MindMatters for Students & Families

• MindMatters Peer Mentoring Activity:  Kayaking & Bushwalking Last Friday
• MindMatters for Families:  A Sense of Wellbeing
• Boxercise - Open to ALL students

MindMatters Peer Mentoring Activity

MindMatters Peer Mentoring Kayaking and Bushwalking Activity to 1st Sailors Bay Scout Boatshed

In the current climate of Education Funding constraints, the MindMatters Peer Mentoring Program (where students in Years 5, 6 and 7  transitioning into the College are supported by linking up with Year 11 and 12 Mentors) was assisted last Friday by some longstanding supporters of the College.

Students work best together when positively oriented on a challenge, activity or goal.  The ANZAC Day Dawn Service offer from former SPX parents and 1st Sailors Bay Scout Leaders, Michael Rohanna and Ed Coates, to use the Scouts facilities for a canoe and bushwalk peer mentoring activity last Friday, was gratefully accepted. Over 30 SPX students were able to spend Friday afternoon kayaking, swimming, and bushwalking together for the afternoon at the Scouts Castlegrag Boatshed, under the generous leadership, safety protocols, and supervision of four Scout Water Safety Staff, their motor launch, and five College staff - Mr Russo, Mr A Brannan, Mr Ticli, Mr Stollery and Mr Lynch.

As we reach the final term of the 2016-2017 House Cup Competition, House Cup points will be awarded to Barron, Rice, Purton and Treacy Senior Mentors who assisted their mentees at the MindMatters activity along with points from recent Year Group Cross Country, Athletics and 80th Anniversary Concert events.

Thank you also to Mrs Kate Vaccher who organised the MindMatters afternoon tea, and to our Old Boys Association and P&F who have assisted with subsidising our transport and safety boat fuel costs to ensure the SPX community event was a safe and inclusive one.

We very much look forward to repeating this community building activity in Term 4 with an increased pool of students, including the use of Northbridge Baths and walking tracks once the water turns warmer again.

Please see Mr Russo or Mr S Brannan for more information or to express interest or support.

Mr Sean Brannan - Head of Student Services

MindMatters for Families:  A Sense of Belonging

A sense of belonging is a basic human need and students with a sense of belonging are more motivated to participate actively in the life of the classroom and achieve academic success.  Belonging is the feeling of being valued, needed, accepted, and meaningfully connected to a social network.

Feeling connected and belonging provides:

• purpose, self-worth and social control
• validation of beliefs and values
• group affiliation
• feelings of comfort, safety and that their efforts are worthwhile
• contributes to positive mental health
• protects against feelings of isolation, anxiety or depression
• reduces the risks of alienation.

Some students don’t feel like they belong at school, perhaps because they don’t feel valued socially or academically.  Without a sense of belonging, the outcome may be:

• feeling cut off, anxious, isolated and unsupported
• avoidance of interactions with others
• feeling less able to weather tough times
• not wanting to do things that might actually make them feel good.

The ideal situation is that every student has the sense that they are valued in some way, and that they genuinely have a place in the school community.  Parents can help influence the way a student feels at school by:

• taking an active interest in your son's education
• by providing opportunities to communicate openly with your son about their successes and failures
• by seeking to reinforce and encourage the positive interactions and relationships which they experience at school with their peers and teachers
• by encouraging your son's active participation in the cocurricula life of the College.

Mr R Russo - College Counsellor

Boxercise

A reminder that Boxercise is held every Thursday and Friday morning at 7.30am in the Junior School playground.  This MindMatters initiative provides friendship, fun and fitness to strengthen students’ resilience and general sense of wellbeing.  Classes are free to all students

Mr R Russo - College Counsellor