Dear College families,

I am imagining that like me you're probably feeling a range of emotions; tired, overwhelmed, frustrated or exhausted. And it's no wonder. Our brain craves certainty and in our current context where we are receiving daily doses of uncertainty as we navigate lockdown, navigate working from home and navigate online learning, your brain is in overdrive trying to find solutions for a whole range of unfamiliar situations. What you and I and our children are craving right now is some certainty and it's really important for an overall sense of wellbeing that we feed that craving.

In order to assist you with refocusing on what is certain from the College, here are some things that haven’t changed:

We are prioritising wellbeing. We have chosen to modify content and assessment procedures. This of course means that the pace of learning may be slightly slower, but that's OK given what it could cost us if we tried to do match online learning with what happens in the classroom.
We are prioritising connection. Norwest has always been great at community and you can be confident that despite the challenges that lay before us we are continuing to prioritise connection. I also want to encourage you to look for creative ways that you can connect as parents. Just as our students need to feel supported, you also need to know that you have a bunch of people on your team who are walking alongside you in this context.
We are prioritising communication. We want to hear from you. Let us know what is working and let us know what is not working for you and for your children. If there are ways we can support you that help you prioritise your child's wellbeing let us know. If you see ways to foster connection let us know but also if possible initiate those ideas.

Finally, I want to remind you of one thing that always remains certain. Whilst I don't know all of the challenges you face today or will face tomorrow, God does and His promise to us is to never leave us. Psalm 46 says He is our refuge, our strength and our very present help in times of trouble.

Felicity Marlow
Principal

These four words often come from the mouths of children sitting in the back seat of the car, enduring a long road trip that seems like it will never end. Lately I've been finding these words echoing in my own mind and I suspect that I'm not alone in this.

We are now eight weeks into lockdown and for many of us, it has been a very long eight weeks. Many people have celebrated birthdays and anniversaries, some have attended virtual funerals and there have been so many Zoom meetings that we have lost count. It can sometimes feel like we are never going to arrive at our destination, that we will keep calling out from the back seat, "Are we there yet?"

As our finish line keeps shifting I am reminded of a comment shared by a student in year 12 who likens this experience to running a 100m race only to be told at the end, actually, now you need to run a 200m race only to reach the end and be told now it's a 300m race. We can start to question where the finish line is.

"We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world" writes Helen Keller and it rings true in our lives as well. James chapter 1 also tells us "For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing".

The response from parents whose children are asking, "Are we there yet" could be a means of distraction and redirecting the children to look out the window and notice the world around them. By shifting their focus from the finish line to the road that is being travelled and the landscape surrounding them can shift the mindset from despair to hope and wonder. This is important for us to remember as well as we continue to move through this lockdown. If we just focus on the finish line we miss so much of what is happening around us. Maybe this is a time to remember the now, to think about the things that can bring some joy, hope and to take an interest in those around us. It has been said that every crisis has unexpected opportunities. They might be simple things like noticing the beautiful sunsets, going for a walk or bike ride with your family, finishing a 1000 piece puzzle and enjoying the moments that this season can offer. This might be the perfect time to connect with family, friends and our Creator in a new way.

Suzi Scott
Director of ELC

Marielle Flores has joined the College as our Intern Counsellor for Semester 2 2021. Marielle is completing her Master of Psychotherapy and Counselling at Western Sydney University, Parramatta Campus. During this time, she will be at Norwest Christian College on Wednesdays between 8:15am and 3:10pm and she will be supervised by Catherine Redwood the College Counsellor.

Marielle is very excited to join the team with Emma Scott another Intern Counsellor. She will be using a variety of expressive and conventional therapy methods during her time with us. A requirement of her counsellor training is that she completes 300 general hours of counselling and 70 clinical hours of practicum with students/clients. Marielle will have supervision of her counselling with Catherine Redwood during this time. Marielle will see students at the College from primary and secondary years.

Fortunately, during this time, the College have implemented zoom counselling which is accessible to primary and secondary years students. If parents would like to talk to the Counsellor – Catherine, or one of the Intern Counsellors – Emma or Marielle about their child, please contact the College and ask for a message to be passed onto Catherine Redwood. Both our Intern Counsellors, Marielle and Emma are available most days to counsel students and are not specifically counselling just on Mondays and Wednesdays. However, Catherine Redwood is only available on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and will speak with parents after hours if necessary, to support College families.

Marielle’s qualifications include:
Diploma of Christian Studies – Morling College
Bachelor of Ministry – Morling College, and she is currently completing her
Master of Psychotherapy and Counselling – Western Sydney University

Marielle is currently working as a School Chaplain in a public school, and her work in the school community involves:

- Assisting teachers supporting students with behavioural and learning disabilities and guiding them in achieving their learning goals.
- Initiating activities that will enhance a student’s inter-personal relationships to re-enforce their self-esteem and build positivity within the student.
- Emailing weekly updates on students to staff and to work in conjunction with the school counsellor and other support agencies in the community.
- Taking a pastoral care role within the whole school community that is inclusive of students, parents and staff.
- Leading a social skills program for students in Stage 3.
- Leading a Stage 3 student group in a targeted comprehension skills program.

Marielle’s previous work as a school chaplain also involved:
- Assisting students with special needs and helping those experiencing trauma or learning difficulties.
-Assisting teachers by taking small groups of students with behavioural and learning difficulties to guide them with their learning activities.
- Initiating activities that would enhance a student’s inter-personal relationships, to re-enforce and build their self-esteem, highlighting their positive values.
- Working in conjunction with the school counsellor and other support agencies within the community to support a student.
- Being visibly present in the school community to develop the Chaplain profile. Taking a pastoral care role within the whole school community inclusive of all students, parents and staff.

Catherine Redwood
College Counsellor