From Assistant Principal Pastoral Care

One of the great things that Lumen has done in terms of well-being is Lulu. She receives much love and care and redistributes this many times over to our students. She is quite remarkable in meeting the demands placed upon her. The occasional diet has been necessary as well as the odd haircut (and I can relate to both) and she has been nothing other than a great source of joy. She is the circuit breaker, the calming influence, the grounder...she earns every dog pellet. I could bang on about physical, psychological and social benefits, but I’m sure that you can fill in the blanks. Research talks about oxytocin in brain chemistry… if I understood it, I’m sure that I would believe them.

I am a great lover of animals (apart from rats in my shed!!!) and have virtually never been without multiple dogs, birds and fish since little boydom. A tiny bit of land has seen the menagerie expand to, at various times, dabbling in poultry (lots); ducks, alpacas, sheep, goats and cattle (a few) as well. Always wanted a pig(s). As young adults, my kids inherited this gene (probably the only worthwhile thing) and animals are central to their lives in many ways, much to their benefit, in study or recreation. There were some interesting times over the years in their growing up, but our rock was always our cherished Aussie bulldog, Mr Brown. Who does my daughter come home to see…?

Anyway, I’m a fan. I fully endorse the benefits of kids having pets! My dogs are even fond of me and there are plenty of days where they are the only ones. At Lumen, over the last year or two, students have helped me set up small goldfish tanks in my office. My thinking was that it may well contribute to the kids, but if it didn’t, I could get away with it as a small indulgence at my great age. Guess what… my fish tank cleaning crew take great joy and pride in their work (and are here and engaged); frequently a distressed or angry student has sat opposite me and my opening line has been – irrespective of the magnitude of the issue at hand – “Have you seen my fish?” It works nearly every time – lowers stress, establishes connection… should have done it years ago.

At the same time as the fish tanks, I bought some indoor plants. Interestingly enough, I believe the benefits nearly equate to that of the fish, but perhaps the fish and plants lack Lulu’s unconditional love. Although I do gaze at my stag-horns longingly and the fish are always keen to see me (for a feed, but I like to think otherwise).  Had a strapping young man with me the other day who was fully in battle mode. He didn’t quite know where to go after I began with, “Do you think my plants need watering?”

So, Lulu is in the sweet spot of her stellar career in education, Mr Brown is in semi-retirement on my daughter’s bed (eating better than me) and I’m musing about the tremendous benefits of the connection with living things. (Insert Romantic poetry quotation of your choice. Try Wordsworth, “Daffodils”).

Got to be better than Tik Tac, Snapchat and gaming avatars. Just putting it out there.