Wellbeing and Engagement
It is hard to believe that there are only a few weeks left in Term 1. We have been so fortunate to have had full school weeks, a Year 12 retreat, a Year 7 transition camp, social evenings, and school community events over the past right weeks.
We have had a marvellous start to the year. I see happy students enjoying their school, learning and connecting well with each other. They are fully engaged, being onsite and embracing the opportunities this provides. This was evident last week in the large number of students who attended Drama Club, volunteered to be a 'Tech Angel', worked collaboratively with the Living Justice Leaders to plan and seed ideas for the year ahead, represented the College with distinction at Indoor Cricket and the SCSA Swimming and Diving carnival, or assisted with our College Open Evening. I also hear from many parents, reporting how happy their daughters are at school. Our successful start has been a team effort and thanks must go to our parents, teachers and especially our students – together we have created a wonderful school environment.
This past week there has been lots going on. Our Year 7 students have returned from their Transition Camp, which has provided them with a fantastic opportunity to solidify relationships and the friendships that they have started to forge, and to engage in activities that challenged them to be brave but not always perfect. Throughout the camp, students were encouraged to take measured risks and try things out, in order for them to be in that space where they can grow and gain a greater understanding of oneself and each other. It was brilliant to share in the excitement of the Talent Show and to witness all students participating joyously in their class acts and enthusiastically and proactively encouraging and supporting each other. Thank you to the staff who accompanied our Year 7 students on camp. Thank you to our Year 7 students for the spirit with which they entered into the program of the camp. Thank you to our parents/carers for dropping off and picking up some tired daughters yesterday afternoon.
On Friday 18 March, we acknowledged the National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence. At Kilbreda, we believe everyone has the right to feel safe and bullying and violence have no place in our world. The National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence is a positive day, bringing communities together to help find workable solutions that address bullying and violence. As part of the day, our students promoted the important message, Bullying. No Way!, by taking a stand on the oval and forming a visual representation of the words “No Way!” They also participated in a number of activities designed to embed the theme of 'Kindness Culture' within our community. Feedback was sought from students on this day regarding their safety, and our Student Wellbeing Team and Student Leaders will analyse this data in the coming week and develop action plans in response to it. While schools have a key role to play in tackling bullying, we also know the vital role everyone in our community must play to promote this message and the importance of continuing the conversation within our families.
This week we have joined the rest of the nation in marking and celebrating Harmony Week. Together, we have celebrated the diversity of our own community, the diversity of all backgrounds and parts that make this vibrant community one and how we are strengthened by the inclusion of diverse stories and diverse traditions and backgrounds. Through a range of activities, we acknowledged our diversity and the joy and vibrancy that comes from that, as well as our commitment to inclusion and acceptance, particularly in this year of Compassion, as we are called to go deeper into that value and live out that spirit of love by walking with and having empathy for all.
Parenting Resources: Friendships and Belonging
“The ability to obtain, maintain and retain friendships is, according to all childhood psychologists in the whole wide world, the greatest predictor of wellbeing. Having a rich repertoire of friends is a true indicator of whether your child is travelling okay.”
Michael Carr-Gregg
It is not always easy for children and teenagers to know how to manage friendships. Learning how to make new friends and keep them involves a number of skills every young person needs to understand and develop. For some, these skills will come very naturally, allowing them to easily move between different friendship groups, sharing their experiences and opening up to new people. For others, this can be much harder to navigate. Belonging to a group that is like-minded with similar interests is highly beneficial for a child’s wellbeing. Friendships are full of 'ups and downs' and it is better for children and teenagers to learn how to manage and build their own friendships, even though as an adult carer you may be tempted to interfere.
Here is a link to the latest resources from parenting educators about ways that parents/carers can help their children navigate the ups and downs of friendships.
Stephane Smyth
Assistant Principal:
Wellbeing and Engagement