Dear Parents & Friends of St Clare’s

Welcome to Term 4.  I hope you and your loved ones are fit, safe and well.  The recent lockdown has been an added complication in a challenging 20 months for all in the St Clare’s community.

I am pleased to report that students and staff have commenced the term in good spirits and that the return to face-to-face teaching has been well received by all in our care.

Year 12 2021

A significant element in the successful return to school is the goodwill that we share with each other as we recover from the disruption the pandemic has caused in our lives.  For some in our community, the lack of predictability has undermined their self-confidence and caused them to have a pessimistic view of the world.  While this mindset is not wildly held in our school community, which has shown a high level of energy and resilience since March 2020, we have changed the Term 4 timetable to allow a broader focus on positive relationships and personal wellbeing among students and school staff.  Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday will commence with a 25-minute pastoral care session which will focus on individual wellbeing and care for those with whom the students share their day.  Years 7 to 9 will trial the use of a professionally produced wellbeing journal and will engage in activities to encourage personal growth and a healthy mindset.  St Clare’s staff will lead the students in a number of discussions and activities that will reinforce a sense of personal worth and broaden their understanding of how to monitor their personal wellbeing.

The Year 10 program will include students completing the NESA mandated All My Own Work package and Minimum Standards Testing in preparation for the HSC.  The group will also focus on mindfulness and stress management during pastoral lessons.

Many scientific studies have made the strong connection regarding the importance of exercise and its positive influence on mental health.  As the current COVID health guidelines do not allow Thursday’s traditional sport program to take place, Years 7 to 10 will have a Year Level specific sporting session designed to encourage participation, teamwork, physical movement and fun throughout the school week.  Through discussion, journaling and initiatives that promote teamwork and fun, we will assist the young people in our care to be thoughtful and supportive friends, who take responsibility for their personal wellbeing and learning.

A little further into the newsletter you will find information regarding the annual Tell Them From Me Survey.  I hope you are able to find time to complete the survey and help us provide the best possible learning environment for all members of our community.

This week we have interviewed for positions in English, Maths and Science.  We had a strong field of candidates and look forward to announcing the new members of our academic staff in coming weeks.

Interviews for our School Captains were also held this week.  It was a pleasure to be part of the panel and hear the passion and aspirations that our senior students have for their peers and St Clare’s High School.  The Principal’s Panel included Student Representative Council Coordinator Jeremy Hobbes, Staff Member Eloise Thomas, Principal Peter Nicholls and our current School Captains Hannah Van Arendonk and Patrick Guthridge.  Announcements regarding the successful applicants will be made on Monday.

We can expect a number of changes to the pandemic health guidelines over coming weeks.  At present we continue to operate under NSW Government educational rules that require staff and students to wear masks inside and outside the school grounds.  Staff are encouraging the use of hand sanitiser and reinforcing that coughing and sneezing should be done into one’s elbow.  If your son or daughter is unwell, please keep them home until they are fully recovered.

Staff at St Clare’s are focusing on the health and safety of all members of the school community.

I hope all in our community are experiencing a glimmer of hope as we move into the next phase of the pandemic experience.

Thank you to all - students, parents and staff for the continued care and support you have shown each other over the past 20 months.

God bless

 

Peter Nicholls
Principal