Pastoral Care

Paul Dillon: Empowering students to make safe choices 

Our Year 10 and Year 11 students, together with Marcellin College, had the privilege of attending a powerful and practical presentation by Paul Dillon, founder of Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia (DARTA). For over 25 years, Paul has been one of Australia’s leading voices in youth health education - delivering honest, evidence-based information to young people. 

His presentation can be summarised as follows:

• Looking out for our friends: How to recognise when a peer is in trouble and how to respond calmly and effectively in an emergency.
• Debunking myths: Unpacking common misperceptions around alcohol, vaping and drugs using current, Australian-specific research.
• The Power of the 'exit strategy': Simple, practical ways young people can excuse themselves from risky situations without feeling awkward or facing social backlash.
• Calling for help: Reassuring students that paramedics and first responders are there to save lives, not to get anyone into trouble; emphasising the critical importance of making the call when in doubt.

• Updates: Current drug and alcohol concerns in the community. 

   

Paul’s presentations always spark important conversations. We encourage parents and carers to use this visit as an opening to discuss social safety and peer dynamics with their teenagers at home. See his website https://darta.net.au/

Nick Kenny: Youth Unplugged - Digital Detox 

Recently in Pastoral care, our Year 8 students had the privilege of attending an empowering presentation by guest speaker Nick Kenny, focusing on the crucial topic of "Youth Unplugged" where he inspired students to disconnect to reconnect. This session had practical advice that any student in any grade would benefit from applying.

In an era where technology, social media and constant connectivity dominate daily routines, Nick’s presentation served as a timely reminder of the importance of balance and connection, and their links to sleep and mental well-being. 

Nick engaged students through relatable stories, interactive discussions and eye-opening insights into how digital devices impact developing brains and daily habits.

His key tips can be summarised as follows:

• The mindful pause: Realising how often we check notifications out of habit rather than necessity, and learning to pause before picking up a screen.
• Protecting sleep and focus: Understanding the physiological impact of late-night screen time on sleep quality, memory retention, and overall mood.
• Real-world relationships: Prioritising face-to-face interactions, sports, hobbies, and direct conversations over text threads and social media feeds.
• Digital Identity and self-worth: Navigating online spaces with confidence while recognising that curated social feeds rarely reflect reality.

"Unplugging isn't about throwing your phone away - it's about making sure your device isn't running your life, so you have space for what truly matters." 

Nick Kenny

Nick emphasised that developing healthy digital boundaries is a team effort. Here are a few simple strategies parents and guardians can implement together with their teens:

1. Create screen-free zones: Keep mealtimes and bedrooms free of phones and tablets, especially overnight.
2. Set a "tech curfew": Establish a household wind-down routine 30–60 minutes before bedtime.
3. Model digital balance: Show young people what healthy screen habits look like in daily adult life.
4. Plan offline activities: Encourage outdoor pursuits, creative hobbies, and family time that doesn't involve screens.

Risk Taking Behaviours

We have been providing knowledge and awareness around measures to consider as preventative action in regards to safety and risk taking.

 Year 11 recently attended bstreetsmart, a road safety workshop. The message to students is that whether you're behind the wheel or in the passenger seat, safety should always be a top priority. Road safety is not just about following the rules; it's about cultivating habits that protect everyone in the vehicle. This content was delivered via a full scale, live demonstration of a crash and rescue scenario, proving to be instrumental in showing the critical issues that are faced by the driver, passengers and emergency services. This was followed by personal stories from those impacted by accidents on the road; survivors, onlookers, medical teams, and families. 

bstreetsmart's key tips can be summarised as follows:

• Avoid distractions and eyes on the road: It only takes a few seconds of distraction for an accident to happen. Do not use your phone, eat, or engage in other activities that take your attention off the road.
• Hands on the Wheel: Use hands-free devices if you must take a call and always keep both hands on the steering wheel.
• Obey speed limits: Speed limits are set for a reason. Driving too fast reduces your reaction time and increases the severity of accidents. Always drive at a safe speed, especially in residential areas or under adverse weather conditions. This was effectively shown in a live example of stopping times, run by L-Trent driving school. 
• Wear seat belts: Ensure that you and all your passengers are wearing seat belts before setting off. 
• Practise defensive driving: Stay aware of your surroundings, anticipate other drivers' actions, and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles.
• Don’t drive under the influence: Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or even certain medications can impair your judgement and reaction times. Also, do not get in the car of another driver if you have questions about their condition or behaviour. 
• Speak up: If you feel the driver is taking unnecessary risks, like speeding or texting while driving, don’t hesitate to speak up.

Road safety is a shared responsibility. As a driver, you hold the lives of your passengers and others on the road in your hands. As a passenger, you play a key role in supporting safe driving practices. By staying alert, making smart choices, and always prioritising safety, we can all contribute to making our roads safer for everyone.

Student wellbeing and life skills are a key part of a students’ education and well-rounded upbringing. In addition to the content learned in Pastoral Care, guest presenters bring fresh energy, lived experiences, and specialised expert knowledge and perspectives to inform our girls. By connecting our students with voices beyond the classroom, we equip them with practical tools to navigate challenges/pertinent issues in their lives; and the ability to apply these practical suggestions, empowering them to make wise decisions and to support one another long after the presentation ends.

Sarah Charles

Director of Pastoral Care