Wellbeing - Senior School

International Women’s Day Morning Tea, Strathfield Council

On Thursday 7 March 2025, I had the privilege of attending Strathfield Council’s Annual International Women’s Day Morning Tea alongside our Year 11 Year Ambassadors from St Patrick’s College, Strathfield. The event, aligned with this year’s UN Australia theme, March Forward for ALL Women and Girls, offered a chance to acknowledge the ongoing challenges women face and celebrate those driving positive change in our community.

The keynote speaker, Kath Koschel, founder of The Kindness Factory, shared her incredible, inspiring journey of resilience and hope, highlighting the power of kindness and determination in overcoming adversity. She emphasised that meaningful change is only possible when people support one another, reinforcing the importance of empathy and collective action in advancing gender equality.

The event also addressed the concerning issue of gender-based violence, which remains one of the most significant challenges facing Australian women today. Indigenous women, in particular, experience disproportionately high rates of violence, highlighting the urgent need for systemic change and greater community support. Discussions reinforced the importance of education and action in creating a safer, more equitable society for all women.

The morning tea also served as a fundraising event, with donations supporting the Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre (WAGEC), an organisation dedicated to assisting women and children experiencing homelessness and domestic violence. They encouraged the community to stand up against this social issue by participating in the Walk for WAGEC event on 4 May 2025. The event is a 5km walk or 10km run around Centennial Park, Sydney. All funds raised go towards women and children impacted by violence. If you would like to get involved, refer to here: Walk for WAGEC 2025.

St Patrick’s College is committed to fostering a culture of respect, equality, and advocacy for justice. Our participation in this event aligns with our values to shape young men who actively support and stand in solidarity with women and girls in their communities.

A special thank you to Guy Witt, Ryan Scullion, and Benjamin Kalifa, for representing St Patrick’s College at this important event.

Let us all continue to march forward together, advocating for a world where all women and girls are empowered and valued.

Megan Santiago

Wellbeing Coordinator

Creative Expressions Lunch Group

We are excited to introduce the Creative Expressions Group, a wellbeing initiative for students in senior year groups (Year 9 – Year 12), designed to inspire creativity, connection, and self-discovery. Led by Rana Salloum, one of our trained school counsellors with a deep passion for art, this group offers a welcoming, flexible space where students can engage in various creative activities, including painting, sketching, and collage. The group provides an opportunity for personal growth, self-reflection, and the exploration of individual values, helping students manage stress, build resilience, and enhance their self-awareness.

Research shows that engaging in art can have a positive impact on mental health, reducing stress and enhancing emotional wellbeing. As noted in The Handbook of Art Therapy, art offers individuals a powerful means of self-expression, enabling them to process emotions, reduce stress, and engage in self-reflection through creativity (McNiff, 2012). A recent study in Frontiers in Public Health confirms that engaging in art and other forms of creative expression can significantly reduce stress, promote emotional wellbeing, and improve overall mental health outcomes (Yuan et al., 2024). Additionally, creative activities like painting and photography are linked to higher life satisfaction and a greater sense of purpose.

Whether attending once or more regularly, students will find a supportive environment to step away from academic pressures and connect with others. This weekly lunchtime initiative is part of our continued commitment to promoting student wellbeing and fostering positive mental health.

References:-McNiff, S. (2012). The Handbook of Art Therapy (2nd ed.). The Guilford Press.-Yuan, J., Chen, X., Wang, M., & Liu, X. (2024). Art Therapy and Mental Health: A Review of Evidence and Therapeutic Potential. Frontiers in Public Health. Retrieved from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1417997/full

Rana Salloum

College Counsellor