Junior School Bulletin Issue 6 / 02 May 2014
From the Head of Junior School I hope all of the mothers had a great Mother’s day last Sunday and I hope you all enjoyed the goodies that your children bought at the Mother’s Day stall. I was really impressed with the quality of the gifts that the Parents and Friends were able to provide for such a small amount of money. Thank you to the Parents and Friends who sourced the gifts and then sold them. Your efforts were truly appreciated.
that students can get involved in. The gala concert on Friday night beginning at 6:00pm will be a great conclusion to Arts week. Don’t forget to get your landscape photos in for the SCOPE photography competition. For more details please see the attached information to this bulletin. Work has begun on the Early Learning Centre. While we are sad to see some of the trees chopped down, we are excited about the kindergarten opening in January 2015. Work is progressing well on the building under the CRC and in particular the new Tuckshop.
Students completed the NAPLAN tests during the week. We look forward to getting the results later in the year. Just a reminder that while the results can give us some useful data, the results are most beneficial when read in conjunction with assessments conducted by your child’s teacher. I met with the Class Coordinators recently. Please keep an eye out for events that come up once or twice a term. It is a great way for families to get to know each other better in a social setting. The Traffic Safety Attendants do a wonderful job getting our children safely to their cars. In order for them to continue to do their work your assistance and patience is requested. Please do not queue over the pedestrian crossing, do not use your mobile phones while driving and ensure that you follow the rules to set a good example for your children. Having your child’s name displayed on the dashboard will also speed up the process. If you no longer have your sign, please contact the office and we will make you a new one. Students in Years 5 and 6 should be collected outside the chapel unless they have a younger sibling. Please don’t park outside the chapel on Tuesday afternoons as it blocks the exit for children leaving the chapel. Your assistance is appreciated. Just a reminder that next week is Arts week. There will be a lot of lunch time performances and activities
With the cold and flu season upon us, we are noticing a number of children attending school sick. I realize that it is difficult for working parents to take time off when their children are sick, but sending a sick child to school spreads colds and flus throughout the class and school. The sick child is also unable to concentrate on their learning and in some cases takes longer to get better. Your assistance in this matter is appreciated. Darrin Schumacher Deputy Principal/Head of Junior School
Taking Action – What practical measures need to be enacted?
From the Deputy Head of Junior School & PYP Coordinator At our most recent Junior School Assembly, I took the opportunity to share with the students a problem that I had encountered during the holiday break. The problem I faced was tiny black ants sourcing food from our pantry cupboard. The purpose of sharing a real world issue with the students, such as unwanted ants in the cupboard, was to demonstrate how engaging in an inquiry process led me to not only find a solution to the problem but the many connections I discovered between ants and the IB Learner Profile dispositions as I searched for relevant information. At the time, I wasn’t particularly knowledgeable about ants, so in order to work out what the best solution may be to address this problem, I decided to embark on a mini inquiry. I highlighted a particular inquiry model offered by Kath Murdoch as seen in the diagram below:
Students were offered the opportunity to smell a packet of what I had determined would be the solution to my problem. As they smelled the scent, they were asked to think about why my research findings suggested this would assist in redirecting the ants back out of my kitchen. (You will need to ask your child what natural solution worked!) Some of the new understandings that were developed as a result of my inquiry included the connection between us and ants. 1. Ants carefully attend to their young in large nurseries.
Source: http://www.myrmecos.net/2013/07/10/young-antsonly-poop-once/ We too strive to be caring. We try to show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feelings of others.
Source: http://atruenorthmsteacherblog.files.wordpress. com/2010/08/inquiry_cycle.jpg An explanation was given to the students for end stage of the inquiry. Tuning In – What did I need to know? How to get rid of ants from my pantry! Finding Out – What kind of resources might help? I decided to ask knowledgeable people for suggestions/ideas, search the internet and find relevant books.
CARING 1. Ants are great communicators. They communicate in a different way to what we do as they leave chemical traces that pass messages to their comrades about the location of food.
