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Waiting in the Unknown

The View - Feb 16, 2024

I’m sure many of you have had to sit and wait for someone to come out of a tricky operation. I have recently experienced this and while there is not much we can do while waiting, we have a choice as to how we wait and the stress that we allow ourselves to sit in at the time. I choose to follow the prompting of my favourite Bible verse, 1 Peter 5:7, which states that we should “leave all of our worries with Him because He cares for us”. 

The anxiety produced from the unknown is hard and many students deal with it daily. Our school is known for nurturing students and providing support mechanisms during these difficult times by helping them ride the storms of anxiety and worry regardless of the reason. Our team provides strategies to help not only guide them through but also to be present during times of anxiety. Helping students have a calm mind can be a fabulous weapon against any challenges they are feeling. 

A few tips for reducing anxiety include: 

  • Pray and leave it with Jesus
  • Sing worship songs
  • Stay in the present moment
  • Challenge negative thoughts rather than just accepting them
  • Take deep slow breaths
  • Engage in relaxation techniques
  • Get plenty of sleep 
  • Do regular exercise
  • Count backwards
  • Discuss concerns with a safe person
  • Focus on something positive coming up

We are so blessed to have dedicated and caring staff at Avondale School. We have a variety of support networks in place to assist our students in managing their anxiety. We strongly encourage you to urge your child to reach out to their teachers, counsellors, chaplains, stage coordinators and other staff members for support. By connecting with these individuals, we can work together as a team to help alleviate their anxiety. 

It is important to remember that dwelling in a state of anxiety will not solve tomorrow’s problems but it can hinder the possiblities of today. Our goal is to provide the necessary support for our students so they can thrive and become the best versions of themselves. As the old Chinese proverb wisely states, “Teachers can open the door, but you must enter it yourself”. We are here to guide and support, but ultimately, it's up to each student to take that step forward.

What ways can you as a family ease anxiety for your children? How can the school help ‘open the door’ wider to support your child when they are feeling anxious?

Mrs Hayley Ferris
Head of Secondary

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© 2025 Avondale School

119 Avondale Rd, Cooranbong NSW 2265, Australia

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