As the term concludes and we enter the Easter period, it is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all that we have achieved and all that we hope to gain through our relationships with one another and the Holy Spirit. As people of faith, the Easter story reminds us that we are people of Hope. I encourage families to seek the time to reconnect and rebuild relationships as a family. Families play a pivotal role in developing resilience and strength. In fact, families are considered a protective factor for young people to grow as successful and happy people. The holidays are the perfect time to take stock and to sit and be still with one another. Holy Week provides the time to listen and just ‘be’ with our families.

Next week, we enter the Activities Week and we are excited to provide our students to further explore, deepen and strengthen their faith, learning and wellbeing. Each student is expected to attend the week long event. We ask that parents support us and their children to face the challenges of the week. If your child is unable to attend any event, could you notify the College via the Parent Access Module (PAM) or contact Reception or the relevant Year Level Team Leader or House Leader.

Term 1 has been a successful term and our students have successfully transitioned into the challenges of a new academic year. I have been so impressed to see our learners take on the adventure of learning, relationships and study from the Swimming Carnival, House Athletics, Outdoor Education Camps and a commitment to study routines. The rhythm of a new year allows us to form new habits and to start afresh. Our young women continue to embrace the richness of MSJ life. We need to remember that a person can only grow when we work with our challenges and face the day with energy and optimism.

We continue to thank the many students who wear the uniform with pride. The uniform has certainly given our students much choice and options. A reminder that in Term 2, the College blazer is compulsory and must be worn to and from school as the outer garment. I encourage families to check the length of the skirt, trouser or kilt. A reminder that students are permitted to wear two small sleepers or studs. As we support our students to fully integrate back into the community after extensive periods of lockdown, l ask that families support the College uniform regulations, especially with the wearing of jewellery. In Term 2, teachers will confiscate jewellery that is worn to school.

Thank you to the many students who have respected and adhered to the mobile phone policy. As a community, we have noticed more chatter and noise at recess and lunch as students have lots of conversation and banter. However, we have also noticed that some students have returned to using their phones at recess and lunch. This is not permitted and phones will be confiscated.

Restorative Practices

MSJ is a school the implements the principles of Restorative Justice, as a framework for dealing with conflict. The restorative approach attempts to work with students, by teaching what is acceptable behaviour and what is not, and by supporting young people when they get it wrong, offering another chance to ‘get it right.’ It accepts that all of us err, but forgiveness, compassion and cooperation can rebuild relationships that have been affected. In a school community, behaviour which transgresses school policies and expectations is an understandable part of maturing. For a variety of reasons, children and adolescents (and sometimes adults) will test the boundaries and act in ways that are contrary to the stated or implied expectations. This is where we begin to implement restorative conversations.

Thanks to the many families who recently attended the Parent Workshops. Thanks to the many staff who presented excellent workshops from Working with Young People, Understanding the ATAR, Understanding Social Media, Supporting your Child in the Senior School, and Maths Matters. The presentations can be accessed through PAM – Parent Access Module.

Dealing with Grief

Many members of our community will have found the death of Keira Healy difficult to comprehend. I have included documents from Headspace which outline processes to support young people experiencing grief.

Headspace 1800 650 890

Kids Helpline 1800 551 800

Suicide in schools: information for families

Grief: how young people respond to suicide

With every blessing for Easter,

Steven Mifsud - Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing