Am I responding out of fear?
Or am I responding from my foundation?

Just a few short weeks after sharing these words at our staff gathering, a global pandemic was announced.

The world had completely changed.

My marker words, however, and the significant polar-opposite positions they held, had not. Perhaps as guideposts, they were actually even more significant now. It certainly felt that way. 

As anxiety rose, panic buying took hold, and consistent unsettling updates of Covid-19 played incessantly. People needed stability, leadership, direction, and above all, peace. 

Were people responding out of fear, or out of foundation?

The answer was obvious. The fear itself was infectious—ironically.  It actually seemed counter cultural to respond in another way, and demonstrated strength, determination and considerable inner resolve.

I have been reminded of many formational and significant verses throughout this year, particularly in the shifting sands from mid-March.

I share with you just two examples from Jesus:

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Matthew 7: 24–27

Everyone in life who has ever built a house has some understanding of the importance of foundation. Sometimes it can take many months to prepare the solid foundation for something that will support great heights. Without it, structures (and people!) crack and crumble.

This Easter, more than ever before, I am reliant upon the firmest foundation of all, THE solid rock, Jesus Christ. He is described in Scripture, both Old and New testament, as a Cornerstone.

Cornerstone

• something of great importance on which everything else depends:
• the strongest part, where other parts are joined.
• the foundational piece

One of our Chapel songs also has this title. Its words are so apt at this time.

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly trust is Jesus' name

When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil

Christ alone, Cornerstone, Weak made strong in the Saviour's loveThrough the storm, He is Lord, Lord of all*

Our Cornerstone:

• Has absolute strength, power and might. He is the King of Kings, Lord of Lords (Rev 19:16, 1 Tim 6:15, Acts 10:36)
• Is of profound importance; the integral piece upon which everything depends (Col 1:17)
• Is THE foundation. (1 Cor 3:11).
• Set the foundations of the earth. (Ps 104:5, Job 38:4–7, Gen 1:1, John 1:1–3)

We can trust a foundation like that.

Our Tara community, this Easter, especially In these times of global unrest and uncertainty, my prayer for you is that you might know as your foundation, the depths and breadth of love that is found in Christ Jesus.

Nothing can separate us from the love of God

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 

 …No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8: 35–39

I, too, am convinced.

My friends, this Easter, I remind you that Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday and forever. He loves you. Seek Him.

Take heart. He has overcome the world. 

_{*Written by: Edward Mote | Eric Liljero | Jonas Myrin | Reuben Morgan | William Batchelder Bradbury}

_{© 2011 Hillsong Music Publishing Australia}

We want things to be the way they should normally be: for our children to be taught by teachers and play with their friends at school, for our families and churches to meet and fellowship in person, and for our workplaces to be secure and safe. We wish for what has been taken away, frustrated by knowing this is an unprecedented event, with an unknown timeline and impact.

The concern we have for our loved ones is absolute and with the future uncertain, feelings of confusion or loss of control can emerge regarding how we may best deliver that care and safety as parents. Yet there are ways to remain in control of the immediate situation around us. These ways have a trickle-down effect to our children. Children crave security. This often comes in the form of routine and predictability. My children used to start the day asking what was for dinner! It was important for them to feel secure in what was coming. Our children look to for this secure foundation they can trust, and in a time that can be frightening and abnormal, this can be challenging. Below are three measures we can take to maintain that level of control and support our children’s healthy social and emotional development. 

1.  We can limit and diversify the exposure of news and information our children absorb

The nature of news media runs on the public’s need for information. However, particularly in times of due stress, click-bait and sensational journalism can exploit such opportunities and feed public hysteria. The 24-hour news cycle exacerbates this. I am sure like me, you have struggled with news bulletins which only contain COVID-19 statistics of gloom and doom. Children can struggle to differentiate between real and perceived threats, and the more they view news content, the more intense that threat appears for them and the more they may develop unhelpful anxiety and stress.

I have enjoyed a few Instagram profiles over the last few weeks which tell good news amongst the daily updates of infection rates and economic downturn:   

@goodnews_movement, @tanksgoodnews and @johnkrasinki who delivers a lighthearted #SGN some good news channel

They remind me of the importance of providing our children with a broad perspective in times of trouble, including a famous quote by television personality and Presbyterian minister, Mr Rogers:

When I was a child and would see scary things in the news, my mother would day to me “Look for the helpers, You will always find people who are helping”.

By finding a healthy balance of information from quality sources, we can maintain our abilities to make informed decisions based on expert advice. Access to quality sources of information can be found below here: 

• World Health Organization – coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak
• Australian Government coronavirus (COVID-19) health alert
• smartraveller.gov.au – travel information for Australian citizens

We must remember broadcast media is tailored for adults not children. If we can try to limit our children’s exposure to broadcast media, we may assist in avoiding their exposure to information or imagery that they are otherwise incapable of comprehending effectively.

By staying informed through reputable outlets, when our children inevitably ask those pressing questions about what is happening, our role and responsibility as parents and grandparents is to filter what and how much information we want them to know in an honest and measured way. Below are links to two videos about how we might talk to children in these situations. 

• Talking to kids about scary stuff in the news
• Supporting children during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

2.  Looking Out for No. 1 

On the surface this may sound selfish, especially as parents. As parents, we naturally put our loved ones before ourselves. However, what good are we if we are not operating at our best potential? Our mental health affects not just ourselves but the people closest to us: our children. There are some steps we can take as individuals to control our mental wellbeing: access support services, maintaining a balanced perspective, being thankful.

