From the Leader of Wellbeing - Year 7

Welcome back to another fantastic term at St Andrews! 

Year 7 has started another term here at St Andrews in great fashion. They have now settled in well and have acclimated to high school life. 

Uniform:

As always, a reminder of uniform expectations. If you need a reminder of what the uniform expectations are, look in your Learning Planner on pages 19A and 20A.

We wish to remind everyone again that the following needs to be done at all times or a red card will be issued:

• Blazers should be worn into Learning Group until their Learning Advisor sees them
• Blazers should be worn after period 6 and when leaving the College
• Non-St Andrews items such as beanies and hoodies SHOULD NOT be worn to school. 
• If a student cannot wear their sports uniform, they are required to wear their normal school uniform
• School jumpers cannot be worn over sports uniforms. A school sports jacket is required.
• Boys must have their facial hair shaved
• Hair must be above the collar
• No nail polish or eyelash extensions. 

We understand with the weather getting a lot colder students may want to keep extra warm. However, you need to comply with the school policy and not bring any hoodies or beanies. A black or navy scarf and gloves can be worn.

The Love of Reading:

In our last Year Group Meeting, we touched upon a subject that I hold dear: the love of reading. Today, I want to delve deeper into why reading is not just a pastime but a lifelong skill that can profoundly impact our lives.

Reading is more than just decoding words on a page. It is a gateway to new worlds, diverse perspectives, and endless knowledge. When you immerse yourself in a book, you engage your imagination, improve your vocabulary, and enhance your understanding of complex ideas. These benefits are not confined to the classroom; they extend into every aspect of your life.

For students, reading builds critical thinking skills. It allows you to analyse texts, understand different viewpoints, and develop your own opinions. These skills are crucial for academic success across all subjects. Moreover, reading for pleasure can reduce stress, improve concentration, and boost overall mental well-being.

For parents, fostering a love of reading in your children is one of the greatest gifts you can give. Encourage them to explore different genres and authors. Share books and discuss them together. Your involvement and enthusiasm can significantly influence their attitude towards reading.

Reading is a lifelong skill that grows with you. It can provide comfort in difficult times, offer companionship when you feel alone, and continually expand your horizons. Whether it's fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or graphic novels, there is a book out there for everyone.

Let's cultivate a community of readers in Year 7. Together, we can unlock the limitless potential that a love of reading brings.

Jarryd Leaves 

Leader of Wellbeing - Year 7