Student Wellbeing
As we enter the middle of term 1, it has been nice to see all of the students return and settle back into the routine of school again.
Returning to this routine can be a challenge for some after the long summer break but as time moves we must adapt to change.
This year we welcome our new Principal – Ms Angela Romano who brings a wealth of experience to Marian and who will continue to support all of us in enhancing the wellbeing of all members of our community.
We have endeavoured to put structures in place to support all students in their return to school for 2024
Role of the Homeroom Teacher
At the Professional Learning Days at the beginning of the year, a strong emphasis was placed on the importance of the role of our Homeroom/Mentor teachers as our students return for 2024.
We want to ensure that the Homeroom/Mentor teacher for your daughter is the go to person that you both speak to if you have any concerns related to their wellbeing or their learning.
This is the first point of call also for the follow up in relation to attendance and uniform concerns and any queries that you may have in relation to her day to day life at Marian.
Community Leaders are also here to support but given the time that has been allocated to the Homeroom/Mentor role it demonstrates our commitment to how important we see this role.
On Monday 5th February and Thursday 8th all families had the opportunity in our Information Evenings to engage with the staff who are responsible for your daughter and start to build that very important relationship with you as a family.
Mrs Jennifer Stafford the Director of Students and myself are here to support all staff and all students in building positive relationships and developing a wellbeing and learning program that enhances the GROWTH for all members of our community.
In the last couple of years, we have done significant work in reviewing our wellbeing programs and our focus for 2024 in line with the curriculum changes are in the areas of Heart, Body, Mind and Spirit that was started in 2023 and will continue to be reviewed and expanded this year.
We look forward to keeping you up to date with this work over the course of 2024.
Uniform Updates
It is pleasing to say that we have had a number of students who have taken up the offer of wearing the school pants and emblemed shirt as the alternative to the summer dress. These pants were introduced in 2020 for the first time.
The pants/shirt combination looks very smart, and the girls who have taken up the option have commented on how comfortable and cool the pants are.
We also remind our Year 11 cohort that they have now moved to a red jumper and that the blue jumper is only for students from Years 7-10.
A couple of key uniform reminders that have raised ongoing concern for both the homeroom/mentor and Community Leaders. These include:
- No facial piercings such as nose rings etc.
- No false eyelashes or eyelash extensions
- No acrylic or false nails
- No unusual hair colours – is the colour natural?
We will continue to remind all students in relation to our school expectations
Mobile Phone Reminders to families
We remind our community of the changes that we made to the use of mobile phones at the beginning of 2020 that continues to be part of our Mobile Phone Policy for 2024.
We remind all of our families that from the time students enter the school grounds until the end of the school day our mobile devices need to be locked away in lockers and not visible and if they are seen and are being used they will be confiscated.
If a student has their device removed for the first time, they will be able to collect it at the end of the day from student reception where they will sign for collection of the device.
If a student has their device removed for the second time, they will be able to collect it at the end of the day from student reception where they will sign for the collection of the device and they will be given a 30-minute restorative conversation regarding why they were using their mobile device.
On the third occasion that they have their device removed, the device will be returned only to a parent or emergency contact and a conversation will take place with the family. Students will also be issued with a 60-minute restorative conversation regarding why they are using their mobile device.
Parents wishing to see the will be able to access this on SEQTA portal next to the Digital Citizenship Policy.
We will keep you informed of how this process is working in coming editions of the Marian and we look forward to the week when we have no need to confiscate any devices.
Leadership Process Update
Next week, we have our annual Investiture Assembly where we present all of our elected student leaders for 2024 with their leadership badges.
At the end of last year, we elected our Lamp Bearers, Student Representative Council and our House Captains for Years 8-12.
Over the coming weeks the new Year 7 cohort will elect their leaders and all of the Homeroom groups and Senior part of the school will elect their Student Participation Group members as well as the leaders of our many co-curricular groups such as Science Club and Library Monitors.
We look forward to informing our community of all student leaders in the Marian News after the Investiture Assembly.
Work of the Student Representative Council
Part of our Annual Action Plan states that our Student Leaders have a valuable voice in our community.
While we wait for the leaders at Year 7to be elected, the Student Representative Council and the Lamp Bearers have started work on reviewing with their year levels the following policies and processes that we have in place.
These include:
- Student Digital Citizenship policy
- Mobile Phone processes and procedures to support the Digital Citizenship policy
- Bullying and Harassment policy
- Uniform Expectations
We look forward in future editions of the Marian News of keeping you updated on their progress and their recommendations for the future.
Child Safety Parent – Sub Committee
With our ongoing commitment to keep all of the students in our care safe, we are working towards establishing a Parent Sub Committee of our Child Safety Committee. In wanting to work in partnership with our families if you are interested in joining this subcommittee, please contact me at school via SEQTA direct message or by phoning school and leaving a message.
Operoo Reminder
Early this term we sent an operoo to all families about ensuring that, all of the information that is included in each students profile is accurate and correct and that all medical information is up to date.
It is vitally important that the day to day information for students such as contact phone numbers are accurate particularly when we need to call home due to illness etc.
We thank all families that have responded to the email and ask that if anything changes over the course of the year that you update these changes as quickly as possible.
Reminder about behaviour expectations on the Marian School buses
Earlier in the term, we held a meeting of all bus travellers that use one of the seven school buses about the expectations of all students in regards to their behaviour.
All students were reminded of what these expectations are and we remind all families that behaviour on the school buses that places the safety of others could result in any student having their bus priveleges suspended for a period of time. We hope that this does not happen
New Expectations in relation to Medical Information for our students.
The Catholic Education Office and the Victorian Government have introduced new and expanded expectations in relation to medical data particularly for students who have conditions such as asthma, diabetes, anaphylaxis and epilepsy. This will require us to contact families and hold Parent Support Group meetings about the documentation that is required to support these conditions.
We will in further editions of the Marian news, keep you up to date with this work as it progresses.
Wellbeing Tip for Everyone
Life is always challenging.
With this in mind, we encourage all members of our community – staff, students and families to look after their wellbeing and ensure that they find some time in the hustle and bustle of life to find the time to do something that rejuvenates them and gives them life. It may be a walk with the dog, seeing family or reading a book, whatever it may be try to find the time to take care of yourself, otherwise we struggle to take care of others.
Stay Safe,
Kerrie Williams
Assistant to the Principal – Student Wellbeing