Shining Lights, Week 11, Term 1, 2022
Light and Hope
Easter is the most important time in the Church calendar, and in the lives of the faithful. Its importance arises from its deep connections to the mysteries and terrors of creation. We are asked to face our humanity in a most profound and existential manner.
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus is on an inexorable journey toward Jerusalem. The Gospel indicates that Jesus was aware of the movement against him, and that his mission was about to culminate in a spectacular and enduring fashion. The big narrative has Jesus crucified, broken and dead on Good Friday, followed by his glorious resurrection, and restoration to life on Easter Sunday. The smaller narrative is the journey to Jerusalem. It is a story of everyday interactions, building relationships, working through the problems of life, and conversations about how we can live good lives worthy of the gifts bestowed upon us by God the creator.
We make meaning of our lives through our everyday interactions. It is here that we develop the spirit of ‘us’, in conversation, through sharing our convictions, building faith and trust in each other and in our relationship with the divine. In short, we find the meaning of our lives expressed in love.
Things don’t always go our way, and we may find ourselves as Jesus on Good Friday, discouraged, isolated, lonely or in some way broken. Easter tells us that there is always light and hope. New life, rebirth, forgiveness remain the beating heart of Christian lifestyles. How could we possibly exist without these sustaining virtues?
Be the light of Christ.
Parent, Student and Teacher interviews
In Week 2 of Term 2, Kindergarten to Year 6 students and parents will have the opportunity to speak with the class teacher in three way interviews. These are a valuable and important part of the teaching and learning process.
Firstly, they allow the students to reflect on their progress so far this year. What are they proud of? What have they learned or improved at? What have been the highlights of the year so far for them? It is also a great time to set some learning goals for the rest of the year. What would they like to improve on this year? How will they achieve these aims? What support can the teacher and parents give to achieve these goals?
It is also a great opportunity for parents to ask any questions that they may have about their child's learning at Lumen Christi. This can be to do with any area of learning, from academic to social and pastoral development. It can also be a good time to ask your child questions about their learning. Children are sometimes reluctant or unsure about how to discuss their learning at home. Meeting with parents and teachers together can give students focus to reflect on specific parts of their learning and discuss these in a supportive environment.
As we are trying to get through a large number of interviews, we are time limited on these evenings. It is a good idea to think about the types of questions you would like to ask beforehand. This will help to direct the discussion and help you and your child to get the most out of the time. Please remember that this is only one of the opportunities for discussion of your child's learning. At any time throughout the year, please reach out and get in touch with your child's teacher or the school if you have any questions or require any further information about your child's schooling.
At Lumen Christi we believe that it is in partnership with our students, families and the community that we are able to get the best outcomes for all of our students.
Interview bookings can be made via the Sentral Parent Portal. More information about how to book was sent via Schoolzine last week and can also be downloaded here.
Some Thoughts on the Cyber World
Let me begin by totally discrediting myself on the topic I am about to broach. I was dragged kicking and screaming into the whole computer thing (and miss blackboards and use a fountain pen(s)), I have never owned a mobile phone (really! The last of the dinosaurs, I’m scared/scarred (either one) just from school emails and much of my work is associated with the negatives of technology.
So, my limitations are significant. I concede that the genie is out of the bottle and acknowledge all the positives (eg mobiles giving me the peace of mind knowing my kids are safe, communication during our fires, the sharing of knowledge of course (the good stuff), remote learning, enormously supplementing, (BUT NOT REPLACING) my teaching. But you know that there is a “but” coming.
BUT…How about I get it all out first, then apologise, qualify and retreat as appropriate:
- Kids don’t talk - face to face - to each other as much. Empathy and social skills are declining. Ironically tools of communication can in fact be isolating. I think more kids worry about exclusion now.
- Kids don’t get a rest from information overload, let alone bullying (real or perceived), concerns of the day… Instant gratification. Copycatting. Contagion… it happens.
- Excessive gaming is tremendously worrying. Then you join a group of faceless people online…! A precursor to gambling addiction?
