From the Leader of Wellbeing - Year 9

Welcome back to another school year, 

Our students are now in their 3rd year of high school, how time has flown! It is good to be back and working with the year 9 students and parents as we continue to help them grow, develop and shape them into the best people they can be. 

As we begin the year, I would like to introduce the Year 9 team:

• Leader of Wellbeing - Mr Carlos
• Assistant Leader of Wellbeing - Ms Amiri
• Learning Advisor B4 - Ms Matsufuji
• Learning Advisor B8 - Ms Alexy, Ms Nguyen
• Learning Advisor C6 - Ms Cusack, Mr Cheung, Mr Sheehan
• Learning Advisor C10 - Mr Ison, Mr Sheehan
• Learning Advisor F7 - Ms Malonzo, Mrs Psaila, Mrs Borg
• Learning Advisor F8 - Mrs Akkoumi, Mrs Thomson
• Learning Advisor G8 - Mrs Kramer, Mrs Appleby, Mr Sheehan
• Learning Advisor G9 - Ms Rivera

We welcome back learning advisors who have been with year 9 since the first day of high school and we welcome brand new learning advisors to the team. A reminder that the Learning Advisors are usually your students' first point of contact in the mornings. The LA’s are a source of information and communication and will contact parents if needed. 

This year is important for year 9 as they begin the process of becoming the future leaders of the college. As a Year 9 student, they are expected to take on more responsibility for their learning, behaviour, and personal development. What we expect from our year 9 students are:

Academic Expectations

• Complete all classwork and homework on time.
• Stay organised and bring the necessary materials to class.
• Engage in lessons by listening, asking questions, and participating in discussions.
• Revise regularly and prepare for tests and assessments.

Behaviour and Conduct

• Show respect to teachers, staff, and fellow students.
• Follow school rules and classroom guidelines.
• Be punctual and attend school regularly.
• Demonstrate good manners and a positive attitude.
• Take responsibility for your actions and learn from mistakes.

Personal Development

• Develop time management and study skills.
• Take part in extracurricular activities (sports, music, drama, clubs).
• Show resilience when facing challenges.
• Be open to learning new skills and exploring future career interests.

Social and Emotional Growth

• Treat others with kindness and inclusivity.
• Handle conflicts in a mature and respectful way.
• Develop friendships while also respecting personal boundaries.
• Seek help from teachers or counsellors when needed.

Digital Responsibility

• Use technology appropriately and safely.
• Follow school policies regarding mobile phones and social media use.
• Avoid cyberbullying and be respectful in online interactions.

Year 9’s are aware of what my expectations are of them and I will continue to hold them accountable if these expectations are not being met. In saying this, there are a few things that need to be addressed as we start the school year:

Uniform:

One expectation of our students as they accept their enrollment at St Andrews College is to respect and abide by the college policies, especially uniform. It is expected that the students are meeting the following uniform expectations:

Boys: 

• Hair neat and tidy and above the collar and off of their eyes
• Clean shaven
• Hard black leather shoes
• Black belt
• Black or taupe socks
• No earrings.

Girls:

• Hair tied back above the shoulders and one natural hair colour
• One set of earrings no bigger than a 5c piece
• No makeup - will be told to wipe off
• Skirt needs to be at knee length
• Sky blue socks

Attendance:

St Andrews College provides exceptional educators who will help your child achieve the best they can. It is vital that your child is attending school regularly to be able to receive this opportunity for a great education. 

Contact will be made home to check in if there are multiple absences, patterns of absence i.e. absent on a particular day

My Role:

As the Leader of Wellbeing, I have a key role in supporting students, teachers, and parents to ensure a smooth and productive school year. My responsibilities include:

Student Well-being & Support

• Act as the main point of contact for students in the year group.
• Provide pastoral care and emotional support.
• Address behavioural issues and enforce school rules.
• Mediate conflicts and support students facing personal challenges.

Academic Oversight

• Monitor student progress and provide academic guidance.
• Work with teachers to identify students needing extra support.
• Encourage good study habits and time management skills.

Communication with Parents & Staff

• Keep parents informed about their child’s wellbeing
• Work closely with teachers and school leadership.

Behavior Management & Discipline

• Enforce school policies such as attendance, punctuality, and behaviour.
• Handle bullying, conflicts, or other disciplinary matters.
• Support students in developing responsibility and respect for others.

I hope to continue to be a mentor, guide, and role model for the year 9 students. The students in this year group have generally received positive feedback since they were in year 7 and I hope that this continues this year and the years to come. 

As always, students and parents can always contact me at kcarlos3@parra.catholic.edu.au

Looking forward to another great year!

Mr Kharl Carlos

Leader of Wellbeing - Year 9