From the Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing

It is with great enthusiasm and excitement that we return to Mount St. Joseph Girls’ College. We, in the Wellbeing Team, are continually struck by the honesty, humility and sense of community that is so evident as we enter the gates from Maidstone Street. The students are so energised and excited to be at MSJ. We, in the Wellbeing Team, feel privileged to support you and your family as you journey with us and look forward to your continued partnership.

Welcome to our new, Year 7 families and new and returning families to our Mount St. Joseph Girls’ Community. It has been a busy start to the school year, but l have been so impressed to see so many young women commit themselves to their study and establishing such positive study skills. The College theme for 2018, ‘Let Joy Ignite Us,’ will provide a framework for all members of our community to continue to develop positive relationships and a deeper awareness of the other. The theme really promotes our understanding of resilience, mindfulness and the sacred within our lives. It is through recognising the joy of the Holy Spirit that we continue to celebrate life to the full. Our theme this year challenges students to accept who they are, as young women and to challenge themselves to grow fully as young women in the ‘image and likeness of God.’ Each new academic year provides opportunities for students to meet new people and to celebrate, challenge and affirm our differences and diversity.

Student Led Workshops

It was lovely to meet so many families at our recent Year 7 Parent Information Night and Student Led Conferences. Student voice is an important aspect of our College for our learners to own and direct their learning, wellbeing and faith. The energy and strong sense of community was testament to the partnerships developed here at Mount St Joseph Girls’ College. The format this year enabled all families to attend a chosen interview and to deepen their understanding of their daughters’ learning. Thank you to the many families who attended. In fact, we had over seven hundred people. Shortly we will seek your feedback and evaluations of the night. This evening was only the beginning of the many conversations centred on your daughter’s learning. I urge you to continue these conversations and place your daughter’s learning and growth at the heart of conversations here at the College.

Our Wellbeing Team

This year our wellbeing team is ably led and supported by: Ms Morlin (Year 7), Mrs Sammut (Year 8), Ms Commadeur (Year 9), Mrs Thompson (Providence & McCormack) Mrs Duncan (Penola & Kincumber), Mrs Kubacki (Cameron & Solomon) and Ms Bourke as the Director of Student Wellbeing. This year we continue to arrange our Senior Learning Mentors – students in years 10, 11 and 12 into Houses. Each Mentor Group will have approximately twenty five students who will supported by the one teacher mentor over the three years. We believe arranging students in this format will ensure each learner and her family in the Senior School will be intimately known by one staff member and the same House Leader. At Years 8 & 9 students have also been allocated to their Learning Mentor according to the House that they began in Year 7, this will continue to build our House system and ensure students have a solid support base.

This year the Wellbeing Leaders are capably supported by hardworking and committed learning mentors. A gentle reminder that in the Wellness Centre we have now have two Allied Health Professionals a psychologist - Mrs Susha Vance and new to the College, Ms Jacinta McMahon, a social worker, both women can support you and your daughter.

If you were unable to attend our recent Parent Information Night or Student Led Interview, l encourage you to contact your daughter’s Learning Mentor to introduce yourself. Attached below is the name of each Learning Mentor and their email address. It is important to utilise their pastoral group teacher or learning mentor as the first contact person. Feel free to contact them via email or telephone.

International Women's Day Breakfast

I would like to formally invite students, mothers, aunts and grandmothers to our International Women’s Day Breakfast to be celebrated at the College on March 9th at 7.30am in the Mary MacKillop Centre. Please RSVP via this form below;

Uniform

In term 1 and 4 the College blazer is optional, however the jumper must not be worn as the outer garment. Students are reminded of the college expectations regarding jewellery- no rings or nail polish and only 2 small earrings in each of the lower ear lobes. Students in Year 12 are only permitted to wear the College Year 12 Commemorative Hoodie on Friday.

SunSmart

As Term 1 is often the warmest month and U.V rays are strongest, it is expected that all students wear sunscreen from home. Around the College students are also able to apply additional sunscreen. The likelihood of developing Skin cancer is often developed in adolescents. I encourage families to view the YouTube clip “Dear 16year old me,”

Parking

Families are to use the Harrington Square Carpark when dropping off and collecting students. Over the past couple of weeks a few families have been parking on Maidstone Street, please note that this is a No Standing Zone, as it can become very easily congested. Parking inspectors will be monitoring the situation.

Please do not park over driveways or on people’s nature strip. Late last year we received phone calls from our neighbours in Civic Parade. Again the safest place to collect your daughter at the end of the day is in Harrington Square.

Supervision before School

7:55am - Gates will be opened, students are to remain in Sails & Tenison Woods Learning Centre Courtyard. Byrne Ground Floor Toilets are open for student access. In wet weather the PAC will be open for students.

8.15am - Yard duty commences. Corridors are opened and students can place materials in lockers and begin organising their day.

Student Safety and Wellbeing - A Child-Safe School

At Mount St Joseph Girls’ College we hold the care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people as a central and fundamental responsibility of our school. Our commitment is drawn from and inherent in the teaching and mission of Jesus Christ, with love, justice and the sanctity of each human person at the heart of the gospel (CECV Commitment Statement to Child Safety). Celebrating and affirming all young people in the Charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart, we value the dignity and individuality of each person in our community and seek to live in a community guided by justice and fairness for all.

For our students to flourish academically and in all areas of their lives, it's important that they are happy and enjoy being at school. Their safety and physical and mental wellbeing are of paramount importance to us.

Where Can I go for help?

We encourage any student who feels unsafe to confide in a trusted adult or contact the College's Child Safety Officers, Mr Steven Mifsud and Ms Stacey Bourke in person or by email: childsafety@msj.vic.edu.au

Mobile Phones

Students are able to access their mobile phones at recess and lunchtime. Students are not permitted to use their telephone during classtime, they must be turned off. Students must report to Reception if they are feeling unwell and the First Aid Officer will contact the parents. Students should not contact their parents directly seeking permission to go home early.

Healthy Eating, Healthy Mind

A reminder to families and students that breakfast is an essential meal for the day. Students should not begin school without a breakfast of cereal, toast or yoghurt. A good breakfast establishes good eating routines for the day and fuels our body for learning and physical activity. Students are reminded that the College canteen provides a selection of breakfast items and healthy lunches of garden and fruit salads. Students should not visit Harrington Square before a school day to purchase items.

Absences

A reminder to telephone reception between 8.00 and 9.00 am on 9398 2000 for notification if your daughter is unable to attend school. Students need to provide a note from their parents explaining their absence, which is to be given to their Learning Mentor when they return to school. Notes are not to be written in the diary as staff ar

Student Wellbeing Services

This year, we welcome full time social worker Jacinta McMahon to the College. Jacinta will be working with our full-time psychologist Susha Vance. The team aims to provide the College with short term individual and group counselling, case management, assessment for cognitive, learning, and emotional needs, as well as proactive programs for smaller groups.

Parents are welcome to refer students to the Wellbeing team via the Wellbeing Leader, or Learning Mentor. Staff members may also refer students, and many students refer themselves. Although we encourage students to involve family members in their wellbeing journey, often they wish to keep sessions confidential. We are required by law to maintain confidentiality with students, however not all information that we collect can remain confidential. This is the case for any information that reveals a risk of harm to the student or to any other person. The wellbeing of your daughter is our priority and if we believe she is at risk, parents will be contacted.

If you do not wish for your daughter to access wellbeing services at MSJ please inform the College in writing.

Susha Vance

College Psychologist

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