St Augustine's College Kyabram

9-12 Community News

We are almost half way through the term and the students in the 9-12 Community continue to build on their positive start to the year, involving themselves fully in the life of the College.  At this stage of the term, coursework is in full swing, with assessment tasks underway at all levels, including important OATs (Outcome Assessed Tasks) at Year 11 and SACs and SATs (School Assessed Coursework, School Assessed Tasks) at Year 12. The way in which our Year 12s are using their study lessons has been very pleasing, setting a great example to other students.     

    

Our Student Leaders have made significant contributions to College life this week. On Tuesday, we recognised Shrove Tuesday, with our Student Leaders cooking over 800 pancakes for students, families and staff and our Catholic Social Teaching Leaders helped conduct the College Ash Wednesday liturgy.

 

The hot weather last week led to the postponement of the House Swimming Carnival, but we look forward to this event being held in a few weeks time, on 9th March. Similarly, the Unit 3 Outdoor and Environmental Studies excursion to study the impact the Murray River and Barmah Forest have had upon the region will be held on 3rd March. 

 

Next week, an important VCE/VCE-VM information session will be provided to the Years 11 and 12 students. A link to this information and presentation will be provided to parents/guardians through an Operoo letter.  We ask parents/guardians to ensure that they access this letter and make themselves familiar with the relevant information, procedures and guidelines. If you have any questions relating to this information, please contact the College.

 

In closing, we wish to acknowledge the sad events of this week, in which we lost a member of the 9-12 Community, Zayden Pell. Our thoughts are with Zayden’s family and friends and all those who are grieving and we commend the way in which the entire St Augustine’s community have shown their support and care for each other in this sad time. We are truly blessed to have such wonderful supportive students and families at our College. Let’s continue to look out for, and after, each other.  

 

Michelle Downie                         Brad Downie

9-12 Community Leader           9-12 Community Leader

Wellbeing                                      Student Learning and Professional Practice

 

Wellbeing advice and support for students and families

 

We understand the passing of our good friend and fellow student, Zayden, will be a challenging situation to navigate over the coming days, weeks and months. We encourage you to make your mental and emotional health and wellbeing a priority as we work through this together.

 

It is important that you take the time to reflect, acknowledge your emotions, rest up and support each other.

 

If you are worried about a peer, yourself, family member or other member of the community, please communicate these concerns with a member of the Wellbeing Team. These members are Sandy Carver, Jake Kelly, Michelle Downie and Carolyn Goode. Any method of contact is fine - an email, conversation in person or a phone call.

Our Wellbeing Team are trained in the area of grief and it's important to reach out to those who are trained in such areas. 

 

If worries or distressing thoughts persist, the Wellbeing Team can ensure you are supported professionally and are very well connected to services, both within the school community and externally, throughout the Goulburn Valley and Campaspe Shire. 

 

We have put together a list of resources to help support you, if needed.

 

Support services for teens

headspace - lot of great information and support for teens

 https://headspace.org.au/explore-topics/for-young-people/grief-and-loss/

 

Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800 (for telephone or online counselling for teens and children)

Grief Australia

https://www.grief.org.au/ga/Content/Information-Sheets/Adolescents_and_Grief.aspx 

 

Support services for parents

  • Parentline 13 22 89 – counselling and support for parents and carers of children aged 0-18, 8am-midnight, 7 days a week
  • Lifeline 13 11 14 (24 Hour telephone counselling)
  • Visit your GP when open/available for more ideas for mental health support
  • Mental Health Regional Triage Service 1300 363 788 (24 hours a day, 7 days per week)

Apps for the family

  • Calm 
  • Smiling Minds     
  • Clear Fear (for managing worry and anxiety)

 

The document below has been published by Campaspe and Murray Shires to support our local families and contains lots of information and valuable resources.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

The Wellbeing Team

Years 9 and 10 Food Technology

Years 9 and 10 Food Technology students will be cooking a range of dishes during their Eat Well Be Well Unit in Term 1. 

 

They have been learning about the digestive process and the nutritional components of the food we eat as well as reviewing the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. During practical sessions, students have made a healthy summer bolognese, chickpea fritters and an almost vegan chocolate cake. Some crowd favourites such as cottage pie and chow mein will feature on the menu in the coming weeks.

 

Students are reminded to bring a container for their classes which are held on Tuesday or Wednesday. 

 

Amanda Clohosey

Teacher