Wellbeing

New Kids On The Block Program

"New Kids on the Block" is a dedicated program that aims to assist new students in becoming familiar with our school environment and fostering a sense of belonging from the very start of their journey with us.

As Marsden Park grows, so does  our school, and we  have had an extensive intake of new students across the college. On Tuesday, 27th February, our new students from the School of Foundations met with Mr. Bettioland after we engaged in  icebreaker activities to encourage interaction and create a friendly atmosphere. We then shared relatable stories about starting school and facilitated a sharing circle where students can express their feelings and experiences. We finished off with a little tour around the school and an understanding of what our pillars meant.  It was fantastic being introduced to our new students!!

We met with our new students from the School of Leadership, and we  were lucky to have a fantastic group of students who volunteered  to help run our first session. They are: Elouise Layoun, Ava Czapla, Nevaeh Landrelli, Aarvika Dixit,, Myra Dhir , Mihika Sinha, Rigveda Bichapogu , Aafreen Ruban, Anya Shah and Tissa Regin

During our time together, these girls led an icebreaker activity and played a kahoot quiz game so students were aware and able to identify places around the school.  We then went for a quick tour around the college and got to know the place better. 

Similarly, Mr. Bettiol met with our new students from the School of Entrepreneurs on Wednesday, 28th February. During our time, we spoke about the school's structure and provided students with an understanding of our pillars and how they are implemented in our lessons and tasks. We then went for a quick tour around the college and got to know the place better. 

From left to right: Jude came from Hills Sports and will commence Year 11 this year, Navesh - St Clair at Hassall Grove and will also commence Year 11 this year. Ava comes to us from Bali, is attending the Australian International School, and will commence Year 10 this year. Eliza comes to us from St. Patrick's Dundas and will commence Year 9 and Laura comes from St Andrews, Matayong, and will also commence Year 9 this year! A huge welcome to these students, and we hope your time at St. Luke’s provides you with many great memories. 

See article written on Linkedin 

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/christopher-bettiol-62b93715a_newkidsontheblock-stlukessuccess-studentsupport-activity-7171415551003488256-COuC?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

PARRAMATTA DIOCESE “LIFTED” LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

Lifted Leaders was a special opportunity organised by the diocese with the aim of bringing the diocese’s school leaders together to share ideas and enhance each individual's ability to lead through Christ. 

Through this experience, we were able to collaborate with a variety of schools in our diocese and share the initiatives we were running as leaders. We participated in praise and worship, shared important insights on our aspirations for our schools, and listened to some wise words from Jack De Groot and Bishop Vincent. 

Jack De Groot said that for student leaders, it’s important that they are “for the world," , thus teaching us how to serve others and do what’s in the best interest of our school, extending onto the world. 

We had a great time and were incredibly inspired by the day! 

Althea Dela Cruz

Below is our group photo with Bishop Vincent:  

PEER COMPANIONS PROGRAM KICK OFF

We recently had our first of many peer companion sessions between our Year 8 leaders and Year 5 students. This exciting program aims to foster strong bonds between our students, promote empathy, and provide support within our school community.

Recently, our Year 5 students gathered with our Year 8 leaders, who enthusiastically introduced themselves and embarked on a journey of getting to know one another better. It was heartwarming to witness the students sharing their interests, hobbies, and aspirations, laying the foundation for meaningful connections.

In addition to introductions, our budding peer companions engaged in a series of engaging icebreaker games. Laughter echoed through the halls as they participated in activities designed to break down barriers and build camaraderie. These icebreakers not only brought joy but also encouraged teamwork and collaboration.

As we reflect on this promising start, we eagerly anticipate the many sessions ahead. The Year Peer Companions Program promises to be a space where students can support and uplift each other, fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity within our school community.

Stay tuned for more updates and highlights from this enriching program!

Community and Spirit Week

Day 1 of Community and Spirit Week: Monday, 18th March

Years 3 and 4 watched a theatre production called Zanna and the Lost Code. This interactive theatre experience tackled important topics such as values, respect, and online responsibility. Through engaging storytelling, students learned about empathy, kindness, and resilience while navigating the digital world. Students in Kindy and Year 1 were also involved in recess activities, and those in the MacKillop and Einstein houses from Year 5 to 12 were involved in lunch activities to build team spirit. 

Day 2:Tuesday, 19th March

As part of our Community & Spirit Week, and in conjunction with our Multicultural Celebrations, we sought  to recognise and celebrate the diversity within our St Luke’s Community. This morning, students K–12  brought to life the cultures of St. Luke’s by locating our origins on the World Map.  Each class was given an A2 World Map on which to pin-point our students’ cultural backgrounds. 

We are such a rich and diverse community at St Luke’s. To be able to celebrate our cultures, backgrounds and traditions is a blessing and something to embrace!

Kindergarten, Year 1, and Year 2 then attended “The Wellbeing Show,” which was a dynamic performance that promoted positive education, blending academic learning with character development and wellbeing. The  show focused on building essential attitudes and behaviours for academic success, social interactions, and overall happiness. Our students got really involved and enjoyed learning about improving their wellbeing and managing themselves. 

