Year Co-ordinators

Conflict Resolution Pastoral Lesson

This week in the Year 7 pastoral lesson students engaged with conflict resolution strategies. Students came to an understanding that conflict is a natural part of life, particularly in starting high school and interacting with new people, both staff and peers alike.

One of the important aspects was understanding that it is ok to disagree with ideas or behaviour, not people. This is reflective of the second greatest commandment “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). Whilst we may disagree with ideas or behaviour we must still respect the person we are having conflict with.

In acknowledging that people respond to conflict in different ways students reflected on how they may navigate through conflict with others, using scenarios relevant to young people.

Some key points that they were encouraged to follow or to consider when exploring approaches to conflict included:

• Take time to cool off.
• Think about the person as a person and treat each other as equals.
• Try to understand what the other person is saying.
• Find something you can agree upon.
• Be specific when you introduce a ‘gripe’ or something you’re not happy about.
• Never assume, check you have accurate information.
• Forget the past and stay with the present. 

The following steps were also recommended to students and were practiced using the scenarios mentioned:

• Consider how each of you may feel?
• What could you say to communicate your feelings or wishes clearly?
• What could be a possible solution / compromise / or agreed outcome?
• Who could you get to mediate the conflict if you cannot come to an agreed outcome?

I encourage all students to practice these conflict resolution strategies in the hope for a positive outcome and to meet the needs of all parties involved.

I look forward to continuing to work with Year 7 with any conflicts or issues they are finding difficult to navigate.

During Super Wednesday this week, Year 12 were visited by Dean Rielly who is a current union official with the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union. He hosted a presentation on a range of topics including, Industrial relations, what you should be paid? Wage theft, and Trade unions.

It was very successful with the students taking away a better understanding and more knowledge about some real-world issues surrounding many workplace considerations they may be facing now, or into the future.

Dean also spoke about how important safety in the workplace is and what responsibilities employers have towards their employees and in particular their young people.

All the students would like to thank him for his time and contribution towards our students having more understanding of these really important issues.

This is a good opportunity to reiterate that Super Wednesday attendance is compulsory and considered a normal school day. Thus, absence on this day needs to be explained by parents with suitable reasons to the College Office. Super Wednesday commences at the start of lunch.

2020 Mission Australia Youth Survey

Year 12 also completed the 2020 Mission Australia Youth Survey this week which is Australia’s largest online youth survey, providing a platform for young people aged 15 to 19 to ‘speak up’ about the issues that really concern them. Last year saw 25,126 young people participate in the 2019 Youth Survey. Young people reported mental health, the environment and equity and discrimination as the three most important issues in Australia today.

Year 12 Fundraising - The 2020 Pie Drive

From this week onwards Year 12 are beginning another fundraising initiative - The 2020 Pie Drive. With a strong belief that they have the opportunity to make a difference and assist their chosen charities Ozharvest, Pete’s Place and RuralAid, the students are hoping that families can help out where they can by ordering some delicious, locally made pies and pastries to raise much needed funds. This will help our charities and those particular affected in our local area with support and assistance.