Student Wellbeing 

This week we reflect upon the eXcel Wellbeing document which builds on MACS' Horizons of Hope Education Framework and its Wellbeing Foundation Statement.  Touched on in previous editions, this week we look at the importance of creating  "motivated, empowered and adaptable learners by engaging in leadership opportunities". 

The Essential Elements of the ENGAGE Dimension of eXcel recognises how allowing our young people opportunities to enact various leadership roles and "taking on responsibility and practising student voice and agency [within St Joseph's community] are inter-related factors integral to learning and growth".  It helps our students to develop "a strong sense of self, purpose and integrity, ready to be effective members of the community,  contributing to and enriching our school environment and the world around them."

(Catholic Education Melbourne 2018, eXcel: Wellbeing for learning in Catholic school communities )

(Catholic Education Melbourne 2018, eXcel: Wellbeing for learning in Catholic school communities )

This week we asked our Year 6 Leaders what it meant to be a leader in their school.  Here's what they said!

Layla:

This year I have loved being a Year 6 because you get to do lots of important things in my role as Sustainability Leader and McAuley Leader.  It has taught me to be responsible to care for the gardens here at St Josephs and taking care of the environment. It has  shown me how to be courageous and kind to people and to look after our school environment.

Indi: 

As a year 6 leader I think it's important to represent my school community by making sure I am always looking out for people, being honest, being responsible,  being kind and being organized. This year I have loved swimming with dolphins in my role as DRI Ambassador.  I've loved being a leader at assembly and when we were with our buddies.  DRI taught me heaps about marine animals and about how to speak in front of a large crowd of people.

Kobe:

As a year 6 leader,  I am always trying to look out for people and help them when they are hurt and I try to make sure they have someone to play with. In my role as a Mazenod house leader it has taught me that people look up to you when they are hurt or sad and it is important to be a good person and a good role model for them.

Sam: 

As a Year 6 leader it's important to make sure I am always being a good team leader and being kind. This year I have loved competing in the cross country day and athletics day in my role as a Year 6 Mazenod leader. It has taught me to be responsible and helpful to others.

Ava:

As a year 6 leader, I think it's important for me to represent my school community by making a special effort to always to be nice to the younger students.

Scarlett:

As a Year 6 leader , I think it's important to represent my school community by making sure I am always respectful, a great role model and being kind. This year in my role as School Captain, I have loved going to St. McCartan’s to represent our Student Action Council to talk about how much we raised for our fundraiser for The Lismore Floods. Being a School Captain has taught me to become even more responsible, looking out for younger kids in younger year levels and opportunities to learn more about how to be an amazing leader.

Austin:

As a year 6 leader, I think it is important to  always be kind and be a positive team leader by including people. This year I have loved being a DRI leader and swimming with the dolphins.  I loved leading Bunurong at the school swimming and also when Bunurong won at the school athletics. It has taught me to be more responsible, more prepared for life and has helped me to learn more about the ocean and land.

Billy:

As a year 6 leader, I think that it’s important to always be respectful to everyone in the community, be a good role model to the younger people in the school and to help anybody that needs help inside and outside of school. This year I have loved going to St McCartan's in Mornington to teach people from all other schools about what we did as a whole school to help with the Lismore floods. I also laid the wreath at the Anzac Day Service for our school. In my role as a School Captain leader, it has taught me to be a better role model than I was before because you can have a big influence on other people and it has taught me about being a good person.

Riley:

As a year 6 leader, I think it is important to represent my school community by making sure I am always being helpful, caring and respecting others.  I loved being a House Leader for McAuley at the swimming sports where I cheered the others on. It has taught me to be more respectful to others and has given me my own voice to speak up and to be more helpful to younger students.

Student Wellbeing Team

Lisa Inglese and Jenny Todd