From the Leader of Wellbeing

Year 11 Student Leadership Process 2021

This week, Year 11 were involved in the commencement of the Student Leaders 2021/22 nomination process based on the inspiring and insightful orientation session facilitated by Dr Ireland, Ms Bloomfield and Ms Muller training during Community Time in Week 2. We have creatively adapted the existing Student Leadership process to an electronic platform, which highlights the roles and responsibilities of current student leaders, including video clips and tips as well as resources in preparation for the nomination form.  

We encourage all students with their gifts and talents to apply, to take ‘courage’ and be ‘empowered’ by their own leadership traits and most importantly, to believe in themselves. This is the time to rise up and take charge! We have advocated to the Yr 11 cohort that they are, in their own right, all leaders, role models and of influence,  amongst the broader school community. The question is how have they or can they (moving forward as a cohort), utilise their strengths in a positive way to make a difference. How do we bring Mary’s story to live life to the full by providing opportunities to ‘think, judge, feel and act’?  Please have a conversation with your Year 11 daughters and challenge their thinking in support of their application. This will allow them to reflect and experience a process of discernment which undoubtedly will create a greater sense of self-awareness in terms of their growth and ability to lead. 

Year 8 Enlighten Education (Dannielle Miller)

Given the restrictions of COVID in 2020, our current Year 8s were unable to partake in their annual Year 7 camp last year. As an opportunity to provide further connection, and addressing areas of targeted wellbeing needs for this year group, the College was fortunate enough to secure the Enlighten Education organisation. The day focused on the following areas:

• Connection: facilitating the development of positive, healthy relationships and peer bonds as well as developing skills in conflict resolution;

• Meaning and purpose: providing a sense of empowerment and recognising the role they play as active change agents;

• Agency:  the capacity to make their own choices; and

• Altruism: workshops on gratitude that encourages students to look at ways in which they can give back to others and be forces for good within their communities.  

Our Year 8 students not only demonstrated exemplary engagement but participated in discussions with maturity and an openness to learn. Below is one of the many emails that I had received that captured the essence of the day.

In other news, our Wellbeing Community Time continues to work with all year groups, aimed at extending their learning and support in various areas of wellbeing. 

The Sleep Connection engaged with our Year 7 year group which focused on sleep hygiene and the impact that technology has in establishing good sleep patterns. One tip from Lisa Maltman (The Sleep Connection) that surprised many students was the effect of the blue light that illuminates from the phone & laptop and the 1 hour ‘wind-down’ time that the brain requires to sleep. Please encourage NO electronic devices be in your daughter’s room after 9.30pm.

In addition, the Drug & Education presentation by Tom Reynolds, was also exceptionally informative with many girls asking responsible and fairly mature questions, not only during but also after the session. Whilst many of these topics may be covered in our PDHPE program, we need to be mindful that there are always new developments, new forms of research and evidence which we see as valuable learning. As a community we value and recognise the importance of sharing and continuing to educate and open safe conversations with our students. 

SAVE THE DATE: UPCOMING PARENT FORUMS

In conjunction with the evidence based Year 7 RAP program that the student engage with during their timetabled wellbeing lesson, we will also be providing an opportunity for Year 7 parents to attend a Parent Forum based on the crucial modules in:

“Raising Resilient Adolescents” Tuesday 1 June 2021 7 – 8.30pm

Communication through COMPASS will be shared with parents to register their attendance. This forum comes highly recommended to parents of Year 7 students as it will provide informative and practical tips in addition to the opportunity to ask questions in a safe and adult environment. 

“Supporting your child with their worries and social media use in order to maximise wellbeing throughout school”

Well known Sydney psychologist Dr Danielle Einstein will be presenting to our parent body the important topic of: technology and how best to support the wellbeing of your adolescent and their connection to social media. (Date yet to be confirmed).