I was out walking this afternoon and turned left where I shouldn’t have. The reason doesn’t matter as much as where it led me.
As I took off, I was thinking about what to write in this newsletter, which is late because my OpEd—on why a focus on ‘school refusal’ is masking chronic medical absences—was due.
But that’s another story.
Like lots of us, I love a good walk – I’ll even settle for looking forward to it on days it’s delayed. Today’s low afternoon sun on a blue sky was no small pleasure in my late-winter Canberra.
Okay, so I could have completely detoured, but it seemed more sensible to keep going, and I ended up starting where I usually finish. I took the same path, in the opposite direction.
I’d never approached it that way before, which, as a changemaker, is embarrassing to admit. Something about old habits.
I was then uncomfortably surprised to discover that the landscape and landmarks, the curves and hills, were not simply in reverse – they were completely different …
I felt a bit like a ‘regular’ in a foreign land.
Now here’s the kicker: my new route tripped me into a reflection on a recent interview I did with Kids With Cancer charity for our podcast—we talked about it on yesterday’s team call.
My guests were CEO Todd Prees and Board Member Danielle Smith, whose lived experience as a parent to William helped me to look at the familiar in a different way.
I asked Danielle about William’s siblings and his schoolmates at the time of his cancer treatment, because this is something that parents and teachers talk about a lot, and we have heaps of data on it.
And, here’s what Danielle said that changed my mind:
“For us, it snowballed. It wasn’t just siblings. William was the youngest of 10 grandchildren, and we were very close—all his cousins, you know, were very close-knit. So, it even extended to them. If one of his cousins wasn’t doing well, emotionally, they would have the day off school and come spend time with him in the hospital. It was whatever they needed.
William did have a very close friend at school who often would come in as well and just spend some time with him. So, we decided to take that as a holistic approach. If mentally and emotionally they weren’t managing, or if William put a call out like, “I’ve been in hospital now for five days, and I need someone to help and come in and play,” then yes, cousins. It wasn’t just siblings—it was cousins and friends missing school that day.”
At MissingSchool, we are big on framing. Same picture, different frame, different perspective. It goes to show that deep listening on the path with people’s lived experience changes hearts and minds (including our own).
So I’m left contemplating just how many children, parents, and teachers in communities of students with complex health challenges may be struggling, even with missing school.
We’re all here for our humanity, so how we care for each other through good and tough times matters. To that end, today’s message comes with recognition, resources, and other finds for you.
“If one of his cousins wasn’t doing well, emotionally, they would have the day off school and come spend time with him in the hospital. It was whatever they needed” ~ Danielle Smith
Supporting Parents’ Advocacy
This resource is for parents and caregivers of primary school students. It helps readers to set up reasonable adjustments with and for their child so they can take part in every aspect of school life. It can be used to guide thinking and planning with the school. It was funded by the Australian Government and designed by students with disability and their parents and caregivers, with help from Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA). READ MORE
Five Tips For Parents
A while back I was asked to distil my journey as a parent of a child with a complex health challenge and school absences into tips for other parents. My top five are in the article linked below, though there’s so much more to say! That’s why MissingSchool exists, to have the detailed conversations about different students with attendance and health challenges and what we can do together to make sure every student can continue their learning and social connections. HEAD HERE
Helping Grieving Kids Heal
An article in Education HQ this week calls for grief education in schools. A prominent funeral industry expert suggests it will help children understand and process complex grief, equipping them to handle inevitable loss in life. The National Centre for Childhood Grief says that bereaved children often feel isolated in grief and may struggle academically and socially. Anxiety is also common. Schools and families helping grieving kids heal can find resources for grief education below. LEARN MORE
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Kids
This Sunday we celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day! We renew our commitment to these children, proud of their culture, stories, kin, and community—everything that makes them special, resilient and the bright leaders of our future. We acknowledge the families we support. Let’s get behind SNAICC, the National Voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, and support these kids to thrive! You’ll find some great resources at the link below. CHECK IT OUT
The Greatest Gift
It’s DonateLife Week! We recognise the life changing impact that organ donation has, including for some of the students MissingSchool supports. We’re honoured to walk alongside school students who’ve received transplants and see them have a second chance at a healthy, active life, the opportunity to continue their education and enjoy their childhood. You can register to be an organ donor in just one minute at the link below or with three taps on your Express Plus Medicare app. The gift of life. HELP OUT
At MissingSchool, we believe in the power of community. Together, we can create environments where every child feels like they belong.
It would be impossible for us to stay the course without your incredible support. There are many ways to help:
- follow along and cheer us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn
- share this newsletter with your family, friends, or colleagues so we can support more kids, and
- donate towards getting kids with complex conditions back into their classroom.
Every action moves us closer to the finish line: a world where every child is seen and heard at school. Where ‘learn from anywhere’ is universal.
Let’s keep connecting,
Megan
CEO & Cofounder
