Wellbeing 

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Year 12 Graduation Mass and Farewell Assembly

As a College, we formally farewelled our Year 12 students with Graduation Mass last night and a Farewell Assembly this morning.  It was fantastic to also be able to welcome approximately 180 parents to the Assembly.  Both events are a fitting tribute to the wonderful students the Year 12s have been throughout not only this year, but throughout their secondary school lives.  They had to endure remote learning through Year 7 and Year 8, as well as limitations with events and activities that they would normally partake in, and in some instances, be seen as a rite of passage during those years.  Throughout their time at the College, they have consistently demonstrated maturity, resilience, independence, adaptability, an unwavering support of each other and a level of leadership this year that is going to be very hard to rival.  I have no doubt that the experience of their Junior years will hold the students in good stead and allow them to handle any hurdles that come their way once beyond life at the Academy.  They should be very proud of their approach.  The very best wishes to the Graduating Class of 2025 with their examinations and with whatever direction they decide to embark on in their adult life.  As I reminded them in the Assembly, the Academy is ‘their’ school, they will forever be a part of this community, each of their names are in the College Register that is now 168 years old and they are always most welcome to walk back in through the Nicholson Street gates to see how ‘their’ school is travelling.

‘Managing Distractions’

‘Reach Out’ are an excellent publication that provides many articles on the different issues that young people face in their journey through adolescence.  This linked article provides a number of very useful tips on how young people can manage distractions, especially during a time when exams and final assessments are looming large.  I invite all parents to spend a few minutes reading the article and discussing some of the strategies with their daughters.  It can be found here. 

Summer Uniform Changeover 

A reminder to all families that the changeover to Summer uniform is Monday, 20 October. A number of students have been asked to extend the hem of their dresses or purchase new ones as they are too short.  Parental assistance with this would be very much appreciated.  Please note that scarves are not part of the Summer uniform.

Wellbeing Cycle

As the conversation surrounding school attendance is continuing to gain traction and is definitely a significant issue for all schools, parents and policymakers, a reminder that consistent attendance has never been more critical.  

Research shows a strong correlation between school attendance and academic performance.  Students who attend school regularly are more likely to achieve higher grades and perform better on standardised tests.  According to a study conducted by the National Centre for Education Statistics, students with a 95% attendance rate are significantly more likely to graduate high school compared to their peers with lower attendance rates.

School is not just a place for academic learning.  Regular attendance allows students to build relationships with peers and teachers, fostering a sense of community and belonging.  These social skills are essential for personal development and future workplace success.  Consistent school attendance is closely tied to good mental health and wellbeing.  Students who miss school frequently may experience feelings of isolation and anxiety, which can exacerbate existing mental health issues. 

As a way of combating student absence, the Wellbeing Leaders at the Academy have continued to employ the Attendance and Wellbeing Cycle. 

This model illustrates the emotional and behavioural notions children and young adults exhibit in the face of school-related stressors.  It is a cycle that teachers, parents and family members may be all too familiar with.  You may notice the connection between anxious thoughts and avoidant behaviour.  When a student is feeling stressed due to homework demands, friendship issues, generalised anxiety, or exam-related stress.  It is common to see an increase in avoidant behaviours such as not wanting to come to school, avoiding a particular subject, or wanting to take a ‘mental health day’.  Whilst this avoidant behaviour may make the student feel better in the short term, it does not address the cause of their stress and can unfortunately perpetuate this cyclical response. 

If you are noticing some of these signs with your daughter, please encourage her to reach out to her Mentor Group Teacher, Wellbeing Leader, classroom teacher or school counsellor.  The community at the Academy is always dedicated to supporting the learning and wellbeing of our students. 

As always, please never hesitate to get in touch with me if you have any questions or concerns.

Kind regards

Mr Sam Di Camillo

Deputy Principal - Wellbeing & Operations