LEADERS OF WELLBEING REPORTS
All articles published week beginning 30 March 2020
Year 7
This week has signalled a new era in the guardian/teacher/student relationship. We are now really working as a team to provide the best care and access to education to every one of your children. We hope that this new development in the COVID-19 saga has been a smooth transition for you and your family.
We do know, however, that there are going to be loads of stumbling blocks in this online learning world and lots of it will be trial and error. For this reason, we have attached a link to assist you with using google classroom as parents:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/13sKijPpHJTOk0VHHpzTfpWKqECHipwEV/view?usp=sharing
In saying this, our number one concern is the wellbeing of your child. The past few weeks have been filled with uncertainty and anxiety; you have probably noticed your child displaying signs of unrest. This is very normal and is to be expected. There are many resources available that have contained up to date information on how we can best support our children in this current climate:
Student wellbeing Hub - https://news.studentwellbeinghub.edu.au/link/id/zzzz5e7aac90ea8ab312Pzzzz5d4a26a6154d5773/page.html
The Black Dog Institute -
https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/COVID-19
Reachout Australia -
In order to provide some sense of normality and engagement with their own wellbeing, the Year 7 students have been provided with a ‘Wellbeing Bingo’ activity via their Google Classroom. There are various activities available for them to complete, with a focus on family, reinforcing relationships (often in a non-traditional, online way) and reflection. There is an added incentive of a prize if they complete the entire sheet. Miss Kelly and Mrs Passlow will meet with students each Monday morning via the Google Meets application and homeroom teachers will also touch base with students twice a week. We are aware of the importance of connecting and supporting our students and we will continue to do this remotely throughout their time away from school.
If you would like to get in contact with the school regarding anything wellbeing, please do not forget the Year 7 Homeroom Teachers are your first point of call for anything wellbeing. Their contact information can be found below:
Browning 1 - Ms Erin Lawler Erin.Lawler@trac.nsw.edu.au
Browning 2 - Mr Paul Hayward Paul.Hayward@trac.nsw.edu.au
Fox 1 - Miss Hannah Hogg Hannah.Hogg@trac.nsw.edu.au
Fox 2 - Mr Ryan Robertson Ryan.Robertson@trac.nsw.edu.au
Sheppard 1 - Mr Justin Buckley Justin.Buckley@trac.nsw.edu.au
Sheppard 2 - Mrs Megan Bromley Megan.Bromley@trac.nsw.edu.au
Stanley 1 - Mrs Vivien Daniher Vivien.Daniher@trac.nsw.edu.au
Stanley 2 - Mrs Helen Foster Helen.Foster@trac.nsw.edu.au
Lauren Kelly | Leader of Wellbeing - Year 7
Browning and Sheppard House
Elizabeth Passlow | Leader of Wellbeing - Year 7
Fox and Stanley House
Year 8
Welcome to the Week 10 edition of our Year 8 report for Term 1. Our main aim for the next two weeks is to ensure a smooth transition into TRAC Online for our Year 8 students, and ensure that your child is taking the time to prioritise and boost their own wellbeing. In our last two Year meetings, Year 8 have been working through the attached document (‘Maintaining your Wellbeing in uncertain times’). This looks at the PERMA+ model of wellbeing that was outlined within newsletters in Year 7 and some areas to focus on/develop in order to proactively boost wellbeing.
On Monday, we held our first virtual Year Meeting. If you would like to catch up on what was covered, I would love for you to view the clip on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew2sdbb7fLs).
It is crucial that over the next two weeks and beyond, that we are able to create a cohesive learning and wellbeing team between yourselves, your child and our Year 8 wellbeing staff. Please ask any questions that you have, as these are new and challenging times for all. I would like to gauge interest in a Year 8 Parents Q & A on Google Meet, one evening early next week (Week 11). This will enable you to experience one aspect of the TRAC Online learning environment, whilst also being able to ask any questions that you may have. Please reply to luke.richardson@trac.nsw.edu.au if this is something that you may be interested in.
As the assessment schedule has not yet been released, we would just like to keep you updated on the upcoming assessment tasks over the next two weeks (these may have been adjusted since the move to TRAC Online):
- English due in Week 10
- Visual Art due in Week 10
- French due in Week 11
Moments of Joy over the last fortnight
- seeing the vast majority of our students joining in on our first virtual Homeroom. As I visited each Homeroom Google Meet, it was fantastic to be able to see so many enthusiastic faces who were embracing the change that was in front of them. I hope you were also able to join in Mr Tyndall’s Chapel service livestream, and perhaps even joined in singing the College Hymn. What a great surprise I had when I joined Browning 1’s homeroom, to find Harry setting the mood with his talents on the guitar and in song. This is the sort of opportunity that this online environment can provide (as well as getting to meet a lot of pets on the webcam, something that our Year 8s just seem to love!)
