Year 7-12 Pastoral care program Term 1 2026

All Year 7-12 students take part in our Santa Strong Wellbeing and Pastoral Care Program once per fortnight in their House Year groups. The vision of our Santa Strong 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. Each term we will provide parents with a brief overview of the content of their daughter’s Program for the coming term. 

Year 7 Strong Relationships

Our Term 1 program supports students as they transition to high school, helping them build confidence, strengthen connections and develop a strong sense of both self‑awareness and social awareness. Students will take part in an Interaction Day and learn practical strategies for forming and maintaining healthy friendships. 

Year 8 Strong Choices

In Term 1, students will explore ways that they can support themselves and their peers when making decisions or facing challenges. Students will experience ways to engage with others in a respectful manner and to access necessary skills and support in managing academic and social and emotional challenges.

Year 9 Strong Community

In Term 1 students will be unpacking the following themes: empathy, rights and responsibilities, embracing difference, connection and reflection and gratitude. These themes allow the students to look beyond themselves and understand the experiences of others, strengthening the connections that make communities thrive. They will be encouraged to reflect on themselves and to accept new challenges with compassion, courage and a commitment to making a positive difference in all areas of their lives.

Year 10 Strong Voices

In Term 1 Students will work on goal setting, sleep hygiene, stress management and exam preparation to support academic success and wellbeing. Clear goals build motivation, healthy sleep improves focus, and stress‑management strategies promote calm during busy periods. Early planning, consistent revision and practice reduce anxiety and improve confidence and exam performance.

Year 11 Strong Self

In Term 1, Year 11 will complete a unit Caring for Me as a Learner, developing habits that support wellbeing and academic success. Students will explore self‑care, resilience and growth mindset, and build confidence and independence. They will also use Atomi Study Skills resources and complete the UTS Kidman Centre HSC Stress Workshop.

Year 12 Santa Strong

Year 12 Pastoral lessons in Term 1 have an overall theme of How will I be Santa Strong This Year. Students will be involved in sessions that include observing and building mindsets, the importance of team building and safe partying.

Useful resources for parents as we start a new academic year

The links below provides a great guide for parents to aid in helping their children cope with stress in healthy ways. These resources comes from ChallengeSuccess which is a non-profit affiliated with the Stanford Graduate School of Education.

The link below from ReachOut School provides useful tips for parents who children are starting at a new school in 2026.

Melanie van der Meer
Deputy Principal Mission and Pastoral Care