Year 9 Pastoral Guardian

Dear Parents/Caregivers, 

I describe Year 9 to be like a rollercoaster ride: one moment you are climbing to the highest heights and next hurtling back down towards the earth, to be suddenly lifted back up- spinning around in all directions. Some parts of the ride are free, exciting, and exhilarating and there are other moments that are purely terrifying and difficult to face. But one thing is for certain, as you ride the rollercoaster, you sit alongside someone who is there to hold your hand all of the way. 

This is our role on that rollercoaster ride – we are the ones who sit alongside our children, we are there for them on every loop, climb and fall – to give them that support and love they need.To provide the best support, we need to be well informed. This is where our student wellbeing platform, SchoolTV is extremely useful and beneficial. I encourage you to embrace this resource to inform you of the best parenting practices based on extensive research from a range of specialists. They provide a comprehensive overview of the adolescent and accompanying parental tips when dealing with a range of issues.

Your daughter is growing up in a techno-savvy era and we therefore need to learn what it is like to be in her shoes. She will be feeling the constant need to be connected, to question body image, work through friendship matters, live up to the social media pressures and to test boundaries. Please know you are not alone with this and that you have a wonderful and caring community in Mount Alvernia College. It takes a village to raise a child, and this notion does not end when they become adolescents. I hope you can gain something from the link provided and possibly share with others what you have found to be effective in your home. Please reach out to me if you require any support or guidance.  Please click on this link to hear from the specialists for this edition Raising Girls | Mount Alvernia College (schooltv.me)

Kindness

Also, in this edition I invite you to read the section on Happiness & Gratitude | Mount Alvernia College (schooltv.me). This links nicely to the Personal Development (PD) sessions your daughter participates in twice a week on a Tuesday and Thursday. This term, we have focused on Sharpening the Saw from Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens. Students have explored how they can improve their body, mind, heart and spirit. Showing gratitude and kindness is one way they can achieve this.  On Sunday, 13th November is World Kindness Day. I recently shared a post on our Clare School Teams page that encourages the year 9’s to reflect on how they show kindness to others and themselves. You may wish to have a conversation with your daughter about how she shows kindness to herself and others, you could even create a family plan by using the link below. Here is what I shared with them:

Kindness has been one of the main values for this year; from the moment we met I have challenged you to think about how you show kindness daily.

 Why?

• Kindness is a sign of strength. Anger/nastiness/rumours are toxic.
• It connects us, it unites us, it is contagious - everyone benefits – it makes us feel good. 
• Kindness isn't just a feeling, it's an action and it should be ingrained in our daily lives.
• Kindness sharpens our saw - heart, body, mind and spirit.

This week I want you to reflect on the ways you show kindness daily. How could you show kindness to yourself and others?

Here is a checklist to help you  - how many can you tick off?

1. Go outside of your comfort zone and smile at someone while walking past them.
2. Send an uplifting text to friends and family members.
3. Let someone in front of you, allowing them to go before you eg. the bus, on the path, while shopping, giving up a seat.
4. Include intentional moments of kindness - laughter.
5. Say thank you.
6. Give a compliment - not about looks but focused on the values that shine through others.
7. Reach out to a family member or friend who you haven't spoken to for a while.
8. Treat someone to a milkshake, muffin, lunch etc.
9. Implement self-care practices every day - walk in nature, listen to music, get out into sunshine, read, art, bath, pat your pet etc.
10. Do something completely random and anonymous that shows kindness to someone else.

I have included a link below on different ways to show random acts of kindness - select one and feel the profound impact it will have on the lives of others and yourself. 

Random Acts of Kindness | Kindness Ideas

 End of Year 9 Celebration 

Friday 26th November is the last day of the school year and as a cohort we will celebrate the end to year 9. Students have been invited to watch a movie at South Bank Cineplex, followed by a shared picnic and swim at South Bank Parklands. Please check the College app and your email for further details and click on the link to complete the permission letter.

Happy Holidays

I will also take this moment to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a safe holiday. I look forward to continuing to share the Clare School journey with your daughter next year as we embrace the wild rollercoaster ride of Year 10. 

All things outdoor!