St Peter's News

Clyde North Campus News

Student led initiatives:

We are in the second last week of term.  Surely it is not possible! Although with the sunshine and warmth taking a break early this week, it was a little easier to think that the term was coming to an end. Nevertheless the days pass quickly as the busyness of the classroom, project compassion projects, and SIS competitions heat up and we feel there is little distance between Mondays and Fridays.  I would like to acknowledge the wonderful spirit of our teachers and students who despite what at times feels like endless SACs, tests, and assessments, they are able to still find time to support and run many valuable extra-curricular activities. These extra-curricular activities are critical for a campus to develop its identity, build on the wonderful culture of St Peters and provide multiple platforms upon which all students can experience success, joy and fun at school.

 

Mindful Monday’s are coming.  

 

A critical component of our Strive & Thrive pastoral program has been to bring an active awareness of the importance of building resilience within our students. As part of this we introduced GEM, Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness. Beginning next week and continuing for the rest of the year, we will introduce Mindful Mondays in tutor groups, using Smiling Mind. This will allow students to gain a deeper understanding of how to develop and use mindfulness techniques through an established and well planned program. Each session comes with lesson plans and is structured to support students in two age ranges Years 7-9 and Years 10-12.  I would encourage all parents to check up the Smiling Mind website. There is even an app to download. The importance of mindfulness techniques is that it can support us all to find calmness in our busy day allowing us to be present and not constantly in a state of distractedness. Students who can put down the mobile, move away for the social media and relax by being present in the moment will experience a deeper state of calmness and this should assist in their ability to concentrate.

Well being is essential for learning. With mindfulness students are more focused and more engaged learners.

 

For Students                                                        

  • Self Awareness
  • Emotional Management
  • Attention and Concentration
  • Relationship Skills
  • Decision Making

 

For Educators

  • Less Stress
  • Better Sleep
  • More Workplace Satisfaction
  • More Effective In The Classroom
  • Improved Student Relationships

 

For Schools

  • Enhanced Teacher Engagement with Parents
  • Better Staff Workplace Satisfaction
  • More Effective Staff

(source: https://www.smilingmind.com.au/mindfulness-in-education#benefits-anchor)

Please discuss Mindful Mondays with your son/daughter and perhaps even try some of the sessions yourselves. We welcome any feedback regarding this program.

Project Compassion House projects update:

There has been a real buzz around the Campus as students and staff share in the hard but fun work as they bake, BBQ, wash cars and limbo their way to raising much needed funds for project compassion. These are very real examples of our students and teachers actively engaging in social justice. The collaborative efforts of all members of each House have produced far more than just money. A different experience of what school community is achieved as teachers and students collaborate, plan and execute these wonderful events. Conversations about how to best wash a car or bake a scone or even limbo lead to us developing greater understanding of each other. Sharing a common purpose and goal is the best way to build community.

So far our House community efforts have produced:

  • A car wash raised $150, BBQ raised $338 and approximately $200 from an auction – Well done Augustine (Ms Angus)
  • The annual Avila Bake Sale initiative that was held to raise funds for Project Compassion raised a total of $413.00.  A great effort by all. (Mrs Barrett)
  • The results of the Limbo Challenge held by Kolbe to raise money for Project Compassion at was a big success with the winners:

         1st - Taryn De Silva - 7K

               2nd - Kanika Thakur - 7K

               3rd - Kaydence Wilkinson - 7J

               Congratulations and well done to those students   (Mr Ellwood)

And for our final week of term, students can look forward to these great Project Compassion initiatives:

  • MacKillop’ coin toss is still to come next week, so make sure you are ready to for the challenge. (Mr Rijs)
  • Marian House’s Easter Egg Hunt is on its way
  • Still time to buy a ticket in the Chocolate Raffle from Romero House - $1 per ticket only for a mountain of chocolate (Ms Gallant)

Thank you also to all of the parents who have supported their sons and daughters in contributing to all of these wonderful social justice initiatives.

Reminders:

A wish you a safe and productive week.

 

Julie Banda

Head of Campus -  Clyde North