Year 7

Our Year 7s are settling in to secondary school beautifully. The Year 7 Pastoral team are very proud of them for the resilience and enthusiasm they are showing. 

Pastoral Lesson

Every Day 2, from 11:30am to 12:45am, Years 7 to 12 all participate in pastoral learning sessions. In these sessions, we focus on Social Emotional Learning (SEL), which helps to equip students with strategies and skills for living, developing and thriving. We often have guest speakers in this time. In the pastoral assembly on Tuesday 18 February, the Year 7 group gathered in the Hall and met many Year 12s who presented them with their badges. Such initiatives are aimed at strengthening connections and engendering a sense of belonging. Both groups loved this experience.

Police Visit

Recently,  unfortunately there has been a number of robberies and assaults taking place in our streets by youths who randomly stop other youths and demand such things as their shoes, jackets, bags, phones, jewellery and so forth. Sometimes cases are not reported as young people are afraid of retribution. Cases have been reported in Ormond, Mordialloc and Clayton.

Police advice is to give the offenders what they are demanding without pause. Then, to immediately call 000 and find people to help. The offenders are mostly caught very quickly and items are returned. However, if the victim does not give in to demands, there have been violent attacks. Other tips from police were to avoid travelling alone, avoid having earphones in and on a phone whilst walking, avoid isolated places like car parks, be aware of surroundings and walk with your head up. 

House  Meetings

In pastoral assembly, the first House meetings of the year took place to present Year 7s with their House badges and to inform the girls about the upcoming House Swimming Carnival on 28 February. The Year 7s had fun meeting their House leaders and learning chants for the day. They were encouraged to participate, as House points are given for participation as well as placing. I am sure there are many outstanding swimmers in Year 7, but the novelty games give everyone the opportunity to participate. The girls dress up in their House colours on the day, and have enormous fun cheering for each other and their House. Let’s get involved and have fun, Year 7s!!

Journey Day with Dannielle Miller

We were delighted to see so many parents/carers at the Dannielle Miller presentation on the evening of 17 February. Feedback suggested that you all enjoyed the charismatic presentation very much. Dannielle is an engaging, humorous and poignant presenter and I am sure her tips on how to encourage girls to feel strong and to negotiate friendships with grace and dignity were very helpful.

Earlier in the day,  the Year 7s spent time with Dannielle participating in workshops about transitioning to secondary school and how to communicate with others effectively. They called Dannielle "Gorgeous’" and were very enthusiastic about how helpful she was.

Here are some student reflections on Journey Day: Dannielle Miller AKA "gorgeous" shared with us the tragic story when she was little and her burns. She was enthusiastic and open with us, by the end everyone was inspired by her. She showed us how she used to cover up her scars with a skivvy or jumper until she realised one day she didn’t need to cover up.

We started the day with an activity, which would help us focus on the positive things in life using a diary. We designed our own personal diary using ribbons, stickers, hearts and paper to cover the diary and personalise it. This diary was created to help us to be brave and strong and to help us tackle change.

"Gorgeous" taught us some tips on how to manage our stress with a meditation session. We turned all the lights off and then she helped us calm our body and meditate, everyone was so calm that some people nearly fell asleep! Everyone really benefited from this experience.

She showed us how to handle friendships when they get to a bad place. She also gave us some tips that I can share:

Plan ahead  for the conversation

Aim for privacy

Focus on how you feel                  

Be specific  but don’t go back in time focus on what has just happened

Offer time to the other person to think about what they are going to say

Be calm

Be assertive

Expect attention

Use support if necessary

End on a good note

Once we had finished our affirmations, we said a prayer about the College, we all held hands and said a pledge for the girls/women.   

"Gorgeous" gave everyone a present at the end. She gave us a purple  wristband with two special symbols on it, a crown and a butterfly. The crown represents that we are princesses and to always stand tall because one day you will achieve big things (becoming the Queen) and the butterfly shows that change can happen and transform your life no matter who you are or what state of mind you are in. You wear the wristband on your left hand for 21 days to show that you are a learner and once you complete your challenge, you move it to your right hand.

Caitlyn Wareham, Airlie Smith,

Olivia Simurina, Helena Siliga 

and Stella Uberti

Year 7

Year 7 Camp

The Year 7 Camp to Lord Somers is taking place from March 16 to 18. The program being offered is very exciting and the girls will experience a range of activities including kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, screen printing t-shirts, pizza making and team building games.

Further details regarding the Camp will be emailed shortly.

Best wishes for the weeks ahead.

Kath de Bruin

Level Leader: Year 7