Respectful Relationships

Presenter Tom Robb has spoken to all Mt Sion students in the past two weeks addressing issues surrounding toxic masculinity and encouraging our students to MAN DOWN rather than MAN UP and be open up to their own and other people’s feelings. Tom is a local man who is doing great a great job working with young people and breaking down stereotypes. We are blessed to have him committed to working within our community and I encourage parents and carers to explore his website. https://www.lifeistheway.com.au/

We have also historically had a Year 11 day devoted to RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS and the effects of mainstream pornography. We are currently in discussions with Ritchie Hardcore who is keen to return from New Zealand to speak with our students on the issues of masculinity, gender roles, consent, respect and the harmful effects of mainstream pornography. Our Year 12s missed his presentation last year due to COVID-19 restrictions so we plan to include the Year 12s as well.

When we secure dates we also plan to host a parent/carer information evening that would see an open invitation for SJC and the wider Geelong community to hear from Ritchie about ways in which parents and carers can be empowered in this space. In the meantime, the following link provides parents and carers with some insight into approaching these topics with their children.

https://schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-conversation-consent

Bus Behaviour

Whilst we have been very impressed with the attitude and respect our students are showing at school, we have been somewhat disappointed in some of the behaviours that have been reported to us about bus behaviour. Approximately 80% of the SJC student population catch a bus and the behaviour is a shared responsibility between school and families. Whilst we deal thoroughly with individuals and families when issues arise I felt the need to share some of our expectations that we would like reiterated at home.

St Joseph’s students should

• Use respectful language to the bus driver, SJC students and students from other schools.
• Share a seat with other SJC students and don’t sit one to a seat so that others don’t get a seat.
• Ensure all other passengers can easily access a seat.
• Use respectful language and don’t make others feel uncomfortable.
• Minimise unnecessary noise/rowdiness that may impact other members of the community.
• Stay in seats and do not move around the bus.
• Do not touch another student’s property.
• No rude gestures to people passing by.
• Dispose of rubbish appropriately.

We would hope that the respectful culture we experience at school is the culture that extends to bus travel. We are urging our senior students to call out any inappropriate behaviours and report them to us. We welcome student who witnesses or experiences poor behaviour to speak with their Homeroom teacher, Year Level Coordinator and/or Head of School. It is important to know that failure to comply with these standards would be a breach of the Code of Conduct as set out by the Department of Transport and can result in a bus suspension. Thank you for your support.

Wellbeing Moments

If you are a parent of one of our Year 8 students, you will no doubt have heard some talk about ‘The Resilience Project’ that we have introduced into our Waterford Campus this year.

The focus of the program is to share with each other the benefits of being grateful, every day, for the small things that go well for us, of being aware of how others are feeling around us and offering a kind word or helping hand where we can. And finally, practising ‘mindfulness,’ a really difficult challenge when you are a young teenager in a crowded room. But the boys have learnt that mindfulness does not necessarily have to mean staying still and feeling deep breaths. We had the opportunity to try out origami – an activity that does require you to be entirely focused on folding squares of coloured paper, and slows down the thoughts that take you elsewhere. A moment to be in the moment. Isn’t that what we all want a little bit of sometimes?

Our Year 7 cohort will be commencing The Resilience Project next term, and we look forward to them engaging in the same really positive focus that ‘GEM’ – Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness – has provided for our Year 8 students.

If you feel inclined to see how The Resilience Project might change a moment in your day, they have provided the following exercise for you to perhaps engage in next time you are together: