P&F Association
Welcome back!
We hope everyone returns to Term 3 feeling rested. We have been blessed to be able to host another in-person General Meeting. Thank you so much to all the parents who attended, continuing our One College, One Community message. This was also a great opportunity to welcome some new families to the College. We also host another free parent event with Madonna King. It was an informative presentation about supporting our teenagers as they move towards adulthood. Thank you so much Madonna, truly an invaluable experience.
The P&F are busy with three exciting events announced this term. We hope you can join us. planning the next few events, so keep an eye out for more information on the following:
- 13 August Trivia Night. We hope you can join us for what is truly a ‘friend raising’ event. To be held at Massey Park Golf Club, this is a night of fun, games and trivia. Tickets are on sale now for one more week. Click here to secure your table.
- 9 September we invite all fathers and father figures to join us for a Golf Day to be held at North Ryde Golf Course. $159pp includes 18 holes, cart and food. A great opportunity for dads to connect across the College community. Limited spots available – Click here to book
- 16 September The Colour Fun Run is back. We are so pleased that Prep to Year 4 will again enjoy this crazy fun event which will be held on the Primary Years Campus. There are some great prizes on offer, registrations are open now.
Upcoming P&F events – don’t miss out
13 August 2022 – Massey Park Golf Club
Tickets on sale until 10 August
9 September 2022 – North Ryde Golf Club
Spots on sale until 25 August
The Colour Fun Run
16 September 2022 – Primary Years Campus.
Register now – great prizes on offer.
Parent Child Tallong Weekend
We are working with the College to present a fun weekend in the great outdoors in November. Watch your email inbox for more information including booking details next week.
Keep up to date
If you haven’t signed up to WhatsApp for your year group and want to please click here to be added. If you are having issues with signing up please reach out to pnfcomms@ssc.nsw.edu.au
Year Group gatherings
Year 12 High Tea
It was wonderful to have the opportunity for Year 12 students, their mothers and grandmothers to share a beautiful
high tea opportunity at the beginning of the school holidays. The gathering provided the Year 12 cohort and their family members a welcome excuse to relax and enjoy each other’s company, after a very busy and intense term.
The volume in the room was most indicative of the good time shared equally by students and adults. Special thanks to the Year 12 Parent Reps for their time and effort in organising the event.
Travel gently,
Tania Chahoud
Parent education – Debra Brodowski
What is anxiety and how does it impact on our young?
Feelings of anxiety are a normal part of life. They can ready us for an upcoming situation (for example, experiencing some nerves before a test) or help us sense danger (for example, not crossing the street when it’s not safe). Some feelings of anxiety can be helpful as it heightens our senses and become more alert and motivated.
So when can feelings of anxiety go from helpful to harmful?
Symptoms of anxiety include:
- increased heart rate
- fast and shallow breathing
- feeling tense or having aches (especially neck, shoulders and back)
- feeling sweaty or dizzy
- feelings of ‘butterflies’ or sick in the stomach
- persistent worries and fears
- being unable to control worries or relax
- avoiding challenges
- having trouble making decisions
- having trouble concentrating and paying attention
- feeling annoyed, irritated or restless
- having trouble sleeping
These feelings can lead us to having a bad day, or a bad week. However, these feelings present more often than not over a number of weeks and impact on school and personal life. For your young person this could mean:
- not wanting to go to school
- withdrawing from friends and family
- falling out with friends
- impacting on grades
As a parent or caregiver, seeing anxiety in our young people fills us with dread and helplessness. There are steps we can take to support our young people:
- Listen, be curious, and problem solve
Problem solving is one of the most powerful skills we can teach our young people. By listening to their concerns, being curious by asking questions, we can support our young people in solving their challenges that are causing anxiety
- Focus on the Positive
Celebrate small wins where they have demonstrated resilience:
- What did they do today to show strength/ vulnerability? These are all wonderful life skills to assist your young person through life.
- What can you and your young person be grateful for today? Demonstrating gratitude helps us reframe our thinking and can help us feel better.
- Show empathy
The challenges of our young people are real and valid. Showing empathy and care provides them a safe foundation to calming their anxiety. Minimising their concerns, passing judgement, or ridiculing the area of anxiety that is felt by your young person will only add to their distress and not minimise it.
- Do something!
Distraction techniques like listening to music, going for a walk, dancing, exercising, can help calm feelings of anxiety. De-escalation techniques like mindful breathing, guided meditation via an app, or calm activities like yoga or Pilates, can help.
- Link in with professional support.
You may feel like you have tried everything and feel at a loss what to do next. Having a confidential chat with the College Counsellors at Santa Sabina can give you reassurance, advice, or recommendations on what to do next. They are a wonderful resource and super helpful!
- Role model ways to manage anxiety
Being a positive role model in how as adults we manage anxiety is a powerful teacher for our young people. Being mindful of the impact of our behaviour and reactions on our young people can help us as adults to cultivate healthy anxiety management techniques.
Santa Sabina College Parents & Friends’ Association