Sorting Out – What information was relevant to my question? For me, it was important to solve the problem with a natural remedy. Going Further – How do I feel about the information I had gathered? Was the information I had collected going to assist me with solving the problem? Making Conclusions – What suggestions did I feel was going to work in my situation?
Source: http://www.alexanderwild.com/Ants/Natural-History/Communication/i-hfqVNDq/
We are communicators when we express ideas confidently and creatively (sometimes in different languages). We send and receive messages through our words and body language.
Chaplains Chat As we returned from the holidays, Junior and Senior School worship has focused on the wonder and beauty of Easter; the event that has affected our way of life in the western world more than any other happening. The death and resurrection of Christ is the cornerstone of our faith. It brings hope to the direst of circumstances and inspires us to live joyful, optimistic lives.
COMMUNICATORS Ants are thinkers when it comes to building their nest. They build in water traps to prevent rain from flooding the nurseries. We too are thinkers and we think about more than just flood control. We apply thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems.
THINKERS
The significance of Easter in our lives as Christians is monumental. Unfortunately, this has tended to be lost in our modern western way of life. Easter can be viewed as an obscure event that may or may not have occurred and has little significance for how we live our lives in the 21st century but there are still plenty of people who embrace the promises God has made to us. The disciple Thomas had difficulty believing that Christ defeated death as he encountered his colleagues on the first Easter Sunday evening. He needed to see the proof with his own eyes. He was blessed with a first-hand encounter with Christ a week later and this led him to devote his life to taking the good news throughout the known world – as it also did for the other disciples. As we make our way through life today we do not have the privilege of literally seeing Christ as Thomas did. But as we put the belief that our God provides into action we are blessed to see Christ at work in all manner of situations. A small group of students went along to Easterfest over the weekend of Easter and all of us who attended were blessed to see God’s love and goodness in action through the worship times, partying and goodwill that existed among the thousands of young and old who joined in the festival. As we participate in the promise of Easter we are blessed by encountering Christ’s love and goodness in action. It is our hope that all St Andrews students will be blessed with eyes of faith and so enjoy the love, peace and hope that is ours as we participate in God’s kingdom through faith in Christ.
Can I challenge you as a parent, to engage in a conversation with your child/ren to find out what new understandings/connections they are making and what action they are taking as a result of their inquiry? ‘We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.’ - Romans 12:6 NIV Jacqueline Faulkner Deputy Head of Junior School/PYP Coordinator
Chaplain Graeme Schache
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Counselling Update
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Minecraft – Educational tool or addictive game?
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I hope I’m not the only parent with a Minecraft obsessed child. I’m fairly confident I’m not. Every time I even mention the word in a Junior School classroom there’s an eruption of excitement. According to the creators, Minecraft is a game about breaking and placing blocks. At first, people built structures to protect against nocturnal monsters, but as the game grew players worked together to create wonderful, imaginative things. Apparently, if we can allow a healthy relationship with Minecraft it is the perfect tool to harness our childs creative impulses, strategy development and problem solving skills. Recently my seven year old has made the shift from not just playing the game but also watching the Youtube “walk throughs”. ‘Stampylonghead’ seems to be the favourite at the moment. Some of his Youtube clips have over 3 million views. Clearly he has missed his calling of being a primary school teacher with that many children wanting to listen to him. We have got to the point of having to put some restrictions on stampylonghead viewings. I have tried to understand the concepts of Minecraft and to watch the videos to see what the attraction is but I must admit I’m still not really getting it. I then did some research to find out at what stage this obsession with Minecraft becomes dangerous or unhealthy. Entire websites have been devoted to parents grappling with Minecraft so clearly I am not alone. Some include “A Parents Guide to Minecraft” http://parentsguidetominecraft.blogspot.com.au This seems to show a balance of links to both the benefits and disadvantages of kids engaging in Minecraft. There are even schools using Minecraft in their learning strategies. There’s a book ‘The Minecraft Guide for Parents’ by Cori Dusmann. There is also a blog called ‘Mine Mum – minecraft help for desperate parents’. http://minemum.com After looking through these sites the main messages that resonated as a guide to parents are the following. • Do not let your children search YouTube on their own, there are a lot of people doing walk-throughs out there that swear a lot. • Avoid them using them using any electronic device as a babysitter unattended. (I’m often guilty of this one.) • If children are playing the pocket edition (PE edition) on
iPad, iPhone or another mobile device, make sure they sit up straight. It can drastically affect their posture being slouched over the game. Encourage your children to show you their creations and discuss what they have done. Limit their play to at most 30 minutes a day, perhaps two hours on weekends. Having limits is an important part of learning. Give them plenty of warning before the time is up. Be aware you will often get the response “I just need to finish this…” Do not allow your children to play online with others they don’t know (on servers) -- if you really want to let your children play with their friends online, then host your own server. It’s not hard, just Google it. Then you will have control over who is playing with them. Avoid them playing any electronics up to hour before bed. Studies show the blue light from screens inhibits melatonin release and delays sleep. I’m trying my best to follow them.
