Wellbeing Report

Dear Parents and Carers, 

Nazareth College is committed to creating a safe and inclusive culture. We actively seek to create a positive and safe environment with the intention that our students are able to flourish. 

This week we are participating in Bullying No Way Week. Our Extended Pastoral teachers have shared, demonstrated, and participated with their classes in a range of activities that help inform and empower students about bullying. The them for this year is ‘Small acts, Big impacts’.  A strong strategy to help limit bullying is by establishing a culture of respect, kindness and empathy. The theme reminds us that actions which may be taken for granted- a warm greeting, an acknowledgement, a ‘random act of kindness’ contribute directly to a positive school environment. 

Part of the challenge for school communities is to build the capacity of young people to communicate confidently, to be resilient, and to be part of the solution for when bullying occurs. As part of the Nazareth community, parents can help, particularly with the prevalence of online bullying, which is generally the source of most of the concerns with which we deal at school. Please speak with your children about their online experiences. 

There exists some valuable resource on the bullying no way website:

Here you will find fact sheets explaining the difference between single incidents of conflict and systematic bullying, plus conversation starters. It is a good opportunity to reinforce your child’s experience at school this week to explore this website together, and perhaps consider what it means to be a safe, respectful friend. 

I was delighted to learn that at least one of our students wishes to contribute actively to raising awareness of this issue. As a Year 12 student, he is completing a community project that will help support Year 7 students. In his words “I want to talk to them about the seriousness of bullying and how they can report it”. I think it reflects admirably not only on our student, but of the Nazareth community that senior students show such genuine concern for their younger counterparts. It is also an example of Child Safety in actions (Child Safety Standard 7 speaks of the standards being child-friendly). 

Here are some suggestions from the Bullying No Way website to support students at home. 

• Ask open questions: Instead of "How was school?", try "Who did you sit with at lunch today?" or "What was the kindest thing you saw someone do today?" 
• Model digital kindness: Discuss how words written online have the same impact as words spoken face-to-face. 
• Know the signs: Changes in sleep, reluctance to go to school, or sudden anxiety around devices can indicate a child needs extra support.  

If you ever have concerns about your child's wellbeing or safety, please contact their Pastoral teacher, Head of House, or our wellbeing team immediately. 

✨Together, our small acts can make a big impact. 

God bless

Mr Rodney Diaz

Acting Director of Wellbeing