Three members of Royal Far West’s Community Recovery Services Team visited Gatton State School in QLD between 23rd and 27th July 2023 to deliver the following:
Support for children:
- Two Stormbirds Groups were delivered at the school
- Delivered by health clinicians, the groups support children who have experienced change, grief or loss.
- One Birdie’s Tree sessions where clinicians read “Birdie and the Storm” with children and provided whole-class activities about emotional literacy and safe places through making a new nest for Birdie.
- Support for Staff
- One face-to-face all-staff workshop about Reframing Behaviours through a Trauma Informed Lens
- Two in-class support sessions with an OT
- Support for parents/carers: A drop in afternoon tea allowed clinicians to meet the parents and carers of children in the Stormbirds groups and share some resources that can help support discussions with children around feelings
We were lucky enough to have Children’s Health Queensland senior psychologist and co-author of the Birdie’s Tree books, Dr Andrea Baldwin, co-facilitate the children’s groups and staff professional learning session throughout the week. We learnt so much from her and the children thought it was very special to have the author of Birdie and the Storm reading it to them.
Team Photo: Team members pictured in the photo (left to right: Emmy King (occupational therapist), Andrea Baldwin (psychologist and co-author of Birdie’s Tree), Sariah Biddle (social worker), and Kelly Hoad (social worker and team lead).
Learn more about Royal Far West Community Recovery Services Team
The Royal Far West Community Recovery Program provides crucial support to children, and key adults around those children, who have faced changes, grief, or loss, and help them navigate the challenges that follow natural disasters.