September 2010

 By Dr Glen Hosking

The 2009 bushfires devastated Victoria, causing an unprecedented loss of life and property. 173 people died during the fires, which directly impacted 51 townships, destroying over 2,000 homes, along with many businesses, schools and kindergartens.

In response to this devastating event Cairnmillar has created a support group to provide kindergarten teachers with strategies to assist children affected by the 2009 Bushfires.

The group has been running for the past twelve months and continues to assist teachers to identify the psychological issues that these children may face. It provides teachers with strategies to deal with children who present with issues including trauma, family breakdown, grief, separation and other problems.

The group also assists teachers deal with personal difficulties they face in their demanding and complicated roles. The teachers describe the group as therapeutic and supportive and report that it assists them to be better teachers and breakdown the isolation in their work.