Pastoral Care Update
R U OK? Day
This past Thursday 14 September, the School organised a series of events to recognise and support R U OK? Day.
Beginning on Tuesday of this week, in collaboration with the Old Boys Union, we hosted a special screening of the short film titled Teacups for our Year 12 students. Notably, some of the film’s producers are recent Old Boys of Shore, Max King (’19) and Max Ohman (’17), and the film has received nominations in various film festivals this year. The film centres around the theme of supporting those around us who may be grappling with mental health issues.
Following the screening, our boys had the unique opportunity to engage in a Q&A session with the producers and directors, delving deeper into the film’s themes. The conversation, co-hosted by OBU Vice President Ian Macdonald, also included the various career pathways pursued by the creators of the film, providing our Year 12 students with valuable insights and candid discussions.
On Thursday, the staff at our North Sydney campus were treated to coffee and doughnuts, courtesy of the pastoral care team, just outside the Graythwaite building. It was heartening to see staff members coming together, taking a moment to chat, and enjoying a break in their busy day.
Our senior students also had the privilege of hearing from guest speaker Nick Kenny during our school Assembly. Mr Kenny is a professional speaker and Growth Coach affiliated with The Speakers Institute, as well as the Partnership Manager with the mental health organisation KYDS Youth Development Service.
Students also had the opportunity to enjoy doughnuts during lunchtime in Playfair Hall while engaging in an extended presentation by Mr Kenny. This year’s message is that every day is an opportunity to ask, “Are you OK?” and initiate a meaningful conversation with someone who might be facing life’s challenges. The key takeaways from Mr Kenny’s presentation were as follows:
– Focus on three evidence-based pillars of well-being and resilience.
– Develop skills and confidence for greater self-reliance and responsibility.
– Discover how to foster a positive sense of self, service, and community.
– Explore simple and effective ways to cultivate a more positive sense of masculinity.
We believe that these events have contributed positively to our School community, fostering awareness and understanding of mental health issues while encouraging open and supportive conversations. Thank you to all who participated and made these activities a success.
Year 12 Schoolies Safety Presentation: 7 September
In our commitment to prepare our Year 12 boys for life beyond school, we invited guest speakers from Red Frogs to deliver a presentation on Thursday 7 September, focusing on how to ensure a safe Schoolies experience. During this session, the guest speaker addressed a range of critical issues, including a comprehensive guide to responsible partying, which encompassed topics such as alcohol, drugs, violence, fostering healthy relationships, and mental health.
The Red Frogs team engaged the boys in discussions to offer practical, valuable, and candid advice on staying safe while celebrating the end of Year 12. Our boys actively engaged with the presentation, demonstrating their appreciation by asking thoughtful questions. We have ensured that this essential information is shared with Housemasters and other pastoral staff members who oversee the wellbeing of our students. We are committed to ensuring that all our boys receive this important guidance on these topics.
Year 11 Leadership Seminar: 5 September
To further develop the leadership skills and readiness of our Year 11 students as they embark on their final year of School, we organised a special leadership seminar on the morning of Tuesday 5 September. The day began with a keynote presentation titled “Humility & Compassion in Leadership,” delivered by Professor Hayden Ramsey from the Australian Catholic University. Professor Ramsey shared insights into effective leadership approaches and provided practical guidance on setting leadership-related goals.
Emphasising a principled and servant leadership approach, Professor Ramsey discussed our school’s core virtues of humility, compassion, respect, and integrity. He explained how these virtues can serve as guiding principles for leaders, helping them make decisions based on their principles rather than personal biases or preferences.
Following the keynote presentation, our Year 11 boys convened in their respective Step-Up camp groups, accompanied by their camp staff leaders. During these discussions, they reflected on the key takeaways from the presentation and set individual leadership goals for the upcoming year. These goals are being shared with the boys’ Housemasters, facilitating collaborative efforts to lead and guide their respective House groups.
We believe that these initiatives will not only equip our students with valuable life skills but also instil in them the importance of a principled and servant leadership approach, contributing to their personal and collective growth as good men.