Student & Parent Matters MindMatters for Families

• From the Head of Student Services
• Year 7 Study Skills Evening
• Duke of Edinburgh Award
• MindMatters for Families:  Mental Health & Wellbeing of Young People
• Boxercise - Open to ALL students

From the Head of Student Services

Year 8 at Oxford Falls

Year 8 conducted a Combatting Cyberbullyingpastoral care theme day at Oxford Falls on Tuesday featuring a drama production as a stimulus followed by small and large group discussions on strategies to address this contemporary issue in our school community.

After recess Mr Stollery, Mr McBrearty, Mr Lynch and myself lead sessions on personal strength values in action, connecting with peers in the school environment, a survey of student responses to our Pastoral Care and Wellbeing Programs, mindfulness and also addressing concerns at school and home.

Coinciding with Year 8’s Oxford Falls PDHPE curriculum we then conducted the Year 8 Cross Country with the track safely adjusted to avoid the Ferrovial construction on Wakehurst Parkway, and a rotation of athletics lessons focusing on long jump, sprinting and shot put.

Congratulations to the Year 8 Cohort for the way they generally conducted themselves and to Zac Davidson in particular who lead the vote of thanks to our guests from Brainstorm Productions for their contribution to the day.

MindMatters Peer Mentoring - Peer Mentors Morning Tea

Our Peer Mentor students from Years 10, 11 and 12 gathered their mentees from Years 5, 6 and 7 last week for an impromptu morning tea in the prayer garden to celebrate the many connections developed over Term 1. This important initiative connects our Junior students to senior students as a network of mentoring advice and support which serves to integrate our students vertically across the College.

The student buddies aim to meet weekly to support each other through the school week. If there are other students who would like to join the group as either mentees or particularly mentors please see Mr Russo or Mr Brannan to register your interest and commitment.

Peer Mentors Kayaking/Bushwalking Friday 26th May

With the support of SPX Old Boys and Sailors Bay Scout Group our next Peer Mentoring activity will take place immediately after school on Friday 26th May.  Peer Mentor students and their mentees will travel by school mini bus at 3.15pm to Sailors Bay Water Base Bush Scout Hall from where students will work together in the canoes/kayaks or bushwalk in the local vicinity before a 5.00pm pick up from the venue or return to school.

Principals' Institute of Australia MindMatters Inservice

On Monday 15th May St Pius X College hosted a MindMatters Training In Service in positive education, growth mindsetting, positive psychology and mindfulness.  Claudia Owad MA from Growth Coaching International led the initial session on Proactive Strategic Approaches to empowering students to flourish and connect through creation of meaning and hope based purpose. Her emphasis is on Coaching and Goal Setting using Sports Psychology based methods to achieve growth.

We were then fortunate to be trained by James Donald of Australian Catholic and Sydney Universities, who reconnected us with applications of the Smiling Mind App in developing and applying Neuroplasticity to achieve calm, clarity of purpose and connection. James endorsed our whole school approaches and use of Mindfulness as a vehicle to pursue better sleep, safety, classroom behaviour and emotional benefits. James is interested in revisiting St Pius X College later in the year to train some of our students in mindfulness techniques and education for the benefit of our wider school community so stay tuned for that opportunity.

Mr Sean Brannan - Head of Student Services

Year 7 Study Skills Evening

Dear Year 7 Parents,

You and your son are invited to attend a Study Skills Evening on Monday 5th June at 6:30pm in the College Gym.  The presenter on the evening will be Dr Prue Salter. More details can be found in the attached flyer.

If you wish to attend, booking and payment can be done through the trybooking website by click on the following link:  https://www.trybooking.com/284317   Bookings close on Sunday 4th of June.

Mr Simon Yue  - Year 7 Coordinator

Duke of Edinburgh Award

Congratulations to Jordan Franic-Smith  (Bronze), Nikita Papastamatis (Silver),  and James Spencer (Silver), who have been awarded their Certificates and Badges for the Duke of Edinburgh Award.  The Award, which is internationally recognised for the commitment and dedication of participants in achieving personal goals in Physical Activity, Skill Development and Service to the Community, takes hours of dedication and hard work.

These young man have been great models of the College motto “Fide et Labore” in achieving their goals and maintaining their dedication. Again, they continue to be role models for the younger men at the College who are embarking on the DoE journey.

Mrs K Manga - DoE Coordinator

MindMatters for Families

Mental Health and Wellbeing of Young People

The information in the attachment below is taken from an Article in a ReachOut Australia Newsletter and looks at:

• What to do when a teenager wants to watch 13 Reasons Why 
• How parents can get on the same page
• Stuck on how to help a student with a mental health issue?

There are also some fact sheets on topics such as gratitude, purpose, mindsets and volunteering and practical actions young people can take towards positive mental health and wellbeing.

Mr R Russo - College Counsellor

Boxercise

A reminder that Boxercise is held every Thursday and Friday morning at 7.30am in the Junior School playground.  This MindMatters initiative provides friendship, fun and fitness to strengthen students’ resilience and general sense of wellbeing.  Classes are free to all students.

Mr R Russo - College Counsellor