Accessing Support Services:

It is perfectly reasonable to be caught off guard in a mass public health concern. A fact we can reassure ourselves with is: ‘we are all on the same team’. Provisions made by our communities to assist our mental health is ample. Beyond Blue and the Australian Psychology Society are excellent resources for assistance. See links provided below:

• Beyond Blue Support Service and phone counselling 1300 22 4636
• Australian Psychological Society (APS)

Not to mention, the Tara community is open to everyone’s concerns. Our Principal, Heads of School, pastoral care staff and school counsellors are at the ready for providing reassurance and help to our Tara girls, parents and staff.

Maintaining a Balanced Perspective and Being Thankful:

Maintaining perspective over the situation can also assist in quelling our anxieties. Medical researchers, scientists and public health experts around the globe are working tirelessly to contain the pandemic, as well as develop a vaccine. Our hope will be answered by our finest and brightest. There are people helping everywhere. You may even be in an industry or know of someone, who is at the frontline of providing help during this event.

Living in a first world country, we are privileged to access first world health care, hygiene and testing regimes. Reminding our children of the steps being taken by the government, their families and their school to keep them safe, and they steps they can take themselves, provides a sense of self control and safety, and therefore mental stability.

3.  We Are All in This Together 

When I started writing this two weeks ago, the phrase ‘We are all in this together’ was one that resonated with me. Not surprisingly, it is the tagline being used by governments, media outlets and celebrities to buoy spirits and create unity during a time when we can feel alone and frightened. When we rally together as one, we can relinquish our fears and rest our faith in the good inside our friends, family and wider community.

I have to admit that I have taken exception to the terms ‘social distance’ and ‘social isolation’, preferring instead to use ‘spatial distance’. It is so important to keep our children spatially distant but socially connected. As I write, I am waiting to join an online gathering with friends I usually meet a few times a term. We gather to sew, drink wine and solve the problems of the world! This afternoon we are still doing that, albeit remotely.

When we are open with each other about our fears and concerns; and keep trust steadfast in our public officials who have our best interests in mind, we can rationalise the situation and not succumb to uninformed assumptions or add to a public panic. We can all only do our best. At present, our best relies on maintaining basic hygiene protocols and spatial isolation where possible. Our best involves staying connected and active, limiting our children’s (and our!) exposure to the 24 hour news cycle, and maintaining our trust in a God who is a sure foundation.

Acknowledgements and Helpful Resources 

• www.beyondblue.org.au
• www.psychology.org.au
• preview.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
• www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus/coronavirus#tab=tab_1
• emergingminds.com.au/
• katielmartin.com/2020/03/21/how-might-we-prioritize-what-matters-most-in-a-time-of-uncertainty/

In these uncertain times, it is important that we don’t lose sight of what this experience may bring us. Well, firstly my cupboards are looking sensational 😊. Not quite, however, we have so much to be grateful for. 

• Our School staff, Executive leaders and IT have worked tirelessly to adapt their methods of teaching and learning to ensure the quality of your girls’ involvement. We are so blessed for their dedication and willingness to make learning interesting. They are brilliant.
• Your daughters have embraced these new virtual school methods with enjoyment and fun while being connected.
• You, our parent community, have been wonderful in how you have supported the School’s efforts in meeting the needs of the girls and each other. The positive feedback and messages have been so appreciated. Thank you.
• Technology and the amazing possibilities we have at our fingertips makes our new world one that enables us to remain connected with the ability to check on each other. It would be exciting to create a virtual parent community.
• Extremely grateful to all those people in the medical and science fields attempting to keep us safe and creating ways to solve the COVID-19 pandemic. 

After discussions and ideas, our Tara P&F want to begin assist all those Tara businesses that have been impacted and, by necessity, changed how they conduct their day to day operations. The P&F Business Register has commenced. Please register and support our families through these times.

• Senior School: http://cloud.tara.nsw.edu.au/seniorlib  login with Tara network username and password

• Junior School: http://cloud.tara.nsw.edu.au/juniorlib   login with Tara network username and password for Year 5 and 6 students, login with generic username and password for ELC to Year 4 students 

Generic username: Gordon Password: Tara1234 

General Academic Resources – Senior School and Junior School

Encyclopaedia Britanica

In Britannica School, students will find thousands of searchable encyclopedia and journal articles, images, videos, audios, primary source documents, detailed maps, editor-recommended Web sites, learning games, a world atlas, Merriam-Webster dictionary in English and Spanish, and a wealth of how-to research tools. 

World Book Online

World Book Online offers a progressive suite of digital databases with unique, educational content and features for users of every age, ability, and interest. These intuitive databases include all the articles from The World Book Encyclopedia, a wealth of multimedia, and features to help with each step of the research process along with supplemental tools, such as language translation and text to speech. 

World Book eBooks

Access to hundreds of World Book publications as well as classic Open Access Books. Our World Book eBook subscription allows us to give you and your family access to all the eBook titles at home 24/7, using your computer or mobile device. On this platform an unlimited amount of users can access each resource simultaneously. 

Links Plus

A searchable online database with thousands of teacher-reviewed, approved and annotated web sites 

Scholarly Research for Senior Students

Project Muse

Access to full text versions of over 700 scholarly journals from 125 publishers in humanities and social sciences.

J Stor

Access to more than 2,600 academic journals across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Journals span continents and languages, with titles from 1,200 publishers from 57 countries. 

Please note the following offer that has been applied until June 30:

To support our institutions during this challenging time, JSTOR and our participating publishers are making an expanded set of content freely available to our participating institutions where students have been displaced due to COVID-19.

More than 35,000 books available at no charge for JSTOR participating academic institutions and secondary schools. The number of books available through this effort is growing daily as more publishers opt in.

EBSCO Science Reference Centre Trial

Senior Science students should take advantage of this trial product, available until June 22. Science Reference Centre contains full text for hundreds of science magazines, peer reviewed journals, encyclopedias, reference books and a vast collection of images. Login to see username and password.