Middle School Report – July 20, 2017

Welcome back to the Second Semester of Middle School. I would like to announce that Mr Shane Hayes has been appointed to the role of Year 9 Coordinator. Mr Jake Clark will replace Shane as the Pastoral Care Tutor of 9F. Mrs Kristine Smardon will have an extended absence due to medical rehabilitation and she will be replaced in the interim by Ms. Jacinta Reidy.

This will be yet again another busy term for all of the boys as they begin their journey this week in preparation for their subject selections for Year 10 in 2018. Mr Stephen Hill will be conducting their 2018 Year 10 Student Information Session at which time their Senior School pathways will be explained and the necessary subject selection process will begin in earnest. A follow-up Parent Information Night will also be conducted by Mr Hill in the College Chapel on Thursday July 27 starting at 7.30pm until 9.00pm. Mr Anthony Meehan will also be conducting the Year 9 -Career Voyager- sessions with all boys in the Middle School in week two of this term to support their understanding/planning of their futures beyond St Patrick’s College and the subjects required to be studied, to help them achieve this. This will culminate with the annual Careers Expo which will be conducted in the Pavilion from 5.30 to 7.30 pm on Tuesday August 1. All of which helps to put the building blocks together to make successful subject choices moving into the Senior School.

Our Social/Dance program will also begin this week. Year 9 students will have the opportunity to participate in Ballroom Dancing Classes with Year 9 students from Loreto College.- Classes will be conducted in the Pavilion at St Patrick’s College, from 4:00pm to 5:00pm.- There will be a culminating -‘Social’ that will be held on Wednesday, August 9, from 7:30pm to 10:00pm. Many boys have decided to take up this opportunity and I am looking forward to seeing them develop their confidence in this area. The Social has always been a fantastic night for both staff and students.

Also during Week 1 our boys will undertake the Ballarat Community Health led SSMART ASSK Program. The purpose of this experience is to reduce the risk of alcohol and other drug harm to young people and the broader community of Ballarat

Aim:

• Increase knowledge of risk

• Reduce risk of harm associated with partying

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Objectives:

1.- – – – – – – – To increase the knowledge of young people about:

a.- – – – – – – – The risks of alcohol and other drugs in relation to binge drinking and unsafe partying

b.- – – – – – – – The support and emergency services available in the community

c.- – – – – – – – Basic first aid in a party situation

2.- – – – – – – – To improve attitudes and behaviours of young people about adopting harm minimization strategies to keep them safe in party situations

Overall program key messages:

• Look after your friends

• Have a party plan

• Where and how to seek help

Project Team Involved in conducting the Program

Ballarat Community Health:

• Tameaka Gower (Program Coordinator)

• Joanna Labbett (Sexual Health Station)

• Mel Hardy (Standard Drinks Station)

• Alisa Tanaka-King (Creative Learning Team Coordinator) (Performance)

• Tim Harris, Mika Wallace, Mark Simmonds, Zoe James

• Mark Haynes and Vicky Chettleburgh (Other Drugs Station

Headspace Ballarat:

• Andy Penny and Nathan Broome (Harmful Effects of Alcohol

Uniting Care:

• Tilly Rumler (Harmful Effects of Alcohol)

Victoria Police:

• Des Hudson, Brendan Everard, Donna Parsons (Risk Audit)

St John Ambulance:

• Heather-anne Bullen and Graham Dent (First Aid)

So as you can see, we are going to be off to a very fast start this term!!

Thanks

Mr Michael Busscher

Director of Middle School.