PAC

Pastoral Academic Care (PAC) Focus -Strength  of Self-talk

This week’s Pastoral Academic Care focus is Strength  of Self-talk

Wellbeing  Element: Positive  Engagement

Character  Strength: Hope

Wellbeing  Fitness Challenge:Feel  Good Menu

Wellbeing  Reflection Activity:Positive  Self-talk (refer to http://learningcurve.com.au)

Parent  Wellbeing:  Your self-belief  is built upon you  mastering things and  this relies on you setting  goals to achieve, called creating willpower and way-power. Describe how  you currently set goals and what you could  do to show you do this.

Often  the most  negative messages  students receive come from their own self-talk in their heads. This tends  to happen when they are under pressure and have a fixed mindset that there is nothing they can do about their issues and beyond their control. Combine this with the turbulence of the adolescent brain  and the recipe is there for frequent stress and anxiety  attacks.

One  of the  best, positive  coping strategies  we can teach students  is the power of positive  self-talk. In fact, it will  benefit our state of wellbeing  to use it often too. Positive self-talk  is the use of I can and I will statement,  that students say over and over to themselves  in their heads. Doing this, contests the negatives and focuses them to start looking for what is right in what  they are doing.

The  key to  making positive  self-talk most effective  in maintaining growth mindsets,  is to use it immediately negative  thoughts enter their minds. When used  well, these statements act as excellent  off ramps for negative thinking and fixed  mindsets. Positive self-talk is about using their  strengths to believe in their internal control.

“If  it is  to be it  is up to me.”  

Year 7

Year 7 are in the process of having their devices set up to be used at school; however, there are still some students who do not have a device to bring. If you need more information please contact me so we can have all students prepared for their learning.

In PAC, students have been working with their teachers to reflect on Semester One reports and set meaningful learning goals for Term 3. Year 7 will be participating in the Real Talk workshop day Tuesday 7th August, and parents are strongly encouraged to attend the parent evening on Monday 6th (refer to Principal’s report for more information).

Pastoral Academic Care Update

Year 8

Yolanda Kreuzen is the new Year Leader for Year 8. Her contact is ykreuzen@arm.catholic.edu.au. She welcomes this position and looks forward to working with Year 8.

Year 8 have made a positive start to the term and are working on reflecting on their learning goals from Term 2. All students should be working towards implementing meaningful learning goals for Term 3. Our Pastoral Academic Care focus this term is R U Ok? Students are learning about the signs when someone might not be ok. They are learning about strategies to use when they aren't feeling ok or how to have a conversation with a friend who isn't ok.

Year 8 boys and girls will be playing netball at the regional finals in Tamworth on the 9th of August. Parents are encouraged to come and support the team. Payments for this are due on Friday the 3rd. Good luck to all students competing.

Thank you to all parents and carers who attended parent teacher interviews. It was wonderful to see such a large turnout. If you couldn't make interviews and would like to meet with teachers please email or call to arrange a time.

A warm welcome to Kael Streeting and Stephanie Milenkovic who started at O’Connor this term we wish them all the best in their transition.

Year 9

The Year 9 Real Talk student workshop will be on Wednesday  August 8 (all day). An information and parent night will be held on Monday 6th of August and we would like to see as many parents as possible support this important program. (refer to the Principal’s report for more information).

The Year 9 camp is set for the 17th-19th September at the Lake Keepit Sport and Recreation Centre, the last instalment payment for the camp is due on Friday August 10. It is my hope to have all student camp registrations sorted out well before we depart for our camp. Students and families will have to complete the registration online which covers the risk assessment for the camp and any other information important to ensuring a safe and comfortable experience for our students. Students will receive instructions when they need to complete this for the camp. Prompt payments will ensure that planning can be completed as soon as possible.

Welcome to Amy Schuman who has started here at O’Connor this term, we wish her all the best in her new school community.

Year 10

Year 10 are in the process of deciding on subject choices for their Senior Studies in 2019. An afternoon/evening was held to allow students and parents/carers to be informed of NESA requirements, along with individual discussion of subjects available and the various Maths, RE and English courses that will be on offer. It is imperative that this form is returned promptly so that the process of creating lines can commence.

A wellbeing day has been planned for Thursday 13th September. This day will involve guest speakers on a range of topics relating to physical, social and mental health. Students will also enjoy some quality time together as a group.

Welcome to Sarah Clark who is a new student joining our cohort.

Year 11

Year 11 have a new PAC Leader, Mr James Russell and he is really looking forward to encouraging and supporting your children as they complete their Preliminary and transition into their HSC year. If you have any questions or concerns he can be contacted by email at jrussel2@arm.catholic.edu.au . Yr 11 have started the term with a strong focus on study skills and preparing for upcoming exams. Exams will be held during Week 9 of term starting Monday, 17th September. Following this, the Yr 11 annual Retreat will take place in Sydney from September 23 through to September 27. Students can look forward to an excellent range of exciting and engaging activities during this time. This is an experience not to be missed and all students are expected to attend.

Finally we would like to extend a very warm welcome to Isabel Milenkovic who has joined our Yr 11 Year Group. We would also like to welcome back Connie Briggs who returns to O’Connor after some time living away from Armidale.

Year 12

Year 12 recently received their Trial HSC examination timetable. Most subjects have a trial examination and I strongly encourage you to look through your child’s timetable. The examinations will run from Monday 20th to Friday 31st August. Teachers will provide students with exam notifications in order to identify the areas they need to focus on. The weeks following the exam period will be critical for all students as teachers will be completing subject content and providing feedback on the examinations.

Last week Year 12 participated in presentations on safe behaviours and consent laws. The presentations explored a range of issues of special importance to young adults / school leavers and were well received by students.

You would be aware that a new timetable has been issued. All Year 12 have permission to sign in at 9:50 am, Tuesday Week 2 and sign out during lunch on Friday week 2 (this week). The benefits of studying at school cannot be underestimated and it is very pleasing to see so many students taking advantage of their study periods each day.

Planning for graduation formalities has also commenced. Students are working with staff to prepare the Graduation Mass which will be celebrated on Wednesday September, 26 and the Formal committee has been discussing arrangements for the Grad dinner on Friday 19th of November. Further information about these events, and the Graduation Assembly on Friday 28th September will be forwarded to parents in the coming weeks.