Pastoral Academic Care

Pastoral Academic Care (PAC) Focus

This week’s Pastoral Academic Care focus is: BE GRATEFUL FOR JOMO (Joy of Missing Out)

Wellbeing Element:    RELATIONSHIPS + EMPATHY

Character Strength:   TEAMWORK

Strengths Booster: FRIENDS’ STRENGTHS

Wellbeing Reality Activities:   BE GRATEFUL FOR JOMO

Parent Wellbeing:         

When someone does something kind for you, go out of your way to pay it forward to at least three other people. They will probably pay it forward also.

Addictions are associated with feeling anxious and experiencing low moods. Many of the addictive behaviours from a decade ago, such as underage drinking, smoking and sexual experimentation have nearly halved, but anxiety and depression have more than doubled. What has occurred is that new more powerful addictions have been created, those being social media and gaming. The other issue is that many parents are attempting to assist their children with these new addictive behaviours, using strategies that aren’t effective anymore. It was once said, doing the same things and expecting different results is insanity. Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) has become such a powerful problem, because so many young people can’t help themselves and are connected 24/7 to not miss out, often resulting in upsetting outcomes. A strategy well worth trying is discussing with students the value of Joy Of Missing Out (JOMO). Essentially, it is about feeling joyful because they choose to not be immersed in the pretend world of social media, where much of what is posted and communicated is about how people would like to be, not how they actually are. JOMO enables students to break the mindless social media addiction through experiencing positive emotions because they are missing out. Acknowledgement: Losada & Fredrickson.

Year 7

Mr James Russell

Settling back into normal life after the obstacles and changes of the past month was never going to be an easy task. To their credit, our Year 7 students have done an admirable job and have settled back into regular school life almost without missing a beat. Classroom learning has been progressing well and students are actively engaging in learning experiences and enjoying the opportunity to learn collaboratively with their peers. Interaction between students has also for the most part, been very positive, but as to be expected we have hit a few minor bumps in the road. In response, we have recently focused quite strongly on students treating each other with respect and kindness. We have emphasised that all students are valued equally at O’Connor and we all have the right to feel safe, supported and happy at school. We have encouraged all students to let us know if they have concerns in their interactions with their peers and would encourage you to let us know if your children are having any issues. Things overall with the Year 7 cohort are progressing very well, but we aim for better. Much like the themes in Palacio’s outstanding book ‘Wonder’ we hope and work towards all of our students developing courage, empathy and kindness. ‘Choose Kind’

Fortunately, O’Connor is an excellent place to work on developing these qualities. Recently students participated in the Vinnies Winter Appeal where students learnt about and were encouraged to donate to the needy. Also, in the last week of term we celebrate the founders of our College. This is possibly one of the best opportunities for Year students to experience and practice these character qualities. The day is centered around celebrating our heritage and the kindness and generosity of spirit that has brought O’Connor to where it is today. The Founders Day Concert is always an absolute highlight and the sense of support and camaraderie on the day is amazing. All students are encouraged to participate and we particularly encourage our Year 7’s to challenge themselves, muster some courage and nominate to join in.

Year 8 

Mrs Katie Biddle

As we all settle back into school, Year 8 are truly showing the skills that they have developed for independent and self motivated learning. Congratulations everyone. In light of this, Year 8 used their literacy lesson this week as a supported study time. Students engaged maturely in this and were able to clearly articulate what they were working on and why. 

In PAC lessons over the next few weeks, students will be reviewing the process of Student Led Conferencing. This involves students reflecting on where they are with their learning, where they are going with their learning and what support they need to get there. This process is done with the support of their PAC teachers. These conferences are set to occur next term. I am looking forward to this valuable process and I am sure that you are too!

I would like to take this opportunity to ask parents to support their children with social media interactions. I acknowledge that social media use can be difficult to monitor, and it is for this reason that it is important that we are vigilant with teaching our children appropriate ways to interact on social media platforms. For more support with this, please check out this link Social media and safety | What can parents do?

Congratulations to those students who received an award at our year assembly today.

Katie Biddle and the year 8 PAC team

Year 9

Mr Lloyd Honnery

Year 9 have started working on their Student Led Conferences, these Conferences will take place early Term 2 and are a chance for students to showcase their skills and learning. Last year was a fantastic introduction to the process and Year 9 will be working hard this year to build on that success. With the changes to our world caused by COVID, the format and location for the conferences might change but the focus on individual achievement will not. 

Don’t forget, Founder’s Day will still be going ahead on the last day of Term 2. This is a wonderful day for students to celebrate the Founders of our amazing educational community and provides an opportunity for other students to showcase their musical talents. We’re looking forward to it!

