Dean of Pastoral Care and Head of Year 7

Welcome to the Class of 2028!

There has been much joy throughout the secondary campus as the College welcomed Year 7, the Class of 2028! Their start was smooth and more manageable as a result of a three-day orientation program, allowing Year 7 to settle in nicely with the responsibilities that come with being a secondary student. Students have learned to navigate timetables and classrooms and have felt very grown up using their lockers. Their Year 11 buddies have been very supportive and they will continue to guide and mentor Year 7 through this transition period.

The Year 7 Information Session and Welcome Drinks was a wonderful opportunity for staff and, in particular, Year 7 Homeroom Teachers to connect with families and we look forward to future events to strengthen relationships.

Year 7 Interaction Day

On Friday 10 February, Year 7 students energetically participated in Interaction Day. Underpinned by our Dominican Pillar of Community, the purpose of Interaction Day is to allow students to find ways to establish and broaden their friendship circles, as well as develop a strong culture of inclusion and respect amongst the cohort.

Pastoral Care Program

The College is delighted to have established a specialised team of staff who will deliver Pastoral Care lessons to each year group once a fortnight in 2023. The aim of the program is to develop in all students, strength of mind, resilience and wellbeing so they can flourish in all aspects of their adolescence and beyond.

	2023 Theme	Term 1 Focus
Year 7	Strong Relationships	Being New, Making Friends: Developing communication skills, self-awareness, respect for self and others and understanding the inclusive culture at the College
Year 8	Strong Choices	Supporting myself and others: Looking after yourself, your emotions and helping others
Year 9	Strong Community	Keeping it real: Skills and strategies to promote inclusivity, equality and respectful relationships
Year 10	Strong Voices	I’ve got the power: Power in relationships, seeking help, setting boundaries and supporting others
Year 11	Strong Self	Caring for myself as a learner: Understanding and appreciating the importance of caring for self in order to be the best version of themselves as a learner, friend, family member and member of the wider community.
Year 12	Santa Strong	How will I be Santa Strong this year? How to thrive, not just survive in Year 12.

Year 11 HSC and IB Stress Management Workshop

This term as part of our Academic Resilience program, Year 11 students will engage in a workshop facilitated by UTS aimed at reducing the stress that can often accompany the HSC and IBDP.

Parents are also encouraged to take a look at the parent workshops that UTS is offering to support adolescent wellbeing. These workshops are offered both in person and via Zoom.

Please click here for further information.

Important dates

Swimming Carnival: Thursday 23 February
School Photos: Friday 24 February
Year 7 Outdoor Education Experience: Tuesday 28 February – Friday 3 March
Year 7 Vaccinations: 7 March