Dear College Community  

Mental Health Awareness Week 

The SRC (Student Representative Council) have come up with the wonderful, themed week idea of “Mental Health Awareness Week”. With mental health, both in children, young adolescence, and adulthood skyrocketing, it is fitting the school stops to reflect on the enormity of the problem, its impacts on us as individuals, a school community, family life and the broader community. Most families, if not all, would have been impacted by mental health issues in some form or other. 

Mental health is a key component of overall health and wellbeing. Approximately 1 in 5 Australians, 4.8 million people, between 16 and 85, experienced mental disorder in the past 12 months (ABS 2008), and 1 in 2 having experienced mental health disorders in their lifetime. 

A mental illness can be defined as ‘a clinically diagnosable disorder that significantly interferes with a person’s cognitive, emotional or social abilities’ (COAG Health Council 2017). The term itself covers a range of illnesses including anxiety disorders, affective disorders, psychotic disorders and substance use disorders. 

However, a person does not need to meet the criteria for a mental illness or mental disorder to be negatively affected by multiple socioeconomic factors, including a person’s access to services, living conditions and employment status, and affects not only the individual but also their families and carers. 

Conversations regarding mental health will be encouraged across the range of classes 7-12 this week. Speaking up and talking about it helps. 

On Tuesday, students and staff were invited to come along to school in shorts/casual clothes for “Brave the Cold, Brave the Conversation”. A gold coin donation was collected and donated to the Speak Up, Stay Chatty charity. Some staff braved the cold with the Ice Bucket Challenge. Food vans were brought in as part of the festivities. 

If you or someone you know needs help, please contact: 

  GEM Parent Information Evening 

 The Resilience Project school program has a focus on Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness and Emotional Literacy (GEM-E).  Marist Regional College has adopted the GEM-E model as a part of our everyday life and is implementing activities across the school in Pastoral Care lessons and in every day teaching spaces. 

The Resilience Project and GEM model, aims and benefits include: 

  • Significant increase in children feeling happier and more resilient 
  • Improved confidence and self esteem 
  • Knowledge and ability to recognise and express emotions 
  • Better relationships at school and home 
  • More supportive classroom environments

 

We warmly invite you to our 

GEM (Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness) 

Parent Information Evening 

The evening will commence at 6pm with a welcome from the Principal, Mr Noel Nethery; an overview and footage of the founder of the Resilience Project, Hugh van Cuylenburg, led by Deputy Principal Pastoral Wellbeing, Mr John Hamilton; a session on how GEM is implemented in classrooms led by Year 10 Coordinator, Mrs Jess Magee; and a powerpoint presentation led by Director of Faith and Ministry, Mr Sam Johnstone. A Q&A session will be available. Nibbles and drinks will be served. All who attend will receive a Resilience Project Daily Journal and copy of the MRC GEM Poster. 

 Date:       Thurday 7 July

Time:      6:00pm – 7:30pm

Where:   Marian Centre

Light refreshments will be provided 

Please register your attendance by 30 June by clicking on the link below: 

RSVP GEM Parent Information Evening 

Reports 

All parents will receive Mid-Year Reports at the conclusion of Term 2. Please take the time to peruse these with your child and discuss their progress.  

At the beginning of Term 3, Parent-Teacher Interviews will be offered, and we encourage you to take up this opportunity with your child’s teachers. Effective communication between all parties is the only way we can create the best outcomes for your child. 

 50th MRC Anniversary 

This wonderful weekend of festivities is fast approaching. Please go to the link https://mrc.tas.edu.au/community/celebrating50years/ and register your attendance at the various functions on offer.  

Sponsorship: 

We would welcome any members of the community who would like to be involved in sponsorship of this weekend to contact myself on 6432 7612 or email principal@mrc.tas.edu.au 

 Senior College Bursaries 

Bursary applications for Year 10 students entering Year 11 for 2023 close this Friday, 24 June. Please don’t hesitate to apply for a bursary for your child. Please note – we will be offering two bursaries for students who come from the Circular Head region, in addition to other general bursaries on offer. 

Netball and Football 

Congratulations and all the best to the following teams in this Saturday’s netball grand finals. 

Grade 9 – D1 Purple
Grade 9 – D2 Light Pink
Grade 8 – B2 Pink
Grade 8 – B3 Green
Grade 7 – B1 Red

The girls have done a great job getting to the grand final and hopefully can go one better and bring home some silverware. They have done a brilliant job getting this far. 

Also, congratulations to the Year 7 and 8, 9 and 10 football teams who won their Western Division grand final this week. 

They now go on to play in the Eastern Division grand finals shortly.  

Masks 

Wow, it’s finally happened! Friday, 24 June is the last day of masks at school. No more masks, as mandated by the Tasmanian Government, for the time being. 

Thank you to all students, staff and parents who have been so patient and diligent with mask wearing during this past 6 months. I’m sure everyone will be delighted about being free again. I know I am looking forward to seeing student faces again. 

For those who wish to continue to wear masks at school, this will be fine, however, you will need to supply your own. 

It has been a difficult time Covid wise this past semester, but I believe Marist has done particularly well in dealing with the daily issues Covid has presented. Well done to all. A huge thanks to Mrs Jan Scott, our WHS Officer, who has worked tirelessly throughout this period. 

 Marist Star 

This will be the final Marist Star publication for Semester One.  

I would like to thank you all for your support of your children, and the staff and administration of the College during this time. Have a relaxing and safe Semester break with your families and we hope to enjoy Semester Two – mask free! 

Kindest regards 

Mr Noel Nethery 

Acting Principal 

 

MRC Board Membership 

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the College Board, please express your interest to: 

Jennine Williams 

PA to the Principal 

Tel: (03) 6432 7612 

Email:  principal@mrc.tas.edu.au