Especean

Principal

Annual Community Consultation

St Patrick’s College, Strathfield is using the Perspectives: Your school in focus suite of surveys developed by AISNSW to support our school improvement endeavours. The information gathered will assist in furthering the growth and development of our school community. We will use the survey results to help inform and direct future school planning and improvement strategies.

 

These surveys have been specifically designed to assist schools in gaining an understanding of stakeholders’ perceptions of five important areas: School Environment, Teaching and Learning, Student Wellbeing, Leadership and Community. All staff, students, parents/carers, leaders and College Advisory Council will be invited to participate. 

 

The surveys will be available from today, Wednesday 21 August 2024 to Wednesday 4 September 2024. They are conducted online, taking approximately 15 - 20 minutes to complete. The survey link will be distributed via email to all from ‘evidence@aisnsw.edu.au’ on behalf of the College.

 

Your input and contribution are important to the success of our continuous school improvement process as we aspire to improve the learning experience for everyone at our school. 

 

For any enquiries about the surveys please contact the school for more details.

National Week of Action: “Everyone Belongs”

“When we all feel like we belong, bullying struggles to find a place. It's about embracing who we are, respecting everyone's differences and standing up together against unkindness”.

 

At our Assemblies on Friday, and their subsequent Pastoral Care Lessons, boys were asked to reflect on the National Week of Action Against Bullying. I wanted to share the messages given to the boys with parents/carers and ask you to support us with repeating the same messages.

 

What Is Bullying?

Bullying behaviours:

  • Are aggressive, unkind or mean behaviours
     
  • Are repeated behaviours (it must happen multiple times, in an ongoing way to be defined as bullying)
     
  • Happen on purpose
     
  • Must have a power imbalance – which means that people bullying, and the people being bullied aren’t seen as being ‘equal’, e.g. older, bigger people picking on smaller, younger people, or ‘popular’ people targeting someone who they see as being ‘unpopular’, or who is struggling to make friends.

I’m Bullied – What Should I Do?

  • Stay calm - don't react emotionally (people who bully usually want you to get angry or upset).
     
  • Report it - tell trustworthy adults and keep talking to them until the bullying stops; reporting it helps keep people safe (and isn't the same as 'dobbing' which is about getting someone in trouble over nothing).
     
  • Get support - bullying can affect your mental health and self-worth - having the support of family, friends, teachers and/or professionals can make a big difference.

Remember – God is with you!

Deuteronomy 31:6 - “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” 

 

Isaiah 41:11-13 - “All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you.” 

 

2 Timothy 12:7 -   “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

 

How Should I Respond to Bullying?

  • Call it out, e.g. Frown and say, "Oh wow, that was actually really mean!"
     
  • Pretend to agree with them (to show you don't really care), e.g. "You're right, I am a loser. Thanks for being so open and honest with me."
     
  • Act unbothered, like you don't care, e.g. "Nice insult. A bit unoriginal though - I give it 3 stars out of 5. Better luck next time."
     
  • Use humour (if appropriate), e.g. Laugh, and say: "Haha, good one. I would insult you back, but I am not sure that you would get it."
     
  • Pretend you don't understand the insult and make them explain it to you - this works well for more subtle insults or when people act like, 'It was just a joke; lighten up'. e.g. "I don't get it. Explain it to me?"
     
  • Directly ask someone to intervene or help, e.g. "Jordan, back me up here!"

God's Word on How to Respond to the Bully: 

1 Peter 3:9 – “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”

 

Romans 12:18-19 - “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” 

 

Matthew 5:43-44 - “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

 

My Friend’s Being Bullied – What Should I Do?

  • Show you disapprove, e.g. frowning at a mean joke, shake your head to show you don’t think it’s right.
     
  • Interrupt the bullying by talking to the person being bullied, e.g. “Hey Jack, there you are!”
     
  • Give the person being bullied an excuse to leave the situation.  e.g. “The teacher is looking for you” or, “Hey, can you come help me with something for a minute?”
     
  • Let the person being bullied know that you saw the bullying, you don’t agree with it and offer support; do this in private/once the person is safe from the situation.  e.g. “I saw what was happening at lunchtime. It is not okay for them to act that way! Are you ok? How can I help?”
     
  • Report it to trustworthy adults, such as a teacher, parent or Kids Helpline. If possible, report it together - being bullied can be very lonely. Having a friend through a tough time can make a big difference to someone being bullied.
     
  • Complete Incident Reports are available on CANVAS.
     
  • Fact Sheets are available in the Wellbeing Section on CANVAS.
     
  • Diary Pages 30-31 ‘Statement on Bullying and Harassment.

Stand Up to Bullying

 

Respectfully challenge bullying is to say, "We don't do that here.”

 

This is powerful as you're making it really clear that the behaviours that are happening are not ok - and you're doing it respectfully too (leading by example).

 

Let us all pray together….

Dear God, please guide and protect our students 

as they navigate the challenges of school. 

Give them the wisdom to handle the bullying they are facing 

in a way that is safe and effective.

Help them to stay focused on their studies and 

not let the bullying distract them from their goals. 

Provide supportive teachers, staff and other adults 

who will advocate for them and provide a safe environment.

Give our students the strength to speak out 

and seek help when needed. 

Help them to see the good in themselves and others, 

and to rise above the negativity.

Help the bullies to understand the harm they are causing 

and change their behaviour. 

Let each student's experiences be transformed

 into something positive and bring hope 

and change to others who are facing similar situations. 

Amen.

In Memoriam

We keep in our prayers Hamish Voysey (Year 6) who recently suffered the loss of his maternal grandfather after a long illness. 

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, 

and let perpetual light shine upon him. 

May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, 

through the mercy of God, rest in peace. 

Amen.

Dr Vittoria Lavorato

Principal

 

SPC boys can do anything! 

**except divide by zero