Year 11 Pastoral Guardian

At the end of Year 10 at transition break-up day, the present Year 11 cohort gifted me with the most beautiful pink cup and saucer and many types of tea to represent the diversity of the year level.  I couldn’t wait to start the year to launch Teatime with Mrs Farrow, and I have been so delighted that the Year 11s have given up second lunch breaks over the past three weeks, group by group, for me to meet my new cohort individually.  Students join me in our meeting room set up with cloth, flowers, and traditional teacups.  I invite the students in Home Room groups to feel comfortable with House students they know, and we casually chat about the year so far, house pride and spirit, year level identity, and individual goals and interests.  The Villa Spada group this week has been particularly chatty, open, and most enjoyable mature company.  They consider themselves fun and family! (though every house group so far has been most welcoming).

I have been enjoying finding out something unique about each and every young person, discussing how they are individually involved in college life to make the most of their final Elizabeth Hayes journey and how they are finding a balance.  It has been wonderful chatting over a cup of herbal tea served in beautiful heritage teacups (courtesy of our kind, caring cleaner, Von) with Mrs Natalie Finney’s assistance as well.

I have discovered that, as well as achieving academic goals and aiming for personal excellence, so many students are also healthily involved in FCIP, sport at international level, robotics competitions, interschool sporting teams, Spirit Squad Welcome Committee, Peer Support, Outreach, Environment Club, Drama X, Theatresports, Art Club, and Liturgy commitment to demonstrate that we are a year level with spirit and college pride. 

In our Year level Personal Development sessions twice a week, our focus for Term 1 has been on wellbeing strategies and managing stress, with activities and videos about the importance of movement, meditation, relaxation, and music.  These sessions also build valuable relationships between students and students to teachers. 

I wish all students success in their upcoming exams in Week 8 and in their first senior school assignments.

I am looking forward to seeing the Year 11 cohort demonstrate being outstanding mentors and role models for the Year 7 mentees at the swimming carnival tomorrow and at the Cross Country on the final day of term in Week 10. 

Please contact me if you have any questions about Year 11. 

Karen Farrow