Junior School
Achieving Better Balance
As we enter the final two months of the school year, and for Year 6, the last part of their primary school journey, it is important to promote a healthy balance in the lifestyle of students as this can be an incredibly busy time for our Junior School boys. This balance includes all aspects of their overall wellbeing at the College - academic, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual.
Students are reminded that their identity extends well beyond the assessment marks or report grades they receive each semester. It is important for the boys to cultivate a strong sense of self-worth which often stems from positive self-talk. They need to be kind to themselves and lean on each other. In doing so together, as a combined cohort, our boys can more confidently face the challenges that will inevitably occur, especially as they enter the next stage of their educational journey.
Students are encouraged to seek specific feedback from teachers on their progress in class and what they can do to further improve. They can also keep procrastination at bay by engaging in deliberate sessions of focused study at home, setting clear goals and putting appropriate strategies in place to assist in working towards achieving them.
It is vital that students practise key hallmarks of self-care such as making sure that they get between 8-10 hours of quality sleep each night. Research clearly shows that many children are deprived of getting enough sleep on a daily basis, and this can obviously have a significant impact on their ability to learn.
Finally, the value of fostering an environment at school where the boys can see the benefit gained of lifting each other up and making the most of any experiences and opportunities afforded to them is crucial. This not only helps to develop social connections amongst their peers, but also promotes a strong school culture of which all boys can be proud.
World Mental Health Day
Last Tuesday, 10 October, marked an important date in the global calendar - World Mental Health Day. Mental health is a vital aspect of each student's overall wellbeing, and St Patrick’s College is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment for all students. Parents/carers are encouraged to have open conversations with your sons about mental health and wellbeing. It is important that we all create an environment where they feel comfortable discussing their feelings and seeking help when needed.
Please remember that our Junior School staff are always here to support the boys, so do not hesitate to reach out if you have any concerns or if your son ever needs someone to talk to at school.
Student Competitions
After a number of thrilling round-robin and finals series games, both the Year 5 and Year 6 house touch footy competitions recently concluded. In the Year 5 grand final game, Coghlan 1 defeated Hickey 2, ultimately scoring four tries to three, with the winning try coming in extra time. In the Year 6 grand final game, Crichton 1 got the better of Rice 1 in regulation time, scoring two tries to one. Congratulations to the four teams who made the grand final games and also to all boys who proudly represented their house during the course of the competitions.
Later this term, we have an exciting new competition for students to take part in. Our inaugural ‘SPC Junior School Has Talent’ event will take place prior to the end of the school year. Covering a range of different categories, students will be given the opportunity to highlight a particular talent or skill they might possess.
Over the coming weeks, the boys can choose to nominate for a specific category (such as skill, music, comedy/drama, SLAM poetry and art) before an audition process will be held. A small number of students from each category will then be chosen to perform during the final showcase event which will be held in the College gym, with the exact date to be communicated in due course.
All Junior School boys will receive further information about this upcoming initiative, and I look forward to witnessing the unique range of talent on display amongst our students.
If you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me via email (glenn.stephenson@spc.nsw.edu.au) or phone (8705 9247) and I will endeavour to assist you in any way that I can.
May God bless you,
Glenn Stephenson
Director of Junior School