From the Leader of Learning Wellbeing Year 8
Dear Year 8 Parents
Over the last fortnight it was wonderful to meet many of you using Zoom in our Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences. Please remember I am always available to discuss your child’s progress; I am only a phone call away on 9626 4000 or an email mblackwell@parra.catholic.edu.au
The St Andrews College community continues to pray and think about those suffering in Beirut. I know there are many students who have extended family living in Beirut. Our hearts and prayers are sent to God that He will raise people to alleviate the suffering and pain.
Our Wellbeing lessons continue and on Monday the 10th of August students completed the Via Character Survey to see whether their Signature Strengths had changed since the beginning of the school year.
Students recorded their five Signature Strengths in their Learning Planner. I encourage all parents to discuss these with your child. The 24 Character Strengths are the best personal ways of looking and practising what we do in life. Students are encouraged to think of how they could use each one to contribute positively to the St Andrews College community. Each week students can use their Strengths to achieve their set challenges and boost their learning.
The second learning activity was to understand the concept of Neuroplasticity or how the brain works. The aim was for students to understand that every experience we have rewires the brain. Humans are able to develop their abilities through deliberate practice. In our brain there are millions of nerve cells called neurons, which aim to send messages from neuron to neuron. Practising things humans want to develop within themselves will strengthen the connections between the neurons, making things much easier to do. Students learnt that increasing the difficulty of what they practice will stretch their abilities to create new brain pathways and their developing better habits.
Sleep was also stressed in the Year 8 Wellbeing Lesson. To sleep well, students need to go to bed the same time each night, they need to turn off their phones an hour before bedtime. Reading or journal writing on what went well during the day, meditation and/or praying are excellent bedtime routines.
The last learning activity for the morning was students reflecting and rating themselves on their Growth MindSets. Growth MindSets are about believing students can turn “can’ts” into cans and “won’ts” into wills. They are about improving abilities within each of us.
Only ten years ago - the brain was thought to develop throughout childhood and be unchangeable in adulthood. This theory could not be further from the truth as neuroscientists prove every day. I encourage parents to spend time with their children discussing what they have learnt in our Wellbeing Lessons. The St Andrews College Learning Planner contains a wealth of information on how to achieve and maintain positive health.
Our journey of discovery continues each fortnight with the Learning Advisors helping their students to learn about the elements of their mental and physical wellbeing.
I thank all those who are on the journey with me. Always remember knowing about mental and physical wellbeing is not enough; growth and change will only come with persistent effort.
Melissa Blackwell
Leader of Learning Wellbeing Year 8