Pastoral Care is the essential foundation in which learning can take place. Working together with families we can create a nurturing environment which allows students to excel. This year the school is focussing on positive behaviours for learning and respectful relationships to guide our young people. There will be a number of opportunities for students to participate in pastoral programs throughout the year.

DIGITAL THUMBPRINT: 

Students will participate in digital thumbprint lessons next Friday 31st March. Students will learn the advantages of a positive online presence while arming them with the facts they need to stay safe online. Topics that will be covered are: 

• Cyberbullying: Importance of respectful relationships online
• Digital Discernment and Fake News: How social media has the power to influence society and how to identify facts and fiction in online media. 
• Digital Balance: How technology can help us achieve amazing things, the positive uses of technology on our wellbeing and how to create a balance between the use of social media, social interaction and study.  
• Cybersecurity: Students will learn how to stay safe online
• Digital Identity: Students will explore social media profiles and posts through the lens of potential employers and positively improve their own online presence. 

POLICE YOUTH ENGAGEMENT OFFICERS:

Students in Years 9 and 10 participated in workshops with members of our local police force. Topics covered were bullying and harassment, staying safe online crime prevention, where and how to access support and strategies to reduce juvenile crime. 

YEAR 7 AND YEAR 9 INFORMATION NIGHTS:

This week we held our parent information night for Year 7 and Year 9. It was so nice to see so many families onsight. Our Year 7 presentation focussed on PALS connections and exploring the expectation at St John’s. Families were presented with information around uniform, diary usage, pastoral and learning support and how to stay connected to our community. It was great to get another opportunity to welcome all our new families to the school. 

Our Year 9 families were given information about the up and coming Bay and Beyond Camp in Term 2 located in Booderee National Park (Jervis Bay). PALS teachers also discussed the importance of being aware of mental health, ways to support young people and how to access support.  

YEAR 10 - YOUR CHOICEZ PROGRAM

Your Choicez: Our Year 10 students will participate in a respectful relationship program next Wednesday 29th March. This is an externally delivered program focussing on mutual respect, trust, good communication, understanding and honesty. The program unpacks how to participate in positive relationships, contributing to young people’s growth, maturity and sense of self-confidence. It promotes healthy self-expression and awareness of yourself and others. 

If there are any concerns with your son or daughter, please reach out to their PALS teacher as they are great for support for our young people.  

Mr Aidan Leishman

Pastoral Care

KNITTING FOR HEALTH & WELLNESS @ SJE

 A study conducted by Harvard Medical School’s Mind and Body Institute found that knitting lowers the heart rate, by an average of 11 beats per minute, and induces an "enhanced state of calm" (Huffington Post, 2018). 

Additionally,  The Psychologist (Riley and colleagues, 2013) showed the positive effects of crafting including knitting, with those in this study experiencing a better mood and even improved problem-solving skills.The findings of a literature review and a survey of over 1,000 knitters to Knit for Peace (2017), backed the following positive health physical and mental benefits:

 “The rhythmic repetitive movements induce a form of meditation similar to mindfulness – that pleasant state of mind when you’re existing ‘in the moment’, not mulling over the past or fretting about the future” said Corkhill. “Knitters find they can ‘zone out’ – and escape into the sanctuary of a quiet mind” [The Daily Mail]

This weekly lunch time activity started in 2022 here at SJE and has continued to be a very good lunch time activity. It is held in J4.

Originally it was focused on teaching students how to knit using garter stitch as well as how to crochet.

All resources are supplied.

During Term 4 we branched out to french knitting as well.

In 2023 we have added loom knitting and Loom bands and some students are hand sewing at this time as well.

We can have as little as 10 students to as many as 30 students take advantage of this mindful crafting approach.

Leslee Auert our Catholic care Pastoral Care Support personnel and Ms Julie Stenner SSO assist the students in learning the skills. Also those students skillful with the craft have stepped forward and  are now  assisting new students. 

It has become a great team approach activity here at SJE and we encourage students to come along and give it a try!

Ms Leslee Auert
Pastoral Care Support - Chaplain