As we reach the halfway point of Term 2, it's a great time to reflect on how our Year 7 students are growing – not only in their academic learning but also in their emotional and social development.

Congratulations go out to all our weekly award/reward recipients. You are all wonderful students and deserve the accolades you receive. Keep up to date on Facebook with acknowledgement of student successes.

Thanks must go out to our wonderful Year Level Co-ordinators, Mr Johansen and Mrs Nelmes for their organisation of the Year 7 Camp to Lake Perseverance. Along with Ms Dennis, Ms Lancaster, Ms Prior and Chappy Howard. The students had a blast.

The middle of the year often brings new challenges: increased workload, friendship shifts, and greater personal expectations. It’s also when some of the initial excitement of starting high school gives way to more complex social dynamics. That’s why building resilience, learning healthy conflict resolution skills, and showing respect across all settings are more important than ever. We need to reflect to the school values, Respect, Resilience, Responsibility and Commitment.

Resilience: Bouncing Back Stronger

Resilience is the ability to adapt in the face of challenges, setbacks, or stress. For Year 7 students, resilience means:

• Not giving up when a subject is hard or when feedback feels tough.
• Learning from mistakes rather than fearing them.
• Staying calm when things don’t go to plan – whether it’s a group project or a sporting game.

We encourage students to:

• Focus on what they can control, rather than what they can’t.
• Talk about their feelings with trusted adults or friends.
• Practice positive self-talk, like: “I can handle this” or “I’ll try again tomorrow.”

Commitment: Keeping the Drama Low

We need our students to commit to “Being Better”, a mantra Mr Johansen introduced to our students and continues to explore. We need to be better at conflict resolution. A reminder to our families that in a scenario of conflict, we request our students to stop, walk away and seek assistance from an adult., At this age, misunderstandings and disagreements are part of learning how to relate to others, yet when handled poorly, small issues can quickly turn into drama that affects everyone. To help prevent this, we’re teaching and reinforcing strategies like:

• Pause before reacting: Take a breath, walk away, and cool down before responding.
• Use “I” statements: Instead of blaming (e.g., “You always ignore me”), say, “I felt left out when…”
• Listen to understand, not just to reply.
• Seek help early: If students feel stuck in a situation, they should talk to a teacher, Year Advisor, or wellbeing staff – before it escalates.

We also remind students that social media is not the place to solve problems. Encouraging face-to-face conversations mediated by adults, and limiting online conflict, is crucial in reducing unnecessary stress.

Respect: Especially When Things Change

Respect is a cornerstone of a safe and supportive school environment. One area we are reinforcing is how students respond when their regular teacher is away, and a replacement teacher steps in.

We understand that students are most comfortable with their usual teachers – but it's important they maintain the same standards of behaviour, listening, and effort, regardless of who is delivering the lesson.

A respectful student:

• Follows instructions the first time – even if the teacher is unfamiliar.
• Supports a calm classroom so everyone can learn.
• Takes responsibility for their actions, even when routines are disrupted.

Replacement teachers are here to ensure learning continues, and they deserve the same respect, courtesy and cooperation as our full-time staff. It's an important opportunity for students to show maturity, adaptability, and kindness.

Responsibility: Working Together

Parents and carers play a vital role in reinforcing these messages at home. We encourage you to talk regularly with your child about how they’re managing school life, friendships, and classroom behaviour. A calm conversation and a listening ear can make all the difference.

Let’s continue to support our Year 7s in becoming confident, kind, and capable young people. With resilience, respect, and good communication skills, they can navigate this term with maturity and positivity.

Mick Jarroush
Deputy Principal – Year 7