St Pius X College Newsletter

Pastoral Care 

  • Pastoral Care lessons and parent webinars
  • 2024 parent webinar sessions
  • Founder's Week lunchtime activities
  • Learning is important to enhance our wellbeing

Our Pastoral Care lessons and Parent webinars

As you may be aware, St Pius X has partnered with Wellio to work with Year 7-12 this year. Wellio helps students proactively improve their mental wellbeing using research-backed habits and techniques. Their program supports students in improving their sleep, managing social media use, building healthy relationships, improving physical well-being, and reducing anxiety. 

Students in from Year 7-12 will complete Wellio lessons on various topics every forghtnight.

Additionally, Wellio will also be delivering a webinar each term to parents. Wellio’s psychologists develop these webinars to give parents strategies to support their children’s wellbeing. The upcoming webinar next term is titled 'Phones and social media'. 

 

Phones & Social Media: Wellio Parent Webinar: Thursday 14 March at 6:30 pm (AEDT)

Join Wellio for a free webinar to learn practical strategies that will help your children manage phone addiction and social media.

  • Reality vs Social Media: we discuss how students compare their lives with what they see on social media and the impact this has on their self esteem. We'll share 3 simple strategies to keep them on track.
  • Technology and Sleep: 73% of teenagers aren't getting enough sleep and their devices are a primary cause. We explain how you can limit the impact.
  • Techniques to manage anxiety: A toolkit of strategies that you can use to help your child manage and prevent anxiety developing as a result of social media and phone use..

2024 Parent Webinar Schedule and materials:

Please see below for the dates for our other free parent webinars running across the year:

  • Tuesday 14 May 6:30 pm - Phones & Social Media
  • Thursday 29 August 6:30 pm - Building Healthy Relationships
  • Thursday 31 October 6:30 pm - Resilience & Setbacks

You can register for these webinars at https://www.wellioeducation.com/en_au/webinars. 

Please contact Mr Gillogly if you have any questions.

Founder's Week lunchtime activities

It was great to see Years 7 - 10 be involved in the lunchtime basketball activities this week. House spirit was on show and congratulations to the winners of each year group who were allocated 10 house points.

Year 7 - 1st Purton, 2nd Rice, 3rd Tracey, 4th Barron

Year 8 - 1st Rice, 2nd Tracey, 3rd Purton, 4th Barron

Year 9 - 1st Purton, 2nd Treacy, 3rd Rice, 4th Barron

Year 10 - 1st Purton, 2nd Barron, 3rd Treacy, 4th Rice

Learning is important in enhancing our wellbeing

Harnessing Neuroplasticity: Unlocking Your Brain's Potential

Have you ever wondered how your brain adapts and evolves in response to your experiences and environment? Welcome to the fascinating world of neuroplasticity – the brain's remarkable ability to form and reorganize connections, particularly through learning and experience.

Here's what the latest brain science tells us about neuroplasticity and its implications for your learning journey:

Dynamic Brain Growth: Your brain is not a static organ; it's a dynamic powerhouse that constantly evolves based on your experiences and surroundings. Every interaction, every lesson learned, and every challenge overcome shapes the structure and function of your brain.

Use It or Lose It: Just like a muscle, your brain requires regular exercise to stay strong and healthy. If you neglect certain skills or cognitive abilities, your brain may "prune" those neural connections, leading to a decline in proficiency. In other words, if you don't use it, you might lose it.

The Power of Brain Rewiring: The exciting news is that you have the power to "rewire" your brain to enhance your abilities and intelligence. By engaging in targeted activities and deliberate practice, you can strengthen neural pathways associated with specific skills and knowledge.

But what does this mean for you in practical terms? Here are some actionable strategies to leverage neuroplasticity and maximize your learning potential:

  1. Commit to Short, Regular Practice Sessions: Consistency is key when it comes to brain training. Instead of marathon study sessions, aim for shorter, focused practice sessions spread out over time. This approach not only prevents burnout but also allows for better retention and skill development.
  2. Ensure Correct Practice: Practice doesn't make perfect; perfect practice makes perfect. When you're practicing, pay attention to the quality of your efforts. Focus on precision and accuracy, and seek feedback to ensure you're on the right track.
  3. Embrace Intense Practice Sessions: Intensity breeds progress. Rather than passively going through the motions, challenge yourself with intense practice sessions that push your limits. Pushing beyond your comfort zone stimulates neural growth and accelerates skill acquisition.
  4. Create a Mimicked Environment: Context matters. Whenever possible, practice in environments that mimic the conditions in which you'll need to perform. Whether it's a quiet library for studying or a simulated exam setting, familiarizing yourself with the context can enhance your performance when it counts.

By incorporating these strategies into your study routine, you can harness the power of neuroplasticity to achieve your academic goals and unlock your full potential.

Remember, your brain is a remarkable organ capable of extraordinary growth and adaptation. With the right mindset and approach, you can cultivate a learning environment that nurtures your cognitive abilities and fuels your success.

 

Keep exploring, keep learning, and keep growing!

Mr Martin Gillogly - Assistant Principal, Pastoral Care