- being able to have some meaningful conversations with your kids before they started their learning from home. I loved hearing some of the mature and positive comments, such as “of course I’ll come to school while I can, I love seeing my friends”, and “I hope this doesn’t last too long, I really like coming to school”.
As always, if you would like to discuss your child’s wellbeing and flourishing here at the College, please don’t hesitate in sending an e-mail or calling either of us.
Luke Richardson | Leader of Wellbeing - Year 8
Jennifer Jenkins | Assistant Leader of Wellbeing - of Year 8
Year 9
It has been a great start to our Online Learning. I was so excited to see 85 students involved in our Monday morning Year Group meeting. Everyone followed instructions and contributed in such a positive manner. I am having the same experiences with my classes, as are many other teachers that I have spoken to.
Students were given a task during the Year meeting that has been loaded on to our Google Classroom to complete over the next two weeks. This includes activities such as creating and sharing playlists, setting up a face time session with some family or friends and looking at some wellbeing resources. I look forward to seeing the progress of these throughout the week.
The Stanley and Fox students met with their Homeroom teachers today and Browning and Sheppard will have their turn on Thursday. This will be followed by all students meeting with their Homeroom teachers on Friday. This is a great opportunity for students to air any concerns and ask any questions but also for the teachers to touch base and see how they can assist students with their online learning. We cherish the opportunity to interact with the students, and school is definitely not as enjoyable without them.
I hope everyone is staying well and finding a way to connect with people outside of their immediate household. I look forward to hearing from you and if you have any questions or concerns please contact myself or Isaac Mannion.
Emma Smith | Leader of Wellbeing - Year 9
Issac Mannion | Assistant Leader of Wellbeing - Year 9
Year 10
In just a quick fortnight our lives have changed dramatically. The current Covid-19 pandemic is a very serious concern for all people around the world. Prior to writing this article I have reflected on what does one write about in such a situation? I have continually come to the conclusion that discussing how my fortnight has evolved and consequently my feelings. As I sit here writing to you all I feel a myriad of emotions, and I am sure the feeling of “just not knowing” what is to come, is a great concern. However, I have great confidence in our medical professionals, both those who are treating this virus and responsible for finding us a vaccine. I know I am extremely proud but also concerned for my sister, who is one of these doctors at the forefront of this pandemic in the emergency department. Many families' will face such concerns and new challenges, with life circumstances changing for many people in a short space of time.
I feel very sad that I will not return to work Monday to see the usual hustle and bustle of the school yard and your children there. I have always strongly believed that something our College does like no other school, is create a sense of community and care. Upon reflection I now understand this is why I am feeling a little sad, a little flat and a sense of loss. I will not be entering the same community that we have built over the past twenty years and more specifically that your children have created for me as a year group. Each one of your children has made me smile, laugh, feel proud, excited (sometimes frustrated; let’s face it I feel like a mother of over 100 children), furthermore my interactions with you as their parents and guardians are a large part of my week.
Whilst I feel this sense of loss, I have a great sense of excitement and confidence for the challenge that online learning will bring for both our children, parents and myself. I consider myself to be a capable user of technology and have sought this current delivery of education to improve my skills and challenge me to do better as a professional. Having spent a tremendous amount of time with my colleagues over the past few days sharing ideas, teaching each other and supporting one another it has been uplifting to be part of such a journey. In this, I see an opportunity for students to take advantage of becoming young adults. Learning will look different for the near future for your children, that doesn't mean it is worse or better; it means exactly that, it is different. Like any situation there are positives and negatives.. I chose to work with the positives and knowing our year group, I believe they have the skills to continue their learning at home.
At the forefront of my priorities is your child’s wellbeing. We will continue to run Year meetings on Monday mornings and a homeroom session for your child with their homeroom teacher. Whilst it might be tempting to fill your child's day with school work and chores; please take stock and think. After spending two full days preparing to deliver online learning, my brain was fried! I ached for a long walk outside, a chat with my family and some trashy TV. Let your child lead their learning, this may mean they begin their day at 5am and knock off by lunch time? Maybe they like to stick with the school timetable to keep their usual routine, let them figure this out. When have we ever had a “pause” like we currently do? Our lives have become increasingly busier and materialistic, use this as an opportunity to slow down. Whilst I am missing the idea of having my usual activities to look forward to the Netball and Football season, catching up with friends and travelling away, I have changed my new normal and thought about things I haven't had the time to do in the past, I am going to do some gardening, learn how to knit, read some books and make some phone calls to all those people I keep telling myself I need to call! Oghh, and brush up on my technological skills.
