STRONG MINDS, 

GENTLE HEARTS

Term 2 has commenced with focus and purpose. It has been pleasing to see students return from the break and settle quickly into their learning routines. Our staff recently met with parents and carers to discuss their sons' academic progress, as well as their overall experience of life at Saints. These conversations are always valuable, providing important insight into how students are engaging with their learning and the wider college community. I extend an open invitation to all parents to contact their sons' homeroom teachers, heads of year, or me at any time to discuss their progress. This is especially important where there may be circumstances at home that could impact a student's experience at school. 

Resilience

At Saints, student wellbeing and mental health are central to our educational approach, particularly through our pastoral care program. A key focus of this program is resilience: the ability to effectively cope with, adapt to, and recover from stress or adversity. Resilience is closely linked to emotional intelligence, wellbeing and long-term success. Confident and resilient young people not only perform better academically, but also form stronger social connections, maintain healthy relationships and lead responsible, balanced lives. 

Below are some practical ways parents can support the development of resilience at home: 

• Reinforce school learning: Ask your sons about what they are learning in pastoral care, particularly in relation to resilience. Use everyday situations as opportunities to discuss how to manage challenges and maintain a positive outlook.  
• Model resilient behaviour: Demonstrate how you respond to stress, mistakes and setbacks in healthy and constructive ways. Sharing personal examples of overcoming challenges can be particularly powerful.  
• Encourage problem-solving: Rather than immediately solving problems, guide your sons to develop their own solutions. Ask questions such as, “What could you try next?” or “How might you approach this differently?”  
• Support emotional awareness: Help your sons to recognise, name and understand their emotions, as well as those of others. Encourage open conversations about feelings and reinforce that all emotions are valid and manageable.  
• Praise effort and growth: Focus on persistence effort, and improvement rather than perfection. Affirm your sons' resilience by acknowledging their effort, for example: “I’m proud of how you kept trying, even when it was challenging.”  
• Encourage connection and community: Support your sons in building positive relationships and engaging in group activities. Strong connections with peers foster a sense of belonging and emotional security.  

In partnership, we can support your sons to grow into confident, capable and emotionally intelligent young men. 

Student Protection Processes and Guidelines

Student protection processes and guidelines. Available through the Catholic Education website. 

Student Protection Processes and Guidelines

Student Protection Handbook for Volunteers

Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy

Safeguarding Children and Young People