Leader of Year 11 Wellbeing

As we begin the new school year, I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself to families who may not yet know me. My name is Rebecca Hines, and I have the privilege of serving as the Instructional Leader of Wellbeing for Year 11. It has been a pleasure welcoming this cohort into Stage 6, and I’m already so proud of the calm, focused, and positive way they’ve stepped into senior learning.

I’m also delighted to introduce the rest of our Year 11 Pastoral Team, who play such an important role in supporting your children each day:

• Mrs Marina Vukovic – Homeroom 1
• Mrs Michelle Morisson – Homeroom 2
• Miss Nicola Burke – Homeroom 3

Together, we are committed to guiding, encouraging, and championing every student as they navigate the academic and wellbeing journey of Year 11.

A Smooth and Positive Start

Year 11 have begun the year with maturity, enthusiasm, and a genuine willingness to engage. Their transition into senior routines has been calm and focused, and our team has been impressed by the way they’ve embraced new expectations. Please congratulate them at home, they’ve set a strong foundation for the year ahead.

Information Night Highlights

Thank you to the many families who joined us on Monday evening for the Year 11 Information Night. During my section of the presentation, I spoke about the wellbeing structures in place to support students as they navigate the academic, social, and emotional demands of Stage 6.

Key messages included:

• The importance of consistent routines: sleep, organisation, exercise and balanced study habits
• Our focus on GEM principles (Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness) as daily wellbeing anchors
• How families can partner with us by checking in regularly, asking about assessment timelines, and encouraging healthy habits
• The role of our pastoral team in providing guidance, connection, and early intervention when needed

The full slide deck was shared via Compass for anyone who would like to revisit the information.

Consent Education with Brent Sanders

On Tuesday, Year 11 took part in an important and highly informative session with Brent Sanders, a respected educator who specialises in consent and sexual crime prevention. Brent delivered separate presentations to the boys and the girls, allowing him to address the specific challenges, responsibilities, and misconceptions that young people often encounter.

His message was direct, practical, and grounded in real‑world scenarios. He reinforced the importance of respect, clear communication, personal boundaries, and looking out for one another. Students engaged thoughtfully throughout the sessions, and many commented afterwards that the presentation gave them a stronger understanding of consent and a clearer sense of responsibility as they navigate senior school and young adulthood.

Our Focus for Term 1: Getting Organised

My wellbeing goal for Year 11 this term is simple and achievable: Let’s get organised.  

Senior success isn’t about last‑minute effort, it’s built on small, consistent habits. Over the next few weeks, we are encouraging students to:

• Review their assessment handbook
• Map out key dates
• Create a study and homework planner
• Break tasks into manageable steps
• Establish a weekly routine that balances schoolwork, rest, and wellbeing

A planner template has been shared via Compass, and I strongly encourage students to personalise it and make it their own. This is the perfect moment to build momentum and set themselves up for a confident, productive Year 11.

If you ever have questions or concerns, please reach out. I look forward to partnering with you throughout the year as we support our students to grow, thrive, and step into senior learning with purpose and readiness.