Clyde North Campus News
We are halfway through the term. This edition of the newsletter highlights some wonderful events of the past two weeks. My sincere thanks to the staff and students who both organised and participated ensuring success was experienced by all students.
Year 11 Leadership Day
The principal aim of the Year 11 Leadership Training Day is to explore the ministry and essence of leadership within an environment of care and respect for everybody.
As part of the Leadership Training Day, a variety of activities were arranged allowing students to acknowledge their leadership traits and to identify those in others. We looked at great leaders, both famous and not so famous; explored personality types and the role these play within leadership structures; we reflected on our Christian heritage and on our Mission to the world; students participated in group building and group dynamic activities; critically evaluated the difficulties, dangers and joys of being a leader; and, finally, we students explored the positions of leadership available within the College and encouraged each of them to reflect on how they can be of service to the St. Peter’s Community.
The was no doubt to the success of the day especially the egg challenge. Working as a team students had to successfully launch an egg from the top of the outside staircase without it breaking. Year 11 students now have a better understanding of what it means to be a senior and a leader at St Peter’s College. My thanks to Mr Peter Brannan and the House Leaders who make this event meaningful, purposeful and great fun. Year 11 students have now been invited to nominate for the eight College Captain portfolios for 2025.
Bye Bye Tasty Trucks, hello canteen!
This past week we farewelled our beloved Tasty Trucks who have served us so well for almost ten years, commencing in January 2015. It was very fitting that the students joined together last Friday to send off the wonderful Tasty Truck staff with three great cheers and some chocolates. The Tasty Trucks will always remain part of the Clyde North history.
With a sad goodbye, a very happy welcome followed as we launched the much-anticipated Canteen. We welcome Bec and her team as Clyde North is well serviced by the Coffee Corner (for staff and senior students only) and now a canteen for all students and staff. The Canteen menu has delighted students with its diverse range of savoury foods, including sweet potato chips and sushi through to freshly baked banana muffins and irresistible ice creams. The line was long but moved quickly. Overall, a great start.
Students are reminded that payment at both the Coffee Corner and Canteen is card or cash only. Mobile phone payments are not permitted as per our mobile phone policy, all phones are to be locked in lockers for the entire school day.
Cyber safety Sessions
This week as part of our wellbeing program Years 7,8 and 9 engaged in interactive and informative sessions with our partner the Cyber Safety Project. These sessions are proving critical to our young people as more and more pressure is on them to become critical thinkers in relation to online activity and cyber safety. Many Year 7 students remarked that they were aware of how easily they can be traced or followed online without knowing it or the person following them. For Year 9 students this was the third presentation. Many of the students reflected that this session was even more relevant because they had had the Year 7 and 8 presentations in previous years.
We have a great partnership with the Cyber Safey Project. Topics covered included the laws in relation to cyber bullying and what you can do; private accounts: parents do you know how many social media accounts your child has? And the power of being an upstander over the harm of being a bystander. This is a critical topic because our young people need to be aware that being part of a group chat (even if they say nothing) that leads to harm or engages in bullying all members of the group chat can find themselves in trouble.
I encourage parents to be open to these conversations and resist the temptation to immediately take your child’s phone away. Education and dialogue are far more effective tools for our young people to navigate cyber space.
Year 10 students engaged in a session from Blurred Minds on Vaping and Health. This was a follow up to the session the students had attended in Year 9. Students were really impressed with the presentation, the conversation and the information that was delivered to them in a most relatable way. Doctor James, from Blurred Minds delivers clear evidence of the dangers of vaping in a way that students can relate to. There is no judgement just facts prompting students to take responsibility for their actions and not merely blame the influence of their peers. A great learning experience that should set our young people up for life.
On that note, I wish you all a safe and productive week.
Mrs Julie Banda
Head of Clyde North Campus