LORETO NEWS

Sowing the SEADs of Success

From the Wellbeing and Engagement Team

Creating a Culture of Safe Accountability

The most important and powerful words that your daughter will ever hear in her life are the words she says to herself.  

 

Supporting Healthy Self-Talk 

Healthy self-talk is the foundation of a positive mindset. When students engage in constructive internal dialogue, they cultivate self-esteem and resilience. As parents, you play a crucial role in this process. Encouraging your daughter to express her thoughts and feelings openly can help her develop a strong sense of self-worth. Ask her about her day, her challenges, and her achievements. By listening supportively and validating her experiences, you reinforce the importance of her inner voice and the value in sharing her feelings openly with you.  

 

The Role of Safe Accountability 

The practice of safe accountability is at the heart of our culture at Loreto College. This means creating an environment where students feel comfortable sharing their experiences without the fear of judgment or ‘getting into trouble’.  We want all our students to speak up, reach out, and seize opportunities, knowing they will be met with understanding and support. 

 

To achieve this, we encourage open communication between students, staff, and families. By fostering connections within our school community, we create a network of support that empowers our girls to thrive. When students feel safe expressing themselves, they are more likely to engage meaningfully in their education and develop strong relationships with their peers. 

 

Here are a few suggestions from the SEAD team that can assist your daughter in sharing what is happening in her world within the concept of safe accountability: 

 

  1. Encourage Open Dialogue: Create a safe space at home where your daughter feels comfortable discussing her thoughts and feelings. Ask open-ended questions that invite her to share more about her day. 
  2. Model Healthy Self-Talk: Demonstrate positive self-talk in your own life. Share your experiences with challenges and how you navigate them, highlighting the importance of resilience and self-compassion. 
  3. Promote a Growth Mindset: Help your daughter embrace the idea that learning is a process. Encourage her to take risks and normalize mistakes. 
  4. Stay Involved: Participate in school events and activities to strengthen your connection with our school community. Your involvement shows your daughter that you value her education and wellbeing.  And...we really love seeing you on campus.  

 

Let’s continue to support one another in nurturing strong, resilient young women who express themselves freely and confidently. 

 

Suzie Crowe

Assistant Principal: Wellbeing and Engagement

R U OK? Student Summit

On Monday 25th August we had the wonderful opportunity to accompany 11 Year 6 Leaders to the Inaugural R U OK Student Summit held at Prince Alfred College. Not only was this event the first of its kind in SA, but also Australia and world-wide.  An incredible experience for staff and students alike, with pending enthusiasm already for next year’s event.  It was a day filled with thought provoking guest speakers, connection with peers across different schools, and developing action plans of how we bring the importance of R U OK to our school community.  

 

With R U OK? Day approaching on 11 September, we explored the significance of the day—not only in raising awareness and education, but also in highlighting the value of checking in with one another throughout the year. We also discussed what authentic check-ins look like and different ways we might ask someone if they are ‘okay’.   

 

We learnt the acronym ALEC, a simple way to remember the 4 steps of an R U OK conversation.  This link explains ALEC and is a helpful reminder for us all to check in with those in our community, and how a simple conversation can be life-changing.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjvWYx2zV3k

 

Our day ended with a surprise guest speaker, Adelaide 36ers basketball player and R U OK ambassador, Isaac Humphries.  He shared his personal journey with his own mental health, the highlights and challenges of professional sport, tips around self-care and the importance of genuine connection with your mates. 

 

The girls represented Loreto beautifully with enthusiasm, school pride and gratitude for the opportunity to be part of such a memorable day.  Stay tuned as the girls plan to share their learnings within the school community. 

 

Corinne McKee (College Counsellor R-6)

Lydia Baccanello (Director of Wellbeing Programs R-12).