Dear Parents, Carers and Friends of All Saints,

Yesterday my staff reminded me that I needed to write something for the newsletter and I suddenly thought I have no words left at the moment. So I have borrowed some words from The Advertiser which this week has so beautifully captured the child who Sienna was both at school and at home.

The Editorial from The Advertiser on Thursday, 14 May is below.

LASTING LEGACY

Sienna Walker-Brown's memory will live on in her school community, which is honouring her legacy in one of her favourite places.

The Year 6 student at All Saints Catholic Primary School, in Seaford, suffered a sudden brain aneurysm at school on Thursday and never regained consciousness.  She died in Flinders Medical Centre on Saturday. 

Sienna, 11, will be honoured with a permanent memorial in a frog pond area - a space that also features native trees and logs on which students can sit - in consultation with her family and classmates. 

Principal Liz Keogh says the nature-loving Sienna's death is being deeply felt across Catholic schools in the southern suburbs.

Her tragic loss will be painful for many for some time. 

Yet the tributes being paid to Sienna again show the power of communities to come together in times of great distress and need. 

This fortitude offers some lessons for us all, given the continuing crisis of a global coronavirus pandemic. 

Sienna's community has been hit hard by her loss, but has come together to help each other deal with grief. 

The words that I do have are: 

Thank you! 

Thank you to the many parents who have spoken to us, called us, sent flowers for the staff, sent food for the staff, sent cards or talked to us at drop off and pick up and remembered Sienna with flowers and cards. We know it's been a hard week for many of you just as it has been for us. We are very grateful.

I know that the same outpouring of support has been felt with great gratitude by Matt, Marie and Geneva and the extended Walker–Brown and Sulda families at this very sad time.

On Monday when Sienna’s funeral is being held, we will gather in our courtyard as a school to remember Sienna and her kindness and the simple things she loved.

We will also pray for her family, that they may be comforted by the support of family, friends and the community.

My staff are also very grateful for the support we have received over the last week from Catholic Education SA, many Catholic and other schools and in particular Cardijn College who have supported us with additional staff, counsellors and understanding. We will be forever thankful.

We have been so proud of our All Saints Catholic Primary School Community and we hope you are too. 

With many blessings to you all.

Liz Keogh 

On behalf of the Year 6 Teachers, Fiona Graff, Nicole Perry and myself, I would like to share information about how All Saints intends to ensure Sienna’s legacy lives on in the hearts of its children, staff, families and wider community.

The All Saints children will all contribute and participate in the regeneration and rejuvenation of the frog pond area at the front of the school. Through the development of this area, the simple act of children, staff, family working together to achieve this sacred space of remembrance, will give us all so many gifts. This renewed area will also be a place of remembrance for the memorials of two previously passed All Saints children.

Intention is really important, we will not be rushing in, we will be acting with purpose.  It is of the utmost importance that Sienna’s legacy is woven throughout our actions. Her message about ecological conversion, connecting with nature, kindness to all and being grateful for the small things in life are to be the biggest lessons here. This will ensure the longevity of the area and ensure that sustainable practices that are learnt and the processes are embedded in All Saints' daily life and are taken home with the children to share with their families. 

Our All Saints children and staff will work the NRM (Natural Resource Management) to choose native plants for the area, research them, and discover the benefits of them for the space. There is power in children being a part of developing areas.  If they have planted a specific plant or worked in a specific area, then they become a custodian of it. They care, and that’s how conversion starts. ESO Fran Doody has collected Monarch caterpillars which are now living in classrooms around the school.  These will turn in to beautiful jade and gold lined chrysalises. Eventually they will emerge as wonderful Monarch butterflies.  The idea here is that the children will let them go in the frog pond area and the territorial little things, that they are, should want to stay put and enjoy fluttering around in this special space. This is significant of Sienna’s poem, Small Things.

On Monday morning at 10:45am the All Saints children and staff will gather together for a prayer memorial service in Sienna’s memory. Each person will hold a small wooden heart in their hand and place it together with everyone’s small heart to make one big heart signifying how small things can make a big difference.  On Monday at 10:45 you might take a moment to think of how you might be kind to someone today, or how you might show gratefulness to the small things all around us.

Sienna loved the environment and was a true custodian of it.  
We will remember her when the sun is shining on us
and feel her as the wind brushes our face.
When it rains, we will look for her rainbow.
When it’s dark, we will see her in the stars.

Sara Hart

It has been a difficult week. The children, staff, parents and school community are facing some challenging times at the moment. We want to assure you, that we remain committed to supporting all our families during this time. Over the next few weeks you may be faced with some difficult conversations with your children which may cause some concern for you.
 
We have been working very closely with Anthony Simons, Social Worker from Cardijn College. He has provided the school with a number of resources and support that can be offered to you and your children if needed. These include referrals, information sheets and useful website. Please email me if you would like this information sent to you.

Here is a good starting point for engaging in these difficult conversations. The article explains age appropriate ways to chat with your child about recent events and responding to grief.  

Please contact me for further questions or please do not hesitate to give the Front Office a call and make an appointment if I am not available. 

Remember you are not alone. Please touch base if you have any questions or concerns at all.

You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Megan Lovering