From the Leader of Wellbeing

“A room does not make a classroom; students, teachers and a love of learning are what makes a classroom…” 

As we come to the close of our second week of remote learning, staff and students continue to convert to an adaptive style of learning in our new learning environment. 

Adjusting to what is considered our new ‘normal’ has created all sorts of confusion, anxiety and unintended consequences. There will be learnings and challenges along the way, from both a learning and wellbeing perspective. However, we are also finding out in real life what it means to be ‘flexible’, ‘resilient’ and ‘self-controlled’, and how to exercise ‘grit’. All of these mental toughness qualities are what we identify as being important skills in our social and emotional toolkit. During this time, we also need to remember to be kind to ourselves, as we navigate through this period of uncertainty.

To support the wellbeing of all students across the Year Groups, each Tutor, House Coordinator, College Counsellor, Learning Enrichment and various members of the Leadership Team have committed to engaging in conversation with parents regarding how students have adapted to remote learning. Please encourage your daughter to attend each of her Zoom sessions and actively participate in discussions and activities that have been adapted to be fun and integrative. We are certainly aware and are working with many families and students who may be finding remote learning challenging. 

A few wellbeing tips when in Remote Learning:

• Avoid procrastination and try to stay on track with the daily timetable

• Remove mobile phones from the learning space to minimise distraction

• Create a dedicated work space that is clear of clutter

• Engage with Zoom during class and Community Time

• Place clear boundaries and know when to stop – finish each day by 3pm 

• Make time to ‘give back’ to yourself and do something away from the screen.

Community Time

We are asking our students to take their wellbeing into consideration during this period of time, by considering and balancing the six key elements of their life – intellectual, physical, spiritual, emotional, social and environmental. To support this, the Wellbeing Team has worked hard to adapt our House and Year Group Community Time program to a remote learning platform through Google Classrooms.

This week, all Year Groups were involved in an array of activities during Wednesday Community Time, which reinforces the importance of engagement and connection during this allocated wellbeing time. I would encourage a conversation with your daughter to discuss this further where possible. Activities included:

Year 12 – Post school to Pathways communication (Zoom) by Mrs Leonie Clarke (Careers Coordinator)

Year 11 – Study Skills and preparing for Preliminary examinations

Year 10 – Subject Selection Interviews, as well as self-care program

Year 9 –  E-safety and understanding how to keep safe online 

Year 8 –  The YES project – a new digital and social health program in all social online spaces 

Year 7 –  Reviewing My Marist Compass Goals for Semester 2, offscreen  physical and creative challenge   

In the event however that greater social, emotional or learning support is needed, please reach out to your daughter’s House Coordinator, the Learning Enrichment team, the College Counsellors (Monica.Rogenmoser@syd.catholic.edu.au, Louise.Scuderi@syd.catholic.edu.au) or myself (Sia.Mastro@syd.catholic.edu.au).

We are here to offer the necessary support during this time in a confidential and sensitive manner. 

For Students:         Headspace, Beyond Blue, Black Dog, eHeadspace, ReachOut

Year 12 Students:  A Guide for Year 12

Apps:                      Niggle by Kids Helpline, Breath, Smiling Minds, Yoga: Down dog

For Parents:           Black Dog, SchoolTV, Emerging Minds

This article on College life meets The Archbishop’s Charter for Catholic Schools – Charter #6 & #8