Dear Parents/Caregivers,

I write to you to acknowledge the extremely sad news that one of our Year 10 students has tragically lost her life following a serious incident in our community last Friday morning.

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of this young person at this very difficult time.

As a school and community, we have been grappling with tragedy this past week and now more than ever we need to support our students, families and staff affected. I’d like to reassure everyone, within the school, we have a team of support staff available to assist students, staff and parents.

Today and over the coming weeks you may become concerned about your son’s/daughter’s reaction or expression of feelings about this news. These reactions and feelings may be part of the grieving process. Many students will wish to talk with their parents, so I have attached some general information which may assist you in those conversations.

I also encourage you to let your son/daughter know that you are aware of this incident and that you are available to listen. Staying connected and engaged with your son/daughter is one of the best ways to support them.

Two important messages to promote are that all of us should seek help from others when we feel down or vulnerable, and that young people should tell an adult if they are worried about a friend.

Grief and loss can take many forms and students can be affected by this event for many months to come. If your son/daughter is already using the services of a mental health professional, you should ensure this information is passed on to them.

If you have any concerns about your son/daughter, help can be accessed through a mental health care plan with your GP. Or they can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14, Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800. You can contact me on 9531 7000 at the school.

Yours sincerely,

Jan Stone
Principal