It goes without saying that concerns for the wellbeing of children and adolescents is not a new phenomenon given student wellbeing has featured prominently in educational policy development alongside national directives for schools to prioritise wellbeing primarily through well-developed programs. Wellbeing programs in schools not only enhance the overall academic performance of students, but also equip them with the skills and resilience needed to navigate life's challenges and lead fulfilling lives. Furthermore, they also help us to create a safer and more inclusive school culture, where students feel valued and respected. This week all students across the College spent time engaging with activities and lessons in designated wellbeing sessions. Our new Preps were connected with new Year 4 and 5 buddy as a means of providing peer social and emotional support and to promote a sense of community and our Junior School are taking steps to connect our students with MYTERN as a tool to teach our students the importance of self-regulation and how to take responsibility for all the complexities associated with our emotions. The Year 5 and 6 students at the Bellarine Campus came together during one of their Wellbeing sessions to discuss various ways to be kind and students listened to a book about the importance of filling one’s kindness bucket.  Our Year 9s at Middle school are being encouraged to nurture their Christian faith through student-led devotions and our Year 10s had a chance to spend some time with our Senior school Chaplains.  For our Year 11s and 12s the focus was on building connections and relationships with time also spent focusing on identifying character strengths that can be drawn on to help manage the challenges experienced in the VCE years. Finally, this week across the College we also acknowledged ‘Safer Internet Day’ and we were reminded to all connect safely with purpose, reflect before we act and protect ourselves and others by taking action. More information on this day is available here.  

Whilst we are committed to the ongoing development of our student wellbeing program as highlighted by our College Wellbeing Framework, we also recognise the importance of fostering strong and positive relationships with our wider college community. The continuous involvement and engagement with our families allows for the strengthening of partnerships and working together helps to protect and promote wellbeing and likewise reduce those risk-taking or harmful behaviours that can potentially undermine wellbeing. This recent article Top of Form offers valuable advice to parents on talking to their teens. Whist in this instance the focus is on vaping the straightforward, yet highly effective strategies provided by professional experts can also be applied to address other harmful and risky teen behaviours. We are reminded of the need to enhance our awareness and education around such concerning behaviours, listen more than speak, and promote and encourage help-seeking behaviour. Continuing to foster a culture of care and support and prioritising strong and positive partnerships with our College families will place us in the best position to allow our students to thrive and flourish in a very complex and everchanging world.  

In Year 8 this year, as we have done over the past few years now, we are placing a strong emphasis on the theme ‘Community’, this year linking it closely with our College theme ‘With Spirit’. I’m sure we can all agree that communities are an essential part of everyone’s everyday life. Whether they encompass family, friends, sporting/recreational clubs, workplaces, etc. they don’t get much bigger than that of a school community, especially considering the extended period of time spent within a school setting on a daily basis. Therefore, attempting to create a cohesive and inclusive setting is at the forefront of what we try to promote, not just in Year 8, but across the whole campus community. 

This term, students at Year 8 will be engaging in a variety of different topics throughout their respective subjects. During Wellbeing classes (which take place daily from 12:40 – 1:10pm), homerooms will be undertaking the following weekly schedule: 

Monday and Tuesday: Classes will be gaining a deeper insight into the College Values (Faith, Hope, Love, Truth and Grace) and how they connect within, and beyond the school setting.  

Wednesday: Students will be designing and implementing a chosen role within a specific community as part of their Positive Impact Project (PIP). Students have the option to work individually, or in small groups and use their skills and passions to assist within the community of their choice, with the theme and emphasis being around applying a servant heart.  

Thursday: Homerooms come together and meet in the Chapel for either a Year Level Assembly or Chapel Service (these sessions alternate every week). This is a precious time where key themes and messages are presented and an opportunity for the students to display their voice and skills. 

Friday: Wellbeing classes will see homerooms participating in Homeroom Challenges, where each homeroom competes against one another in a different activity each week to see who can gain bragging rights as the ultimate Year 8 Homeroom! Prizes are up for grabs each week for the victorious class. 

It has been really pleasing to see and hear of the positive start the Year 8 cohort has made this year. Expectations and College norms have been set and reinforced from day one, to ensure everyone is on the same page. If we can all work towards upholding and adhering to these key areas, and importantly having plenty of fun along the way, I have no doubt we’re in for a great 2023! 

 Please see below some key upcoming dates for Year 8 in Term 1: 

• Hero’s Journey (Week 4): English students across all homerooms will attend an incursion/presentation from our very own Mia Kafieris (Dean of Christian Culture), as further exploration of their study on the Hero’s Journey.  

• House Swimming Carnival (Week 5): House rivalry is on full display at the Kardinia Aquatic Centre during this, the first House Carnival of the year. 

• GEOS Camp (Week 6): Years 8B, 8G and 8H will be embarking on a fun-filled 4 day camp involving Trangia cooking, hiking, mountain bike riding, kayaking, etc, in the beautiful Anglesea and surrounding environments. The camp focuses on developing a variety of practical skills, but also personal skills such as independence, resilience, teamwork, and a greater appreciation for the local natural environment. 

• House Athletics Carnival (Week 10): House rivalry is back on display (this time on land) on the College front oval. Running, jumping, throwing and much more will take place alongside some friendly competitive spirit! 

• Below are some images of what has been taking place in Year 8 so far this year: 

• Product Design – Materials: A design brief by Year 8 student Benji Kattwinkel in preparation for making an LED ‘ecolamp’. 

• Drama: Students getting right into the spirit, displaying their best acting skills during a recent Drama class. 

• HPE: Students undertaking a variety of fitness tests and linking them to specific fitness components (Vertical Jump – Muscular power and Sit and Reach – Flexibility) as part of the Fitness Unit.