Wellbeing
Standing Together Against Bullying
From August 11th to August 15th, it marked National Week Against Bullying, an important opportunity for our community to pause, reflect and take action. At St Luke’s Catholic College, we are firmly committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment where every student feels known, valued, and cared for.
Bullying, in any form, is never acceptable. Whether it occurs face-to-face, online, or behind someone’s back, bullying has lasting impacts on a child’s mental health, wellbeing, and confidence. While our school has clear policies and strategies in place to address and prevent bullying, we also acknowledge that families play a crucial role in helping children feel supported and empowered.
Parents and carers are often the first to notice when something isn’t quite right. A child may become withdrawn, avoid school, or express worry about certain people or situations. It’s important to know the signs and to feel confident in taking the next steps.
To assist families, we’re sharing a valuable resource that offers practical guidance and expert advice on what to do if you believe your child is being bullied, or if they are struggling to manage difficult peer relationships.
👉 Visit: https://stlukesmarsdenpark.catholic.schooltv.me/newsletter/bullying
Together—parents, staff, and students—we can create a culture where kindness, empathy, and courage are celebrated, and where bullying has no place. Let’s continue working as one united community to ensure all children thrive in a safe and supportive learning environment.
Because at St Luke’s, everyone belongs
This exclusive, one-off event is fast approaching and we’d love to see your families benefit from the insights of two of Australia’s leading experts, Susan McLean and Dr Michael Carr-Gregg.
They will share invaluable insights on how to empower young people to navigate the online world safely and responsibly.
WEBINAR: Digital Media Literacy & Safety (Part III)DATE: Wednesday, 3 September 2025TIME: 7:30 pm
Topics in this webinar include:
- New Social Media Regulations
- Digital Footprint and Reputation
- Screen Time and Brain Development
- Parental Controls
**** IMPORTANT ****
This webinar will not be available to replay later,
Please note: Participants MUST REGISTER PRIOR to the commencement of the webinar to gain access.
Life Education and Healthy Harold Visit St Luke’s
Over the past two weeks, our Kindergarten to Year 6 students enjoyed engaging sessions delivered by Life Education—accompanied by the much-loved giraffe, Healthy Harold. These sessions focused on a variety of topics connected to students’ social, emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing, encouraging them to make safe and healthy choices both now and in the future.
The Life Education program is widely recognised across Australia and is designed to empower young people with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive. Through interactive lessons, students explored age-appropriate themes such as:
- Building friendships and developing respectful relationships
- Making safe choices around medicines and online use
- Understanding the importance of healthy eating and exercise
- Developing resilience and strategies to manage emotions
Of course, one of the highlights was the visit from Healthy Harold himself, who brought plenty of smiles and excitement to the learning experience.
We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Life Education in supporting the growth and wellbeing of our students. The program plays an important role in reinforcing the values we nurture at St Luke’s, helping our young learners grow into confident, healthy, and responsible individuals.
Our Futures Anti-Vaping Campaign Launch
St Luke’s Catholic College was proud to be represented by Alexia, Jolandra, Mr Jenkins, and Mr Bettiol at the official launch of the Our Futures Anti-Vaping Program, a new initiative endorsed and funded by the NSW State Government. This well-researched program will now be made available to all schools across the state.
St Luke’s holds the distinction of being the first school to trial and implement the program, making our College a leader in supporting student health and wellbeing.
At the launch event, attendees heard from the Federal Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing, who spoke about the importance of government investment in preventative health initiatives such as this one. The group also listened to a thought-provoking panel discussion that included the CEO of Our Futures, leading professors, and physicians, all of whom highlighted the positive impact this program will have in addressing the rise of vaping among young people.
St Luke’s will continue to champion student wellbeing and is honoured to be featured in future promotions of the Our Futures Anti-Vaping Program.
Year 10 Attend the BStreetSmart Excursion
Our Year 10 students recently attended the BStreetSmart Road Safety event at Qudos Bank Arena. This important excursion forms part of our school’s ongoing commitment to student wellbeing and road safety education.
The program, attended by thousands of students across NSW, is designed to highlight the dangers of risky behaviour on the roads. Students were able to witness realistic crash scenarios and gain a better understanding of the impact of poor decisions when driving, as a passenger, or as a pedestrian.
In addition to the staged demonstrations, our students had the opportunity to explore a wide range of safety displays and engage in interactive sessions with emergency services, health professionals, and support organisations. These experiences reinforced the importance of making safe and responsible choices when on or near the road.
The day was a valuable learning opportunity for our Year 10 cohort, equipping them with knowledge and insights that will support their journey towards becoming safe, responsible, and informed young drivers and road users.
Building Resilience and Self-Esteem: Parent Information Night
On a very wet and rainy evening, our College’s Leadership and Wellbeing teams warmly welcomed parents to a special information night focused on building resilience and self-esteem in children. Despite the weather, a number of committed parents made the effort to attend—and the outcomes of the evening proved to be both worthwhile and enriching.
The night provided practical strategies, insights, and examples of how parents can continue to nurture resilience and confidence in their children, both at home and in partnership with the school. Families were encouraged to view challenges not as setbacks, but as opportunities for growth, while also learning how to support their children in developing positive self-worth and a healthy sense of identity.
Parents in attendance expressed their appreciation for the practical advice and the opportunity to connect with staff and other families. The event highlighted the importance of working together as a community to ensure every child feels supported, capable, and valued.
We extend our sincere thanks to the parents who braved the rain to join us on the evening. Your dedication to supporting your children’s growth and wellbeing is truly commendable.
SPECIAL REPORT: Healthy Study Habits
"Research suggests that one in six students experience heightened academic stress due to high workloads. Therefore we must first ensure the building blocks of wellbeing as nothing is more important than their physical and mental health."
Dr Michael Carr-Gregg
National Child Protection Week (NCPW) 2025
Join the following webinars at https://www.napcan.org.au/official-program-webinars-events-2025/#0809
