Assistant Head of Gioia House
Shout-Outs
Our Wellbeing Action Team created Shout-Out cards for all Gioia House students. This initiative focused on selecting another Gioia House student and identifying some acts of kindness and qualities you have seen. The students shared their ‘shout-out’ as a positive way to remind everyone that kind acts and respect do not go unnoticed. The students reflected on the positive impact this had on their personal wellbeing and made them feel valued.
Action Girl Pastoral Program
This term our Action Girl Pastoral programs focused on relationships and knowing that healthy friendships are an essential part of our wellbeing and personal growth. This term using the U R Strong program, the students identified qualities within a healthy friendship and qualities in unhealthy friendships. Some of the key concepts we focused on included that friendships should be based on mutual respect, trust, honesty, support and encouragement. We also unpacked the times when mistakes and disagreements occur and we need to work towards forgiveness. Being able to acknowledge hurt, give a genuine apology and validate how you or the other person was feeling is a vital part of a healthy friendship. The students also looked at how friendships change over time. The students identified some of their personal changes from when they were younger such as the music they were interested in, how their hobbies have changed etc. We discussed how friendships naturally change too. It is important to always value the positive relationships we have and be open to forming new connections.
Online Safety
The Year 6 students were part of a pastoral session focusing on eSafety and ways we can make good choices online. We discussed the importance of being aware of what we post online and messages we send individually or on group chats. We reviewed the Online Communication Charter we implemented at the start of the year, reminding students about their personal responsibility to make the right choice when online. We spoke about the importance of thinking before you post anything personal, unkind or not inclusive. The students shared responses such as ‘if you wouldn’t say it in person then don’t say it online’; ‘make sure everyone feels included’; ‘tell a trusted adult if something is not right’. We also spoke about being inclusive and being part of group chats. The students were able to recall when Constable Jim visited us earlier in the year and shared that everyone who is part of a group chat is responsible for the conversations, even when you have not contributed anything to the discussion. We asked the students to reflect on being part of unhealthy chats and what choices they can make to be an upstander and do what is right. The students were able to identify the correct way to safely communicate online and always tell a trusted adult when something is not appropriate or does not seem right.
Outreach
The Gioia House students continue to identify ways they can have a positive impact on our world. The students have been working with their action teams to look at different initiatives we can implement to make our world a better place.
We continue to ask the students to give generously to JRS and the St Vincent De Paul Winter appeal.
The current Gioia House service initiatives include:
- Donating food items to JRS and helping refugee communities
- St Vincent De Paul winter appeal – donating winter blankets, clothing
It has been a busy and wonderful first semester. I wish you and your families a safe and restful break. I look forward to seeing you all in Term 3.
Marisa Maks
Assistant Head of Gioia House