Wellbeing

Drinking & Alcohol

"Setting clear boundaries and educating young people about the effects of alcohol is vital. It has been demonstrated that well-informed young people are more likely to make responsible choices."

Dr Michael Carr-Gregg

Now available on SchoolTV - Drinking & Alcohol

Alcohol is one of the most commonly used substances among young people, making it an important topic for families to address early and often. From the primary years onwards, children are exposed to messages about alcohol through social situations, media and online content. Starting age-appropriate conversations early can help build healthy attitudes, strengthen trust and make later discussions during adolescence easier and more effective.

As children grow older, curiosity, peer influence and increasing independence can increase the likelihood of experimentation. Research shows that strong family communication, clear expectations and positive role modelling are key protective factors in helping young people make safer and healthier choices.

This edition of SchoolTV explores the impact of alcohol on children and adolescents and offers practical strategies to help families navigate this important topic with confidence and care.

Here is the link to this topic http://stlukesmarsdenpark.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/drinking-alcohol-au

House Leaders Bring the Fun with Rock, Paper, Scissors Competition

Over the past couple of Friday lunchtimes, our House Leaders have been busy organising and running a fun and energetic Rock, Paper, Scissors Competition for our School of Foundations students.

The competition was designed to build house spirit, encourage positive connections and provide our younger students with the opportunity to engage in a simple but exciting lunchtime activity. Students enjoyed challenging their friends, cheering on their house members and celebrating each round with plenty of enthusiasm.

Our House Leaders did a wonderful job leading the competition, supporting students, explaining the rules and creating a positive and inclusive environment. Their organisation and encouragement helped ensure that all students felt welcome and involved.

Events like this are a great reminder of the important role our student leaders play in strengthening our school community. We thank our House Leaders for their initiative, energy and commitment to building house spirit across the School of Foundations.

Celebrating NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is celebrated by all Australians and is a great opportunity to recognise and learn more about the history and culture of Indigenous communities.

NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced back to the Aboriginal rights movement, when on Australia Day 1938, protestors marched through the streets of Sydney to highlight the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Today, it is a week-long celebration held in July that consists of range of traditional and contemporary activities.

NAIDOC Week is an important event that helps build positive relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. It enables a deeper understanding of our differences and similarities and is a great opportunity for all Australians to eliminate bias and discrimination by reflecting and reconciling the wrongs of the past to facilitate hope and build a fairer future. Families are encouraged to join in and support young people in learning the significance of NAIDOC Week.

This Special Report offers suggestions on how families can celebrate NAIDOC Week together. We hope you take a moment to reflect on the information offered, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your Special Report https://stlukesmarsdenpark.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-celebrating-naidoc-week

https://www.thehills.nsw.gov.au/Upcoming-Events-Activities/NAIDOC-Week-2026

16th June 2026

Dear Parents and Carers,

RE: Green and Gold Community hour - for School of Leadership only

As part of our ongoing focus on building a strong and inclusive school community, students will be taking part in a special community hour during the upcoming FIFA World Cup match between Australia and Paraguay on Friday 26 June. This will be taking place during school hours.

This will be a wonderful opportunity for students to come together, show support for Australia, and reflect on what it means to belong to and contribute to an Australian community. The focus of the hour will be on celebrating community, inclusion, respect, teamwork and the many different backgrounds that make Australia such a special place to live.

During this time, students will be provided with the option of either watching the Australia v Paraguay World Cup game or watching a child-friendly movie with similar themes of belonging, community and working together. Students will also take part in activities connected to the day and listen to our school leaders speak about the importance of community, belonging and supporting one another.

This event is designed to bring our school community together in a positive and meaningful way, while allowing students to reflect on the values that help make our community strong.

Students may bring a blanket or picnic rug to sit on, as they will be seated on the Marketplace floor or in the hall during the session. Students are to attend school as usual in their full school uniform.

We look forward to sharing this special community experience with the students.

Kind regards

Mr Scott Carroll                                                  Mr Chris Bettiol

Head of School - School of Leadership       Leader of Wellbeing, Growth and Development