Student wellbeing

Student Leadership 2023

Further to the information about the Year 11 Leadership Program I wrote about in the last newsletter, it is my pleasure to formally announce the 2023 Year 12 Student Leadership structure. Next year will see the introduction of several new positions as outlined below. 

Applications for all positions closed at 9am on Monday and it comes as no surprise that we have been inundated with a field of very strong applicants. Whilst this will undoubtedly make the appointment process challenging, it ensures we have much to be proud of and look forward to with this new and emerging group of student leaders. We are excited to offer increased opportunities for our students with these new positions. Each leader will work closely with staff and students to implement several new initiatives across the Shelford community. 

Further information regarding the structure will be shared in the coming weeks.

Menzies Emerging Leaders Program

The Menzies Foundation invites 15–17-year-old students to apply to be selected as one of 11, 2022 Menzies Emerging Leaders. Applicants are required to upload two 30-second videos and a visual artefact related to this year’s theme Power – What does it mean to you?

Successful applicants will each receive a $1000 bursary in support of their leadership journey.

Read further details regarding the application process which closes on 11 September.

House activities

On Thursday 4 August, our Year 6 and Year 12 Student Leaders joined forces for our inaugural P–12 House Activities event. This was a totally student devised and lead series of activities which ran over two lessons. Activities included friendship bracelet making, games on the oval, a blindfold build and Just Dance in the Hall. It was a wonderful opportunity for students across our Junior and Senior School to strengthen their House friendships and connections, something that we have certainly missed over the last couple of years. It was such a joy to witness our students simply enjoying spending time together and having so much fun.

Thank you to our wonderful student leaders for all of their hard work and organisation in putting together such a fantastic event. We look forward to it being an annual event.

Child Safe

Shelford Girls’ Grammar is committed to child safety and has zero tolerance for child abuse. Shelford actively works to listen to and empower children and has systems to protect children from abuse.

The new Child Safe Standards came into effect on 1 July 2022. There are now 11 standards which like the previous 7 standards are designed to prevent child abuse in organisations. All Shelford staff have been briefed about the new standards and have ben provided with details about how Shelford is complying with them.

Further information for parents and carers may be found at the links below:

• Victoria’s new Child Safe Standards
• Information for parents and carers
• Tipsheet: Teach your child how to keep themselves safe

If you have any questions about Child Safe or if you have any concerns about the safety of your child, please contact:

• Junior School: Vicky Gemmell – Head of Junior School, Student Wellbeing and Development, vgemmell@shelford.vic.edu.au
• Senior School: Pauline Cutajar – Deputy Principal, Student Wellbeing and Development, pcutajar@shelford.vic.edu.au

Resources

Book extract: How to help your tricky kid deal with peer pressure

In this book extract, clinical psychologist Andrew Fuller shares her strategies to help young people navigate the tricky world of peer pressure.

Article: 10 tips to help your teen out of the procrastination trap

In this article Dr Deborah Trengrove shares her top tips for supporting teens to tackle procrastination.

Pauline Cutajar

Deputy Principal – Student Wellbeing and Development