Scenarios

Scenario 13

There is a national disaster. You are asked to come to the school and give appropriate support. What will you do?

Clues

  • As with many pastoral situations, it's very important to be there and to be seen to be there without forcing the point. Just your presence will be making a contribution.
  • Find out from the Head any background information such as whether a similar disaster has affected the school or any individuals in it in the past. This may give you clues as to appropriate ways forward.
  • Remember that not all children or young people in the school will have a faith and that some may regard disasters as a reason for not believing in God. At the same time, rituals such as lighting candles and keeping a silence are likely to be universally understood and acceptable.
  • In communities where there are members of other faiths, remember that not all traditions believe in life after death. Again, though, there are universal images (usually from the natural world) that can speak to everyone.
  • Talk with the Head about any sources of follow-up counselling that you could recommend or are prepared to provide. Alternatively, you may feel you are not the person to deal with the situation. If so, don't feel guilty; work with others or bring in colleagues who have expertise or particular skills in the area.

Hide clues...

Resources for Clergy and Teachers

Bereavement Care (quarterly magazine)
Cruse - Bereavement Care, 126 Sheen Road, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1UR
Children and Counselling

Crompton, M
1992, Edward Arnold

Loss Change and Grief - an Educational Perspective

Brown, E
1999, David Fulton ISBN 1 853 46465 1

Erica Brown explores many different aspects of life that can lead to feelings of loss and grief.

Personal and Social Education for Primary Schools Through Circle Time

Curry, M & Bromfield, C
1994, NASEN ISBN 0 906 73062 7

Circle time is a classroom approach that is now widely used to support pupils' personal and social education. The ideas can be easily adapted and used in a variety of situations.

Reflection Time

White, L
2000, National Society/Church House Publishing ISBN 0 715 14936 9

Linda White's book aims to explain the development of a reflective approach to teaching and learning that is suitable for children and young people of all abilities. It offers practical strategies to develop reflection skills.

Resources for pupils

The Goodbye Boat

Joslyn, M
1998, Lion ISBN 0 745 93693 8

A beautifully illustrated book that explores feelings of loss and grief when saying goodbye to those we love.

Mudge, Gill and Steve

Dainty, J
1997, National Society/Church House Publishing ISBN 0 715 14887 7

The Revd Jim Dainty has many years' experience as a hospital chaplain. In this illustrated book, written for children aged 7-11 to read themselves, he deals sensitively with painful issues. The story covers the questions children tend to ask.

The Whispering Cloth - a refugee's story

Shea, P D
1995, Boyds Mills Press ISBN 1 563 97134 8

A poignant tale of a refugee family in Thailand filled with hope in the midst of confinement and war.

One Day We Had To Run

Wilkes, S
1994, Evans/UNHCR/Save the Children ISBN 0 237 51489 3

Refugee children tell their stories in words and paintings.

(See also resources in Scenarios 14 and 15).