Student Wellbeing

From the Deputy Principal - Student Wellbeing

The start of the year is always a busy time as we transition back from the holidays and recommence with school. It has been great to see so many students wearing the new uniform as this has enabled students to make choices around their preferences for wearing the dress, shorts and pants and the weather has allowed the breadth of uniform to be showcased as they entered the gates from Maidstone Street. 

We would like to welcome all Year 7 students and the new students and their families to our Mount St. Joseph Girls’ College Community. We also warmly welcome back all the returning students and their families. 

The College theme for 2019, ‘Have Virtue and Courage in who you become,’ will allow students to strive to be good community members and strive to act as global citizens and they are encouraged to take action by being courageous and virtuous in all we do. Each new academic year provides opportunities for students to meet new people and to celebrate, challenge and affirm our differences and diversity.

Student Led Conferences

It was good to see so many families attend our recent Year 7 Parent Information Night and Student Led Conferences.  We encourage student voice at our College so our students learn to own and direct their learning, wellbeing and faith. Families want to be a part of a community and we are keen to develop partnerships with you here at Mount St. Joseph Girls’ College.  Students attended an interview where a Learning Mentor, students and family/carers deepened their understanding of their child's learning. Thank you to the many families who attended and for those families unable to make the appointment, you are reminded to touch base with your child's Learning Mentor. Having regular conversations around learning will allow your child’s learning to be front and centre and enable any learning concerns to be addressed early.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

We invited ADEC (Action on Disability within Ethnic Communities)  to attend on Thursday 21 February to help families navigate the NDIS and provide support to families. It was pleasing to see some families take up this opportunity. I would like to thank Alyssa McIntyre, a NDIS Specialist that attended on the night. ADEC are happy to provide support should you wish to get further advice. Alyssa can be contacted 9480 7000 or by email to:  alyssa@adec.org.au

Our Wellbeing Team

This year our Wellbeing Team is ably led and supported by: Ms Morlin (Year 7), Mrs Sammut (Year 8), Ms Commadeur (Year 9), Mrs Thompson  (Providence & McCormack) Mrs Duncan (Penola & Kincumber), Mrs Kubacki (Cameron & Solomon)  and myself as the Director of Student Wellbeing.  We also have Mr Steven Mifsud the Deputy Principal of Student Wellbeing. This year we continue to arrange our Senior Learning Mentors – students in Years 10, 11 and 12 into Houses. Each Mentor Group will be supported by the one teacher mentor over the next three years.  We believe arranging students in this format will ensure each learner and their family in the Senior School will be intimately known by one staff member and the same House Leader.  At Years 8 and 9, students have been allocated a Learning Mentor that will oversee the students and these classes are carefully selected to provide optimal learning opportunities for all and at Year 7, we will continue to build our House system and ensure students have a solid support base. 

This year the Wellbeing Leaders are capably supported by hardworking and committed Learning Mentors.   

If you were unable to attend our recent Parent Information Night or Student Led Conference, l encourage you to contact your daughter’s Learning Mentor to introduce yourself. Attached below is the name of each Learning Mentor and their email address.  It is important to utilise their Learning Mentor as the first contact person.  Feel free to contact them via email or telephone on 8398 2000.

International Women's Day Breakfast

Staff, students and their significant female role models are invited to join the MSJ community at this special breakfast on Friday 8 March from 7:00am. The theme is #balanceforbetter as we seek to challenge the inequalities that exist from a gender perspective. 

Uniform

The new uniform looks great and the combinations are working well. The new and old uniform is not to be mixed. In Term 1 and 4, the College blazer is optional, however the jumper must not be worn as the outer garment. Students are reminded of the College expectations regarding jewellery- no rings or nail polish and only two small earrings in each of the lower ear lobes. Students in Year 12 are only permitted to wear the College Year 12 Commemorative Hoodie on Friday. For any further clarification around uniform, a full description is located in student diary. Students are also reminded that the official school bag is required to be used to and from school.

SunSmart

As Term 1 is often the warmest month and UV rays are strongest, it is expected that all students wear sunscreen from home. Putting good practices into place can help reduce damage to the skin that may have longer term consequences. Students should also wear caps during outdoor PE classes.

Parking

Families are to use the Harrington Square Carpark when dropping off and collecting students. Please note that Maidstone Street is a No Standing Zone, as it can become very easily congested and may result in a serious accident.  

Supervision before School

7:55am - Gates will be opened, students are to remain in the Sails and Tenison Woods Learning Centre Courtyard.  Byrne Ground Floor Toilets are open for student access.

8.15am - Yard duty commences. Corridors are opened and students can place materials in lockers and begin organising their day.

Student Safety and Wellbeing - A Child-Safe School

At Mount St Joseph Girls’ College we hold the care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people as a central and fundamental responsibility of our school.

Where can I go for help?

We encourage any student who feels unsafe to confide in a trusted adult or contact the College's Child Safety Officers, Mr Steven Mifsud and Ms Stacey Bourke in person or by email: childsafety@msj.vic.edu.au

Mobile Phones

Students are able to access their mobile phones at recess and lunchtime.  Students are not permitted to use their telephone during class time, they must be turned off.  Students must report to Reception if they are feeling unwell and the First Aid Officer will contact the parents.  Students should not contact their parents directly seeking permission to go home early. Students are reminded that they must be respectful of others when using their phone and conversations around how the phone is being used are encouraged.

Absences