Kia Ora Koutou from the Sancta Maria College Wellbeing and Pastoral Team.  It is hard to believe that we are heading into the final stages of 2022 and our school year has ended.

Uniform

There are a few changes to our school uniform, which come into play at the start of 2023.  Our 2023 Year 11 cohort will be the first year-level to begin wearing the senior uniform. While we encourage all students to move into this uniform, 2023 is a transition year, and from 2024 it will be compulsory for all Year 11-13 students to be in senior uniform.  Click the following link for full details of the new uniform requirements https://smcn.school.buzz/2023-uniform/.

A reminder that students aren’t permitted to dye their hair, wear make-up, claw clips, or extra earrings.

Leadership, Peer Support and Guidance

As the Seniors moved into exams earlier in the term, our junior school leaders stepped forward into different roles to lead the school. The students organised lunchtime activities and they enjoyed these new responsibilities.  We thank them all for their service to the school and kindness given during this time.  The junior school also had a presentation about life education around vaping and choices that students can make that will positively affect their wellbeing. This is an open conversation we encourage to have with your children at home.

The peer support programme has concluded with a fantastic event led by Mrs Kavern and the Peer Support leaders. There were some awesome class songs and dances created to share positive messages about our special character. The Guidance counsellors are finishing up with the Year 9 Travellers programme for 2022 which has been well received by the students involved. We also farewelled long serving guidance department member, Jennifer Goddard, who has celebrated moving into her retirement. Our guidance counsellor Eleanor Purchase is available at school for any appointments, and we hope to appoint a new counsellor soon.

Parental Focus

We are moving into an extremely busy time of the year so it’s important to dedicate time to your teenagers. Stay connected with them and seek to find out how they have found their year, what they are pleased with and what they would like to improve on for 2023. It’s a great time before the holidays to reassess things like screen time and what students can be working to achieve during the holiday period. It may be going to work with you or a relative, serving or doing something within the community. The holidays can be a long time and it’s important that students feel productive during this time.

Finally, I found these 10 things that I have been trying with my children at home. It’s an easy one to put on the fridge that can help us with simple reminders as parents that will make a big difference in our children’s lives.

 If you feel your child needs support during the holidays please use the support listed below: 

National helplines
Emergency Dial 111
You can get support through your Doctor/General Practitioner 

Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor or contact the following support lines:
Lifeline – 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP).
Suicide Crisis Helpline – 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO).
Healthline – 0800 611 116
Samaritans – 0800 726 666
Mental Health Foundation

Community Support
Catholic Social Service – 09 378 9650
Parish Contact Details:
OLSOS – 09 534 8710
St Marks – 09 5769759
St Lukes – 09 358 4750 

I wish everyone a safe and happy summer holiday and look forward to seeing you all return to school at the start of Term 1 in 2023.
Nga Mihi,
Ben Bacon