Pastoral Care 

• College Diary
• New Bell times
• How to support students struggling to return to school
• Boxercise begins this week
• Peer Support for Years 5, 7 and 11
• Parent Information Evenings
• Nick Gladen - Raising funds for the Starlight Children's Foundation
• Sydney University study - Kids sport participation leads to higher academic results

College Diary

The use of the College Diary is a key element of organisation, communication and structure for our students. I would encourage the triad approach of working together between students, parents and teachers to ensure the best outcomes.

The diary outlines our policies, expectations, prayers and useful wellbeing resources for the students.

The student’s diary will be checked by his homeroom teacher each Tuesday. Please ensure a parent or guardian has signed the appropriate pages.

Please see below an example of how the dairy should be used for each lesson.

New bell times

Please find below the new bell times which commenced this year.  Please note that students should be at school at an earlier time than previous years as the Movement Bell rings at 8:30 am and homeroom now commences at 8:35 am.  

How to support students struggling returning to school

Below is a list from Sheralee Fordham, a Be You consultant to help parents with supporting students who are struggling to return to school.

Take a student-centred approach in developing a return to school for the student, and recognise that a student’s perception of what may or may not be the problem. 

Build trust and find a time to chat with the student to hear their concerns, as knowing their concerns supports addressing them.

Develop agreed, clear, achievable strategies with the student to identify and manage their concerns. Focus on their strengths and positive ways to engage in daily activities.

Celebrate and acknowledge milestone achievements no matter how big or small.

Consider other professional supports the student may require and agree how these supports may be introduced and when.

Review.  Like any plan, it is important to acknowledge, sometimes plans or supports may change. It’s important to set up regular reviews to see whether the plan is still working or needs updating.

Boxercise begins this week

Boxercise began this morning with an excited group of students eager to learn boxing skills and meet new friends.

Boxercise will also be held tomorrow morning commencing at 7:30 am and continues each Thursday and Friday morning.  

All students from Year 5 up are welcome to this connecting and positive wellbeing initiative which will be led by our Year 12 and student leaders including Tomo Wilkins and Liam Thompson. We supply, gloves and focus mitts; students just need to wear PE uniform and 'get amongst it!' All welcome.

Peer Support for Year 5, 7 and 11 facilitated by Mr Naidoo, Mrs Zervakos Ms Dempsey and Ms Bamber

The Peer Support Program commences on Monday 13 February during Period 4 to support students' transition into Year 5 and Year 7 at St Pius. The program runs on a weekly rotation with Year 11 Peer Support Leaders mentoring a group of Year 5 or 7 students to develop the social, emotional and learning skills required for successfully negotiating their commencement learning across the school year. The program will conclude in Term 2, with a session and lunch at Beauchamp Park at the end of Week 1 Term 2.

Parent Information Evenings

Thank you to all members of our community who have supported and engaged with these opportunities for communication in support of your sons' wellbeing, learning and pastoral care journeys through the school. Our Pastoral Leaders, Pastoral Care Teams and Counsellors invest significant time and resources in supporting your sons development, and we appreciate your feedback and communication to this end. The student diary, email and CANVAS provide rich opportunities for communication, listening, goal setting, and learning. All of these are designed to be accessible to all members of our learning community.

Nick Gladen - super star swimmer raising funds for the Starlight Childrens Foundation.

In February, Nick Gladen will be taking part in the Super Swim to raise funds for the Starlight Children's Foundation with a goal of swimming 100km during the month of February.  He is swimming in memory of his sister Maddy who passed away from cancer in 2019. She was only 14 years old.  While she was in hospital undergoing treatment, the Starlight Foundation would play games, entertain and play music and bring a smile to her face.  On the day she passed away she received her Starlight wish of two cockatiel birds which the family named Fluff and Roo. They are a beautiful reminder of Maddy for her family and they are cherished every day.

If you would like to sponsor Nick to help reach his fundraising goal and brighten the lives of sick kids in hospital, that would be greatly appreciated.  The link to donate is here:  Nick Gladen • Super Swim 2024

Sydney University study - Kids sport participation leads to higher academic results

Please click the link below to read the full article.

Mr Martin Gillogly - Assistant Principal, Pastoral Care