Year 11 Pastoral Guardian

On day one of Term 4, it was so wonderful to greet a refreshed and happy cohort of Year 11s.  The students have worked so hard this year and bonded even more so as a cohort, knowing that they are the trailblazers of the new system, in it together, boots and all.  They have an admirable spirit and genuine positivity.  I started my classes with, “Right!  Let’s go!  Unit 3!"  A resounding "Yeh !!!!!!;   and we all know that this means we have reached our summative stage in which all the learning building blocks of skills in the formative stage are being actioned.   I even heard from reliable sources that the Maths classes were excited about their new textbooks!  There is such a feeling of a culture of learning and aiming for doing the best one can do individually and as a cohort.

Therefore, it was timely that our first PD session this term was an inspiring and provocative TED Talk about the positive benefits of stress as being normal in building resilience and accepting and rising to challenges.  One message was that, if you adopt a positive attitude to stress, it can assist you to achieve at a higher level. 

On the note of ways to manage stress, a positive initiative of Ms B’s has been the ESK Move and Groove activities every two weeks for senior students.  In these activities, the Year 11s move away from their chairs, laptops, and books to take part in  range of rotational physical, relaxing, and enjoyable group activities such as ball games and basketball, scavenger hunts and fun games, meditation and yoga, and even a stroll down Somerset Road to the Farmhouse for a milkshake.  It was lovely to see the girls smiling, connecting, and chilling for one hour as a healthy distraction from the demands of a school day.  When I interviewed my group, they said that they had enjoyed this less structured time to be outside and connect.  In other sessions in ESK, study sessions and individual teacher tutoring sessions have been scheduled as requested by students and teachers.  Overall, a healthy balance is the way to be in control and manage the final stage of school learning.  Thanks, Ms B!

Year 11s continue to shine and demonstrate leadership in preparation for their graduation year as leaders in 2020.  2020 captains were announced at the Cultural Festival, and I extend congratulations to the future captains who will work closely this term with the 2019 captains to guide them.

I wish to commend the dedicated Year 11 students who volunteered for the Sony Camp this year at Marist College in the first four days of their holidays after an extremely busy Term 3.  It was challenging yet rewarding, and demonstrated their commitment to Franciscan values of service.

Year 11s continue to step up as a cohort to service and leadership and I am proud to be their Pastoral Guardian.

Karen Farrow