How wonderful it was to welcome back our students this week. I especially welcome our new families to our Damascus College Community. It is a privilege to have an input into the academic, spiritual, and social and emotional development of your student.

Monday provided me with an opportunity to speak to staff on the Catholic Education Office – Central Zone’s theme for the year. The focus on the theme comes from St Paul’s Letter to the Romans in which the apostles list qualities appropriate for a community inspired by Christ. The reading speaks of being joyful in hope, patient in affliction and joyful in prayer. These words and practices form a wonderful anchor that our community needs to call upon in our interactions with each other.

As the College embarks on the second year of Mackillop ReLATE Teaching and Learning model we are reminded of our commitment to the unconditional positive regard of the young people we are supporting. We acknowledge the diversity of challenges that will impact students experience in the classroom. Being joyful in hope and patient in affliction certain resonates with our ReLATE model.

As parents and carers, there are number of habits that I would hope you are encouraging as your students return to the formalities of the school day. The Catholic Education Commission of Victoria has provided a series of guidelines that provide a useful reference point how parents and carers can support the wellbeing of the young people under their care. These guidelines include

Encourage healthy eating, sufficient sleep and regular physical activity.

It is recommended children and young people do at least 60 minutes each day of moderate to vigorous physical activity that makes the heartbeat faster. Children aged 5 to 13 years should be getting 9 to 11 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Young people aged 14 to 17 years get 8 to 10 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

Encourage positive attitudes, values and behaviours like organisation, confidence, persistence, and doing your best.

The development of students Social and Emotional Learning skills is clearly linked to improved student outcomes. As a college we acknowledge students are progress with these skills. Parents/ Carers should be encouraging resilience, persistence, organisation, team work and confident behaviour. When you see your student demonstrating these skills praise and acknowledge them

Celebrate your child’s successes.

Young people thrive on affirmation and recognition of success. Take the opportunity to label their achievements. Go beyond the ‘well done’ and label the success. “Well done on your result in mathematics. I know you have put a lot of work in nailing how the area of a circle is measured”.

Help your child balance the amount of time spent in school work and play.

Encourage your student to get involved in activities that allow them to flourish in a variety of settings. Exposure to a variety of activities allows students to cultivate a variety of skills.

I look forward to working with you all throughout the year.