Secondary News

Week 4

Term 1 is always busy with students settling into their new classes, the commencement service, Laptop Roll out to Years 7 and 10, and the Year 7/8 camp at the end of Week 2.

With the laptop rollout it is a timely reminder that as a school we use Edmodo to regularly communicate with students. Types of communication include work being undertaken in class, homework and projects. I would highly recommend that parents create their own parent account. This will allow you to stay up to date as to when projects are due. Ask your child to log onto their Edmodo account. On the home screen there are instructions to invite the parent.

Also, please ensure you are aware of what your child is up to on their electronic devices. I have attached below  a PDF with a number of handouts from the Carly Ryan Foundation with information about some of the different programs your child maybe using, and the risks associated with them. All children are encouraged to work in an open space where their laptop is visible to all. It is essential to remember that electronic devices are tools and that this generation of students need to have the appropriate technological training. I trust you find these resources helpful.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any concerns around these online issues.

Mr Nick Simons

Pastoral Care Leader - Secondary

Year 7/8 Camp

The camp this year again was a great opportunity for staff and students to get to know each other and for the students to challenge themselves, facing their fears. The El Shaddai staff went above and beyond with our students, providing numerous activities including Archery, Raft-Making, Kayaking, Rock Climbing, Laser Skirmish, and much more. Mrs Kluge and Mr Jenkins kept the students entertained in the evenings with activities and lots of laughs. It was a pleasure taking the students and we look forward to watching their progress in the year ahead.

Enjoy some photos of our 3 days together:

Mental Health

by Kody Robertson (Year 12 Student)

Mental health is an ever worrying and ever important aspect of our lives. According to Beyond Blue, approximately one million Australians have a diagnosable depressive disorder, while two million have some sort of anxiety disorder. Mental illness affects us all, whether directly or indirectly, and whether we know it or not.

Despite the ubiquity of this problem, however, there are many misconceptions about these problems. Recently, along with the Eastern Fleurieu School, we listened to Nic Newling speak about his personal experience with mental illness with authenticity and honesty. He told his story, and at the end of the talk he had a Q&A to answer any questions people had.

All of this shed some light on what it’s really like to deal with mental illnesses and the fact that people don’t need to deal with it alone. There are plenty of people dealing with mental illness, and plenty of people more-than-willing to help.