I hope this helps and I am also very open to any suggestions of monitoring and maintaining a healthy relationship with Minecraft. Mardi Frost School Counselling Team
Art News Week 5 in JS Arts Week – where the spotlight shines on Arts in the Junior School. Students will be involved in a series of workshops, including a session with our Artist in Residence, Kerry Spence. There will be a range of performance opportunities including: Concert Series (First Break) Arts Assembly Mini Musos Debut Concert Open String Ensemble Rehearsal The week culminates in a JS Gala Concert on Friday 23rd May from 6pm in RBT Attached is the schedule for the week. Priscilla Scott Head of Arts priscillas@salc.qld.edu.au
Sport News South Coast Hockey Congratulations to Sarah-Anne Hornsey for her outstanding achievement in being selected for the South Coast 12 years Hockey team to compete at the State Championships in Brisbane in June. We wish Sarah-Anne all the best. Equestrian Bianca Van Kampen competed at the South East Queensland Interschool Regional Championships recently qualified to represent St Andrews at the State Championships for 2014. Bianca was 2nd in her category for riders 9-12 years. Golf Emily Martin played golf at the Ballina Junior Open and the Maclean Junior Open recently. She won the girls nett score at both tournaments which reduced her handicap by 4 ½ shots. Awesome work Emily. Representative Cross Country We have our representative teams competing at the Independent District Cross Country Carnival on Friday 16th May, and also at the Years 4-7 Inter Lutheran Carnival on Monday 19th May. Both carnivals are at Rivermount College. The Gold Coast South District Cross Country at Pizzey Park is on Wednesday May 21st. We look forward to hearing how our teams perform and how many St Andrews Athletes qualify for Regionals. Running Club Achievements Members of the Running Club have earned the following awards for their efforts during Term 1. Students who have earned their 50km badge: Isabella Ashby, Ethan Chant. Students who have earned their 25km badge: Matthew Gabriel, Sarah-Anne Hornsey, Timothy Hornsey. Students who have earned their 10km badge: Fynn Andrews, Jenny Ters, Charli Pell, Elliott Pell, Casey Kemp, Luke Inglis, Ben Johnstone , Jett Andrews, Flynn Charters, Jarod Shannon, Daniel Craig, Cameron Lang, Tyran Lang. Those who have attended 8+ Running Club sessions during Term 1 are awarded the ‘Outstanding Commitment’ Certificate. Casey Kemp, Sam Schooley, Luke Inglis. The ‘Excellent Commitment’ Certificate is awarded to students who have attended 6 or 7 Running Club sessions during Term 1. Timothy Hornsey, Matthew Gabriel, Elliott Pell High Jump Ms West will be conducting High Jump sessions at Running Club on Monday 26th and Thursday 29th May. Sessions go from 7-8am on the Top Oval. Just turn up and register or you can get a form from Mr Manion. Any Year’s 4-12 students can attend free of charge. Andrew Manion Head of Sport andrewm@salc.qld.edu.au
Uniformshop News Volunteer Needed The Uniform Shop is urgently looking for a volunteer for Wednesday mornings from 8am. You can usually leave by 8.45am but if you can stay later we have plenty of things you can help us with. Please phone, email or drop in if you can help. Discontinued Stock on Sale Now All items still meet school regulations and are suitable to wear to school. Limited stock. Buy in store or via Flexischools. Tracksuit Jackets $30 (were $60) thinner white lining size 20 and 22 only Girls Blouses $37 poly cotton, old supplier Size 16 only save $5 Sports Shorts $16 taslon fabric size XS (16) only - were $20 Gowandi House Shirts $18 - old supplier size 18 (like a current 16) - new stock is $24 Navy 40 Denier Tights $3 - size 10-12 years, Mids and X Talls. New stock is thicker 70 denier and cost $7-7.50 each. Football Socks $7 - plain navy with cream sole. Discontinued supplier. Fit size 9-14 shoe. Jacqui Desfosses Uniform Shop Manager uniformshop@salc.qld.edu.au
Congratulations to Brenda M on winning the 2 hours free at Timezone! We are selling the Entertainment Books again this year!! New this year, you have a choice: The traditional Entertainment Book Membership that comes with the Gold Card and vouchers or the brand new Entertainment Digital Membership that puts the value of the Entertainment™ Book into your iPhone or Android smartphone. Entertainment Memberships contain thousands of valuable up to 50% off and 2-for-1 offers from many of the best restaurants, cafés, arts, attractions, hotel accommodation, travel and much more! The price is $55.00 per book and $11.00 from each book goes to fundraising for the College. Books are available from Reception, Junior School Administration and the Uniform Shop.
Click here to purchase now! It’s that time of year to update the interest earned on your LLL account that is credited annually on the 31st of May. Please send your books in by last day of term, the 19th of June. They will be sent to Adelaide for the interest update and will be returned to you on the first week of Term 3.
Dates to remember May Friday 16 Kids Club, Yrs 4-6, 6pm Sunday 18 Prep Family Church Service, 9am Prep - Yr 2 Funday Monday 19 SLAPS Cross Country Years 4-7 Tuesday 20 Junior School Assembly – MPH, 1.40pm ICAS Computer Skills Thursday 22 Mini Musos Debut Soiree – Ruth Butler Theatre, 3.30pm Friday 23 Junior School Gala Concert – Ruth Butler Theatre, 6pm Friday 30 Year 2 Excursion to Hinze Dam Kids Club, Yrs 4-6, 6pm
Year 6 Camp The students recently returned from their camp to Lake Ainsworth. They had an excellent time participating in the water activities, high ropes courses, adventure games and spending time with their mates. Thank you to the teachers who gave up their time to provide such a wonderful life long memory.
Year 4 Excursion Year 4 students had Johnny Briggs visit them recently to share information about Aboriginal culture. Holly Aston 4A learnt that when aboriginals dance it is called a corroboree. Ochre is used for paint and is an aboriginal tradition. At a Bora Ring, aboriginals sing, dance and tell dream time stories. There is a cut on a boomerang to make it return. Aboriginal people share their land and their food.
the Fete Committee for next year’s Fete, so if you are interested in helping out, please come to the next meeting. If anyone has any suggestions or comments and cannot make the next meeting please email the P & F at pandf@ salc.qld.edu.au Mother’s Day Stall The Mother’s Day Stall was held last week and the P & F would like to thank the following people: Nicole Ainger for ordering all of the stock for the children to purchase, I think you will all agree there was a great range for the children to choose from. Lauryn Redwood for making all the candles, the children loved smelling and trying to decide which scent Mum would like best. Michelle Brown for organising the raffle and all the prizes, the winners were: 1st prize - Olivia 3A, 2nd prize - Charmaine (Crossing lady extrauterine), 3rd prize - Ellen 1B, 4th prize - Ava P1, 5th prize - Quinn 3C We have to thank parents Sonya Lupton for her generous $100 Lava Rose jewellery gift voucher (www. lavarose.com.au) and also Angela Lyall for her beautiful handmade purse from her business Positive Change Purses – see her Facebook page. Finally a big thankyou to the volunteers who helped out at the stall, Tiffany Turnquist, Katrina McGregor, Sarah Renneberg and Krissie Butler it would not have been possible without you there. Oh and we must not forget our children of St Andrews: Jack Sturgeon, Matthew Valentine, Jack Valentine, Ella Ainger, Cooper Pitt, Taylah Pitt, Rilley Pitt who helped pack the gifts and set up in the mornings. We hope all the Mums had a great day on Sunday and enjoyed the gifts the children chose. Grants We are very fortunate that Kim Allen has agreed to take on this important role. Kim has applied for grants from Coles for Junior Landcare, which could be used for a vertical garden for the new Tuckshop.
P&F News Well once again the Term is flying and we will have another long weekend to enjoy. The General P & F meeting for Term 2 is Wednesday 11 June 7pm in the CRC. We welcome any new parents to come and find out what the P & F is all about. If you have any agenda items for discussion please email the Secretary at pandf@ salc.qld.edu.au by Friday 6 June. It is a great opportunity to have input into school projects which the P & F fund. Everyone is welcome. We will soon be looking to form
Kim has also applied for a grant from the Cancer Council, which could go towards much needed shelter up at the top oval. Further, Kim has met with Daphne McDonald and her Grants Officer who will advise her of any grants which may be available to the College. If you have anything you wish to discuss do not hesitate to contact a member of the P & F. President: Daniel Renneberg Vice President: Julieanne Andrews Treasurer: Michelle Brown Secretary: Nicole Ainger P & F Executive. Daniel Renneberg pandf@salc.qld.edu.au
JS Arts Week SCOPE -‐ Photography Competition Theme – Landscapes Get your camera or mobile device out and take some amazing photos of our beautiful landscapes. Please take a look at these youtube videos to give you some tips on how to take great landscape photos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YKUu49J58A https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VFapgda0T8 There will be 8 prizes awarded -‐ one prize for each year level and an overall prize for the best landscape picture. The photos will be displayed electronically at various functions throughout Arts Week. Process for entering the competition 1. Take landscape photos with any digital device. 2. Email your best photo to Mrs Martin karenm@salc.qld.edu.au or bring in that photo on a usb device to the Junior School Administration. Only one entry per student please. Please make sure that you clearly label your picture with your name and year level. Only electronic photos will be accepted. 3. Closing date for your photo is Friday 16th May. Winners announced at the Gala Concert on the 23rd May.
Celebrate Arts Week YOU ARE INVITED
19th May - 23rd May Please join us to celebrate Arts Week! Support your friends while having fun at one or more of our concerts.
