Learning Matters
Peer Support Leaders, supported by our Child Safety Committee worked
closely with our Year 7 students, delivering the important Raising a Concern Workshop. This initiative is a key part of our commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive school environment.
10 Mackillop students sold dolmas, hotdogs and ice-cream sandwiches to raise funds for the Buyaga School in Uganda.
Year 7s STEM day included an exciting science show, catapult construction, de-coding activity and a virtual reality experience.
Dream Big Youth Festival
R U Okay Day 2024
This year, our school was involved in the Dream Big Youth Festival.
THE DREAM BIG YOUTH MUSIC FESTIVAL is where musicians, singers, and creative artists from primary and secondary schools and local Neighbourhood Houses from the west of Melbourne and beyond, are showcase their talents. Simulcast across the world on RUOK? Day - from The Bowery Theatre, St Albans - this is a festival that inspires youth to use their creative and musical talents to build awareness of important mental health messages that promote health and wellbeing in their communities.
A selection of 18 students from years 7-10 performed an original song, written by Mr Clarence Marshall that promotes self-love. It is also a song of gratitude for all the people in our lives that make us who we truly are. The song ‘I Am’ was received well by the live audience and we thoroughly enjoyed watching other performances on the day.
Mental health is an important part of our lives and every day is a chance to ask someone, ‘R U Okay?’.
Here are the lyrics to the song:
I Am – Words and Music by Clarence Marshall
Verse 1
Now we’re goin’ back, right back to the start.
We’re gonna find out, heal our troubled hearts.
Time to dig deep and recognise our pain.
Cry and cry and cry; cry through the rain.
Don’t feel ashamed.
‘Cause I am, who I am. I can be, be the best I can
‘Cause I am, who I am. Thanks to you,
I am who I am.
Verse 2:
I gotta reach out, communicate with love.
Try to hold on, believin’ I’m enough.
Time to speak loud, don’t hide my truth inside.
Throw away the mask I’m wearing all the time.
The price is way too high
‘Cause I am, who I am. I can be, be the best I can
‘Cause I am, who I am. Thanks to you,
I am who I am.
Bridge:
My reflection has never been so real
Looking back is how I truly feel
It’s everything I need
Wellbeing For Learning
Pastoral Care Program
Catholic Regional College Pastoral Care program provides a sequenced curriculum from Years 7 to 10 using a multimodal approach designed to develop the achievement and wellbeing of the whole person (spiritually, intellectually, morally, physically, socially and emotionally).
Our Pastoral Care program centres around the social-emotional learning (SEL) model, a school-based organisational framework through which students learn to become lifelong learners who recognise, reflect and manage their emotions and empathise with others.
Our Pastoral Care program fosters the development of positive relationships. It provides opportunities for students to grow from challenging experiences to contribute positively to their community and flourish as responsible global citizens.
Term 4 Concepts and Themes
- Year 7 – Giving and Gratitude
- Year 8 – Understanding - My Future Wellbeing
- Year 9 – Zest and Sleep
- Year 10 – The Legacy Project
Reporting Cyberbullying
Here at CRC St Albans, it is our right to feel safe and included when learning and online. Therefore; students are reminded to follow these guidelines as we move into the holiday period.
Steps to reporting cyberbullying:
- Collect evidence
- Report harmful content
- Prevent further contact
- Get more help
If you are being cyberbullied it’s a good idea to tell a trusted adult, like a parent, carer or teacher.
Please see the following links for further information: https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/cyberbullying/report-cyberbullying#answers-to-more-common-questions
Celebrating Our Peer Support Leaders: Raising a Concern Workshop
Last week, our dedicated Peer Support Leaders, supported by our Child Safety Committee worked closely with our Year 7 students during the Pastoral Care period, delivering the important Raising a Concern Workshop. This initiative is a key part of our commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive school environment.
The workshop provided Year 7 students with the tools to express themselves confidently and constructively, empowering them to have a voice and agency in their interactions with peers and staff. By learning how to raise concerns in a respectful and effective manner, students are better equipped to navigate challenges, both in and out of the classroom.
Our Peer Support Leaders, in facilitating these sessions, have played a vital role in guiding our younger students and modelling positive communication. We are incredibly proud of their leadership and the supportive relationships they are building with our Year 7s, helping to create a community where every voice is heard, and every concern can be addressed in a safe, respectful way.
This is just one of the many ways we aim to empower our students, ensuring that they feel valued and confident as active participants in our school community.
Emergency and Mental Health Support Information and contact phone numbers
If you require any assistance over the school holidays while the school is unattended, please contact:
- 000 Emergency Assistance
Emergency Police, Fire, Ambulance Ph:000
- Kids Helpline
Phone: 1800551800, https://kidshelpline.com.au/Free 24 hours/7 days a week advice and support for children and young people 5-25 years old.
- Parent Helpline
Phone: 1300 301 300 https://parentline.com.au/Free 24 hours/7 days a week advice and support for parents, guardians and carers.
- Lifeline
Phone:13 4357 https://www.lifeline.org.au/Free 24 hours/7 days a week crisis support and suicide prevention.
- Beyond Blue
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ Ph: 1300 22 4636 Free mental health support and assistance for depression and anxiety.
- Suicide Call Back Service
www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au Ph: 1300 659 467
- Head to Help - headtohelp.org.au Ph 1800 595 212
- Your local doctor or medical centre.
