PASTORAL CARE
WELCOME MILO - NEW WELLBING DOGWe are excited to announce this week the launch of a second wellbeing dog through the Dogs Connect program in our school. This is a whole school wellbeing program that has seen the introduction of another support dog, Milo in our community. Our school wellbeing dogs, Riot and Milo, will be much loved and important members of our community.
The Dogs Connect program will support us in implementing this very thoroughly, and considerately. At this stage we encourage anyone who would like to know more about this program to look through the website link below:
We are very excited to be introducing our second wellbeing dog. We have a team of staff who will lead this program. We would also like to assure the community that this program will not involve anyone who does not wish to be involved. We know that this work will continue to have a really positive impact on many people in our community, and we acknowledge and respect that connection with our wellbeing dogs will be offered on a great variety of levels.
MILO & RIOT
Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm.
It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening. Bullying can happen in person or online, via various digital platforms and devices and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert).
Bullying behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time (for example, through sharing of digital records). Bullying of any form or for any reason can have immediate medium and long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders.
Single incidents and conflicts or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying.
St John’s is proudly supporting Bullying No Way: National Week of Action, 11 to 15 August 2025. The theme for this year's campaign is Be Bold. Be Kind. Speak Up.
Bullying No Way Week is a commitment being made by thousands of schools and supporters across the country. It provides an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to bullying prevention. It gives us an opportunity to connect with students, staff and school communities to implement workable solutions to prevent bullying.
It takes a community to be brave and address bullying behaviours, within and beyond the school gate. Students can be bold, kind and speak up to support others being bullied. While trusted adults are there to support children and young people learn how to be kind to each other and report bullying.
Parents and carers play a crucial role in preventing and responding to bullying. Understanding the definition of bullying is the first step in talking about how to prevent and respond to bullying with your child. 'Bullying' is a word that is used for behaviours that are not actually bullying. These other behaviours can be just as serious but may require different responses.
School responses to reports of bullying can be much more effective when parents and carers report bullying and support school staff efforts to respond to it.
If your child reports that bullying is occurring at school, or the bullying is occurring outside school hours and involves students from the school, you should contact your child’s PALS teacher or Leader of Wellbeing and let them know about the situation.
For more information about Bullying No Way Week and bullying prevention, visit the Bullying No Way website.
PAUL DILLON - PARENT PRESENTATION
'SAVE THE DATE'
We are excited to offer an opportunity for parents and carers in our community to engage in a valuable presentation by Paul Dillon from DARTA (Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia). Paul has been working in the area of drug education for almost 30 years and is regularly contracted by agencies and organisations across the country to provide updates on current drug trends. He continues to work with many school communities to ensure they have access to quality information and best practice drug education. The details of Paul’s parent/carer presentation is as follows:
Date: Thursday 11th September 2025
Location: St John the Evangelist Catholic High School Hall
Time: 6pm to 7pm
Cost: Free
Presentation Topic: ‘Risk taking’ – why do teens do the things they do? What can parents do to keep them as safe as possible?
Adolescence is a risky time. As a teen matures and becomes more independent, they experience dramatic hormonal changes, increasing social and peer pressure and have greater access to alcohol and other drugs. This presentation will briefly examine the history of ‘teenagers’, rebellion and the different ‘temptations’ that have existed over time. Using the latest research on the developing brain, it will also discuss why young people make the decisions they do during this time. Sleepovers, parties and gatherings provide teens with valuable opportunities to develop important socialising skills but are not ‘risk-free’. Some practical strategies and tips for parents considering allowing their teen to attend such events to help ensure they are as safe as possible.
Opportunities to hear from experts such as Paul Dillon are invaluable so our advice to you is to SAVE THE DATE and please come along.
Ms Sonia Diaz
Leader of Wellbeing ( 7 - 12 )