Especean

Junior School

Making A Difference

This week, Australia celebrates National Volunteer Week. Did you know that over 1 billion people volunteer worldwide? In the Junior School, our students take part in the Shining Our Light (SOL) Service program in order to educate the boys about the difference they can make to the lives of others in our community. 

 

When we lend a hand to others, we're not only tackling the challenges prevalent in our world, we are also boosting our own spirits along the way. Research affirms what we already know; acts of selflessness and service have a transformative effect on our state of happiness and wellbeing. 

 

Amidst the prevalent wellbeing challenges marked by rising mental health issues, stress, and declining happiness levels, embracing acts of kindness, and making a difference for the planet and for those around us emerges as a potent remedy. It becomes a beacon of hope, radiating light and igniting a cycle of positivity and goodwill.

 

Every small action that our boys do counts. Every act of kindness, moment of service or instance of volunteerism contributes to a better world. As a staff, we love hearing about the various ways that our boys are actively living the Touchstones upon which the College is founded and encourage them to continue to look for opportunities in which they can make a positive difference in the community, one action at a time.

Building Resilience in Students

We are regularly challenged by environmental and personal stressors, with each of us experiencing varying levels of intensity depending on our predispositions, prior experiences, and characteristics. Yet, no matter how optimistic or hopeful you are, it is likely you have experienced stress in many varieties. Our students, like those throughout the country, are not exempt from this fact. Research states that stress is the affective response to situations that demand more than our available resources and thus feel beyond our capacity to cope. Therefore, capacities theorised to build resilience include adaptive cognitive attributions (‘the test was difficult’, instead of ‘I found the test difficult because I am unintelligent’), self-efficacy (‘I am able to work hard for this test’), and our ability to seek support (‘I will utilise the resources available to me’). In other words, the way we see ourselves and how we perceive a given situation will ultimately determine how we respond.

 

Resilience is a buzzword often presented as a prerequisite to success and wellbeing, yet theories postulate resilience as a product of several characteristics. The good news is we can build resilience over time and as such, experiencing stress provides an opportunity to develop skills that will actually buffer it in the future. Research suggests that individuals who engage in social behaviours are more likely to receive positive social feedback that in turn predicts improved functioning, relationships, emotional regulation, and wellbeing. Additionally, individuals who engage in self-reflection gain insight into their own coping strategies that allow for resilient beliefs and coping resources to develop.

 

Below are a number of tips you might like to try at home in order to support your son in managing stress that he is experiencing and building resilience:

  • Validate your child’s experience no matter how big or small the task. Reassure and be available to your child when they are experiencing stress.
     
  • Discuss and encourage your child to engage in self-reflection about their coping strategies when in stressful situations. What has worked for them in the past? What has made them feel better? What has not been effective in resolving the stressor and reducing their emotional strain? What have they learnt for next time?
     
  • Discuss and encourage your child to engage in problem-focused coping to help mitigate stressors by developing a to-do list and prioritising the most important tasks, and by encouraging them to ask for assistance from teachers
     
  • Discuss and encourage your child to engage in emotion-focused coping to help mitigate stressors by taking regular breaks, participating in relaxation exercises, keeping physically fit and engaging in social activities with friends.

By working together in conjunction with our staff, it is our hope that all families will be able to reinforce important management strategies we seek to develop in our students at school in order to equip them with the skills they need to face challenges and overcome obstacles they will no doubt encounter in life.

Early Departure/Late Arrival

Finally, a friendly reminder that if it is necessary for your son to arrive late to school or depart early in the afternoon due to a medical appointment or other event, parents/carers are asked to please ensure that they have sent written communication of this to their son’s classroom teacher at least one day prior to the occurrence. The Junior School teachers thank you in advance for your support with this request.

 

If you have any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me via email (glenn.stephenson@spc.nsw.edu.au) or phone (8705 9247) and I will endeavour to assist you in any way that I can.

 

May God bless you,

 

Glenn Stephenson

Director of Junior School

Year 5 Belonging Day 

As mentioned previously by Mr Leslie, Year 5 boys will be participating in Belonging Day tomorrow, Thursday 18 May. Through this, they will have the opportunity to focus on their relationship with Jesus, better understand Edmund Rice and learn about their own faith.

There has been some confusion about which venues the classes are attending.

  • Year 5 Red, Black and White will be at Parramatta.
  • Year 5 Blue, Green, Gold and Orange will be at Hunters Hill.

Junior School Cross-Country Fundraising

We finally managed to complete the Cross-country last week under clear blue skies. A major aspect of this event is our Lenten fundraising that happens alongside the run.

 

This year the total raised was $30,000.  This will go to assisting our Justice partners through the Edmund Rice Foundation. Well done all!!! 

 

Further funds were also raised throughout Lent, which we are also grateful for. Thank you for putting your faith in action.

 

Stephen Cooper

Junior School Religious Education Coordinator