Deputy Principal's Report

Dear Parents,

There has been a lot happening behind the scenes this week to set our learners up for success in Term 3.  Each teaching team has gathered for a whole day this week in order to plan the learning for the coming term. This uninterrupted day of collaboration, discussion, and preparation allows for a smooth transition into Term 3.   

In order to best support our students, many families have also attended PSG meetings this week. This is an opportunity for all those who support the student to gather as a team and set new learning goals for the coming term.  Thank you to our Learning Diversity Leader Peggy McDonald who has coordinated these PSG meetings. 

Cybersafety Forum

Four students attended a cybersafety forum at St Brigid's Mordialloc to assist MACS in developing a new ICT student agreement for all Catholic schools in Melbourne. This was an opportunity for some authentic student voice and collaboration with other schools, and each student had an opportunity for input about the direction of cybersafety for themselves and their peers. Well done to Amelia, Isabel, Nicholas & Henry

Resilience Project Parent Hub

This next presentation from The Resilience Project is all about Empathy and Kindness. Empathy is our ability to put ourselves in the shoes of others to feel and see what they do. We practice this through being kind and compassionate towards other people. 

Brain imaging data shows that being kind to others registers in the brain as more like eating chocolate than like fulfilling an obligation to do what’s right (e.g. eating brussel sprouts)! Research shows that practicing empathy, such as performing acts of kindness, taps into our brain’s ‘mirror neurons’, builds compassion and our behaviour becomes more social and community-based.View Part 3 of the series here 

Part 3 - Empathy: https://theresilienceproject.com.au/2023-parent-carer-hub-inspire-martin/

Here’s an activity to practise empathy and kindness:

• Reflect on someone in your life who could benefit from an act of kindness today. It could be a friend who would love some affirmation about their work, your pet who deserves an extra treat, or a family member who would love a phone call or text message.
• Make a plan for who you are going to gift an act of kindness to, and what you are going to do.
• If you want to add accountability to your plan, share it with someone else and encourage them to do the same thing.
• Follow up with each other in a few days' time, to ask how it went!  

Sources:Psychology Today,UC Berkeley, Greater Good Science

For mental health resources and support information, visitThe Resilience Project’s Support Page.

Child Safe Posters

Our Year 6 Wellbeing Leaders have been hard at work designing a set of posters that link to the Child Safe Standards. Once completed, these will be presented to the students and displayed around the school.  Please see their designs so far below. Thank you to Trinity, Kiahna and Zara for delivering these important messages to our students. 

Thank you

Michelle Hill & Steele Anderson

Deputy Principals