Student Wellbeing
Welcome Back – So nice to see you all
With first term beginning on Wednesday 1 February, it has been so nice to see all of the students return and settle into the routine of school again.
Over the last couple of years we learned to be adaptable and flexible but this year we are returning to some sort of normality, to life before we had COVID. However, we are always aware that we need to also act in a safe way to ensure that we can successfully return to normality.
We are pleased so many students have settled back into school and we particularly welcome the Year 7’s as they begin the transition into high school.
We have endeavoured to put structures in place to support all students in their return to school for 2023.
Role of the Homeroom Teacher
At the staff Professional Learning Days at the beginning of the year, a strong emphasis was placed on the importance of the role of our Homeroom/Mentor teachers.
We want to ensure that the Homeroom/Mentor teacher is the go to person that you can speak to if you have any concerns related to your daughter's wellbeing or their learning.
This is particularly important this year at the Year 9 and 10 levels with the introduction of the new program. Year 9 & 10 homerooms are blended as well as classes. Year Level Leaders are also here to support but time has been allocated to the Homeroom/Mentor role to demonstrates our commitment to its importance.
On Monday 6 February to Wednesday 8 February all families had the opportunity, through our Information Evenings, to engage with the staff who have some responsibility for your daughter and start to build that very important relationship with you as a family.
Mrs Jennifer Stafford, the Director of Students, and myself are here to support all staff and students in building positive relationships and developing a wellbeing and learning program that enhances the GROWTH for all members of our community.
In the last couple of years, we have done significant work in reviewing our wellbeing programs and our focus for 2023, in line with the curriculum changes, are in the areas of Heart, Body, Mind and Spirit.
We look forward to keeping you up to date with this work over the course of 2023.
Uniform Updates
It is pleasing to say that we have had a number of students who have taken up the offer of wearing the school pants and emblemed shirt as the alternative to the summer dress. These pants were introduced in 2020 for the first time.
The pants/shirt combination looks very smart, and the girls who have taken up the option have commented on how comfortable and cool the pants are.
We also remind our Year 11 cohort that they have now moved to a red jumper and that the blue jumper is only for students from Years 7-10.
A couple of key uniform reminders for the start of the year as we return from holidays. These include:
- No facial piercings such as nose rings etc.
- No acrylic or false nails
- No unusual hair colours – is the colour natural?
We will continue to remind all students in relation to our school expectations.
Mobile Phone Reminders to families
As we return to the school we remind our community of the changes that we made to the use of mobile phones at the beginning of 2020 that continue to be part of our Mobile Phone Policy for 2023.
From the time students enter the school grounds until the end of the school day mobile devices are to be locked away in lockers and not visible. If they are seen and/or are being used they will be confiscated.
If a student has their device removed for the first time, they will be able to collect it at the end of the day from student reception where they will sign for collection of the device.
If a student has their device removed for the second time, they will be able to collect it at the end of the day from student reception where they will sign for the collection of the device and they will be given a 30 minute restorative conversation with respect to why they were using their mobile device.
On the third occasion that a device is removed, the device will be returned only to a parent or emergency contact and a conversation will take place with the family. Students will also be issued with a 60-minute restorative conversation with respect to why they are using their mobile device.
Parents wishing to see the process will be able to access this on the SEQTA portal next to the Digital Citizenship Policy.
We will keep you informed of how this process is working in coming editions of the Marian and we look forward to the week when we have no need to confiscate any devices.
Leadership Process Update
At the end of February, we have our annual Investiture Assembly where we present all of our elected student leaders for 2023 with their leadership badges.
At the end of last year, we elected our Lamp Bearers, Student Representative Council and our House Captains for Years 8-12.
Over the coming weeks the new Year 7 cohort will elect their leaders and all of the Homeroom groups and Senior part of the school will elect their Student Participation Group members as well as the leaders of our many co-curricular groups such as Science Club and Library Monitors.
We look forward to informing our community of all student leaders in the Marian News after the Investiture Assembly.
Child Safety Parent – Sub Committee
With our ongoing commitment to keep all of the students in our care safe, we are working towards establishing a Parent Sub Committee of our Child Safety Committee. if you are interested in joining this subcommittee, please contact me at school via SEQTA direct message or by phoning school and leaving a message.
Wellbeing Tip for Everyone
Life is always challenging.
With this in mind, we encourage all members of our community – staff, students and families to look after their wellbeing and ensure that they find some time in the hustle and bustle of life to find the time to do something that rejuvenates them and gives them life. It may be a walk with the dog, seeing family or reading a book, whatever it may be try to find the time to take care of yourself, otherwise we struggle to take care of others.
Stay Safe
Kerrie Williams
Assistant to the Principal – Student Wellbeing