Puketapu School
Special Announcement, 18 March 2019
Empower All People to be Healthy, Lifelong Learners
Kia kaha - do your best * Kia māia - be courageous * Kia manawanui - have a heart
A Message from our Principal
Kia ora whanau,
In light of the unparalleled and extremely upsetting events of Friday, we would like to reach out to our families to offer our support and add our heartfelt condolences to those who have lost loved ones. Our thoughts are also with our city and our country as everyone has been impacted by this.
Firstly our thoughts are with any families who have been directly affected by the terrible events that took place on Friday. There is a chance that some of us in the wider Puketapu community could have close connections with the innocent victims of yesterday's attack, our thoughts and love are with you.
We are aware that trauma can manifest in many different ways and can affect anyone, whether directly affected or not. The well-being of our learners and staff is our absolute priority and we will be paying special attention to ensuring everyone’s needs are met at this time. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have concerns for your child.
We are aware that some disturbing images and video footage are still being circulated on various social media platforms. This material is extremely distressing. Please closely monitor your child's online activity to ensure that they are not accessing this material. Staff will be carefully and appropriately debriefing with our students next week as it is natural that they may have questions or concerns, particularly our older students.
This week we are reviewing our lockdown procedures, looking at potential fundraisers for the families and working together with other schools to organise an opportunity to show our support for the Muslim community and to unite all of our communities in love and peace in the wake of this tragedy.
Alternatively, there are also some suggestions and support services available to support families and our entire community at this time that I would like to share with you:
How to talk to your kids about trauma (The Parenting Place)
Free Text 1737 = Free call or text anytime to speak with a trained counsellor
Advice from Nathan Wallis re supporting your children…
1. Turn off tv and media - it will reinforce the trauma
2. Show you are concerned like them, but still feel safe now. If you feel safe, they are likely too
3. Express confidence in how quickly the police responded and their ability to protect us.
4. Be especially aware of how your “tween” is responding. Pamper them, cuddle them, support them.
Below is a document from the Ministry of Education - 'Tips for Parents and Educators' with some very practical advice.
As a school leader, a father and a proud New Zealander my heart is broken that such a tragic act of violence could happen in our country, but I intend on drowning out words and acts of hate and racism with love and compassion. I stand united with our staff, tamariki and hopefully all of NZ in upholding our schools values of Kia Kaha (Do Your Best), Kia Māia (Be Courageous) and Kia Manawanui (Have a Heart) and our Principles of Inclusion and Equity - today they seem more important and relevant than ever before.
Arohanui,
Matua Ngatai
Tips for Parents and Educators
Tips for parents and educators: Supporting children and young people.
Lockdowns are an important part of school safety and crisis preparedness. We want to thank schools and early learning services for keeping all children and young people safe on Friday.
Now we need to help them recover well. An incident like this can confuse and frighten anyone who may feel unsafe or worried that their friends or loved-ones are at risk. They will look to others for information, guidance and support.
Parents and teachers can help children and young people feel safe by;
- providing reassurance and keeping to routines
- staying calm and promoting a calm environment
- doing enjoyable things together
- taking time to listen and talk
Be guided by their questions, be factual and age appropriate with your response. Children and young people do not always talk about their feelings readily – ask them if they are feeling worried.
- Keep your explanations developmentally appropriate.
- Very young children need brief, simple information that should be balanced with reassurances that their ELS, school and homes are safe and that adults are there to protect them.
- Older primary school aged children will be more vocal in asking questions about whether they truly are safe and what is being done at their school. They may need assistance separating reality from fantasy. Discuss efforts of school, emergency services and community leaders to provide safe schools.
- Secondary school students will have strong and varying opinions about the causes of violence in schools and society. They will share concrete suggestions about how to make school and communities safer and how to prevent violence and tragedies in society. Have a way of recording the ideas and how you might build on the ideas expressed.
- Emphasize the role that students have in maintaining safe schools by following school safety guidelines (e.g. Signing out when they leave school, not providing building access to strangers, reporting strangers on campus, reporting threats to the school safety made by students or community members, etc.), communicating any personal safety concerns to teachers and accessing support for emotional needs through teachers and the pastoral care system.
- Observe children’s emotional state. Changes in behaviour, appetite, and sleep patterns can also indicate a child’s level of anxiety or discomfort. In most children, these symptoms will ease with reassurance and time. However, some children may be at risk for more intense reactions, particularly those who have experienced difficulties and change. Parents and teachers, seek support through your school pastoral care system or your GP.
Puketapu School
Email: office@puketapu.school.nz
Website: www.puketapu.school.nz
Location: Dillon Drive, Bell Block, New Plymouth, New Zealand
Phone: 06 755 0973