This week we are reaching the end of our Seasons for Growth Journey, with our final sessions, followed by a celebration next week.

Our final Season has been Summer, it is often a carefree time when many take advantage of the freedom of holidays and the opportunity to relax. We have focussed on finding a connection with what has been lost or changed, while moving forward and embarking on a new adventure.

Our groups have been looking at the way that every choice that we make has a consequence and that consequences can be positive as well as negative. We explored the way that our choices are influenced by our feelings at the time and the people we are with. Students are encouraged to think about a decision before making it and take into consideration the different scenarios which may occur as a consequence.

In our final session, we have reviewed the key concepts that have been learnt over the past 8 weeks, explored who and what gives them support in challenging times and started planning for our Celebration next week.

Why Celebrate?  We are celebrating the time we’ve spent together and bringing it to a close. Sharing some of the things we have learnt together, showing students that who they are and their contributions to our journey has been valued.

I am hoping that there will be another opportunity in Term 4 for the groups to be able to have a reconnector session, to touch base with each other and reflect on the journey that we have spent together and how they have gone in the weeks following.

It has been an absolute joy to guide our students on this journey. A big thank you to everyone who has kept our groups in your thoughts and prayers.

Cool Kids Anxiety Program

In the coming weeks I am hoping to begin delivering ‘The Cool Kids Anxiety Program’. It is a structured 10 session program run over 8 - 10 weeks that teaches children (ages 7-17 years) and their parents how to better manage a child’s anxiety.

The Cool Kids Anxiety Program is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), with a focus on teaching practical skills. The program has undergone continual scientific evaluation and development to include the latest understanding of anxiety and its treatment. Current results indicate that most young people who complete our programs show significant improvement. Following treatment, there are marked increases in school attendance, academic achievement, confidence, number of friends and involvement in extra-curricular activities and decreases in worry, shyness, fear and family distress.

Topics covered within the Cool Kids Anxiety Program include:

• Learning about feelings and anxiety
• Learning to think more realistically
• Parenting an anxious child
• Fighting fear by facing fear (stepladders)
• Learning other coping skills such as building social confidence or learning to solve problems

If you believe that your child would benefit from participating in this program, please do not hesitate to contact me on Melissa.neit@cg.catholic.edu.au

Melissa Neit

School Chaplain