Christine Lowe is a mother and a teacher and was the key pillar of support for her son Thomas in his fight against cancer.  Thomas was unable to attend school for most of 2020 and during chemotherapy, he benefited from the Fight Cancer Foundation’s education support program, funded through Footy Colours Day.

Christine was determined to ensure his education carried on in whatever format possible. She saw it not only as a distraction from the day-to- day challenges of his illness, but also as a way of maintaining a sense of normality, developing new interests, and most importantly staying connected to his future dreams and becoming the person he wants to be.

Christine is passionate in her belief that every child deserves a quality education.

“When cancer disrupts that education, it is very unsettling,” she says. “Especially in your final years of school it can leave you very lost and unsure. Children who have cancer already have the biggest battle of their life on their plate. Please host a Footy Colours Day event to help them have continuity of education and enable them to chase their dreams.”

Chris shares her insights into keeping your child engaged in learning, even in the toughest of times.

How to manage school when your child has cancer

Christine says, “Cancer in particular is not only physical but mental and emotional. It’s a frightening time for everyone involved. These tips may help you navigate the challenges of your child’s education during cancer.

“It is important to always include your child in any discussions about their schooling and allow them to have a voice in making decisions, especially applicable for high school students.

“The education programs funded by Fight Cancer Foundation’s Footy Colours Day were invaluable in guiding us through this process.”

Here are some things Chris learnt along the way:

  • Make an appointment for a meeting at the school with ALL of the key persons involved with your child. Include the learning support teacher, principal, classroom teacher, year coordinator, counsellor, hospital nurse and back on track staff.  Include your child in the meeting if possible, and work on a plan to produce a flexible, modular catch up schedule.
  • Work with the school to form a direct relationship with a staff member who your child trusts and feels secure with to be their go to person. (Possibly a counsellor, year coordinator or classroom teacher).
  • Ensure you have the resources in place to access schoolwork when required (energy levels will ebb and flow so it’s important to have on tap access to resources as needed).
  • Utilise some of the time they feel well for schooling to catch up, so that times where they’re too sick they don’t have to. Make a study timetable to assist.
  • Understand that things won’t be as they were before but any level of engagement in learning helps to keep a routine. Support every effort your child makes no matter how small. Encouragement goes a long way. Remember the effort and the huge amount of energy for simple tasks, and any work done is a win.
  • Try and pre-plan for exam and assessment time so that rescheduling/make up tests etc are available and not difficult to arrange.
  • If your child is in high school look at alternative pathways to university. A career change may need to be considered as a temporary step to a long-term goal.
  • When choosing subjects for high school students carefully consider the workload and time your child will be receiving treatment. An adjustment to less challenging subjects may be necessary. A HSC and university are still possible with many pathways available.
  • Consider a tutor so your child can still have one-on-one attention on difficult or challenging subjects.
  • Consider a regular study buddy – someone your child is close to who can catch them up on classroom work and worth through concepts with which your child may need help.
  • Encourage your child to maintain friendships. Your child’s friends are the ones who will also help support your young  person through their battle. (FaceTime, phone calls, casual catch ups).
  • As a parent, use the time your child is engaged in  learning time as a reset moment for yourself to take a break, catch a breath while your child is in safe hands.
  • Be aware of fluctuating moods and self-awareness of appearance. Teenagers returning to school will be very sensitive.
  • Try not to over-stress the school stuff – a young person dealing with cancer needs support and guidance, not extra pressure and stress. Always remember your child is fighting to live. Although important, school is secondary to them winning this battle.

Footy Colours Day

Fight Cancer Foundation’s Footy Colours Day is a national community fundraising event in September that helps kids with cancer keep up with school.

Join thousands of Australians by wearing your favourite team’s colours and hosting an event at your workplace or school to raise much-needed funds!