From the College Counsellor

I welcome everyone back as the new school year begins and particularly want to extend a warm welcome to our new families and Year 7 students.

A new year, new school, new grade brings with it new faces, new opportunities and a fresh start. This may be a time of apprehension about your child leaving old friends from primary school behind and forming new friendships. Others may do a reshuffling of friendship groups and this can present a few hurdles. 

It’s very normal for friendships to change. You might notice that your child drifts away from old friends or needs support to make new friends. For a young person, the ability to handle and work through friendship changes and/or conflict can build resilience and confidence. 

Managing different relationships is part of life. A young person will need space and time to form friendships with like-minded people who share their interests and values and who bring out their best qualities. 

We learn through experience, whether positive or negative, and stress is an uncomfortable reality of life. As parents, we often want to step in and ‘fix’ a situation that is causing distress. Being warm and supportive, staying connected and actively listening to your child can help them develop friendship skills and help with navigating those friendships that may dwindle or end. Your child still needs you and the secure base you provide. Being interested and available (and non-judgemental) lets your child know that they can turn to you when they need to. 

Helping your child to work on positive social traits such as being fair and supportive, and to learn positive coping strategies, also has benefits not only now but in the long run. 

If you would like to discuss the above or have any concerns about your daughter, please feel free to contact the College Counsellor, Louise Scuderi via louise.scuderi@syd.catholic.edu.au or phone the College on (02) 9816 2041.