Leader of Year 8 Wellbeing
Mrs Rachel OÇonnor
Year 8 students are very much into the term now and have settled into the expectation of the College. Through our pastoral program, Year 8 has been looking at resilience. This is especially helpful as assessments will be increasing this term.
The Resilience Project focuses on four key pillars; Gratitude, Empathy, and Mindfulness, as well as Emotional Literacy. Each of which plays a meaningful role in helping students manage stress and maintain a positive mindset.
- Gratitude encourages students to recognise the good in their day, shifting attention away from worry and towards what’s going well.
- Empathy helps build strong, supportive relationships, reminding students that they’re not facing challenges alone.
- Mindfulness teaches students to slow down, breathe, and stay present, which can reduce anxiety and improve focus during study and exams.
- Emotional Literacy helps with learning to manage emotions effectively using strategies to cope with challenges, conflict, change, and stress.
Over the next few weeks, teachers will continue embedding these practices into daily routines, and we encourage families to explore them at home as well. Small, consistent habits, such as sharing daily highlights, practising short breathing exercises, or checking in with how everyone is feeling can make a significant difference.
By working together to strengthen resilience, we can help students approach assessments with confidence, calm, and a healthy sense of perspective. Please talk to your son or daughter about what they have learnt as part of The Resilience Project Pastoral Care program.
Year 8 students will be baking and selling cupcakes on Tuesday, 10 March to celebrate International Women’s Day. A big thank you to those students who have volunteered to bake. This initiative encourages students to recognise and honour the achievements and contributions of women in our community. Funds raised will support our school’s ongoing wellbeing and equality programs. We’re proud of our Year 8s for contributing to such a meaningful cause.
Students across the school have also been asked to donate sanitary items such as tampons and pads to help end period poverty. Any donation big or small is very much appreciated.