Principal
Why Hosting Our Lenten Dances Was Beneficial For Our Students
Last week, St Patrick’s hosted three Lenten dances: Year 7 on Wednesday night, Year 8 on Thursday night and Years 9 and 10 on Friday night. They were a great success and I am thankful of the leadership of Mr Simpson and his team of Year Coordinators and volunteers for assisting with the hosting of this event.
A few people have asked me why we persisted with the dances with intermittent inclement weather and the constant risk of COVID-19 transmissions. The answer is that these events are really beneficial for our boys. In our strategic plan, A Beacon for Boys’ Education, one of the goals is Intentional Formation. The Lenten dances provide our boys with an opportunity to forge networks with girls in a positive, inclusive culture. Inclusivity and gender equality are an educative focus of our work and how better to do that than by offering the boys opportunities to meet young women in a safe, fun environment.
School dances and other events are slowly dying out in most schools due to decreased student interest, difficulty planning and a greater risk for behavioural changes. If this continues to happen, it could greatly impact student development and affect their social interactions as they get older. But, if done right, they’re beneficial for students in the long run.
In today’s world, it seems that teenagers are more disconnected than ever. On average, high schoolers spend up to nine hours connected to digital media ranging from social apps like Facebook and Snapchat to computers and television. With all this screen time, students have less opportunity for face-to-face interactions which is not beneficial for students.
When students are in school, they spend time learning and studying, sometimes also behind a screen. At home, between extracurricular activities and homework, they’re checking Instagram stories and streaming the latest episode of Stranger Things. Most of the time, once kids get to the high school level, they’re no longer having playdates with friends.
I’ve learned over time that social interaction is one of the most important things from your school experiences and is beneficial for students. In the past, school dances, like formals and dinner dances, served as a place for social interaction. Students are forced to find a date or a group of friends to go with. Then go to the store and purchase an outfit, and have real, contact with other kids at the dance. Lately, school dances have become a thing of the past.
Part of it has to do with a lack of student interest in actually interacting with others outside of a screen. This issue needs to be fixed regardless. Another reason is that teachers and administrators do not want to plan big events. This is due to how much work they have been given in the past. We have had at least 20 St Patrick’s College staff here each night to assist and supervise but we believe it’s worth it.
Benefits Of Our Lenten Dances
Fundraising: They are incredible fundraising opportunities for the school.
School Culture: Creates a greater sense of community within the school, improving the climate and culture throughout the building. The Year 12 students were wonderful in assisting with the “bump in” and “bump out”, selling drinks and chips, manning security points, manning cloak rooms and generally encouraging the younger boys. Real bonds are formed with the younger students and they look up to our “black ties” so much.
Confidence: Allows students to have higher self-esteem and courage.
Life-Skills: Provides real-life skills that students need such as communication skills, teamwork, time management, goal setting, and leadership. Watching boys having to memorise phone numbers and Snapchat addresses was simply delightful!
Develop Emotional Intelligence: These social events help develop social skills and empathy. The interactions elicited by events helps students build relationships, engage with other cultures, and understand different perspectives.
Productive Break: Students need to take their mind off upcoming exams or report due dates every once in a while. Events will allow them to escape and recuperate so they don’t get burned out.
Building Relationships: They are great opportunities for students to make friends and engage with people they might not have interacted with before.
Even though it may take us a year to recover, it was well worth it and I thank our parents/carers for their enthusiastic support of these events.
Scientia Building Update
The recent rain events have meant a delay in the pouring of the next slab. We look forward to the building works resuming over the next three weeks during the vacation break. They can work longer hours and make lots of noise whilst the boys are not here.
Easter Wishes
During our vacation break, we celebrate the holiest of days with Easter Sunday 17 April (24 April for those who are from the Orthodox Christian denominations). I wish everyone in our community a wonderful break and pray that we maintain our focus on the real reason for the season.
Father God,
Help us keep our perspectives and focus correctly attuned to what this season means. Many things fight for our attention in life, from work to family to the distractions of the day to day. We then have to make the conscious choice to let those distractions run away with our hearts or set our minds upon You instead.
Lord, in this season, we ought to recall and rejoice in the victory of the cross. In this time, we ought to remember the sacrifice made for our souls, and it is in this time that we can come together to worship You. Let us not become consumed by commercialism or the facets of the Easter season that have nothing to do with You; instead, help us set our minds on You and You alone and all You have to reveal and teach us in this time.
Live Jesus in our hearts. Forever.
Dr Vittoria Lavorato
Principal
SPC boys can do anything!
** except divide by zero