Wellbeing
Textbook Exchange
Due to existing COVID-19 restrictions, the annual textbook exchange at the College will not be offered in 2021. However, for parents/carers wishing to sell-buy-pay it forward any of their son’s textbooks, the following Facebook page is available.
Social Media Update
Despite the return to face-to-face teaching and learning, the majority of school-aged children are still using group chats to communicate with their friends.There is no doubt that staying in contact with others is a fantastic way to develop positive self-esteem and a sense of connection with peers. However, many schools have been dealing with situations where group chats have been the catalyst for inappropriate and offensive behaviour, with harassment and bullying being high amongst negative experiences that students have faced. The most commonly used group chat apps are WhatsApp, Snap Chat, Instagram, Discord, Kids Messenger, and Facebook Messenger, all of which allow individual and group communication.Although the majority of group chat activity is still occurring at home, as a school we have a duty of care to educate our students as a means to minimise the risk of bullying and other dangers. As such, here are a few reminders on how to create positive group chat experiences for your son/s:
- It is recommended that primary school-aged children should only use Facebook Messenger for Kids so that parents/carers can control what is going on in any group chats through the parental controls.
- Devices should never ‘go to sleep’ with students. Normalise handing them over before bedtime or place them in another room until the next day so they are unable to respond to messages at crazy times of the night and morning.
- Help your son/s develop the skills to leave a group chat that is not helpful or is harmful in any way. Teach them simple phrases to remove themselves from toxic conversations - ‘Sorry guys, I’m not feeling comfortable talking about that’ or ‘This is getting a bit nasty for me, I’m going to go’.
- Remind students that they must always be kind, respectful and responsible at all times while engaging in a group chat. All it takes is for someone to take a screengrab of cyberbullying for interactions to become public and be used as evidence against them.
Viral Diet Challenge
I was recently informed of a viral diet challenge that is currently doing the rounds on TikTok; it is called 75 Hard. The diet challenge involves participants following a specific set of six rules that promise to help boost their confidence, health, and fitness after 75 days. The program is extremely restrictive and is designed to not only get you into shape but work on your mental strength too. If you end up breaking one of the rules, you have to start back at day one.
The person who created this is a motivational speaker with absolutely zero medical background, nor are they a certified trainer or dietician. The program also isn't backed by any scientific studies or medical experts; it's purely based on the creator's own personal experience.
No thought has gone into who might see this challenge on TikTok with young, impressionable kids participating to lose weight and be able to post on Instagram that they succeeded.
But what happens when they don’t succeed?
Negative body image is one of the biggest concerns both teachers and parents/carers have for their kids and students when online. So much negativity can come out of this challenge including a poor sense of self and feeling like a failure if they can’t commit to it. This can induce poor performance in class, absenteeism, and cyberbullying.
Adapted from Safe on Social: For further information go to the Safe on Social Schools Toolkit: www.safeonsocialtoolkit.com
Robert Simpson
Director of Wellbeing
Meet the 2022 Student Leaders
Jonathon Bournelis
What is your leadership portfolio?
Year 5 Prefect.
What are the key responsibilities of your Portfolio?
My job is to ensure that the Year 5 boys have a smooth transition from their previous school to St Pat’s and adjust from online learning back into classroom lessons.
What are you most excited about in your leadership portfolio?
I am extremely excited to work with the new Year 5 boys and plan fun initiatives and create bonds!
What is something about you that others may be surprised to know?
I’m the youngest in my family and have three older sisters which is why I'm keen to build relationships with all the young men around the college.
What would be a good theme song for your life? Why?
‘God’s Plan’ by Drake would be a good theme song as I often like to not sweat the small things and let God pave his path for me.
If you could visit one country in the world, where would you go? Why?
If I could go to one country, I would love to visit Greece and visit the villages where my grandparents were born and see how they used to live their lives.
What are your interests outside of school?
Outside of school I enjoy watching NRL (go Rabbitohs!) and often have the 2014 grand final playing constantly around my house. As well as watching the sport I love playing soccer and basketball and occasionally play PS4 in my spare time.
Alexander Turner Jensen
What is your leadership portfolio?
Year 6 Prefect.
What are the key responsibilities of your Portfolio?
As Year 6 Prefect it is my responsibility to assist the boys with their transition from Year 5 to Year 6 and to make it as enjoyable a year as possible. I’m here to help the boys build friendships with each other and with some of the older students and to understand and assist with the worries of the boys. Most importantly my role is to make their Year 6 experience as exciting and fun as possible, with plenty of opportunities for the boys to meet as many new faces as possible and get involved in initiatives they are passionate about.
What are you most excited about in your leadership portfolio?
I am most looking forward to getting to know the boys. I want to understand the worries, excitement, challenges, and triumphs of the year group so I can ensure the boys have a great year and are prepared for the new experience of senior school. And of course, I’m excited to work with all the other Student Leaders to realise our goals in the next twelve months.
What is something about you that others may be surprised to know?
Before I die, I’d like to publish a non-fiction book about the most interesting thing I’ve been drawn too, and a fiction book I’m truly proud of.
What would be a good theme song for your life? Why?
