Pastoral Academic Care (PAC)
Pastoral Academic Care (PAC) Focus - BEATING BULLYING / HARRASSMENT
Well Being Element - Health and Strengths
Character Strength - Love of Learning
Parent Wellbeing:
When you are not paying attention when listening to others, there can be little wonder and enjoyment in learning new things, and others will know that you are not interested. Reflect for a moment. Do you feel valued when people take the time to attentively listen to you? Become a better listener to grow personally.
There are many stressors which trigger negative emotions in students, which cause anxiety in them about their capabilities to cope with peer issues and study demands. Unfortunately, often they only speak up about not coping when they are about to implode and give up. Having a number of positive coping strategies to reduce these anxious feelings is essential for their wellbeing. Introducing students to new coping pathways provides them with opportunities to adopt growth mindsets to create their own strategies. Adolescents on the whole are not comfortable with immediately asking for help from adults. Therefore, it is important for us to take the initiative and raise the issue, by explaining that positive coping strategies are little positive actions which relieve pressure and that they can vary from student to student. For example, colouring in reduces emotional intensity very quickly, restoring their normal functioning level. This works for 98% of the population.
Positive coping strategies fall into four main categories:
• Exercise – anything that lifts the heart rate
• Positive self-talk – personal assertive I can and I will statements, which work for the individual
• Personal support – their own personal Circle of Champions who will stick with and never give up on them
• Meditation – mindfully focusing on their breathing and their thoughts; see Mindfulness activities on website.
Acknowledgement: Hassed & Sinek
Year 7
Ms Natalie Mellowship
On Friday 19th November, our Year 7s were able to attend their retreat day at the Armidale Showground. This day was organised and delivered by the La Sallian Youth Ministers and LaSallian Youth Leaders, and focussed on “The Fantastic Force: OCC Heroes”. A retreat day provides the students with an opportunity to connect with themselves, each other and with God on a deeper and personal level, as well as provide an opportunity for reflection.
After our acknowledgement to country, we started our day with our Superhero Prayer. Prayer takes many different forms. Listening to music, hearing stories from friends or family, being reflective, and experiencing nature can all be prayer. At its core, prayer is simply a conversation, with the sign of the cross.
As we move into the final weeks of this academic year, we’d like to remind students that they don’t want to look back and realise that they could’ve done better. Do what you have to do until you can do what you want to do. I know that it’s hard to always remember how far you’ve come over a period of time but remember that you are a part of the O’Connor Catholic College community and that encompasses the values of our learning circles:
Although many of us are tired and really looking forward to a break in a few weeks, it
hasn’t stopped our Year 7s from continuing to achieve success. A huge congratulations to the following students on achieving Pastoral Academic Care Leader Awards: James Everett, Jade Foster, Charlotte Fletcher, Mrko Mijajovic, McLaren Craven and Leah Jones.
Natalie Mellowship on behalf of the Year 7 PAC Team
Year 8
Mrs Kath Czinner
As a PAC team, we continue to stress with the students the need to make the most of the opportunities and learning experiences that are presented to them. Making time to really give your best is what we encourage at O’Connor. We revisit “I am a learner” regularly.
In the PAC period on Friday students will write a self reflection on their learning improvements and challenges. This has been a part of a writing inquiry cycle where the students have been challenged to extend their skills by completing weekly literacy exercises. The academic reports will soon be released and the parents/carers and students will be able to reflect on progress made this year.
In the next few weeks students will be presented with varied opportunities to extend themselves in the area of Life Saving and in ‘Term 5’, where we explore some recreational pursuits. These activities are indeed important and essential life skills. Students are encouraged to “Have a go and give your best” after all, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Michael Scott
Mrs Kath Czinner on behalf of the Yr 8 PAC teachers.
Year 10
Ms Amanda Bell and Mr Frank Patricks
Week 8 is done and dusted and we are nearly there!! As year 10 work through their final weeks of being “junior students” we remind them to seize every opportunity and engage in all learning tasks presented to them both in, and out, of the classroom.
We know that many students are disappointed that Work Experience cannot take place as normal in Week 10, however as a team we have worked hard to bring some opportunities for learning outside of the classroom curriculum for our students during this week.
In Week 10 students will attend and complete classes, as normal, for Monday and Tuesday. They will then have the opportunity to partake in a series of activities over the Wednesday - Friday including completing some of the compulsory learning of All My Own Work, which must be done prior to beginning Year 11 studies, opportunities to test and up-skill their leadership abilities, an afternoon of games, as well as a Christmas liturgy, and the whole school picnic on Friday!
Lunch will be provided for students on Wednesday, which will be a fabulous time to gather and celebrate the end of the year. Students may wear their sports uniform over these 3 days. A note with more information will be released to parents and carers early next week - please keep an eye out for this.
Amanda Bell and Frank Patricks on behalf of the Year 10 PAC team.
Year 11
Mrs Vicki Channon
What a great week the students have had!!!!
Firstly, the learning that is occurring across all subjects has been extremely positive. Our Year 11 students are using the library for their study periods in a very productive and responsible manner.
Wednesday saw the students gather as a cohort for a pizza luncheon on the front lawn, followed by the distribution of their senior jersey, which was much anticipated and well received. They look great!!!
The cohort then moved to the library for a session on study strategies. Ms Menz spoke about aiming high and then past student Bethanie Rice (2020), who has had the role of learning mentor this year, presented some valuable tips on summarising course content and syllabus dot points. The students were very engaged and gained valuable insight to the techniques required for HSC success.
Students identified their learning strengths through a survey. They then discussed in small groups how they can utilise these personal or group skills to enhance their learning.
I wish to thank Bethanie for her calm and considered approach towards our Year 11 students, and encouraging them to move their learning forward in a positive manner.
The LaSallian Youth Leaders have been involved in the STEP day with visiting Year 6 students where they led activities and supported teachers. They also participated enthusiastically in the Years 7, 8 and 9 Retreats. I wish to thank them for all of their hard work during the year.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Mr McLeish for taking on the role of Year Leader whilst I was absent. The students were in very capable hands.
A few really important events are happening over the next couple of weeks. The Year 11 Retreat will be held at Echidna Gully on Tuesday 7th December (changed from Thursday 9th December), This will be a wonderful day of celebration and reflection, and an opportunity to gather on a social level. A letter will be distributed to everyone soon.
The College Picnic is on Friday 10th December, and we are looking forward to witnessing the whole of Year 11 taking the reins, with the organisation and coordinating some of the planned activities.
The students have had a very busy term with assessment tasks, so a well deserved rest is
coming up very soon. So look after each other and seek help if needed.
Vicki Channon and the Year 11 PAC team