Welcome, Parents and Carers, to Year 11 - Elizabeth Hayes School. My name is Bridget Piper. It is with much pleasure that I am your daughter’s Year 11 Pastoral Guardian for 2020, supporting her pastorally to reach her potential in her final years of schooling. I hope I have the opportunity of meeting you personally over the coming year.

Year 11 is an important transition year when your daughters are focussed on achieving their very best academically at the beginning of their senior journey to reach their future goals. Over the last week, it has been a joy to get to know the girls, and I look forward to the year ahead as they begin their senior studies in the Elizabeth Hayes School. At our year level meeting, we reminded the students to take up challenges and to do their very best in learning, and, more importantly, to take more initiative in communicating with their teachers, and to be more responsible and more independent in their learning. Taking ownership for choices, setting goals, and learning resilience strategies is part of the independence to prepare for adult life.

Additionally, at the year level assembly, I reminded students to act responsibly regarding the mobile phone use and, of course, the use of their headphones. Thus far, I am pleased that the students are acting responsibly concerning these by leaving phones locked in lockers between 8.30am and 3.05pm and ensuring headphones are used in the classroom only when permitted. I will reiterate the phone polices to the students again on our next assembly as the consequences of non-compliance with college expectations will now result in a Friday afternoon detention. Furthermore, I encourage you to contact the office if you need to speak with your daughter urgently, as the phone should be in the locker.

In addition to the academic focus in Senior years, it is also an important year for a wholehearted participation in the many opportunities that the College offers. I encourage girls to take advantage of the outreach, liturgical, cultural, and sporting opportunities available. To achieve and succeed, goals need to be set and a healthy lifestyle and work balance maintained. We will be focussing on learning how to achieve this balance and strategies for success in our excellent Personal Development lessons designed by our counsellors.

Year 11 is a time where as a cohort the role of leadership becomes more prominent and, over the year, we will be exploring this area in detail. The commencement of leadership in the Elizabeth Hayes School is signalled through taking on the role of a Mentor for a Year 7 student. This is a significant leadership role and one that assists with the transition of our new community members into the College. The girls are to be commended for the way they have taken on this role, and this was evident in the way they involved themselves in the Mentor/Mentee Afternoon yesterday. The afternoon was a great way to further enhance the relationship with their little sisters and evidence of their clear enthusiasm for being a mentor and big sister!

Our Year 10 and 11 Parent Information Evening is scheduled on Tuesday 11 February; this will be a wonderful opportunity to meet Ms Kath Little, the new Deputy Principal - Teaching and Learning, and Mrs Kate Pacey, Teaching and Learning Guardian - Elizabeth Hayes School. At this presentation, the team will communicate the College’s approach to your daughter’s education and development. The evening will focus on having a shared understanding of the Queensland Certificate Education (QCE) and the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), and explore academic supports in place for both students and parents in the year.

We are encouraging senior students to be more independent, and to take the initiative in knowing about college events by referring to the Student Planner dates, Year 11 Matters on Moodle and the College Calendar, and by meeting deadlines and bringing back permission notes.

Please contact me (pipeb@staff.mta.qld.ed.u.au) regarding pastoral issues and Mrs Kate Pacey (pacek@staff.mta.qld.edu.au) regarding academic issues. I look forward to walking with them on this journey over the year.

Bridget Piper

Conversation Starters

What do you see are important leadership qualities?
Who are the leaders you aspire to emulate?
What are your goals for your first year of Senior Schooling?
How are you going to achieve those goals?
How can I assist you to reach those goals?
Tell me about how you will participate in college events.
How will you achieve a balance?

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