Police Liaison Officer: After recess and then after lunch, our Year 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 students were addressed by our local police liaison officer, who addressed issues such as drugs, alcohol, vaping, and cyber safety. These topics have been identified through our wellbeing surveys and Tell Them From Me surveys. 

For the second day running, our students were involved in recess and lunchtime house spirit activities 

Day 3: Wednesday, 20th March

Today, our Year 7 students were involved in Shine and Excel  which is a Gender-Specific Program  that has been designed to address the unique needs of Year 7 students. The Boys Excel Program guided our young gentlemen on their journey towards responsible manhood, while also addressing important topics such as gaming and online activity. 

Similarly, the Girls Shine Program empowered  our young women to embrace their full potential and radiate confidence in all aspects of their lives. Led by our  coordinators and teachers, this program utilised the metaphor of light to inspire our students to overcome challenges and let their inner brilliance shine brightly.

Both programs are integral components of our holistic approach to our schools wellbeing education, providing students with opportunities for personal growth, self-discovery, and community building. We believe that by investing in the empowerment of our students, we can create a nurturing environment where every individual feels valued, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential.

.

Day 4: Thursday, 21st March

Students in the primary school were involved in the student passport activity. Students explored various cultures from around the world in preparation for Harmony Day. They delved into Indian, Filipino, African, and Indigenous cultures, promoting diversity and cultural understanding.

In the morning, students from our YCS Outreach Team Invited students to decorate a strip of orange toned paper with images/symbols/patterns representing their cultural backgrounds. These strips were joined together to form Chain Links and will contribute to a huge Harmony Day garland to adorn our marketplace at our Multicultural Day Celebration on Friday, 22nd March.

Today was also the final day of recess and lunch house challenge activities

Day 5: Friday, 22nd March

The day commenced with our Year 8 and 5 students participating in our Peer Companions program, where they led activities and discussions based on the theme of the week, which was culture and harmony

Our Year 9 Boys participated in the Goodfellas program, which has been thoughtfully designed to support and empower young men as they navigate the challenges of adolescence. Led by experts in education and gender advocacy, the Goodfellas program seeks to debunk harmful stereotypes, promote emotional expression, and provide positive male role models to inspire our boys to become respectful and responsible individuals. This program is a proactive initiative aimed at addressing issues such as disengagement from school and fostering healthy relationships while combating violence against women.

For our girls, today they were involved in  the Girl Essentials program, an engaging workshop designed to introduce concepts of pastoral care and personal development. Led by the co-founder and CEO of Enlighten Education, this program utilises storytelling techniques to create a supportive and empowering environment for our young women. Through personal narratives and interactive sessions, girls explored important themes such as self-esteem, resilience, and empathy, setting a positive tone for personal growth and development.

In the afternoon we celebrated Harmony Day with a whole school celebration. The entire school community came together in the afternoon to celebrate Harmony Day through cultural dances and performances, embracing our rich cultural diversity.

Staff vs Students Futsal game

The staff defeated the students 1-0 in the inaugural staff vs students futsal match that was played at recess

Monday, 25th March:

Our Year 5 and 6 students attended a workshop led by a guest speaker, Daniel Merza focusing on strategies to combat bullying. It was an engaging, interactive, and impactful session where our  students discovered:

• The MONKEYS that create bullies (feeding unkind behaviour) victims (feeding powerlessness) and bystanders (feeding inaction)• Practical ways to reduce unkindness and bullying behaviours• Strategies for the bullied to build their resilience and shift from victim to victor• What bystanders can do to stop bullying and become bravehearts

OUR HOUSE LEADERS

New social media safety features keep young people safe 

Popular social media platforms have introduced new safety features to help keep young people safe. These updates include: 

• Meta – Teens joining Facebook & Instagram will be in the most restrictive content settings. Instagram search will hide results about self-harm, suicide and eating disorders. 
• Snap – New parental controls within Snapchat will offer parents an extended view of their teens' Snapchat activity. 
• Discord – There are tips to make their chats safer for teens, including safety alerts and sensitive content filters.   

To learn more about the latest games, apps and social media, including how to protect your information and report harmful content, check out The eSafety Guide. 

Because parenting doesn't come with instructions, SchoolTV is a wellbeing resource implemented at our school to help support you in the challenges of modern-day parenting relating to youth mental health and wellbeing. Parenting is a learning journey and SchoolTV supports families by providing credible information from trusted sources with practical strategies to help alleviate some of the challenges being faced by young people today.

Watch video interviews with leading wellbeing specialists and browse a library of resources. Each topic is accompanied by factsheets, podcasts, books, articles, apps and other videos.

This award-winning resource helps families build relationships, foster connections, enable understanding and break down barriers to navigate a pathway towards better mental health and wellbeing for young people. It will assist you in starting those conversations on topics that can sometimes be awkward or difficult to tackle.

Parents and caregivers are the greatest influence on a young person's life and SchoolTV focuses on empowering confident parenting.

Explore SchoolTV soon!!!!! More information to come

Mr Chris Bettiol - Leader of Wellbeing, Growth and Development