From the Deputy Principal

Making the Most of Term Break

After weeks of early mornings, homework, assessments, and the social intensity of school life, students arrive at the holiday threshold carrying far more than their school bags. Fatigue can be described as physically, emotionally, as well as cognitive overload and is a very real feature of every term's end. This break is an opportunity not to fill up the calendar with activities, but to find a balance between these and to genuinely restore the body.

Sleep first

Research consistently shows that adolescents and children are among the most sleep-deprived groups in society, and school terms compound this. The first few days of any holiday should be treated as recovery time. Letting students sleep without an alarm, within reason, is biology doing its work; memory consolidation, emotional regulation, and immune function all depend on it. Parents and carers can support this by resisting the urge to fill every morning immediately, and by keeping screen time, particularly before bed, measured throughout the break.

Connection over achievement

The pressure many students feel to be productive during holidays, to get ahead on reading, practice instruments, or attend holiday programs can undermine the very recovery the break is meant to provide. While some purposeful activity is wonderful, the goal should be joy and connection. Unstructured time with family and friends, time outdoors, time spent doing something creative or physical, are not wasted hours. They are exactly the kinds of experiences that refill emotional reserves and build the resilience that formal learning depends on.

Watch for the signs of strain

For some students, the end of term brings relief mixed with difficulty. Anxiety, irritability, withdrawal, or emotional outbursts in the first days of holidays can be a sign of just how hard a young person has been working to hold things together. This is not the time to address behavioural concerns head-on; it is a time for warmth, low expectations, and patience.

If a student seems persistently low, disengaged from things they usually love, or is expressing worry about returning to school, it is worth a gentle conversation and the College Counsellor, Daisy Parsell, is available to support families navigating these moments.

A note for families in our younger years

The holiday period can be its own kind of pressure for families, managing childcare, balancing activities, and navigating children who are simultaneously overtired and overstimulated. It helps to remember that a quiet day at home, a slow walk, a shared meal, or an afternoon building something together or in the garden often does more good than a packed itinerary.

Ask your child what they are most looking forward to in the break and when possible, make space for exactly that. It communicates something important: that their preferences matter, that rest is valued, and that school is just one part of a life.

We wish all of our students and their families a genuinely restorative break. We look forward to welcoming everyone back refreshed, ready, and with a little more energy in reserve for Term Two.

Uniform Requirements

In preparation for Term Two there are a few key reminders in respect to uniform expectations and requirements. At our College, a high standard of personal presentation is expected of all students at all times and we ask that families support us in this expectation by ensuring uniforms are in good condition, well-fitting and worn with pride. Should a uniform become soiled or damaged and require repair or cleaning, please be aware that an exemption card is required. We appreciate that the vast majority of our students present beautifully each day, and we thank families for the role they play in making this possible.

There have been a few key changes to our uniform requirements, and these are detailed as follows: 

College Tie: this is now an optional part of the uniform for students from Year 1 to Year 10. Families may choose whether their daughter wears the tie as part of her daily uniform.

HPE/Sports Uniform: on days when students are required to wear their HPE uniform, the College soft shell jacket and/or ¼ zip top may be worn to and from school, including on buses, unless the outside temperature exceeds 23 degrees. 

Students may also wear College leggings, shorts and the ¼ zip top to and from school on the days they require them. Please note that leggings with visible brand names are not permitted. Additionally, College bike shorts are not appropriate for travel to and from school and these are to be worn during PE and/or Dance lessons only.

Wearable Technology: while students are welcome to wear a watch to school, wearable technology such as smartwatch is not permitted. We ask that families please check that their daughter's watch complies with this guideline before leaving home each morning.  Please refer to the Mobile Phone, Devices and Wearable Technologies Policy if an exemption is required for the wearing of a smartwatch.

We want to work in partnership with families to ensure our students feel confident and take pride in their appearance. Where uniform expectations are not met, staff will issue a minor behaviour on the date this is observed. Should a student accumulate three minor behaviours, this will result in a reflection conversation with a member of our College leadership team. We encourage families to regularly check in with their daughters to ensure all aspects of their uniform are meeting the College's expectations.

We also recognise that navigating uniform requirements can sometimes be challenging, particularly with adolescents.  As parents/carers if you are experiencing challenges at home or if your daughter is experiencing any difficulties meeting the requirements, please do not hesitate to reach out as we work in partnership for our students to represent the College with pride. It is through our shared commitment to these expectations that our students are able to uphold these expectations. Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership in upholding our uniform standards, it is greatly appreciated by all members of our College community.

We hope all families enjoy a peaceful and well-earned break over the coming weeks.