Pastoral Academic Care (PAC) 

Junior: ASSIGNMENTS AND PROJECTS

Senior: INTELLIGENT RESEARCH PROCESS

Wellbeing Element: MEANING + PURPOSE

Character Strength:  Prudence

Parent Wellbeing: be kind to yourself, make a Feel-Good Menu. Come up with five things that you love doing that you can do in most places which relax you. E.g. doing simple stretching exercises, deep breathing, saying “hello” to or ringing people, or colouring in. When you are starting to feel stressed, pause, and do something from your menu to relax yourself. Act to do something, not just think about it. What would be on your menu?

Year 8

We are almost to the end of week 6 and holidays are in sight for many which is an exciting time for the students. But as we inch closer to week 8 Year 8 are moving closer to choosing their electives for next year. Students should consider the following questions when choosing: 

• Am I interested in the class? 
• Will I enjoy the class? 
• Is it going to be a big workload? 
• Can I commit to the homework and learning tasks required outside school hours? 
• Do I and the teacher get along? 

 While some of these questions might seem silly they are important, as a school we are moving forward with a push on learning tasks and also homework. Students who may be committed to things outside school hours (work, sport, etc) may struggle with classes that have a heavy workload. But also you want to pick something you’re interested in - not what your friend is interested in. This allows you to have fun in those classes and even propel your future career goals forward. It might even allow you to branch out in your friend group and meet some new people who have similar interests to you. But lastly chat with the KLA LOL’s about who might be taking the class, not every teacher and student gets along but you don’t want to choose a subject if your least favourite is teaching it and know it will be a rough year of you getting in trouble making you dislike the subject more. 

Mr Chapman (Assistant Principal - Curriculum) will reach out to parents and students soon with a finalised list of subjects and what the process will look like for families. 

Lastly, uniform is a big focus in year 8 for the remainder of the term and the changeover into summer uniform come Term 4. Students are to remember if they don’t have OVAL PE they are to be in full winter uniform (including tie) and if you have basketball, soccer or any sport training you are to do this in your normal uniform depending on the day - this is NOT an excuse to wear sport. Students who are in the wrong uniform have been completing community service in breaks and families will be contacted every few days to open communication to help their young person achieve success as many of Year 8 prepare to get ready for jobs in the near future. 

Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns, 

Miss Libby Plane 

Leader of Learning, Year 8

Year 9

Our focus in our last Year group meeting was to encourage you to step out of your comfort zone, work on extending our communication skills and extend your circle of friends. It’s easy to stick with familiar faces, but making an effort to connect with others can lead to exciting new friendships and experiences.

I challenged our students to be a friend to many, not just a few. Every new connection enriches your life and builds a supportive community around you. A strong support network is so vital, especially when there are bumps along the road.

I reflect on my own school journey as I reconnect with many of my high school friends at our upcoming school reunion.  School days can be the best days of your life. Extending your connections will allow for lasting friendships and life long memories. 

The photos attached show our group connecting with new friends in a partner activity. Sharing a ‘High , Low and a Buffalo’ moment. This activity came with lots of laughs and great collaboration.

In many subjects students are asked to complete learning tasks which will contribute to overall assessment. Students are asked to consider : Are you managing your time well? Are you preparing yourself well? Getting prepared early can make all the difference. The work you put in now will help you feel more confident and achieve better results. 

If your results are not what you expected, work on ways to improve your results. The learning journey continues, with feedback and follow up. Check where you went wrong? How can you deepen your learning? Ask for assistance. Give it more time. 

 As students move towards senior school Yr 10-12, these skills will be super important.

At the half-way point of the term, I wish everyone a great finish to Term 3.

Mrs Kathryn Czinner 

Leader of Learning, Year 9

Year 10 

A big thank you to all of my Year 10 students who supported our fundraising day in week 4 and assisted with building a giant card! It was a mammoth day and you should all be proud of your contributions and enthusiasm. I know that the student and the family that this was going towards are appreciative of your support. 

It has been a big term of learning for our Year 10’s! Attached are some of our students engaging in their learning or showcasing their final works. Well done Year 10! 

Study Habits

We are at the end of week 6 Term 3 and Year 10 is starting to feel the increasing pressure of assignments whilst also witnessing what the Year 11 and Year 12 students are preparing for. 

Now is a fantastic time for Year 10 students to begin developing good study habits that will support them into Stage 6 learning. Effective study habits are not only essential for academic success but also for building confidence and reducing stress.

Here are some key strategies that can help your child stay on track:

1. Establish a Routine

Encourage your student to set a consistent study schedule. A regular routine helps students stay organised and makes studying a natural part of their daily lives. Whether it’s an hour after school or a set time after dinner, consistency is key.

2. Create a Study Space

A dedicated study space free from distractions is vital. This space should be quiet, well-lit, and equipped with all necessary materials (pens, notebooks, computer, etc.). By having a specific area for study, your student can focus better and be more productive.

3. Set Goals

Help your student set achievable short-term and long-term goals. This could be as simple as completing a chapter by the end of the week or improving a specific subject grade by the end of the term. Goal-setting helps students stay motivated and track their progress.

4. Break Down Tasks

Encourage your student to break down larger assignments or study sessions into smaller, manageable tasks. This approach can make the workload feel less overwhelming and more attainable. Using tools like checklists or planners can also be helpful in keeping track of tasks.

5. Encourage Active Learning

Active learning techniques such as summarising information, teaching others, or creating mind maps can help students better understand and retain material. Encourage your child to engage with the content rather than just passively reading or memorising it.

