Year 9 Proactive Programs 

On Wednesday, 24 April, Year 9s took part in the inaugural proactive programs day. The purpose of the day was to build students’ feelings of connection to one another and the school, as well as focussing on our key school values of respect and a commitment to protect one another’s wellbeing.

In the morning, a guest speaker from the Pat Cronin Foundation spoke to the students about the dangers of coward ‘one punch’ attacks. The story of Pat Cronin, the victim of a coward punch in April 2016, was shared with the students in order to raise awareness and educate young people to understand that conflict resolution should never involve violence. At the end of the talk, a number of students stood up to volunteer their thoughts and summarise what they had learnt having listened to the presentation. A clear message about respectful behaviour was shared and discussed.

The middle session of the day saw the students working in their home groups with their Year Level Coordinators and members of the Well Being team. Having been reminded of the importance of respectful behaviour in the morning, the discussion then turned to ways in which young people can protect one another. Students were engaged in meaningful discussion about ways they can up-stand and challenge behaviours they view to be inappropriate, disrespectful and dangerous. All home groups then created and signed a pledge to mark their commitment to protect every member of the St Albans Secondary College community.

After lunch, students collected out on the oval where an inflatable assault course had been set up.  Each home group took it in turns to run the gauntlet against another home group. The students embraced the challenge head on and there were many cheers of encouragement and support, a great deal of laughter and celebrations at the end. Congratulations to 9E who won the challenge, with all of the students making it through the course in record time. They will celebrate their victory with a pizza lunch in the coming weeks. It was a wonderful way for the students to connect with one another; especially when they saw a team of teachers attempt to complete the course too. Thank you to all everyone who joined in on the fun.

The key messages of ‘respect’, ‘protect’ and ‘connect’ will be delivered in a number of ways throughout the year and recognised in assemblies.

Becky Annetts

Middle Sub School Leader