Student Wellbeing

From the Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing

Life presents itself with many opportunities and many experiences that can be transformative and deeply powerful.  At MSJ,  we offer all members of our community an array of experiences and learning opportunities to support the individual in reaching their full potential.  In recent weeks, l have been struck by the many students who soak up the experiences provided and engage with the formal and informal learning.

I have been impressed by the many students who continue to be active and soak up the varied experiences from MMADD Day, Open Day, the College Assembly and the Youth Justice Ministries. I believe that it is these students who ultimately gain most of their learning at MSJ.  Learners who participate in the fullness of College life develop excellent organisational skills, refine social skills and learn to live with others in respectful relationships.

The House Colours system is an integral part of the wellbeing, learning and faith life of our College and l encourage each student to take advantage of the many opportunities available.  Each student should aim to receive at least one House colour stripe on their blaser at the end of each College year.  A student receives a strip once they have earned 8 points. The program encourages school pride, leadership and an opportunity to meet other students and different teachers.  Encourage your daughter to participate and celebrate learning and life.

Child Safety

Last week students in Years 7 – 9 participated in a Child Safety Presentation designed to inform and educate our young women of their rights, responsibilities and the importance of forming trusting and respectful relationships. The presentation covered aspects of respectful relationships, recognising physical symptoms when not feeling safe and how to respond when one does not feel safe.  As parents, it is important we revisit Safe Practices with our daughters; we cannot assume that our children know what to do when they feel unsafe.  I encourage parents to discuss safety plans when they take their daughters to parties or encourage independent behaviours such as travelling into the city or when they are in paid employment.

The College continues to work with our Child Safety Team to promote best practice and understanding in ensuring each of our students feels safe, valued and respected.  Currently the team is working on social media, and electronic protocols between students, staff and families.  If you would like to contribute to the discussion or be part our team please feel free to contact me at the College.

The Child Safe Team comprises of:

Ms Kate Dishon, Mr Steven Mifsud, Mrs Danielle Fairthorne, Mrs Maree Ryan and Ms Kelly Smith  (parent representatives), Celine Lopez (Year 12) and Mia Paladino (Year 10) as student representatives.

As we enter the winter months and the days seem to be getting shorter, darker and more miserable, l invite all members of our community not to retreat into our homes or into ourselves, but rather continue to embrace the fullness and breadth of living in a diverse and wonderful community.

Living Arrangements/ Court Orders/ Family Orders

To best support your daughter the College needs to know of changes to addresses, living arrangements and telephone numbers.

The Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing must be informed of any special circumstances that may affect a student.  If custody and access has been determined by court orders, then the original court order must be made available for our office to make a copy.

Uniform Review

The College would like to undertake a review of our student uniforms.  We are forming a working team to review and make recommendations to the College Stewardship Team and Board.  If you would like to be part of this team, could you please contact me at the College by emailing smifsud@msj.vic.edu.au.

Fostering the relationship with our daughter

Below are reminders of strategies to support your daughter through her learning, importantly it highlights the pivotal role of parents.

• Build self confidence; allow your daughter to make mistakes and use those opportunities to teach her something about herself.
• Promote the success of your daughter.
• Set high but realistic expectations; your daughter should know that you believe she can achieve, do not accept second best, demand the best that she can achieve.
• Show your support and enthusiasm; listen, respond and do
• Create a study space and stay organised; provide a quiet space
• Encourage learning at home; discuss what you have learnt
• Adolescents need at least nine hours sleep a night
• Limit television, social networking sites and electronic games

D&M@MSJ Reflections

Thank you to the many parents who attended D&M, we have had many positive comments.  The evening had many opportunities for mothers to connect with their daughters in a quiet and peaceful space.  Please have a look at the PowerPoint  as presented by Dr Carmel Ferreti, a local psychologist by clicking HERE

Tuning In to Teens

As part of our ongoing commitment to work in partnership with our parents we have negotiated with MacKillop Family Services to offer 'Tuning into Teens.'  It is a free six week parenting course that will be offered at the College beginning on July 26th at 6.30pm – 8.30pm in the Tenison Woods Learning Centre.  The College can also provide free child care if it is needed.  If you are interested in attending please email me: smifsud@msj.vic.edu.au

'Tuning in to Teens: Emotionally Intelligent Parenting' is a program that helps parents to build strong relationships with their teenagers and enables them to communicate even in difficult times.

The six sessions cover:

Session 1            The foundations of emotion coaching teens

Session 2            Connecting and emotional acceptance

Session 3            Building intimacy and showing empathy

Session 4            Emotion Coaching adolescent worry and sadness

Session 5            Emotion Coaching and anger

Session 6            Emotion Coaching: now and in the future

Steven Mifsud

Deputy Principal - Student Wellbeing