ARTS WEEK CONCERT SERIES PROGRAM When Monday 19th May
Concert Piano Recital
Time 11:00-11:25am
Venue MPH
Tuesday 20th May
Guitar
11:00-11:25am
JS Music Room
Wednesday 21st May
Piano
11:00-11:25am
MPH
Thursday 22nd May
Speech and Drama
11:00-11:25am
JS Music Room
Friday 23rd May
String Ensemble Open Rehearsal Vocal/Piano
07:45-08:15am
JS Music Room
10:45-11.25am
Inside MPH
Friday 23rd May
Gr 3 Visual Art Rotation 1:30 3C 2:00 3B 2:30 3A
After School
Gr 5 Visual Art Rotation 5A – 11.30 – 12 5B 12 – 12.30 5C 12.30 -‐ 1 Prep Drama Workshop 11.30 – 12.30 (Gr 12 Drama)
Gr 6 Photography 6A – 8:45 to 9:25am 6B – 9:25 to 10:05am 6C – 10:05 -‐10:45am Concert Series 1 Piano MPH 11 – 11.30
Monday
Session 3
2nd Break
Session 2
1st Break Concert Series
Session1
Before School
Dance Class MPH Arts Assembly 2pm – 2.55 MPH
Gr 3 Dance Workshop 3B and ½ of 3A 11.30 – 12.30
Concert Series 2 Guitar JS Music Room 11 – 11.30
Tuesday
Concert Series 3 Piano MPH 11 – 11.30 Gr 3 Dance Workshop 3C and ½ of 3A 11.30 – 12.30
Wednesday
Gr 4 Visual Art Rotation 4A – 1:25-‐1:55 4B – 1:55-‐2:25 4C – 2:25 – 2:55 Gr 5 Music Workshop Rotation J17 Mini Musos Debut Concert RBT 3.30 – 4.15pm
Gr 2 Visual Art Rotation Gr 5 Music Workshop Rotation J17
Gr 6 Photography 6A – 8:45 to 9:25am 6B – 9:25 to 10:05am 6C – 10:05 to 10:45am Concert Series 4 Sp and Dr JS Music Room 11 – 11.30
Thursday
Junior School Arts Week Schedule
Gr 1 Visual Art Rotation 1.25 – 1A 1.55 – 1B 2.25 – 1C 2B Music Workshop 1.35 – 2.10 2C Music Workshop 2.10 – 2.55 Gala Concert RBT 6 – 7.15pm
Prep Visual Art Rotation 2A Music Workshop 12.15 – 12.55
Concert Series 5 Outside MPH 11 – 11.30
Friday Open Rehearsal String Ensemble 7.50 am JS Music Room
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INSIGHTS
Building parent-school partnerships
A mother like no other
WORDS Karen Fontaine
Seventeen years ago, Cheryl Koenig was a typical young Sydney mum celebrating Mother’s Day with her husband Robert and their two sons, Jonathan, 12, and Chris, 10. One week later, Jonathan was involved in a car accident that left him with a severe traumatic brain injury. Since that day, Cheryl has worked tirelessly to help not only Jonathan but also other sufferers of brain injury. Here, New South Wales’ ‘Woman Of The Year’ for 2009 – and the recipient this year of a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to people with disabilities, their families and carers – shares her extraordinary story. I grew up as one of five kids in a close-knit
ritual in the milieu of our family life. It’s where we
side. Some deep reserve of energy kicked in and
family, and from an early age I wanted
partake in each other’s day, share thoughts and
I knew I was making a difference to his recovery.
nothing more than to be a stay-at-home mum.
exchange memories. I often call the dinner table
All day long I told him how much we loved him;
I’d met Robert when I was almost 16 and, after
‘my altar table’ – it’s like a religious conviction,
that he was going to be all right. But Jonathan got
nine years together, starting a family seemed
I guess, where I get to nurture and nourish my
worse before he got better and each day felt like
as natural as night following day.
family.
a ghastly repeat of the one before.
On Sunday, May 18, 1997, I was cooking one
I gave birth to Jonathan two days before
Jonathan was in intensive care for three weeks
Christmas in 1984. He was an adorable baby and
such dinner for us when everything changed.
and then his eyes started to open. From early
as a toddler he was boisterous and creative. I
Jonathan was 12 and I was 37. He’d been playing
on, I knew he knew me. I’d lie on his bed and
enjoyed every minute of those years at home
outside with the boy from next door and I was
cuddle him and tell him about his life and read
with him and Chris.
making nachos. Just after 5 pm I called Jon inside,
him stories. I was completely driven in my mission
and minutes later I heard a huge bang.
to restore what little semblance was left of my
Becoming a mother defined me. How can
Jonathan didn’t see the car coming. The car
you not change when suddenly there exists
family. I saw signs of positivity everywhere. Around the two-month mark I knew I had
something that is more precious than your own
took him out and sent him flying for 20 metres.