‘That’s Life’ by Frank Sinatra. Minus the drab ending, I think this song perfectly summarises the unpredictability of life, with all its turbulent ups and downs. Understanding that life is far from perfect and that some things are simply out of our control, calls us to respond with resilience, understanding and to take advantage of the things we can change, all qualities I value highly and strive to emulate.
If you could visit one country in the world, where would you go? Why?
Difficult choice between Peru and Iceland. Both places with beautiful landscapes and long rich cultures. Iceland looks simply beautiful, but Machu Picchu is tough to beat.
What are your interests outside of school?
I love movies, football, cards, table tennis, squash, charcoal drawing, creative writing, and long YouTube rabbit holes.
Joseph Tannous
What is your leadership portfolio?
Year 7 Prefect.
What are the key responsibilities of your Portfolio?
The key responsibilities of my portfolio are to look after and ensure the wellbeing of the Year 7 students in 2022. My goal is to make their transition into senior school as smooth and as fun as possible!
What are you most excited about in your leadership portfolio?
I am most excited about getting to know and working with the new Year 7 students, as well as with the entire Student Leadership Team.
What is something about you that others may be surprised to know?
Something about me that others may be surprised to know is that I am double-jointed in both of my arms and thumbs.
What would be a good theme song for your life? Why?
A good theme song for my life would be ‘Gracefully Broken’ by Tasha Cobbs. Jokes aside, this is mostly because those who know me, know that I am a very faithful person, and my religion is one of the most important things in my life.
If you could visit one country in the world, where would you go? Why?
If I could visit one country in the world I would go to Japan. Even though I have already visited the country, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would love to go again. The food, the culture and just the overall experience is something that I will never forget. It is one of my favourite places that I have visited.
What are your interests outside of school?
Some of my interests outside of school include hanging out with my friends, playing games, drawing, and making artworks, and watching movies, TV shows and anime.
Jack Dib
What is your leadership portfolio?
Year 8 Prefect.
What are the key responsibilities of your Portfolio?
Working with and caring for the boys in Year 8 as well as helping them through key events throughout the year, such as Year 9 and 10 subject selections.
What are you most excited about in your leadership portfolio?
Creating bonds with the Year 8 cohort and learning all there is to know about them. Also, I’m excited to work with the Year 8 Ambassadors to bring in new initiatives to make this year one of their best.
What is something about you that others may be surprised to know?
I love watches. I really love watches. I’m starting my own little collection.
What would be a good theme song for your life? Why?
‘Till I Collapse’ by Eminem. This song is all about perseverance no matter what the circumstances are and that is something I aim to do in my everyday life. Keep pushing no matter what.
If you could visit one country in the world, where would you go? Why?
Lebanon because I have a lot of family there who I have never met before, and I would also like to immerse myself deeper into my culture.
What are your interests outside of school?
Outside school I love sports, whether it be playing around in the backyard with an American Football or heading down to my local tennis courts for a few rallies. I’m also a mad Liverpool supporter, so Y.N.W.A (You’ll Never Walk Alone).
John-Paul Pucci
What is your leadership portfolio?
Year 9 Prefect.
What are the key responsibilities of your Portfolio?
My role as Year 9 Prefect is to serve and advocate for the boys. It is my duty to set a good example for them through my actions as well as encouraging and helping the boys to be the best version of themselves.
What are you most excited about in your leadership portfolio?
The aspect of my leadership portfolio that I’m looking forward to the most is working in conjunction with the Year 9 boys to develop initiatives and activities that not only benefit the SPC community but the wider community.
What is something about you that others may be surprised to know?
I play both soccer and rugby.
What would be a good theme song for your life? Why?
‘Not afraid’ by Eminem. This song helps me put everything I have been through into perspective. The song talks about highs and lows and how if you can overcome these challenges, you can accomplish your dreams and goals. In life we face many obstacles, but we must not be afraid of change, rather, we should embrace it.
If you could visit one country in the world, where would you go? Why?
Italy. My family is from there and I would love to experience the culture and meet my extended family.
What are your interests outside of school?
My interests outside of school include supporting Chelsea in the English Premier League and in the NRL, I support the Bulldogs.
Mitchell Brell
What is your leadership portfolio?
Year 10 Prefect.
What are the key responsibilities of your Portfolio?
Working closely with the Year 10 cohort and helping the Year Ambassadors plan and coordinate various initiatives which they have as well as helping the boys transition into senior studies at the College.
What are you most excited about in your leadership portfolio?
Working with the Year 10 cohort in addition to the rest of the Student Leadership Team to make improvements around the College as well as leading various initiatives throughout 2021-22.
What is something about you that others may be surprised to know?
I used to play the Saxophone and play soccer.
What would be a good theme song for your life? Why?
‘Shout’by Tears for Fears. The song is about getting all the negative thoughts out of your mind. This would be my theme song for me as I don’t tend to dwell on negative things, and I am overall an optimistic person.
If you could visit one country in the world, where would you go? Why?
South Africa as it has many different activities which I would like to do, such as go on a safari, parasailing, shark diving and bungee jumping.
What are your interests outside of school?
Outside of school I enjoy spending time with mates, listening to music and playing/watching cricket and rugby.
Year 12 Student Leaders