Term 4, Week 6, 09.11.2021

Principal News

Dear Parent and Carers,

During the week, I had the privilege and responsibility of working with a number of young people and families who were impacted by anxiety in one way or another.  Anxiety is something that affects each one of us at times, and I thought I would pen a few words today to explain my understanding of the current thinking around the issue.

Being a parent or carer in the 21st century is a complex task, and one that takes enormous energy and persistence to do well.  At times, we may find the challenge of keeping our sons "on track" overwhelming.  Over the next few weeks, I will highlight some strategies that may help us in keeping our boys on track in this key period leading up to the end of the school year.  Final assemblies, exams, reports, saying goodbye to friends - these are a normal but sometimes uncomfortable part of life in the final part of the year at school.

Building resilience in children

Resilience … it’s a familiar word, isn’t it? But what does it really mean?  For some of us, we may feel that it is a word that is used too often in education.

When we talk about resilience, we’re talking about a child’s ability to cope with ups and downs and bounce back from the challenges they experience during childhood – for example moving home, changing schools, studying for an exam or dealing with the death of a loved one. Building resilience helps children not only to deal with current difficulties that are a part of everyday life, but also to develop the basic skills and habits that will help them deal with challenges later in life, during adolescence and adulthood.

Resilience is important for a child's mental health. Children with greater resilience are better able to manage stress, which is a common response to difficult events. Stress is a risk factor for mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, if the level of stress is severe or ongoing.

So where does resilience come from? 

Resilience is shaped partly by the individual characteristics we are born with (our genes, temperament and personality) and partly by the environment we grow up in — our family, community and the broader society. While there are some things we can’t change, such as our biological makeup, there are many things we can change.  One way of explaining the concept of resilience is to imagine a plane encountering turbulence mid-flight. The turbulence, or poor weather, represents adversity. Different planes will respond to poor weather conditions in different ways, in the same way different children respond to the same adversity in different ways. 

The ability of the plane to get through the poor weather and reach its destination depends on:

• the pilot (the child);
• the co-pilot (the child’s family, friends, teachers and health professionals);
• the type of plane (the child’s individual characteristics such as age and temperament);
• the equipment available to the pilot, co-pilots and ground crew;
• the severity and duration of the poor weather.

We can all help children become more resilient. You can ask other adults such as carers and grandparents to help. Building children’s resilience is everyone’s business, and it’s never too early or too late to get started. We’ve got some simple things that you can do in your own home.

How can I build resilience in my child?

Beyond Blue's latest research found that there are five areas that offer the best chance for building resilience in children:

As a parent, carer, or significant adult, you can help to develop essential skills, habits and attitudes for building resilience at home by helping your child to:

• build good relationships with others including adults and peers
• build their independence
• learn to identify, express and manage their emotions
• build their confidence by taking on personal challenges

There are some simple things you can do to build your child’s resilience in these areas (click on the links above).

Much of this work is adapted from <https://healthyfamilies.beyondblue.org.au/healthy-homes/building-resilience> accessed 6 November 2021.

Year 6 Graduation

Health Alert

We have a confirmed case of Chickenpox at the College. Please be aware of the signs and symptoms of the virus. For more information, view Queensland Health's Chickenpox Factsheet.

Careers News

Australian Jobs 2021 Report

The Australian Jobs 2021 report from the National Skills Commission and the National Careers Institute gives a summary of employment trends in Australia. It has important messages about career and study planning for young Australians. The report describes the challenges faced by young people in getting a job. Young people (aged 15-24) were particularly hard hit by the effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic with youth employment decreasing by 17% over the pandemic period.

Qualifications and Experience Matter:

Study and training after Year 10 link to better employment prospects – the higher the level of study, the higher the chance of participation in employment across adult life:

Bachelor degree - 86.1%

Diploma - 81.1%

Certificate III or IV - 83.3%

Year 12 or equivalent - 70.6%

Year 11 - 61.5%

Year 10 - 50.9%

This means that there are real gains to be made from taking up study or training options after Year 10 – and highlights the value of VET qualifications alongside academic choices. The report also showed that workers with higher qualifications are likely to earn higher incomes. Employers are increasingly looking for experienced workers – 75% of employers were requiring some level of experience when advertising for positions. This may mean that young people’s part time work and volunteering choices could be an important aspect of their future career planning.

Where are the jobs?

The report listed the following as the largest employing industries: health care and social assistance; retail trade; construction; and professional, scientific and technical services. Emerging occupations (jobs of the future) were identified in the areas of Digital Deepening, Data Analytics, Emerging Business Practices, Regulatory, Health and Sustainable Engineering and Trades.

Australian Jobs 2021 -  link to full report.

Aviation Australia Open Day

Aviation Australia are opening their doors to everyone looking to pursue a career in Aviation.

Join them for a free tour of their Brisbane campus! