WELLBEING 

The Wellbeing Hub   

Celebrating Student Wellbeing Achievements – Part II

As we approach the end of Term, I just want to say what a wonderful thing it has been to see just how much our house cultures have grown in such a short amount of time. The students are always enthusiastic in showing their house spirit and it is something that we are excited to see continue as the year progresses. With the holidays approaching, please take time to enjoy family, have fun and try to relax wherever possible. We are looking forward to coming back refreshed and ready for Term 2.

 

In this edition of the newsletter, we are continuing with the celebration of student wellbeing achievements across our houses. There were three proud houses showcasing everything they’ve achieved over the term in the last newsletter and this edition will see us hear from Browning and Sheppard- Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sarah Lehman | Director of College Wellbeing


From The Counsellor’s Desk

Sleep and Rest

 

What amazing weather we have had over the last week and a half. It has been the kind of rainy weather that makes me think of curling up in front of an open fire with a good book and listening to classical music. It occurs to me that I haven’t actually done that in a very long time. In our modern, busy lives we seldom take the time to enjoy the amazing blessings that God gives us. That is not healthy.

 

Both rest and sleep are essentials in life that are far too often neglected. 

Rest

We were made for rest. At least once a week we need to take a day to pause and enjoy life with our families and friends. To take enjoyment in our accomplishments and the fruits of our labours. Consciously set aside time to relax and relate. Don’t let your life be all toil and grief and pain. Take the time this week to breath, pause and reflect. You will feel much better for it.

 

Sleep

Many students I see at school have trouble sleeping. There are a number of reasons why healthy sleep is hard for people but there are some techniques and concepts that should help. The Wellbeing website that I created for the College last year has a couple of pages dedicated to good sleep hygiene which cover this area more effectively but the following ideas will give you a place to start.

 

Pavlov’s Dog

There is a famous experiment called “Pavlov’s Dog” in which Ivan Pavlov would ring a bell then feed the dog. Over time the dog started to salivate at the ringing of the bell because it became associated in the dogs mind with the food. This is called a conditioned response. Now for this poor dog every time it heard the bell it would start drooling everywhere.

 

Just like Pavlov’s Dog, we want going to bed to be paired/associated with sleep. This will mean that the very act of going to bed will start to make us tired. Our body will begin to produce melatonin and prepare for sleep but creating this association will require a few conscious actions on our behalf: 

 

  1. Bed is for sleep and nothing else

To create a strong conditioned response bed must be kept for sleep only. You might enjoy reading in bed or watching youtube in bed or playing games in bed but these things are all mentally stimulating and will break down the association between bed and sleep. If you want to do these activities that’s fine but don’t do them in bed. Bed is for sleep.

  1. Go to bed when tired

Only go to bed when you’re tired and ready for sleep. Lying in bed and not sleeping doesn’t help the association. If you’re lying in bed for too long thinking then get up and do something relaxing (no screen time). Keep the room dark and get a warm glass of milk or read a boring book or something and only go back to bed when you are tired and ready to sleep.

 

  1. Create a bedtime routine

If you do the same things every night before going to bed then these things will also become associated with going to sleep and your body will actually start producing melatonin the sleep hormone when you’re doing your bedtime routine. Not only will bed be associated with sleep but you will be ready for sleep as soon as your head hits the pillow.

  1. No screens

I know it's something that you’ve heard already but it is worth repeating. You should stop having screen time at least half an hour before bed. This allows your brain time to wind down. Screens are stimulating not just because they produce blue light (as we have all heard) but also because you are watching content that is engaging or entertaining. Many people will need more than half an hour for their minds to calm down sufficiently for sleep.

 

There are many more things that could be said on this topic. If you have issues with sleep please check out the Wellbeing website and have a look at the many resources online. There are also dedicated sleep clinics that will do a full sleep study with you to assess your particular issues. Sleep affects so much in life and getting effective restorative sleep is essential to your mental health.

With the Easter holidays approaching it is a time to consider the rest that we are invited into through Jesus. What a great gift that we can have a relationship of complete ease and rest with God through trusting in Jesus and his sacrifice for us on the cross. Take the time to pause, rest and enjoy this easter.

 

God bless,

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Lance | College Counsellor


Around the Houses

Browning House

Browning has enjoyed a very strong start to 2021. We welcomed our 24 new Year 7 students and have truly begun to establish our house culture through the exploration of our values and ethos. Our house was lead to a strong victory in the Swimming Carnival by our Year 12 captains Charlotte Wickson and Nathan Bloor, as well as our lovely Year 9 Prefects Isaac Bloor, Maggie Hawke, Harry Pratt and Karin Rezkalla. We also had fantastic representation and spirit at the Athletics Carnival - we are eagerly awaiting to see who was successful at winning the carnival. 

 

In Mentor Group time, students have begun planning for our Browning House Day, which will be taking place Wednesday 19th May (Week 5, Term 2). There has been lots of fantastic suggestions, which I am excited to implement. We will be raising money for our House Charity - Wagga Women’s Health Centre. Students have also been participating during Mentor Group time in Fun Friday sessions that are run but our fabulous Year 12 students. The points from the Fun Friday activities have been collated into our Term 1 Browning Challenge. During our last House Session, students competed in the inaugural Browning Olympics. They worked together in Mentor Groups across four different categories: tunnel ball, pass the ‘parcel’, the cork game and the skipping competition. It was a very close race, with various Mentor Groups taking out first place each round, but BR5 came out as the victors. The points from our Browning Olympics were then accumulated into our Term 1 Browning Challenge. The winner of our Term 1 Browning Challenge will be announced Week 1 of Term 2, but students are able to see the live tally on our Browning Classroom. I wish you and your family a safe and restful holiday.

 

 

 

 

 

Lauren Kelly | Head of House - Browning


Sheppard House 

Sheppard House has enjoyed a brilliant start to 2021. Every morning, students meet with their Mentor Teacher and Group to mark the roll, get organised for the day and participate in wellbeing activities. It has been pleasing to witness the positive relationships being built within the groups which, over time, will foster a sense of belonging whilst also providing an additional support network for our students at the College.

During Term One, we have focussed on building Sheppard House spirit and culture. Students were very interested in learning about their House Patron, Mr George Sheppard and tested their knowledge by answering questions in a Kahoot quiz. Some more fun was had in a “Minute To Win It” intra-House competition, where some of the activities involved played quoits, juggling balloons and attempting to move a cookie from your forehead to your mouth – words of encouragement and laughter could be heard as I walked around the groups.

 

What an absolute delight it was at our recent Principal’s Assembly to witness the excited gasps and chatter when it was announced that Sheppard House had placed second at the College’s swimming carnival - a true team effort! Thank you and congratulations to our wonderful Sheppard staff and students who actively participated at both the swimming and athletics’ carnivals. Sheppard House spirit has been most evident with a sea of green clothing, costumes, slogans and posters on display. We now look forward to the Cross Country Carnival on the final day of this term.

 

Also on the final day of Term One, the College will again participate in the World’s Greatest Shave, designed to fundraise money to beat blood cancer. Sheppard House is very proud of Sam B, Hugh M, Diya P, and Juanu J who have all nominated to participate. You can support this very worthy cause by donating via the link: TRAC Shavers 2021

 

I wish you all a happy and safe Easter and holiday break.

 

 

 

 

 

Jennifer Jenkins | Head of House - Sheppard


Stanley House

Look up to and look out for - This has been the focus for Stanley House over Term One of 2021.

 

Floods, Covid-19 and Bushfires. Watching the news or listening to the radio over the last 14 months we have heard “It’s the Australian way, we band behind each other when others are down".  These are the qualities that we are looking to foster, that is - being kind and caring.

 

A few Stanley names that quickly come to mind that have displayed these traits, one of our House Captain's Harrison Thomas who I noted doing a wonderful job during both the swimming and athletic carnivals.

 

Savannah Haymen in year seven is to be commended with the way that she engages with all students and teachers, her willingness to help and nurture others is wonderful.

 

A new student to the College Eli Howarth greets every student and teacher with warmth. I was very impressed with the way in which Eli sat with and showed genuine empathy toward a year seven student who was having a difficult time during his injections.

 

I know that there are far more instances and names that belong on this list, I am proud of the wonderful students that we have within Stanley and thank them as we continue to develop the culture. 

 

The Holidays are quickly approaching and I wish you a restful and relaxing Easter break, "Do something kind for someone else”.        

   

 

 

 

 

 

Justin Buckley | Head of House - Stanley