- Kids are not sleeping as well or exercising as much. (see previous points). Organised sport – with its social, as well as physical benefit - is in decline. Kids are becoming less healthy than the generation before for the first time …
- Immediate access to pornography is a huge problem. Pornography providing new role models to the impressionable young is a frightening thought isn’t it?
- Sexting is a significant issue (see previous point)
- Online Predators exist. Creeps have never had it so good – read the Police articles, yes ironically online (but this is a good thing).
I know that that this is unsubstantiated (but rest assured I could) generalisation after generalisation. The same things were probably said after the invention of the wheel, writing, printing press, TV, Elvis…but we’re trying to look after this generation. Probably the pace of technological advance outstrips law and moral consideration, but if there is money to be made…
Certainly don’t misunderstand me and think that this is in epic proportions at LCCC particularly, think it more the product of wide reading, long experience, listening to gurus and a bit of dot connecting.
What to do? As you know the College, for example, actively tries to limit phone use until after school (when safety concerns then take precedence). This is always problematic given the quality of the phones – ‘It is my school device” or “Just checking my timetable.” “Mum just texted me” is also frequently asserted and I’ll offer this observation without commentary (let’s remain on good terms, but such things should go through the office). And there are also the toilets… We don’t want a totalitarian state where toilets are staff supervised at all times and/or locked at various times, but I’m reading that some schools are being driven to this ( because of phones/vaping/vandalism).
Many “How to” type sites discuss family routines, parents limiting access, no devices in bedrooms, limiting screen time… Well meaning, and if it works for you – fantastic. But I appreciate that in the end none of this type of advice is going to work for many (busy families, both parents working, lack of tech. savvy, my homework is on it…) and I am sure that most kids would sell you, me, their parents, grannie and anyone they could find up and down the river rather than be parted from their phones. This is tied up in their search for identity and belonging of course; their developmentally understandable craving for connection. Even no connection is a connection of sorts.
There is work to do. Right and Wrong, remember, often does not apply with the immature brains. We are left with trying, hoping, praying that family values/school values, school mantras like good choices; pull back, stop and think show the way. Remember that with some of the above, addiction is addiction – it is as useful to berate a gamer as it is a smoker or drinker. Love, support, guidance, pointing out, reward, weaning off, presenting alternatives, counselling have a greater chance of success. No pressure, but you know how important we are as role models…
Always, always, always what a kid needs is a caring line of communication with an adult who loves them. When it really counts, they know that love is greater than the issue at hand, which doesn’t mean you approve of the issue!!, rather that your love means that you will work with them to learn and get past it. Mistakes will be made – these are opportunities for growth, for the necessary family discussion. Repeated mistakes are a bigger cry for help, get the professionals. As an aside, if you have had little contact with the police, you probably underestimate their pastoral role and capability.
I beg you, have these conversations with your kids, with sexting for example, – what do they know, how would they react if…, what they should do if…. If the kids let us in, we can help, and want to help, and always love, if even it is sometimes tough love.
As an addendum…I wonder at the phenomenon, everywhere, of the bystander filming. This has a worrying psychology all of its own. Filming minors, or anyone really for unsavory purpose, without the appropriate consents is also perilous legally, but at the simple level you would hope that this is not the new norm for society rather than assist, prevent... Again, the kids understand the dangers, but some still film and post….
- Get Tested (Not for COVID but for personality types)
- Get some space
- Think about jobs/industries
- Explore your options
- Stop and reflect
Remember, accessing our subscribed Careers websites (links and more information below) will provide access to profiling, personality testing and interest testing which will help guide the students towards more structured and fruitful exploration possibilities. Further filtering of research results, discussion and clarification of information an essential component, this is when students would access myself to do this!
Lumen Christi Careers
https://www.lumenchristicareers.com/
Locate University, TAFE and any other type of course across Australia, get information about the HSC, search for job vacancies and much more! |
The Careers Department
www.thecareersdepartment.com
Over 800 videos, podcasts, virtual tours, career timelines, scrapbooks, resume builders, virtual work experiences, build your portfolio, online workshops ... |
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For further information please contact Tamika Gaudie on 6495 8888 or via email at tamika.gaudie@cg.catholic.edu.au.
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