Student Wellbeing

As parents, we know consistent school attendance is important for our children's learning and development. Currently, McCarthy Catholic College's overall attendance rate is 87%. This means our students are, on average, present for 87 out of every 100 school days. Additionally, 43% of our students have an attendance rate of 90% or higher, showing a good level of consistent presence in class.

For comparison, the average attendance rate for NSW Government secondary schools (Years 7-10) in Semester 1, 2023, was 84.0%. This indicates that McCarthy Catholic College's current attendance rate is above the state average for government high schools.

Looking ahead, our aim at MCC is to increase our overall attendance rate to 90% and aligns with the NSW Department of Education's own target to raise the average student attendance rate across public schools to 88.8% by 2027.

Healthy screen time - NSW Government resource

Encouraging healthy screen time habits is crucial for your teenager's overall well-being. The Healthy Living NSW website provides excellent guidance for parents, emphasizing quality over quantity and encouraging a balanced approach. Key recommendations include setting clear limits and involving your teenager in creating family rules, prioritizing physical activity and social connections outside of screens, and ensuring adequate sleep by limiting screen use before bedtime. Remember, modelling healthy screen habits yourself is one of the most effective ways to support your teenager. For more detailed tips and resources, visit Healthy Living NSW

Mental Wellbeing resources for teenagers - Black Dog Institute

To ensure your teenager thrives, both academically and emotionally, it's vital to support their mental well-being. The Black Dog Institute offers a wealth of resources specifically designed for parents of teenagers, covering topics such as understanding mental health, recognizing early warning signs, and fostering resilience. We encourage you to visit their dedicated parents' page at The Black Institute to access these valuable tools and insights, helping you navigate the unique challenges and opportunities of adolescence.

There are many free resources available to assist parents/carers to ensure their child is staying safe online.

Students staying safe online

The eSafety Commissioner offers free online webinars for parents and carers on the following topics:

You will find the link and dates of the webinars at; esafety

Additionally, the eSafety Commissioner has advice on how to help your child be safe online at esafety/parents

Of interest, is a response by the eSafety Commissioner on the Netflix series Adolescence. The link to the blog: esafety newsroom/blogs

Sharon Stuart

Leader of Student Wellbeing

sstuart@arm.catholic.edu.au