PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

Greetings Friends!

I am so sorry about the sudden closure of the College on Tuesday. It was so inconvenient for everyone, especially as it was done at the last moment. We had no prior information about the power outage (due to a car accident) and when we found out that it would take most of the day before power would resume, we had no option but to close the College for the day, mainly because of OH&S reasons.

It has been a difficult term for many people, with COVID, lockdowns, storms and power cuts. We are in awe of all our students and families who have had to make many changes to constantly adjust each day in their schooling, work and home life.

Our staff have been amazing in how they have adapted to remote learning and the constant changes that have been demanded of them.

It has not been easy to change ‘school’ with only a few hours’ notice. Many exams, excursions, camps, events, and the GAT have had to be reorganised. As we remained open for ‘permitted’ workers, there was also a constant unknown each day, as we arranged staff to be on site to supervise these students from all year levels.

Academically our students are progressing, what I am more concerned about is the wellbeing of our students. 

I have been undertaking mental health courses to assist our staff in understanding mental health issues and we now have several staff trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid and Teen Mental Health First Aid. 

This year, our Year 7 students will undertake the RAP (Resilient Adolescent Program), which will be taught by their Home Room teacher and the Teen Mental Health First Aid Course (TMHFA) will be rolled out to all students in Years 8,9,10 and 11. Two other staff members will join me in teaching the TMHFA courses.

It is vital that our students undertake the TMHFA training, knowing that one in four young people will present with mental health problems in their adolescence. There is evidence that this course saves lives as young people have a preference in going to another young person to help them out rather than going to an adult.

The TMHFA course:

• Helps reduce the impact of crisis situations.
• Gives young people the knowledge to recognise warning signs; offer and provide support; knowledge of and importance of self-care; and, how to guide a friend towards seeking appropriate adult help.
• Guides students to be able to help a friend with a possible mental health problem, or a friend in a mental health crisis, until a responsible adult can take over.

You will receive notice about these courses from our Secondary Wellbeing Coordinator, Mrs Marina Heading. 

It is good to engage with your child when they are doing these courses as to what they are learning and gleaning from this training. It is good to talk about wellbeing and mental health, and dismantle the stigma that often surrounds people with mental illness. It is just an illness like physical illnesses and can mostly be treated with good medical care and support.

If your child is struggling in any way, please first see their HOME ROOM TEACHER who, if needed, will refer students to the Wellbeing Team: Rev Warwick Grant (College Chaplain), Mrs Marina Heading (Secondary) and Mrs Sonia Sires (Primary).

We continue to pray for all our students, staff and families.

Please join us on Tuesday nights at 8pm (during term time) for fellowship and prayer, praying for our special school. It is done on ZOOM and is only for half an hour. 

“Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me…” Jeremiah 9:24

Abundant blessings to you all over the winter Semester Break! May you be refreshed!

“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” Jeremiah 31:25

Keep safe, keep warm and keep focused on our Lord.

Catriona Wansbrough