Wellbeing Report – November 5, 2015

Remembrance Day

Music is a universal language and possibly the most widespread form of creative expression used by people, young and old. A simple piece of evidence is in the number of people around the place wearing earphones. From celebration to mourning, anthem to lullaby, music accompanies our deepest human experiences. On Tuesday 10 November, Remembrance Day, it is the haunting sound of the Last Post that most captures the meaning of the moment -“ more than words can. Therefore, it makes sense that a good education includes music, and a rounded schooling provides opportunities to listen to, appreciate and make music.

Next Tuesday 10 November the school will stop to mark Remembrance Day, as a remembrance and commemoration of those who died in war -“ with the origin being those who died in the First World War; Australians who died in the service of their country, but remembering all who have died in war. And for some at St Patrick’s College -“ a remembrance of fathers, uncles, and other relatives who have died and the consequences and memories of that being something many carry with them every day. The playing of the Last Post and the brevity of the phrases -‘We will remember them’ and -‘Lest we forget’, serving to highlight the importance of the real meaning of this occasion for us.

House Competition 2015

Congratulations to Nunan House who took out the 2014 -“ 2015 House Shield at last Tuesday’s assembly. The results are listed below for your information. I reminded students at assembly of the importance of their attendance at House and Cultural events. I urged all students to consider greater participation in these events in the future so that they can assist their House in acquiring points towards each of the House Shields. More importantly I spoke of the effect this participation has on House spirit and the development of a strong College community.

Leadership Development

Finally, this week I took a small group of students ranging from Years 7 -“ 10 to a Student Leadership Conference which was held at the Novotel Hotel in Creswick. Many local and regional schools were represented. Students undertook a range of activities which focussed on leadership style, the development of communication skills and how to successfully manage and lead whole school events. As always the students represented the College extremely well sharing their ideas and thoughts with their peers and other leaders from a range of schools. This group of students along with members of the Student Council and Congress will further develop these skills later this term when they will attend a leadership camp. I look forward to working with these students on the day.

Best wishes for the week ahead.

Kind regards

Jon Franzin

Deputy Headmaster -“ Wellbeing