6. Stay Organised

Organisation is crucial for managing high school demands. Help your student maintain a tidy binder or digital folder system to keep track of notes, assignments, and important dates. Regularly reviewing and organising materials can prevent last-minute stress.

7. Promote a Healthy Lifestyle

Remind your student of the importance of a healthy lifestyle in supporting their academic performance. This includes getting enough sleep, eating nutritious meals, staying hydrated, and engaging in regular physical activity. A healthy body fuels a healthy mind.

8. Support and Communication

Maintain open lines of communication with your student about their studies. Encourage them to express any challenges they’re facing and offer your support. If additional help is needed, consider reaching out to teachers or exploring tutoring options.

As always, please reach out if you have any questions or concerns! 

Miss Jessica Armfield 

Leader of Learning, Year 10

Year 11

A large group of Year 11 students were lucky enough to head down to Coffs Coast Adventure Centre for the Senior Retreat in Week 4. All students pushed themselves out of their comfort zones and partook in a series of outdoor challenges including things like a commando course and zipline. The theme of our retreat was leadership which has led wonderfully into the process of selecting our 2025 Student Leadership Team.

Students are currently in the process of nominating and interviewing for leadership positions before speaking to their peers about their leadership abilities. Voting will take place later in the term with the Team being announced during week 10. 

See below some photos and a report from year 11 students Pat Shirlow and Mia Vaughan.

A few weeks ago, Yr 11 embarked upon a trip to Coffs Harbour Adventure Centre for the leadership retreat. We were split up into groups where we tackled a variety of activities while also dealing with some pretty poor weather. The activities were the mega drop, where we had to climb up a 12 metre pole and once we reached the top we just had to drop off with only a harness slowing the descent. Another activity was the skywire, which was essentially a massive zipline. There was also survivor, where each group was split into two and then faced each other in a series of challenges that had a strong emphasis on teamwork and communication. 

Lastly, the mud run, this was a circuit of physical challenges in a muddy environment which were only heightened by the wet weather. One key component present across all of these activities was the way that everyone either worked together, or encouraged one another to push through some of the challenges. Throughout our time together, we also had these sessions as a whole year group that were all about learning about ourselves, others and leadership. These sessions encouraged collaboration and teamwork with activities like trivia.

Although there were many people not present at year 11 Camp, the group that came along all had a blast. It was quite nice, to see almost everyone step outside of their comfort zone, and friendship groups and try new, and exciting activities together. I think it always helps people bond and create new friendships when you step away from the school environment and get to enjoy a vast array of fun and challenging activities.

However, my favourite part of the whole experience was definitely the fun, friendly and competitive games of basketball during our downtime. That so many people got involved with, despite the fact that they may be friends with other friend groups. Another great memory was playing the card games ‘UNO’ and ‘Mafia’ in the games room on the first evening. As the energy around the room felt vibrant and it was great to hear laughter, and see great big smiles all around the room. Another aspect of the retreat that I loved was the fact that everybody was given a personalised folder where other people could anonymously write affirmations tailored to the person they selected, and at the end of the retreat everybody was allowed to open their folder and read the various affirmations.

Overall, the Year 11 Leadership Retreat was a fantastic experience for all those involved. It brought people across the grade together to collaborate and work as a team while also having plenty of fun while doing so. 

Year 12

HSC Major Projects and Showcase Night

Whilst Year 12 students have been busy preparing for exams, some have also been busy completing their Major Projects and preparing their performances.

I congratulate all students on their efforts on their projects and I thank the teachers that have been very busy during this time also, helping to get the projects finished off, packed up and sent off for assessment.

On Thursday 15 August, I was part of the audience at the HSC Showcase Night, held in the O’Connor Catholic College’s Performing Arts Centre. It was a fantastic event, with students presenting enthralling group drama performances, monologues and musical performances that moved the audience. This also included two recorded productions that saw the involvement of many other students, showing how the O’Connor community always come together to help others succeed!

Trial Exams

In weeks 5 and 6, Year 12 students have been completing their Trial HSC exams. Whilst these may form  part of their school-based assessment, they more importantly are opportunities for students to identify areas of strengths and areas for improvement. I encourage students to work with their teachers, peers and others, to ensure they get the support needed to improve their understanding of where they may need to focus their study. Further to this, is the support they can provide to their peers during study sessions in areas they excel (an empowering mental health opportunity). 

Study Opportunities

In relation to this, I remind students to utilise the study opportunities on offer, such as school study sessions (both after school and during the holidays) and the use of the meeting rooms in the Armidale Town Library from Tuesday October 8th to Friday October 11th. 9:30 – 5pm (at times, this does include them providing pizzas). Another opportunity is the Young Life’s study camp (29 Sept - 4 Oct, link).

Upcoming Events

As I am writing this article we are holding meetings to finalise details of other important Year 12 events including the Graduation and Formal. More details of these will be released soon, so keep an eye on the socials.

Students are also encouraged to keep an eye on the Year 12 Google Classroom, as we continue to provide details of scholarships and other offers, pertinent at this time. I thank Mrs Galvin for her ongoing help in this area.

To finish off, I draw attention to the fact that at this time in their studies, students will naturally have increased levels of stress and anxiety and it is important that we are all involved in supporting them to achieve to their full potential. Help them to balance their work, sports, study and social life and remind them of the positive achievements they achieve regularly.

As always, keep Believing, Achieving, Nurturing and Growing!

Luke Andrews

On behalf of the Year 12 2024 team