Pastoral Care

and Wellbeing

Grandparents Day

On Friday 3rd March this term, Year 7 will be hosting Grandparents Day. We encourage all Grandparents to join their grandchildren in Year 7 for a tour of the College, storytelling and lunch in the Mater Dei Hall.

Students who do not have Grandparents on the day will still be buddied up with either another Grandparent or some other guests including residents from The Grange who we have extended the invitation to.

We look forward to a brilliant day celebrating the role Grandparents play in the lives of our students.

Please see below the invitation that has been sent to all Year 7 families.

For further information please contact the College office or email Michelle Clarke at clarkem6@ww.catholic.edu.au

Motivational Media

Last week all students in Years 8 and 10 viewed this year’s Motivational Media presentation titled ‘Take the Shot.’ The presentation highlighted the highs and lows of life, the importance of having a dream and setting goals, and included the stories of some famous young Australians. Students were engaged and a few were involved in some Q and A with the presenters at the end of the session. You can read more about the theme of the presentation below. We encourage you to ask your son or daughter about what they took away from this presentation.

TAKE THE SHOT - Ever been in a ball game where you are passed the ball and have the chance to score for your team? In the microseconds you have to decide what to do, you quickly have to make a decision as to whether you will pass to another team member or take a risk and take the shot yourself. You might miss the shot and fail, but you might also get the ball in the net, hoop, goal.

Almost everything we do has some element of risk attached. Living life to the full requires an understanding of what risk is, how we calculate the level of its impact, and whether we decide to act despite the risks involved. All actions have outcomes. Actions that are not deliberate, or not thought through, can put us at risk of consequences that are out of our control. Having an understanding that life is full of risk: that there are risks that need to be taken, and risks that should be avoided, helps us to navigate through life, to live deliberately, joyously and to the full. Once we have done this, we can then make the decision to take the shot with confidence.

Seasons for Growth

Change and loss are issues that affect all of us at some stage in our lives. At Mater Dei Catholic College, we recognise that when changes occur in families through death, separation, divorce, moving to a new place or related circumstances, young people may benefit from learning how to manage these changes effectively. We are therefore offering a very successful education program called Seasons for Growth.

This program is facilitated in small groups and is based on research that highlights the importance of social support and the need to practise new skills to cope effectively with change and loss. The program focuses on issues such as self-esteem, managing feelings, problem-solving, decision-making, effective communication and support networks.

For more information or to express interest in this program, please refer to the letter attached.

The Cool Kids and Adolescent Health Program

The Cool Kids and Adolescent Health Program is a therapy program for children and adolescents (7-17 years) experiencing recurring physical health/somatic complaints (e.g., headaches, stomach-aches etc.) at the Emotional Health Clinic at Macquarie University.

As the school year resumes, some students may experience an increasing amount of pressure in terms of their studies, and children experiencing recurring somatic health complaints may be prone to missing classes. 

The program is individually based and involves 10 x 1 hour weekly therapy sessions held either in-person at the Centre for Emotional Health (CEH) Clinic at Macquarie University or via Skype or telephone.

Please find attached a copy of the information and consent form which provides more information about the treatment program as well as a flyer.

Key Dates/Reminders:

Year 7 Immunisations # 1 -     

Forms due this Friday 17 March    

Information sheet attached  

Miss Emily Paul

Assistant to the Principal - Students