LEADERS OF WELLBEING REPORTS

All articles published week beginning 17 February 2020

Year 7

We are more than a third of the way through Year 7’s first Term of high school and they are settling in very well. Students are arriving bright-eyed and bushy-tailed to school every day and they are wearing their uniform with pride. Whilst friendships will continue to develop throughout their lives during high school, we are very much looking forward to the camp at YMCA Howmans Gap to solidify the relationships that have already begun to develop in homeroom and classes. 

The Year 7 camp will be followed by a Year 7 Wellbeing day, held on Thursday 12 March. The Wellbeing day aims to reflect and build on the core values of the camp like goal setting, building resilience, developing independence and provide opportunities for leadership. The Year 7 students will have the opportunity to develop relationships with the House Prefects as they will be coached through team-building exercises as a part of their program. The day will end with an e-learning session to be held by Mr Kennedy or Mr Lough. 

The Pal Up Program (PUP) has been a great success thus far with students expanding their knowledge on the welfare system and being introduced to new concepts like the post-it box. Students will continue to work with their PUP leaders throughout the Term focusing on social networking and other wellbeing based games. 

Thank you to those parents who have been in touch with us. It has been great to have first-hand information about the transition from primary school to high school and to hear all the positive comments being made by the students on their experiences and memories, already being made at the College.

Elizabeth Passlow | Leader of Wellbeing - Year 7 

Fox and Stanley House 

Lauren Kelly | Leader of Wellbeing - Year 7 

Browning and Sheppard House 

Year 8

Welcome to the Week 4 edition of our Year 8 report for Term 1. The last fortnight has seen Year 8 really start getting their teeth into the second year of their secondary schooling. Assessment tasks are starting to roll in, (you can start a conversation with your child about what their Science experiment is for example!), the Swimming Carnival is completed, College photos are being held this week and the students were given a presentation during Week 2 on study skills.

We would particularly like Year 8 to be the year that your child goes out of their comfort zone to try some of the many opportunities on offer at the College. Opportunities this fortnight include girls cricket, CleanUp Australia Day and Chess Club, as well as ongoing activities such as Ag Shed, TRACwork and Magic The Gathering Club.

This week also saw the College induct our Year 9 House Prefects for 2020. This provides a perfect moment for us as a Year Group to start to aspire to such leadership positions in 12 months’ time. When I spoke at Year Meeting, I assured everyone that they would be capable of formal positions and to practice leadership in little moments every day (whether it be helping new students or setting the standard in uniform).

As always, if you would like to discuss your child’s wellbeing and flourishing here at the College, please don’t hesitate in sending an e-mail or calling Mrs Jenkins or me.  We look forward to spending 2020 with your child and helping them continue to holistically develop into positive young men and women.

Luke Richardson | Leader of Wellbeing - Year 8

Jennifer Jenkins | Assistant Leader of Wellbeing - of Year 8

Year 9

This week we had our first Principal’s Assembly for the year. These assemblies normally feature awards and acknowledgements. They celebrate all the achievements of students in all aspects of the College, including sport, music, academics and co-curricular activities. However, this week was a special assembly as we had the Induction of the Year 9 House Prefects. This is the second year that the school has had these prefects and the first time that we have had an official induction. Congratulations to the students who were elected to these positions and thank you to the families who came along to celebrate this.

Our Friday co-curricular sport has been a little different for the beginning of the Term. Students have been involved in House Competition at school instead of attending outside sports. I was lucky enough to be a part of the House Wars on Friday and was very impressed at the attitude and effort of the students. It was competitive while also being played in the right spirit. Congratulations to Fox for taking out the grand final of Volleyball. House Wars will continue for the next two Fridays.

I have added some information about student exchange programs to our Google classroom. If anyone is interested they can have a look on there to see when the information sessions are being held. The code for the Careers Google Classroom is also available. I highly recommend that students join as there is always information about upcoming opportunities.

Have a great week.

Emma Smith | Leader of Wellbeing - Year 9

Issac Mannion | Assistant Leader of Wellbeing -  Year 9

Year 10

We were very fortunate to be able to offer Year 10 students the opportunity to participate in the Tomorrow Man and Tomorrow Woman program this week. Below is the information that was sent home to parents about the workshops. 

“The Tomorrow Man workshops aim to disrupt an old-school male stereotype and redefine a more positive version of masculinity to live by. Building resilience, self-confidence and peer support for participants, students look at the current statistics that face men and engage in conversations which help them see that speaking openly to their peers is a sign of strength not weakness.

The Tomorrow Woman workshops aim to create a safe space for women to cultivate and practice their voice. Enabling participants to express their authentic selves beyond the room, free from the limitations of society's expectations and stereotypes.

As a Leader of Wellbeing witnessing young students grow and change over time is one of the most rewarding components of the role. Developing students’ resilience, confidence and self-esteem is integral to moulding young people into happy, healthy and successful young adults. Such workshops allow us to deliver and support such a journey for our students. 

This brings me to another matter. Your child is fast becoming a young adult getting ready to leave home (or maybe not as trends tell us). Regardless of their post school decisions and living arrangements, they will soon be old enough to attempt and obtain their drivers’ license. I don't envy the task of being a teenager at the wheel and also having to listen to their parents at the same time, but it seems that most manage to gain the necessary skills to get their license. I have uploaded a flyer in the students’ classroom about workshops and information sessions for young adults who will be embarking on this next challenge that may be useful for your family.

Meegan Farmer | Leader of Wellbeing -  Year 10

Trevor Dawson | Assistant Leader of Wellbeing -  Year 10

Year 11

Welcome to Week 4!

I have been impressed with the students’ transition into senior school. The feedback from teachers has been positive, reassuring me that most students have settled into their subjects. The conversations I have shared with students who have changed subjects have all been of a mature nature with the conversations revolving around success and how to further improve their studies. I have thoroughly enjoyed hearing about their goals for the future. I will endeavour to continue the exchange between the students and myself. Please reiterate to your child that the Wellbeing Hub is open to everyone for a chat, advice or even to just say hi!

Congratulations to those students who have graduated from their learners permit to driving independently. The senior parking area is filling up more and more each day. Regardless of the type of license, many of the Year 11 students are driving to and from school. A big thank you to all the brave parents who are enduring the teaching of safe and responsible driving habits. If I can share some advice on this stressful experience… BREATHE!

Year Meetings and Homeroom

The Wellbeing team has continued to work with students to set SMART goals, allocating time to review each goal. Those students who are finding the task difficult will be given individual coaching to ensure everyone has identified and have started working towards achieving their goal.

Minimum Standards and All My Own Work

There were students at the end of last year who for different reasons did not complete the Minimum Standard Testing which is a NESA requirement for the HSC. These students will have an opportunity to complete the test on Friday, February 21. The NESA ‘All My Own Work’ Modules are now well overdue. If your child is yet to complete the online modules it is of high urgency that the matter is finalised by the end of the week.

Amall Liakatos | Leader of Wellbeing - Year 11

Kelly Bowen | Assistant Leader of Wellbeing - of Year 11

Year 12

A recurring theme of plants and growth has emerged for me in the early part of the year. Some of the Year 12 students have spent time planting flowers and learning about the joys of gardening with our resident Homeroom green thumbs, Mrs Glendining and Mrs Freeman. Our new Director of Students, Mr Kennedy, gifted the Leaders of Wellbeing with an indoor plant each to adorn the newly established Wellbeing Hub. I’m heading off on two weeks long service leave next week which will involve a lot of time setting up an irrigation system for my olive trees and a bit of general maintenance of my veggie patches. And my son turned 18 and promptly moved out of home!

What’s this last point got to with plants, you ask? Well, quite a lot actually, if you’ll humour me a little walk down parenting memory lane.

When the aforementioned olive trees were planted about 6 years ago, I was very anxious to see these 30cm tall seedlings grow into magnificent strong trees. I’d spend time watering them and imagining the wall of silver green screening it would create along the 100m eastern length of my yard. But at the same time I started to fear their growth, because I knew that when they matured, so too would have my then 12-year-old son. And so it has come to pass. I wrote a poem about the mixed feelings from that time which I include underneath.

Now that he has started a new chapter in his life, I look at the things my wife and I planted with him through his childhood that have also matured. His love of friends and family, particularly his kind interactions with his young cousins, his work ethic, his dedication to his community football club. These were seeds planted early and they are bearing fruit. It has made the transition of him moving away a much better experience.

So, as your children continue to mature and grow this year, and get ready to fly the coop and spread their wings in the wide and wild world, take some time to reflect on the things you have planted in them and can see emerging in adult form. Celebrate your successes and be grateful for their independence. Mrs Kjaer and I have certainly appreciated being part of the journey so far of so many wonderful young men and women.

As mentioned earlier, I am on long service leave Weeks 5 and 6. Please direct any wellbeing enquiries to Mrs Kjaer or Mr Kennedy.

Dane Fuller | Leader of Wellbeing - 12

Kim Kjaer | Assistant Leader of Wellbeing - 12