Clyde North Campus News

Wellbeing takes centre stage

The world our young people must navigate today is dynamic, rich, complex, and full of opportunities and challenges. Education continues to be one of most effective ways to equip young people with the skills and knowledge they need to make informed and wise choices around friendships, peer and societal pressures and their future. Educating the whole person is a critical feature of the learning and wellbeing programs at St. Peter’s College.

Over the past two weeks, we have been very fortunate to run several wellbeing initiatives across all Year Levels. Significant research, planning and organisation went into ensuring students received access to programs that relate real issues and concerns facing our young people and across the broader community.

The topics covered included:

Sexting
Cyber bullying
Bystander vs upstander behaviours
Safe environments – at school and beyond.
Being you and being ok with that
Try a vet day – careers
Fit to Drive program for Learner drivers
Pat Cronin Foundation – Be wise seminar

Presentations were delivered across a variety of platforms including film, games, and structured workshops and seminars delivered by our staff and external providers.

Feedback from students across all year levels has been incredibly positive generating great conversation, debate and importantly more questions. It is hoped that these sessions will continue to build the agency of students to make wise decisions and talk to trusted adults and peers when needing support.

As part of the suit of Wellbeing Seminars for Senior Students we were incredibly fortunate to have the Pat Cronin Foundation present the Be Wise Education Program. This program introduces young people to the moving but tragic story of Pat whose death was a result of a coward’s punch.

Out of tragedy, Pat’s family have worked tirelessly to celebrate and honour Pat’s life by helping young Australians make wise decisions so together we can end the senseless violence that devastates families and communities.

The Be Wise education programs help young people to create solutions to Be Wise, Think Carefully and Act Kindly. The experienced team of presenters and educators address the psychological, social, and economic impacts of violent acts like the Coward Punch. They encourage students to reﬂect on attitudes and behaviours around anger and aggression and together they discuss strategies to deal with these issues personally, and as mates and bystanders.

The presentations clearly had impact on our students, with many of them commenting on the timeliness of the presentation given the current state of the world. Students openly expressed their gratitude for the school providing this presentation and felt more empowered to develop their own action plan to Be Wise and never use violence. We will continue to develop a closer partnership with The Pat Cronin Foundation so we too can be part of the solution to end violence.

Be Wise. Think carefully. Act kindly.

St. Peter’s Day next week will provide us with the opportunity to celebrate fully all that is great about St. Peter and our College. The Campus will be awash with carnival rides, (I hear the dunking machine will be back), fun House run activities, food and of course the amazing Talent Quest. We will commence the day with Mass and then move into the activities. Students will be permitted to wear casual dress based on a strict dress code. All students will receive a celebratory wrist ban which must be worn during the day, as it provides access to all rides and activities and identifies students as members of the College. Before the day arrives I feel it timely to revisit some of the key lessons we can learn from the life of St. Peter.

Jesus overcomes fear. Whether stepping out of a boat onto a tossing sea Peter found courage in following Christ. “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18).

Jesus patiently teaches. Over and over, Peter needed correction, and the Lord gave it with patience, firmness, and love. The Master Teacher looks for students willing to learn. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go” (Psalm 32:8).

Jesus sees us as He intends us to be. The very first time they met, Jesus called Simon “Peter.” The rough and reckless fisherman was, in Jesus’ eyes, a firm and faithful rock. “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion” (Philippians 1:6).

A prayer for St. Peter’s Day

Dear God, we ask that like Peter, we too will try our best to be fearless, faithful, and patient and learn to love fully in Jesus' name. Amen.

Two reminders:

Lateness: Students are continuing to be late to school with no reason, please address this with your child and insist that they get to school on time. One week left, let us make the most of this precious time.

Car Park: Parents and guardians are respectfully requested not to park in the staff car park and especially in marked spaces, this is becoming both a safety and operational issue for students and staff.

I wish you all a safe and productive week.

Julie Banda

Deputy Principal - Head of Clyde North Campus