Explain to your child that it is normal to feel worried about getting sick. Listen to your child’s concerns and reassure them that you are there to help them with whatever may arise in the future.

 

It is important to model calmness when discussing the coronavirus with young people and not alarm them with any concerns you may have about it. Adolescents will look to you for cues on how to manage their own worries so it is important to stay calm and manage your own anxieties before bringing up the subject with them and answering their questions.

 

In today’s world it is difficult but important to limit media exposure. Media reports about the coronavirus as frequent exposure can increase the level of fear and anxiety – for adults and young people alike. Most of your children will have access to technology, so it is important to talk with them about over exposure to this issue and encourage them to limit engagement. With younger children there will be greater opportunity to regulate this as a parent.

 

Our senior students and the HSC

Our Year 12 students are rightfully concerned about the HSC in this COVID-19 scenario. Our students are increasingly stressed about every aspect of their HSC year - their learning, their major works, their examinations, with the uncertainty about what will happen.

 

While school remains open, we are acutely aware of the importance of continued quality delivery of HSC curriculum. All aspects of our teaching and assessment policies are proceeding as usual, with appropriate flexibility for students who are self-isolating on medical advice. The NESA Board Meeting is on Tuesday, and it is expected that there will be clarity of advice and further statements issued to guide schools in the area of HSC delivery if closures were to occur.

 

The Department also continues to try to define what potential school closures might look like and put in place protocols and strategies to enable the continuity of the provision of teaching our HSC students. These decisions have the importance of the HSC and the outcomes of our Year 12 students clearly in mind.

 

The important message for now is that Year 12 needs to stay focused and keep working towards their HSC.

 

Thankyou

This has been a trying week for us all. I take this opportunity to thank our community for the ongoing faith and support you place in Henry Kendall High School. I also recognise my staff for their resilience, commitment and focus on what we need to do for our students. They are always superstars, and this week they have shone even brighter.

 

Yours Sincerely,

 

Andrew Backhouse

Principal