Whole School Wellbeing
Bullying No Way
Students have been participating in Bullying No Way learning through their Homegroups, as well as lunchtime activities. The theme this year is Small Acts, Big Impact, meaning that small actions against bullying can make a world of difference.
Students are encouraged to be upstanders by speaking up against racism, sexism, ableism and bullying; to include others; to show kindness by offering a smile or a greeting of hello. It is these small acts that allow others to feel seen.
We are focusing on our values of belonging and community by taking extra care this week to commit to kind acts and stand up against bullying. We hope to build a school community where everyone is welcome and thriving.
Thank you to our wonderful Wellbeing Team for setting up lunchtime opportunities for students to participate in a whole school art installation. Students have been demonstrating their artistic talents by designing a petal that reflects their ideas of kindness. These petals will be collated for a whole school art installation, to remind students that together we grow.
NAIDOC Week and Koorie Education
A range of activities were completed in the first few weeks of term to celebrate 50 Years of Deadly for NAIDOC Week.
Across Homegroup, Years 7-10 had a dedicated session learning about the cross-curriculum priority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures. Students participated in a range of activities, including a visit from Bunurong Elder Uncle Mark Brown. Mark taught the meaning behind, and gave a Welcome to Country, as well as a yidaki (didgeridoo) performance to our Year 7 students.
These students then spent the rest of their lesson, researching and learning about important Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Year 8’s created a timeline from the last 50 years of monumental moments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Year 9 learnt about NAIDOC Week, and lastly Year 10 delved into the ramifications of racial vilification and how to be a positive ally.
Across the school, we continued our learning and celebrations with art and colouring in the Wellbeing Centre, and Indigenous sports games in the stadium. We finished the week with a celebration O’Donoghue/Kenny Day with a BBQ including kangaroo sausages.
Other whole school days that will be covered in Homegroup and outside of the classroom this term include, Bullying No Way, Wear it Purple, and RUOK Day.
Year 7, 8 and 10 have started their lessons designed to tackle bullying. Both Year 7 and Year 8 have had external presenters, Project Rockit, come to the school to teach them how to challenge bullying both in-person and online. In addition, Year 7 has had Eric Agyeman come visit the school to discuss his personal experience with racism and the impacts that it can have on someone. Year 10 have been delving into what being a bystander looks like and how to challenge themselves to be an upstander instead.
We hope that all students take these opportunities to learn, become more empathetic and care for each other.
