From the P&F Association

Last night the P&F hosted our AGM. We want to thank our volunteers and Executive for all their efforts over the last year. We extend a heartfelt thanks to our outgoing Executive Committee Members: Ben Middleton, Daniel Pace, Meaghan Aldridge, Janelle Powter, Debra Brodowski, Mary Reyes and Susan Chau. 

We congratulate Jumana Commisso on her appointment to President as well as the following parents taking on new roles in the P&F:
Vice President (Secondary): Alissa Hunter
Vice President (Primary): Vacant
Secretary: Kathleen Magri
Social Coordinator (Primary): Daniella Tudehope
Assistant Social Coordinator (Primary): Vittoria Delutiis
Social Coordinator (Gioia House): Christina Metledge
Social Coordinator (Secondary): Bernadette Bassil
Parent Educator: Fiona McGrath
Treasurer: Mick Sedgers
Assistant Treasurer: Mark McIntosh
Communications: Angela Serafin
Assistant Communications: Kate Kenniff

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Parent Education – Debra Brodowski

The value of community

Change and transition is part of life. I have been Parent Education Coordinator for the P&F for five years and I am about to hand over the reigns to very capable hands.

As I reflect on the last five years, there has been so much change that has come our way. As a Del Monte parent from 2016, changing parenting styles to support school age children was an adjustment. Since 2020, it seems like world and community events have continued to present in different forms year on year. As we parent our young people through these changes, how do we help build skills to navigate ongoing change as we experience and grow through life:

  • Name the change and the feelings. Young people cope better when things are not left vague. Use simple, honest language: ‘This is a big change, and it’s okay if you feel worried, sad or confused.’ Helping them name feelings (‘nervous’, ‘excited’, ‘angry’) is the first step in managing them.
  • Validate first, problem-solve second. Our instinct is often to fix. Start instead with ‘I can see why you feel that way’ or ‘That makes sense.’ Once they feel understood, their brain is calmer and more able to think through next steps with you.
  • Teach ‘flexible thinking’. Gently challenge all-or-nothing thoughts: ‘Is there another way to look at this?’ or ‘What might be one small good thing about this change?’ You’re not forcing positivity, just helping them see more than one possible storyline.
  • Build a coping toolkit. Help them experiment with a few strategies that work for them: breathing exercises, music, drawing, journalling, movement, talking to a trusted adult, time with pets or brief screen-free breaks. The goal is for them to know, ‘When I feel overwhelmed, these are things that help me reset.’
  • Model how you cope. Young people learn more from what we do than what we say. When you’re facing change, narrate it in a grounded way: ‘I’m feeling a bit nervous about this new thing too. I’m going to take a few deep breaths and make a plan.’ This shows that strong feelings are normal and manageable.
  • Normalise asking for help. Make it clear that talking to a teacher, school counsellor, or trusted adult is a sign of strength, not weakness. You might say, ‘Everyone needs support with big changes sometimes, adults too.’
  • Celebrate small wins. Notice when they cope, even in tiny ways: ‘I saw you still went to training even though you were worried about the new coach – that took courage.’ This reinforces their identity as someone who can handle change.

Most of all, it is important to share with our young people that they don’t have to ‘love’ change to be able to cope with it. Our role as a school community, parents and carers, is to provide calm, consistent support, so our young people gradually internalise the message: ‘Change can be hard, but I’m not alone, and I have tools to get through it.‘

I am so grateful to my Santa Sabina community, the families, friends, teaching community, College leadership team, and the P&F for helping me navigate the past five years as a parent. I am not alone, I feel safe and supported. There is nothing more that I can ask for. None of what I do, raise my daughters, go through life, can be possible without the value of my community.