From the 

Leader of Year 8 Wellbeing

Dear Year 8 students and parents,

Welcome back to the new school year after the summer holidays. I am pleased to be continuing as the Leader of Wellbeing for Year 8 2025 and look forward to working to assist with the needs of our students.

I would like to introduce you to the dedicated and experienced Pastoral Care teachers who will work together with myself, the College Executive and our school Counsellor to ensure that Year 8 have a positive and rewarding year at the College:

8 HR 1  Mrs Bethany Stevens

8 HR 2  Mr Lachlan Hillman

8 HR 3 Mrs Marina Vukovic

Throughout Year 8, our Pastoral Care program will continue to focus on issues relevant to adolescents. This year we will continue to use the Resilience Project, focusing on gratitude, empathy and mindfulness. We will also explore issues including self-esteem and self-image, conflict resolution, mental health, goal setting and study skills and cyber safety. I encourage families to discuss the Pastoral Care program at home, as a way of facilitating open communication and dialogue.

While academic success is a goal that all students are encouraged to work towards with consistent application, we would also strongly urge students to participate in the co-curricular aspects of College life. Active participation in the College Carnivals, Pastoral Care events, public speaking and debating competitions, representative sport and the College Choir are all valuable experiences and opportunities offered throughout the school year.

I ask for the support of our Parents and carers to ensure that our Year 8 students come to school every day wearing the correct uniform, as outlined in the College Diary. Students will be issued with a uniform concern if on any day they fail to meet College expectations. Year 8 students are also encouraged to use their diaries every day to record their homework, assessment tasks and any other organisational notes.

To support our Pastoral Care Program, we will be using the following structure for Homeroom each day:

• Manage Everything Monday: students will organise their emails, diaries and other administrative tasks for the week.
• DEAR Tuesday: ‘Drop Everything And Read’. Every student will bring in a book to read every Tuesday. Reading is an important skill that helps develop in students the ability to comprehend and interpret information. It is also very important for enjoyment and wellbeing. 
• Wellbeing Wednesday: Students will actively participate in learning about strategies that will help build resilience in their everyday lives. This will involve gratitude, empathy, mindfulness and emotional literacy. These activities will come from The Resilience Project
• No Pastoral Thursday: Period One begins at 8:35am
• Fun Friday: This will involve a number of activities which will foster fun and community bonding within the class. Activities may include trivia, sitting with friends, music or games.

As always, I encourage Year 8 to ensure they are always acting with both honesty and respect for themselves, their peers, teachers and the environment. I look forward to continuing to support each of our Year 8 students to have positive experiences this year. If you have any questions or concerns throughout the year, please do not hesitate to contact the Pastoral Care teachers or myself.

All the best for the year ahead.

Miss Hines

Photos include: Our choir at the opening Mass, a Spanish class zooming with their teacher in Columbia and photos from the end of Year Picnic 2024.