Newsletter 2 April, 2019
Dear Parents/Caregivers
Assalaamu AlaikumWRWB
Message from the Prime Minister
The Prime Minister has been deeply moved by the support and compassion shown in the wake of the attack in Christchurch, and by the thousands of people who have taken the time to share their condolences.
She has asked to pass on the following statement:
My thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones and who are now experiencing unimaginable pain and grief. While I can’t take away this pain, I send the Muslim community my love, as so many New Zealanders have, and the reassurance that I will do all I can to support them. My focus is ensuring those who have been affected have the care and support they need – not just now, but in the coming months and years.
This is a tragic time, and all of New Zealand is feeling the impact. While we as a nation grapple with a form of grief and anger we have not experienced before, the compassion and kindness that has been expressed at community events, on social media, and by people right across the country show us who we are as a nation.
Going forward, I know those are the values we’ll all work hard to protect.
Thanks again for getting in touch.
Kind regards
Dinah Okeby
Office of the Prime Minister
SCHOOL EARLY CLOSURE
Mangere Kahui Ako, which includes 10 schools in Mangere, is having a special get together of all of its teachers on Friday 12 April. Hence, Al-Madinah School will close at 12 noon.
This will be the last day of Term 1, 2019 and the school will re-open on Monday 29 April for Term 2.
STAFF VACANCY – Executive Officer
Vacancy exists for an Executive Officer in the school admin office. We are looking for a person with PA skills and accounting, property, administration/management and IT background. Please apply in writing to the Principal via email: principal@al-madinah.school.nz or post to P O Box 43246, Mangere, Auckland. Application closes on mid-day Friday 12/04/2019.
April Holiday workshops at Unitec
Unitec is holding workshops in the April school holidays in various areas like digital technology, health, education and leadership. Students can see google classroom for more detail. Parents can make arrangement for booking and transportation if they would like their children to attend.
Recovery and wellbeing advice after the Christchurch attack
Children and young people may need adults to help them stay connected and recover well following the Christchurch attack. The information on this page will be added to over time. It assists adults to provide the support children and young people could need.
Adults can provide:
Reassurance that they are safe.
Talk to children that at AMS you are safe because the school has put in place a number of measures. Eg: Police presence, gates are closed, we don’t allow any visitors to come into the school without first reporting to the reception and getting a visitors pass, more staff are now available at school gates.
Furthermore the school has got procedures in place for:
- Evacuation
- Lockdown
- Escape out of school premises towards the back and side fences.
- How to call 111 for fire, police and ambulance.
- School gets continuous guidance from our imams, police, MOE, etc
Furthermore continuous reassessment and reaffirmation is being done through:
- School alarm and security cameras being upgraded.
- School fence is being reviewed in order to put in place a much up to date fence that meets the security standards.
- The school communication system is being upgraded to ensure parents can be contacted immediately. All parents to ensure they update their contact details in case it changes – show its importance.
- Staff and students are being and will be continuously trained through drills.
- Several more updates to follow later.
- Support to process and communicate feelings.
On a daily basis talk to the students about their feelings. Give them assurances that they are safe.
- Guidance about what to do if they’re worried about themselves or someone else.
Show them the procedures to get in touch with school guidance team and the fact that they can talk to any teacher/SLT members they feel confidence in. Principal is always readily available for talks.
- Support to process issues and ideas raised through media and communities.
Update if anything in particular that needs to be highlighted. This can be done by SLT members after discussion with principal.
- Support to understand different lives, different perspectives and different worlds.
Talk about our Islamic worldview of what is happening. Give them confidence that at the end everything is in the hands of Allah (swt).
We know most children, young people and adults recover well over time and with good community connections and support. There is support available for children and young people who are experiencing ongoing and more intensive impacts.
The terrorist attack challenged beliefs about our environments, communities and places we live in. Now will be a good time to reassess and reaffirm your family, whānau and school values – for example salaam (peace),
Whanaungatanga/lillahi (belonging), manawanui /sabr (tolerance), manaakitanga ri’aayah (care), and aroha/mohabbah (love). This values base will help children and young people to frame their thinking, reactions and actions. It will help them make considered choices and actions towards recovery. Working from a common values base is how children, young people and communities can safely examine alternative and diverse world views.
Advice and tips for parents and educators
We have a range of tips for parents and educators on the following links:
See our advice on reassuring children and young people and helping them feel safe and what to look for in a child’s emotional state. Find useful information on providing guidance to children and young people. See information about talking with children and young people who may have seen the video or the manifesto.
Important notices
Netsafe has released advice about censorship of the videos and manifesto.
Important support links
The Ministry has offered traumatic incident support to all schools across the country. Schools can contact the regional Ministry of Education office for this support. Call or text Need to Talk (1737) any time for support from a trained counsellor
Youthline – call 0800 376 633 | Free text 234
Kidsline – 0800 54 37 54
Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Healthline – 0800 611 116
Samaritans – 0800 726 666
Contact the Ministry of Education for help from our Traumatic Incident team.
COFFEE CLUB FOR STAY HOME MOTHERS
Secondary school is organizing a coffee club for “stay home mothers”, on Wednesday 3 April from 2pm in Secondary girls’ common room. The purpose of forming this club is to see how our mothers can get involved and support with our school activities.
Wassalaam
Asin Ali
Principal
