Recently, we celebrated Harmony Week, and the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence. Harmony Week reminds us about the importance of inclusion, of respecting and welcoming all regardless of their race, skin colour, religion, abilities, and sexual orientation. Any form of discrimination emerges from a place of ignorance and fear; consequently, it is vitally important that we educate ourselves, each other and our children about the value of diversity. What we say and do as parents and carers has a significant impact on our children; they are watching and listening.
As a Catholic College in the Brigidine Tradition, we are called to Living Justice; we welcome all and have a responsibility to stand-up for the oppressed, to name any form of discrimination and to hold each other to account for poor choices made. Looking for the good in others, doing good deeds, and informing ourselves and our children about the nature of our diverse society will nurture harmony and solidarity.
Say “No!” to Bullying and “Take a Stand Together” were themes of the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence. Students were invited to wear a “Bullying. No Way” ribbon and post messages about actions we all can take to prevent bullying and violence.
Bullying is when one person (or a group of people) with more power than someone else, repeatedly tries to upset them. Bullying of any form or for any reason can have long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders. It can happen in person or online, and it can be obvious or hidden. The Take a Stand Together App is a resource available to young people. Further information about bullying can be found at
https://bullyingnoway.gov.au/support-and-advice/for-young-people
Many teachers have noticed that a significant number of our students appear tired and are finding it difficult to concentrate. Health experts tell us that teenagers require eight to ten hours of sleep a night to function well. As we all know, sleep deprivation can lead to a range of health issues, and lack of sleep also significantly impacts our ability to learn well and problem solve. If your daughter is frequently tired, I encourage you to have a conversation with her and consider the reasons for her tiredness. Is she getting enough sleep, and if not, why? Some students have reported that their tiredness is due to being on electronic devices late at night when they are supposed to be sleeping. A conversation around the responsible use of technology and what constitutes good sleep hygiene might be a good place to start.
Mr Glenn Clifford
Director of Wellbeing
