Assistant Principal - School & Student Operations

Throughout 2024, we will be working closely with The Resilience Project to support the wellbeing of our school community. 

The Resilience Project delivers emotionally engaging programs and provides evidence-based, practical strategies to build resilience.

Our Partnership Program consists of online presentations and weekly lessons for students, professional development for staff, and Parent & Carer Hub (inc. digital presentations) for our parent and carer community.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing the Parent & Carer Hub with you. The videos are 5-10 minutes long and will walk through the key pillars of resilience: Gratitude, Empathy & Mindfulness. You’ll hear stories and be introduced to activities to show how these strategies can support our kids' learning and development, and also support you as parents and carers.

This program is an important part of our school’s effort to look after the mental health of our community.  View the first presentation of the series here:

Part 1: Meet Martin and learn about The Resilience Project 

We will be in touch to share the remainder of the program, including research and wellbeing activities to integrate into day to day life. For mental health resources and support information, click the link below: 

Attendance

Showing up for school has a huge impact on a student’s academic success starting in kindergarten and continuing through secondary school. Even as children grow older and more independent, families play a key role in making sure students get to school safely every day and understand why attendance is so important for success in school and beyond.

Did you know?

• Students should miss no more than 9 days of school each year to stay engaged, successful and on track to graduation.
• Absences can be a sign that a student is losing interest in school, struggling with schoolwork, dealing with a bully, or facing some other potentially serious difficulty.
• Missing 10 percent, or about 18 days, of the school year can drastically affect a student’s success.
• Students can be chronically absent even if they only miss a day or two every few weeks.
• Attendance is an important life skill that will help your child maximise their full potential.

What you can do

Make school attendance a priority

• Talk about the importance of showing up to school every day, make that the expectation.
• Help your child maintain daily routines, such as finishing homework and getting a good night's sleep.
• Try not to schedule dental and medical appointments during the school day.
• Don't let your child stay home unless truly sick - complaints of headaches or stomach aches may be signs of anxiety.

Help your child stay engaged

• Find out if your child feels engaged by his classes and feels safe from bullies and other threats. Make sure they not missing class because of behavioural issues and school discipline policies. If any of these are problems, work with your school.
• Stay on top of academic progress and seek help from teachers or tutors if necessary. Make sure teachers know how to contact you.
• Stay on top of your child’s social contacts. Peer pressure can lead to skipping school, while students without many friends can feel isolated.
• Encourage meaningful afterschool activities, including sports and clubs.

Communicate with the school

• Find out if your child feels engaged by his classes and feels safe from bullies and other threats.
• Talk to teachers if you notice changes in behaviour ‐ these could be tied to something at school.

eSafety Information for families

As helpful and powerful as information technology might be, in the hands of our students, it does come with its inherent risks of misuse, overuse and misadventure. To have parents well informed and confident to provide a safe home environment and responsible use of technology, here are some helpful links and information to support you as a family.