Pastoral Academic Care (PAC) 

Pastoral Academic Care (PAC) Focus: Ethical Living

Well Being Element: Meaning and Purpose

Character Strength: Humour

Parent Wellbeing: Gilbert Chesterton once said, “there are no uninteresting things, only uninterested people.” To develop interest in yourself to be appreciative of the normal and sometimes boring things in your life, pause, take notice, be curious, pay attention to the present moment. Do boring in an interested and mindful way, it may add stimulating sparks to your life. 

To quote Howard Gardner from his book Five Minds, “I have nothing against excellence, but at the end of the day, the world doesn’t need more of the brightest and the best, but more of those of good character.” The five minds he describes are the creative, critical, synthesising, respectful and ethical minds. For over a decade, teachers and school leaders have been forced into the relentless pursuit of literacy and numeracy through standardised testing, has seen insufficient time devoted to building students’ social-emotional resilience, wellbeing, ethical mindsets and the capacity to nurture respectful relationships. This has seen a huge escalation in student mental health and relationship issues. It’s time to put wellbeing ahead of data collection. Teaching students about what living ethically looks like, sounds like and feels like, will sow the seeds to strengthen their characters. These include acting in ways which they know will benefit their and others’ wellbeing because they matter, and making choices based on what their minds tell them is the right thing to do for them. Also, not doing something for personal, material or prestige gain at the expense of others, being grateful for good things that happen and using their top strengths in their every thought, word and action to do good to feel good. 

                                                                                                 Acknowledgement: Kabat Zinn & Sinek

Year 7

Mrs Natalie Mellowship-Brown

A huge thank you to our Year 7 students and parents / carers and our Year 7 PAC teachers

for all their hard work and participation in the Student Led Conferences last week. We had a large number of our students take part, and of those who couldn’t make the SLC, PAC teachers and Ms Mellowship will be working to ensure that the remaining students have the opportunity to share their successes also in the coming weeks. 

STUDENT LED CONFERENCING: Mr Jamie Moore and Mrs Natalie Gurr connecting with students and parents via zoom for the conferences. 

This week in our Year Assembly, we had a focus on success and perseverance. Perseverance can be defined as “the ability to keep doing something in spite of obstacles”. None of us get to where we are in life without some level of grit and perseverance. In order to reach success, we need persistence and perseverance to allow us to achieve our goals in the face of the obstacles that might otherwise stall us. 

PERSISTANCE PAYS: Usain Bolt didn't become the fastest man on earth overnight. 

When looking at the accomplishments of Usain Bolt, he did not reach his goals without working hard for them. “The difference between the possible and impossible lies in determination” (Usain Bolt). In the coming weeks, our Year 7s will be reflecting on their successes in light of the Student Led Conferences and their Semester 1 reports and will be setting goals to work on for the remainder of the term.

Mrs Natalie Mellowship-Brown and the Year 7 PAC Team

Year 8

Mrs Kathryn Czinner

A huge thank you to the students and parents who have participated in the Student Led Conferencing. The interviews I was involved with were engaging and very worthwhile. To articulate learning and to identify strengths, challenges and improvements is indeed important. The PAC team will be completing the remaining SLC in the coming two weeks.

Year 8 have been asked to change a few routines in our class organisation. The simple change as asking students to have their bags placed in a designated area in the classroom has allowed students to have all the necessary equipment with them and are free from other possible distractions. Our classes are well supported with additional teachers assisting the diverse needs of our students.

The Olympic Spirit has been the focus of many discussions in PAC this week. We draw inspiration from the incredible role models we see on the world stage. Welcome change to see such excitement in world news.

Teenage years can be challenging. Please remember the staff at OCC are here to support our students in getting through challenging times. Remember to reach out and support each other.

Mrs Kathryn Czinner (on behalf of the Year 8 PAC team)

Year 9

Being a PDHPE Teacher, I absolutely love it when the Olympics roll around every four years. I am literally in sports fan heaven as I have the opportunity to watch an enormous and diverse range of sports and events over such a short period of time. I am sure that some of you are in the same boat and have been taking the opportunity to tune in as well.