life? I discovered new things about, and deeper
I found Jonathan lying on the street, his leg all
something to work with. I wheeled Jonathan to a
levels within, myself – because I held so much
twisted, with a horrible amount of dark-red blood
piano in the hospital music room. He had no neck
more in my arms. Of course the boys took my
coming out of his mouth and nose. There were
control, he was still dribbling and not talking, but
time, my space, even my patience – but they gave
two voices in my head – one telling me to scream
he was just starting movement in his right arm.
it all back with a smile.
hysterically and the other telling me to stay calm
He’d begun to reach up and touch my face and
because my baby needed me calm. That was the
take my rings off and do little things he’d done
voice I chose to listen to.
as a toddler. At the piano he reached out and
Now that my boys are men, it’s not the fancy holidays or big events that are my most golden memories. It’s the ordinary, everyday things.
At the hospital I didn’t cry; I just felt numb. A
Bedtime stories were a special time because they
doctor told us a CT scan indicated a brain injury;
opened up their imaginations. Music: playing
that Jonathan’s clinical signs weren’t good, and
their favourite songs and dancing crazily with
he couldn’t tell us if he’d make it. I thought, ‘You
them. Dinner times: every night, without fail, we
don’t know Jonathan’.
ate at the dining table together – the same meal
Jonathan was in an induced coma for the first
for everyone, too. This was, and is, an important
month and for four more months I didn’t leave his
started playing ‘Chariots Of Fire’, which he’d been learning at the time of the accident.
more on page 2 © 2014 Michael Grose
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INSIGHTS
... a mother like no other ...
2
Our kids learn through watching us There were no doctors around but the teachers saw it and everyone was crying – me hardest of all. That’s his theme song now, and he played it at the launch of my book. Jono had post-traumatic amnesia for about 10 months, which indicates the worst kind of brain injury and the unlikeliness that memory will be regained. But we didn’t listen to the doctors. I see his memory improving all the time and that’s because he has a full and active life. It’s been a long, hard journey. At three months he started making moaning sounds. I saw that as positive – he was trying to communicate. And then he started making ‘mmmm’ sounds. I literally pulled apart his lips to get his mouth moving but I closed the curtains around us because people thought I was crazy. But then one day he looked at me and said ‘Mum’. I can’t describe the joy I felt. The first day I left him, to go to the hairdresser because I was a mess, my sister stayed with him and gave him a drink of grape juice that hadn’t been diluted. He gagged and blurted out: ‘I want my Mum!’ I’d cried all the way through getting my hair done but I walked back into his room and he was talking! We called Robert and I said ‘Someone here wants to speak to you’. Without any prompting, Jonathan said in the softest voice: ‘Hi…Dad…I…Love…You…Dad’. We were all in floods of tears. Jono’s accident not only changed who I was, it also changed the complete dynamic of our family. I had to wear so many different hats in my new role as mother to Jono. I was – and, to varying degrees, still am – his carer, his rehabilitation case manager, speech therapist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, tutor, social secretary, counsellor for depression, and by and large his navigator through life. My mothering of Chris did a complete 360, too. Chris was only 10 at the time of Jonathan’s accident and I had to neglect him and his needs for the best part of five to 10 years because my entire energy was driven towards getting Jonathan better. To this day, I feel an enormous amount of ‘mother-guilt’ about not being there throughout probably the most crucial years of a boy’s life: adolescence. I was also guilty of being overprotective because I was terrified something bad would happen to Chris too. But I learnt, with time, to let him find his own way and I’m so glad I did, because he has become the most extraordinary young man, with the right blend of compassion and empathy, integrity and humility. He’s a civil engineer and he married his girlfriend Danielle last year, with Jono as his best man. It was an incredibly happy day for our family. Jono made a five-minute speech he’d memorised, jokes and all, which brought the house down. I’m enormously proud of both of my boys although Chris is probably my proudest achievement, because he’s done it all by himself. But our kids learn through watching us, in ways we don’t even realise at the time.
from Michael Grose. Join Stay one step ahead of your kids with great ideas & expert advice b.com.au. You’ll be so glad you did. Michael’s NEW Parentingideas Club today at parentingideasclu
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