Welcome to term 2,

A special welcome to any new families that have joined our MCC community. Please let me introduce myself. My name is Sue and I am employed at MCC as the School Wellbeing Support Worker. I have a background in youth work and counselling, and I am an additional level of support here at school.

My main focus is to ensure everyone feels welcome and connected and has a sense of belonging here at school. This is particularly important when we have students transition from year 6 or other schools. I understand how being a new student can be very daunting and the feeling can sometimes be overwhelming. If this is how your child is feeling or you would just like to have an informal chat regarding my role and how I can support you and your family, please don’t hesitate to send me an email hones@ww.catholic.edu.au or contact your child’s pastoral leader and let them know that you would like to see me. I am onsite here Wednesday and Thursday’s but check my emails daily.

An exciting part of my role is to work with some amazing staff who volunteer their time during lunch to be involved in our games group activities.

Available each lunchtime (unless there is a school community activity) there is a designated space available within the back of the library for any student to socialise, interact or simply attend and enjoy a safe space to gather their thoughts and recharge. Everyone is welcome and everyone belongs.

We have specific activities available on certain days; however students are welcome to access and play the non-electronic games (board games, cards, chess, etc) that are provided in the cupboard or Lego on any day HOWEVER access to Chromebooks during this time for recreational purposes is only available Tuesday and Thursday. This approach is reflecting best practices and supports an appropriate level of screen time. Students are encouraged to eat prior, and the space is available from 11:25am.

Mindful Monday (no electronic games at all)
TECHNO TUESDAY appropriate and respectful of Catholic ethos (care, kindness and nonviolent choice of electronic games permitted)
Wellbeing Wednesday (no electronic games at all)
TECHNO THURSDAY appropriate and respectful of Catholic ethos (care, kindness and nonviolent choice of electronic games permitted)
Feel Good Friday (no electronic games at all)

We have many students who attend individually however friendships and interaction occur naturally as they get to meet like minded people in a welcoming environment. The feedback from both students and staff has been extremely positive and encouraging.

Term 2 promises to be busy as per normal and the MCC 2026 Year 11 Wellbeing Team will continue to work towards designing and delivering activities across the school to increase awareness and reduce the stigma associated with mental ill-health and improve general wellbeing.

Next week we will acknowledge “Do it for Dolly Day”; a day dedicated to bringing the community together, spreading kindness and uniting in taking a stand against bullying. We will share Dolly’s story and promote “Dolly’s Dream” that was created to honour Dolly Everett, who, at just 14 years of age, took her own life after an extended period of bullying and cyberbullying. Her story sparked a movement of kindness and awareness across the nation.

Every year in May across Australia communities come together to commemorate Dolly and

to help support the important anti-bullying work that the organisation does and share the Dolly’s Dream message, “To be kind and speak even if your voice shakes”.

We will share messages with students during homerooms and create displays across the school encouraging kindness. Staff will be encouraged to wear blue, and the team will continue to work toward seeing Dolly’s dream come to fruition by sharing her story and help make Dolly’s own dream of a kinder and safer world for Australia’s kids and communities become a reality.

Later in the term the team and their peers across year 11 will be taking part in the annual “Push Up” challenge. The challenge is a national mental health initiative where, as a collective homeroom, students in year 11 would complete 3,307 push-ups in 24 days, from 3-26 June. This number represents the number of lives lost to suicide in Australia in 2024 (the most recent available data). The students can substitute push-ups with alternatives, like sit-ups, squats - anything goes.

Each morning of the challenge students are sent a different push-up target which corresponds to an important mental health fact for the day. This fact is the catalyst for group discussions. There are interesting facts, ideas for supporting wellbeing and general information regarding positive mental health. The purpose is to improve mental health awareness, start conversations and help reduce the stigma around mental illness. The activity is LOTS of fun, and not only do we improve our overall fitness, but we also get to start each morning with a natural dose of serotonin, endorphins and oxytocin by completing some physical activity…. what a GREAT way to start the day. More details will be provided in the next newsletter.

Until next time,

"Hello May! A fresh chapter unfolds, full of warmth, growth, and endless possibilities."

Regards Sue Hone

(MCC School Wellbeing Support Worker)

Notices

NCCD FACT SHEET FOR PARENTS & CARERS