STRONG MINDS, 

GENTLE HEARTS

A strong finish 

As the year draws to a close there is no winding down phase at St Augustine's. Teachers are aware that at Saints we teach and assess through to the final bell on Friday 24 November. The boys know that our expectation regarding application, behaviour, uniforms, grooming and assessment never waivers. Part of building resilience is to see things through to the finish, and this applies to our students’ academic year. I ask that all parents and carers reinforce this message. 

There is never a wrong time to do the right thing 

It’s about always making good decisions. Doing the right thing then, no matter the circumstances, becomes second nature and an essential part of our students’ moral compasses. For boys who are growing into men and experiencing so many strong influences on their lives, it can be challenging. It’s why we try to support them and their behaviour as straight forwardly as possible. 

The way we support them in making good decisions is very clear. We have clear behaviour management guidelines that are written in plain language. Our teachers enforce high standards and expectations, not just in the classroom, but in every aspect of Saints life. When our boys do get it wrong, which isn’t often, we try to get them back on track with a minimum of fuss. Sometimes, that means unpleasant consequences. The good news is that our students generally respond positively to those. 

Perhaps, most importantly though, is the support we receive from parents and caregivers around standards and expectations. It’s crucial for ingraining in our boy those good decision-making skills. A combined effort from school and home means that we can guide the boys into doing the right thing often. A united front means a consistent message, be it about haircuts, respect, bullying or driving safely. A consistent, united response from the school and parents means that our boys have a better chance to always do the right thing. 

While there’s never a wrong time to do the right thing, for our boys, it’s just as important to remember there’s also never a wrong time to start trying either. Encouraging their best involves a collaborative approach from their biggest supporters – us.