Now more than ever we are all clinging to ‘normal’ in whatever way we can. Is it totally appealing to stay in PJs all day considering our regular routine is no longer existent. I would encourage you to ensure your child is getting dressed for the day (weekdays), looking after their hygiene, exercising at least 60 minute per day to meet recommended physical activity guidelines, I know our PDHPE department have developed some great practical lessons and challenges for the students, speaking regularly with their friends and checking in, doing something they enjoy everyday and taking a break from devices for at least an hour before bedtime and more importantly enjoying time together as a family. I am also aware some of you may not be able to be home with your children, I have and will be in this situation. This has once again created a feeling of conflict, I have felt guilty I am not home with my children for long periods of time, but I have also felt proud as I have arrived home to talk to my children about their days, who have completed their learning on their own and a few extra jobs for the day.
Please do not hesitate to get in contact with me for any reason, even if it is just a chat, I also would encourage your child to make contact via email if they have any concerns. On another note it is recommended we wash our hands in warm soapy water for at least 20 seconds more than three times a day for hygiene reasons- this correlates to your children doing the washing up at least three times a day!
This is what online learning might look like to begin with, take it slow, take it easy and take a break when needed.
The beginning of online learning
Meegan Farmer | Leader of Wellbeing - Year 10
Trevor Dawson | Assistant Leader of Wellbeing - Year 10
Year 11
How Are you?
I have started to send out emails to students with the above title. This is a way that I can keep in touch with the students, and they are aware that I am thinking of their Wellbeing during these times. I am also asking the students if there is any assistance I can give them. It was pleasing to see that some students accepted the support! I have included all Homeroom teacher’s email addresses below for both parents and students to access.
Homeroom
Monday 30 March 2020 saw the inaugural Year 11 Meeting ONLINE! The students were spectacular! We had high attendance; they were respectful and incredibly supportive of each other. I am so blessed to work with a fantastic group of young people. The students were given advice on how to organise themselves at home, online etiquette, which included that all Google Meets must consist of at least three members. This can consist of a parent or teacher present if a student requires individual assistance. The powerful message that was expressed during the live Year Meeting was that the Year 11 Wellbeing Team are here to support the students in any capacity.
The following links were made available to the students via Google Classroom.
Managing Wellbeing through Covid-19 and Remote Learning Guidelines
NESA
NESA is continuing to work closely with the NSW Government to ensure a continuity of learning for students, along with ongoing safety and health of students, teachers and parents.
The current advice is below. NESA is updating guidance daily and as circumstances change, in line with the NSW Government Announcements. Please read the NESA ADVICE and share the information as required.
Birthday Shout Outs For the Month of March!
Brooke Boxshall Tahlia Lewry
Maelle Dumas Shanika McLachlan
Anwyn Francis Emerson McLaren
Cayleb Harris Joe Perryman
Josh Hosie Toby Stone
Zoe Jenkins Annabelle Taylor
Roni Kadmon Jones Andrew Trenaman
Lillian Kelleher Abby Wood
All the best, and stay safe.
Amall.Liakatos@trac.nsw.edu.au
Patricia.Humble@trac.nsw.edu.au
Kylie.Woodgate@trac.nsw.edu.au
Lindie.Mannion@trac.nsw.edu.au
Amall Liakatos | Leader of Wellbeing - Year 11
Kelly Bowen | Assistant Leader of Wellbeing - of Year 11
Year 12
Just a quick message to check how the online learning, and more importantly wellbeing is going for both you and the students.
It has been heartening to see so many logging into Google Meets for homeroom and year meetings this week. Catching up virtually, while not as good as face to face, is certainly an integral part of guarding against social isolation.
NESA has made announcements about some of the practical subjects - including no work placements for VET courses, and cancelling group performance for drama and ensemble performances for extension music.
Please feel free to get in contact with either of us about any concerns, or just to touch base and let us know that things are going ok. Acting Director of Students Ross Kennedy, College Chaplain Gareth Tyndall and College Counsellor Michael Lance are also available.
I will also provide you with email addresses for the Year 12 homeroom teachers, who are also a good basis point. You will need to check with your child which homeroom teacher they have.
Homeroom contact
Fox 1 - Mr Michael Glanvill Michael.Glanvill@trac.nsw.edu.au
Fox 2 - Mrs Jenny Freeman Jenny.Freeman@trac.nsw.edu.au
Sheppard 1 - Mr Michael Lance Michael.Lance@trac.nsw.edu.au
Sheppard 2 - Ms Vanessa Mikelans Vanessa.Mikelans@trac.nsw.edu.au
Browning 1 - Miss Belinda Seibert Belinda.Siebert@trac.nsw.edu.au
Browning 2 - Mr Alex Sarantakos alex.sarantakos@trac.nsw.edu.au
Stanley 1 - Ms Maureen Glendining maureen.glendining@trac.nsw.edu.au
Stanley 2 - Mr Colin Wright colin.wright@trac.nsw.edu.au
Dane Fuller | Leader of Wellbeing - 12
Kim Kjaer | Assistant Leader of Wellbeing - 12