Unfortunately, our camp at the end of Term 1 was cancelled due to COVID but I am still working with a number of venues to ensure our students get to experience this amazing opportunity sometime in the future. The venue might have to change but Year 9 will still be working on our leadership and teamwork skills as a cohort.

Congratulations all of the students who worked hard to receive Commendations and Year Coordinators awards, Keep up the good work. 

Year 10

Mr Peter McLeish

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” Although Charles Dickens wrote this in 1859 it could easily have been written in 2020. Luckily for the majority of us living in New England, we have remained relatively unscathed by the grief that has gripped much of the world during the Covid-19 pandemic. As we approach the full easing of restrictions towards the end of the month we hope our students' extra curricular activities will reinvigorate their lust for learning and life generally. They really do deserve to be congratulated for the ways in which they have coped during this time.

Over the next couple of weeks and into the early part of next term, Year 10 will be engaging with their PAC teachers to prepare for the Student Led Conferencing scheduled for next term. As part of this process, students will be encouraged to start thinking about the transition process from Stage 5 into Stage 6 of their schooling, the challenges they will face and giving serious thought to their subject selections.

This is also a great opportunity for you to start having conversations with your child based around their future hopes and dreams and what your support and involvement in that process will look like during their senior years. This process must start with selecting the appropriate subjects for Stage 6. Whilst it is important to look for guidance from Leaders of Learning, it is also important for students to select subjects they enjoy and not subjects their friends are doing.

Please feel free to contact me or your child’s PAC teachers as a first port of call at any time to discuss your child’s future at O’Connor. We look forward to hearing from you.

Some happy Year Leader Award recipients in the photo below. Alex, Lauren. Jenna, Lara and Bonnie. It was the first opportunity to actually present them.

Fletcher Schultz deserves a very special mention as the first Year 10 student for the year to receive a College Award. Congratulations Fletcher! 

Peter McLeish (on behalf of the Year 10 PAC team)

Year 11

Mr Mark Fulloon

Year 11 have been quite busy in the last couple weeks and will still remain fairly busy with their academic pursuits until the end of term with assessments and work due. I have also been impressed with the amount of commendations still being issued to Year 11 students, which is a reflection of the hard work that has been going on in various subjects. I was also happy to see the involvement of students in the recent ‘Vinnies’ winter appeal liturgy, which was a great way to show commitment to the wider school community.

Another way for students to continue to contribute to the school community is to be actively involved in Founders Day which is the last Friday of Term 2, I would encourage all students to make themselves available for a special day for the college and to reflect on how O’Connor was founded and why it is such a special day for the school. For the next few weeks of Term 2 I encourage Year 11 to put their best foot forward and continue to work to the best of their ability and be actively involved where possible.

Mark Fulloon (on behalf of the entire Year 11 PAC Team).

Year 12

Mrs Vicki Channon

With the recent COVID-19 situation it was proposed, after much collaboration, that Year 12 students would be given the opportunity to learn at home on Thursdays. This is being trialled until the end of term and there are certain parameters regarding this. A very detailed letter was emailed to all parents and students, so please take the time to read it carefully and if there are any concerns or questions please do not hesitate to contact me or Ms Menz.

Year 12 are now reaching the pointy end of assessment tasks, with only a few left to complete and submit. It is a time when tensions and emotions run a little high and this may be evident at home and at school. Plan your workload, balance school, part-time work, fun things, sport; do one thing at a time and do not treat tasks as a whole - break it down, little chunks if necessary. 

The holidays are fast approaching and this will be a good time for students to have a small break to recover from the very stressful term and celebrate the achievements in completing all assessment tasks except for the Trial HSC exams. It is then important to commence a serious, committed and BALANCED regime of study (along with exercise, fun with friends and family etc…) It is also a super important time for students who are completing major projects - I cannot stress enough that a concerted effort to complete these over the holiday period is essential. This will then allow some breathing space in Term 3 to focus and prepare on course content for the Trial HSC exams in Weeks 5 and 6. 

I would like to remind our leaders and role models of the College (all of Year 12) to follow the uniform policy and wear the uniform as expected. Please refer to the uniform policy if you are unsure. 

Let’s  all pull together and continue a sustained effort for the next 3 weeks. You can do it:)) 

PHOTO: Luke, Abbey, Sahra, Lillian and Charlotte received Year Leader's Awards at Friday's PAC

Vicki Channon (on behalf of the entire Year 12 PAC Team).