Year 7 Pastoral Period - Positive Relationships

Mark Barron

Head of Year 7

Our Week 6 Pastoral Period focused on Positive Relationships and the following lesson objectives were covered. Year 7 students continue to discuss these topics in homeroom:

All Must

-Understand that everyone is different.

-Realise that their actions have a direct impact on others.

Most Should

-Be able to empathise with others and reflect upon how others feel in certain situations.

-Be able to reflect upon exactly how their own behaviour has an impact on the feelings of others.

Some Could

-Suggest how they could adjust their behaviours to improve the sense of belonging of their peers.

Year 8 A Busy Time of Year

Simon Messer

Head of Year 8

Over the past few weeks the Year 8’s have taken part in many social, spiritual, academic and health related matters.

In week 5, the students received the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Students conducted themselves maturely, developing their faith through the telling of their sins to one of our local parish priests for the purpose of obtaining forgiveness.

Receive the Holy Ghost; whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained. (John 20:22-23)

In week 6, the Year 8 cohort took part in their second Pastoral Period. The focus was on Respectful/Positive Relationships. We ran two gender specific sessions. The girls worked with Ms Melanie Trant and Mrs Chanel Fenwick and boys with myself.

The sessions aimed at breaking down gender stereotypes and workshopping ways we can be more respectful to members of the opposite sex, our friends, our families and most importantly ourselves.

Also, through week 6 and 7 students received their Vaccinations via the School Immunisation Program. Students were offered free vaccines through the National Immunisation Program to protect against Diptheria, Tetanus, Whooping Cough (pertussis) and Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Vaccines were administered by nurses from the Department of Health.

I would like to wish all the Year 8 students selected in the ACC Swim Team all the best for “A” division carnival on Wednesday 21st March.

Year 9 Pastoral Program

Yvette Pearce

Head of Year 9

Period 2 on Friday 9 March was the second Pastoral Period for the year. This session saw the boys and girls separated for some time to think about their Character Strengths and to begin thinking about Goals for the year.

East Fremantle Football Club sent three representatives to talk to the boys about Striving for Excellence, setting goals and the importance of a growth mindset. They particularly focused on always working to provide yourself with a variety of opportunities in the future and not limiting your dreams. From here the boys completed the VIA Character Strengths Survey and reflected on these using pages 6 and 7 of the College Diary.

The girls spent their session together with a couple of inspiring video clips and then the opportunity to also complete the VIA Character Strengths Survey, reflect on these using the College Diary pages 6 and 7 and then began to work on writing goals for their academic year.

These activities were based on research that shows that people who set goals (and use them effectively) not only perform better, but suffer from less stress and anxiety and are happier and more satisfied with their life.

What to do if you are being bullied

You have a right to feel safe and be safe. If you are being bullied here are some ideas about what you can do.

Talk to someone about it. Find a trusted friend, teacher or carer who will listen to how you feel, be supportive, and perhaps even help you work out what to do.

· Talk to your friends - they can help you tell a teacher or your parents or just to feel better.

· Talk to your parents - tell them all about what's been happening.

· Talk to your teacher or another staff member - tell them all about what’s been happening. If you don't want to do this in public, make an excuse to see the teacher about something else, for example your homework.

· If you can't talk to someone face-to-face go online at Kids Helpline http://www.kidshelp.com.au/

or call a Kids Helpline counsellor on 1800 55 1800.

Try a few of the strategies that have worked for others. Only try these strategies if you are not in any immediate danger of being physically hurt and you feel confident you can do them

· Ignore the bullying - turn your back and walk away.

· Act unimpressed or pretend you don't care what they say or do to you. You could say 'okay, whatever' and walk away.

· Use strong, assertive statements, starting with the word ‘I’; tell the other person ‘I want you to stop that’ in a strong confident voice. Practice this with your friends.

· Use ‘fogging’ which means making a joking or funny comment that makes the other person think you don't care about what they say.

· Ask your friends to speak up for you. And remember to do the same for them!

Try to stay positive.

Focus on all the things that you do well, the people who like you and care about you. Write down your thoughts and feelings about the bullying to help you think clearly about what you can do.

Hang around with your friends and be with people who help you feel good about yourself. Good friends respect, encourage and support you. They care for your wellbeing and are fun to be around. You'll make new friends by respecting, encouraging and supporting others.

Try to sort out the problem behind the bullying. If you feel safe to do so, talk with the other people involved and ask them how you might be able to sort out the problem together.

Awards Term One - The Certificate of Endeavour

Every student in the College has the opportunity to receive The Certificate of Endeavour at the Term One and Term Three Awards.

This is a timely reminder to students and parents about the deliberate practices and behaviours inside and outside of the classroom that will lead to success.

For each class in the College, The Certificate of Endeavour is awarded to a student who has demonstrated:

· outstanding effort over the term

· consistent application in class

· positive cooperation and

· thorough completion of homework and assignment tasks

Winter Uniform Term Two

Given Term Two commences on Tuesday 1 May, there will be no uniform transition period necessary. Therefore, all students will commence Term Two in full winter uniform. Given Photo Day will be on the second day of term, Wednesday 2 May, parents are reminded of the importance of checking the sizing of uniforms well before the end of Term One.

Middle School News