Issue 11 SJC News 2020

Waterford Update

Semester 2 has started positively for the vast majority of Waterford students. While working within COVID safe regulations it was great to be at school. In the last week of Term 2 Waterford students participated in a Headspace Wellbeing Webinar. The key messages around self-care, help seeking and looking out for others were presented. In order to reinforce these important messages this presentation will be revisited by homeroom teachers during RE classes over the next couple of weeks.

The RE and wellbeing curriculum will have a focus on use of technology and social media during this term. There will be wellbeing lessons dedicated to the rights and responsibilities of social media users and how to stay safe online. As parents it is important that you know that wellbeing staff have been dealing with an increased number of issues related to inappropriate use of social media platforms. Please be vigilant in monitoring your son’s online activity and use of social media.

As we move into another phase of remote learning and phase 3 restrictions it will be important to monitor the wellbeing of the boys. Having restrictions on social activities, sport, hobbies and general activities has the potential to impact the wellbeing of the boys. Please refer to wellbeing resources that have been circulated to families and access support if you feel that your son is struggling.

It was very pleasing to have so many of our students perform well during the first phase of remote learning so we are hopeful that the transition back, although unfortunate, will be smooth. I am sure you are aware that it is difficult to teach and conduct classes remotely. Our staff will do their very best to help your son to continue with learning through this time.

Please help your son set up a good routine for remote learning. He should have a well organised productive workplace free of distractions, ask him to be prepared for homeroom by 8:45am and to join all live lessons. Should you need to communicate with a staff member please follow normal channels and use email or call the College reception. Reception staff will pass on messages for teachers who will then make contact with you. Live lessons are not an appropriate time for parents to be communicating with teachers.

The students were provided with subject selection information on Monday 27 July. Relevant handbooks are available from the College website. The subject selection portals will be open for the students to input selections from Friday 7 August until Friday 14 August. Discussing future subject options and pathways is often helpful in focusing students on school performance as motivation can be influenced by investigating the opportunities that the upcoming years will provide.

Simon Piasente - Head of Waterford

Westcourt

Since the return from the mid-year break the topic of discussion has been subject selection for Senior Years at Mt Sion. For many this has been confronting, yet exciting. This has involved discussions around Applied Learning, VITA, VET subjects, VCE acceleration and the wide variety and combination of Year 10 electives. It is important to note that many students will change and shift pathways until settling towards a focus. We also enjoyed an amazing performance at lunch from some of our talented music students. We recently virtually held our Year 8 to 9 Parent Information Evening and encourage all boys to chat to any of our Year 8 students to pass on tips for transitioning to Westcourt. Our staff are now once again prepared for a return to remote learning. We asked all boys to draft a timetable for a fortnightly plan to approach remote learning. Please speak with your son regarding his organisation for learning. We understand routines may vary some days but consistency to study is important. Please communicate with Westcourt Leadership or teachers for any questions or support over this time as need be. We will look forward to a hopeful return to our Campus in Term 4 with all boys and families safe and in good health.

Mark Deverall, Director of Westcourt Campus

Mt Sion

Semester 2 started on a very positive note, with students keen to return to their studies and engage back with their friends. The final few weeks of Term 2, saw many of our senior students participate on optional lunchtime sessions, focused on ‘getting the conversation started’, breaking down the barriers between peers and having open and honest conversations about mental health. These messages will continue to be reinforced over the next few months in both homeroom and wellbeing classes and are vital messages for all young people as we head back into remote learning and stricter isolation.

In recent weeks students in Year 10 and 11 completed their subject planning and selection. Year 10 acceleration students participated in one-on-one meetings with senior staff members as an additional method to ensure they are on the most suitable pathway. For the first time at St Joseph’s College, students were able to refer to their Morrisby testing data for further guidance on possible pathways after secondary school and appropriate subject selections based upon aptitude, interested and personal strengths.

In the coming weeks the College will launch their 2021 leadership application process, commencing with the employment of the 2021 College Captains. Year 11 students, who are interested in becoming leaders in Year 12, will have the opportunity to attend an online information session before the application process begins. Finally, the Year 12 jumpers were a very welcome addition to the start of Semester 2, with all students excited to receive their commemorative jumper.

As we move into a second period of remote learning, it will be important for both school and family to continue to monitor the wellbeing of our boys. Community and household restrictions add to the feeling of anxiety and isolation for many. It is important that we as a community continue to look for ways to connect with one another and support those who are having a difficult time. Please refer back to the wellbeing resources that have been previously circulated to all families. This second phase will be an incredible challenge for our Year 12 students. Previously the Year 12s took remote learning in their stride and should be very proud of the resilience and perseverance they have shown. It is important that all senior students reflect on their first experiences of remote learning: what worked, what didn’t? From this reflection, they need to set up personal remote learning guidelines that will set them up to achieve their best. For many, it will be important to continue their normal routine, including sleep patterns, exercise, and connecting with family and friends on a regular basis. I strongly encourage all senior students to reach out and communicate with their teachers whenever they are having difficulties with a subject. Finally, Mt Sion homeroom teachers and House Leaders will be looking to maintain and strengthen connections and relationships between our boys and our school.

Cassandra Gleeson, Head of Mt Sion

COVID-19 and our Mental Health

As a way of looking after my own mental health, I follow the Resilience Project Podcasts and use their journal. The Resilience Project’s mission is to teach positive mental health strategies to help people become happier and more resilient. The Resilience Project works in schools and offer public talks in the community, and the following statistics underpin their work.

• 1 in 4 adolescents have a mental illness

• 1 in 7 primary schools kids have a mental illness

• 1 in 5 adults will experience mental ill-health throughout the year

• 65% of adolescents do not seek help for mental illness

“The research is clear; the more positive emotion you experience, the more resilient you will be”. (The Resilience Project website)

The resilience project refer to three key pillars – Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness (GEM).

Gratitude – paying attention to the things we have right now and not worrying about what we don’t have. It is also about being thankful about things, places and people.

Empathy – putting ourselves in others’ shoes. Empathy and kindness are closely related, and being kind and understanding to others creates positive mental health.

Mindfulness – being present in the moment, and slowing down.

I am finding these 3 practices really important in my life at the moment, in these times of uncertainty, especially in relation to COVID-19. I am also finding them useful with my family, in assisting me to help my children through this time and in my own parenting.

For more information https://theresilienceproject.com.au

Mary Holmes -Social Worker

SJC Wellness Team