College News & Events
Mental Health Day
Mental Health Day/ Week/ Month….
Every year on October 10, the world brings awareness to mental health and wellbeing by celebrating World Mental Health Day.
World Mental Health Day coincides with Mental Health Week and also Mental Health Month in Australia.
The aim of this week is to encourage all of us, whether we have experienced mental illness or not, to learn about and understand the importance of looking after our mental health and wellbeing.
The National Mental Health Commission (2016) views the key benefits of Mental Health Week as the promotion of “social and emotional wellbeing to the community, encouraging people to maximise their health potential, enhancing the coping capacity of communities, families, individuals and increasing mental health recovery.” Providing a cooperative platform to encourage healthy coping behaviours helps to reduce the stigma associated with mental health and fosters positive relationships.
In Term Three at O’Connor, in assemblies and pastoral meetings we discussed the positive outcomes of engaging in Random Acts of Kindness.
Below is a short clip that spells out the scientific benefits. It is a good way of improving our Mental Health. Students were emailed the clip and asked to discuss this in pastoral lessons during Mental Health Week.
The Science of Kindness (Life Vest Inside)
Jon Hawthorne
Pastoral Care - Student Welfare Coordinator
STEM
What is STEM @ O’Connor & why is it thriving?
The importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics knowledge to Australia’s future workforce is indisputable. In 2012, Ian Chubb, then Chief Scientist of Australia triggered a major focus on the decline in interest of studies in the STEM disciplines across the nation and its potential impact on our future.
O’Connor along with a number of schools in NSW are addressing this decline by offering a new innovative elective course in Years 9 & 10 called iSTEM. The iSTEM School Developed Board Endorsed Course covers a number of modules in the fields of technology and engineering, they include; STEM Fundamentals, Aerodynamics, Motion, Mechatronics, Surveying, Design for Space, Statistics in Action and a Project Based Learning Task.
These modules are addressed by undertaking fun practical projects in engineering electronics, robotics, aircraft design, rocket science, CO2 dragsters, CAD & 3D printing.
O’Connor is aiming to be a regional hub of STEM Education in the North West. O’Connor has also been invited to be part of the prestigious STEM Enrichment Academy in partnership with The University of Sydney. The aim of the academy is to include discipline group-based learning and cross-disciplinary work. The initiative will involve a pedagogical shift in the teaching of science, mathematics and technology in schools through the application of problem solving and inquiry-based learning.
The future of STEM@O’Connor is looking very bright!
Jon Hawthorne
Pastoral Care/
Student Welfare Coordinator
Z Club
The Z Club has been continuing to fulfil their role in supporting and empowering women in our local community. They have been busy finalising little care packages for those in need.
This has involved making drawstring bags at lunchtimes and then filling with all the little essentials such as soaps, shampoos, lotions,
conditioners, toothpaste, etc.
We include a card with a little bit of information about the project in the bag.
These were presented to Michael O'Kane from Vinnies, along with a representative from the Women's Shelter at our school assembly.
Z Club would like to sincerely thank all of the people who have given donations of various care products. We would greatly appreciate any donations of toothbrushes, face cloths and soaps etc. to commence making up some new bags.
The end of theyear is fast approaching and we are working towards a cake stall and pizza day at O'Connor to raise funds for the purchase of birthing kits.
We would again appreciate any financial support given to the Club for this important service project that we are involved in. We are hoping to put together 600 kits by May next year.
Mrs Vicki Channon
Z Club
NSW Youth Advisory
Congratulations to Year 10 Student
Sophie Warner
Dear Sophie,
Thank you for your application for the 2017 NSW Youth Advisory Council (YAC).
We are pleased to advise that your application has been shortlisted for the next stage of the recruitment process. Congratulations!
The response to the call for applications was overwhelming with over 600 applications submitted for consideration. The applications were of such a high calibre and given that there are only twelve places on the YAC it was a near impossible task to select those who will proceed to the next stage.
We have tried to ensure that the YAC is truly representative of all areas of the State and that members of the Council collectively represent the breadth of experiences, lifestyles and interests of children and young people here in NSW.
The next stage of the process will be a one day event to be held on Friday 11 November at The Strangers Dining Room, Parliament House, Macquarie Street in Sydney’s CBD from 9.15am to 4.00pm.
At this event you will participate in group exercises and discussions as part of the recruitment process. No preparation is required other than to bring your passion and commitment to making NSW a better place for children and young people with you.
