East Campus News

The Lord gave them bread from heaven

Healthy Habits – Nourishment part of the PERMAH Pillar Health

Over the last few editions of the newsletter, I have highlighted a number of issues relating to supporting mental health, from finding space to relax beyond our busy lives including turning off social media and mobile phones to ensuring that attendance at school is a priority for all students. This week our focus is on ‘nourishment for the body’. Positive health is an integral part of our Strive and Thrive Pastoral Program.

Healthy Habits – The facts

We are what we eat, and we need food as fuel for our bodies. Everything we eat has a short and long term health effect on our bodies. The food choices we make affect our health, mood, energy and physical appearance. Food is the source of energy for all parts of our bodies and directly affects how our body and mind works. A balanced diet consists of plant foods, such as vegetables and fruit, grain-based foods as well as moderate amounts of animal foods, such as lean meat and dairy products. Before we eat something, it helps to ask ourselves the question: is this food going to give my body good energy or empty energy? Drinking water is also extremely important for our bodies- not having enough fluid in our body can cause headaches, fatigue, make us feel cranky and affect our concentration. Water helps keep our body temperature stable, it carries nutrients and oxygen to our cells, cushions joints, protects organs and tissues and removes waste. When we make healthy food and hydration choices we are more likely to enjoy wellness in our body and mind, we will have more energy for being active, we will have better sleep as a result and the cycle will continue.

We know the facts but why do we still skip meals, and turn to the junk food and take away. To support students in refocussing their attention towards healthy eating habits Learning Advisors will be trialling this Positive Education Practice: I encourage parents and guardians to try this themselves, supporting positive health.

“Every time we eat is an opportunity to nourish our bodies”

Think of one easy healthy food option you could have as a snack when you are hungry (after school or on the weekend when you are at home).
Now finish this sentence for what you are going to eat at a time you are usually hungry. “I will eat [INSERT FOOD CHOICE] when I am hungry each day at [TIME] in [PLACE].” i.e I will eat [a banana] when I am hungry at [4:00pm] in [the kitchen].
Think of a time when you could have an extra drink of water or have water instead of another drink.
Now finish this sentence “ I will have an extra drink of water each day at [TIME] in [PLACE].” i.e “I will have an extra drink of water [every morning when I get up] in [the kitchen]."

Simple statements build great healthy habits – give it ago.

Child Safety – Student Voice is critical.

On Tuesday August 7 2018, Students from the West Campus travelled to the East Campus to work with the SRC of East on child safety policies at St. Peter's College. During periods 1-3 we discussed the importance of the student voice and making it aware to others that everyone has the right to be heard. We started off by brainstorming ways to raise awareness on the abuse that happens to children our age, then later elaborated by planning how to share that awareness. Whilst seated in the boardroom with Mrs Carter and Mrs Ziino, we opened a Google Doc and began to identify the rights every individual has when facing any kind of abuse. Representing the voices of St. Peter's College, we have decided to create awareness posters that advise people of what to do when in a situation of abuse. These posters will be put up in all classrooms around both the East and West Campus to bring to light the cause and to let everyone know that they're not alone.

A big thank you to Mrs Carter, Mrs Ziino and Mrs Banda for allowing us to meet in the boardroom and discuss this issue and for their great hospitality during the day. Another big thank you to the following students: Rutendo Pasura, (Year 10 West Campus), Melissa Mushinga-Perry (Year 10 West Campus), Adelle St Mart (Year 9 West Campus), Denver Samatakoon (Year 9 West Campus), Arizona Durbin (Year 12 East Campus), Norma Sher (Year 10 East Campus), Kamis Kelei (Year 11 East Campus).

This project could not have been done without these people sacrificing their school time to work on this as a team.

Rutendo Pasura

Assisi House West Campus

We know the importance of child safety and the commitment all of us share in ensuring that our children are safe. For any concerns or questions regarding mental health, our Child Safety Officers, Ms Clare Ziino (East Campus) and Mrs Anita Carter (West Campus) are available for students and parents.

I wish everyone a safe, happy and productive week.

Mrs Julie Banda

Deputy Principal - East Campus