While we  marvel at the sporting performances, I think many of us are often more impressed at the back stories of athletes and some of the other events that demonstrate amazing examples of humanity across the games. Be it the incredible determination and effort of Patrick Tiernan to finish his 5000m run or the perseverance and resilience of Peter Bol to conquer his obstacles and be such a shining light to us all. I also think of Simone Biles and the courage it took to show such vulnerability and say that she needs some support and a break. The Olympics are clearly a celebration of sport but they are about much more than that. They are also an incredible celebration of what makes us human and the personal characteristics that unite us. 

At O’Connor it is high on our agenda  to endeavour that our students develop similar personal traits that will make them happy and successful in life. We encourage students to fully engage in all that we offer so that they gain a well rounded holistic education both in and outside of the classroom. We really want our students to develop qualities such as determination, courage, perseverance and resilience so that they can deal with the challenges and obstacles that life throws their way. We also strive for our students to develop qualities such as empathy, understanding and an appreciation of those around them.

Mr James Russell and the Yr 9 PAC Team.

Year 10

Ms Amanda Bell and Mr Frank Patricks

This week the student led conferencing has been a real focus and huge success. The large cohort of students expressed themselves with confidence and determination. A determination to highlight the great successes they have achieved and an opportunity to reflect where they could develop their learning. The showcase of the students' academic, sporting and cultural significant achievements clearly demonstrates what a wonderful cohort of outstanding young adults that are soon to be entering their senior years of high school. Congratulations to all that participated on the designated nights of the conferencing. For those that didn’t take the opportunity to showcase your own wonderful achievements during the conferencing you will be able to take this opportunity in the near future here at school.

Course preferences and a first draft of the lines is being made available early Friday morning, so don’t forget to get them in. If you haven’t yet, please make the effort to talk to the teachers of the units you want to do. We are all more than happy to help you in any way and it only takes a little effort to get the information you need to make an informed decision as to your direction.

Unfortunately there has been a diminished approach to the wearing of the correct uniform. Please make the effort to ensure the uniform that is worn meets the winter uniform as set out by school policy. If we look below, this is a great example of why we wear the uniform, they look great.

In the near future all the Year 10 cohort have the opportunity to participate in a wonderful Retreat led by our Lasallian Youth Leaders.  These exceptional young people will host a wonderful day of activities that give us all an opportunity to develop ourselves in a manner that is fun, exciting and at times quite challenging.

and remember folks...

Ms Amanda Bell / Mr Frank Patricks (on behalf of the Year 10 PAC team)

Year 11

Mrs Vicki Channon

It was exciting to witness the Lasallian Youth Leaders approach their role with enthusiasm yesterday as they attended their Year 7 or 8 morning PAC classs. The Lasallian Youth Ministers ran the group through some games to play with the junior students, and they responded positively. Just a reminder that it is important for LYLs to take their leadership role seriously and it is an expectation that they attend meetings, along with regularly attending their PAC class on a Thursday morning. The next STEP day is coming up very soon, and the LYLs will be assisting with this really important event.

Yearly exams are fast approaching for our Year 11 students, so it is strongly suggested to prepare well for these by making study notes and completing revision for all subjects. Students need to speak with their teachers if they are not sure about a concept or certain aspect of their course. In senior studies, teacher/student relationships are so important in helping to achieve success. 

Students have been given the choice of a study group/workshop/particular subject area in which to focus on for this Friday’s PAC period. It is a time where they can work with like minded students/peers to work on study notes/content etc.. 

We have also added a meditation/mindfulness session for interested students to allow some quiet reflection time and hopefully offer some strategies to reduce anxiety around exam time.

The PAC period after this will be dedicated to exam protocol and we will visit U11 where the exams will be held. We know that exams are not everyone’s ‘cup of tea’ and it may be a very stressful time leading up to these exams. All we ask is to do the best you can as individuals and just be proud of your efforts. And remember to touch base with us here at school so that we can help you. 

Mrs Vicki Channon (on behalf of the entire Year 11 PAC team)

Year 12

Mr Mark Fulloon

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all Year 12 good luck on their upcoming HSC trial examinations going into Weeks 5 and 6. I hope that all the hard work and effort goes with our students into this time of examinations. Students should see this as time to put into practice what they have learnt and what they are able to demonstrate. And whilst this can be stressful for some, it is time to keep consolidating their knowledge and ability of their chosen subjects and pathways. 

Mr Mark Fulloon (on behalf of the entire Year 12 PAC team)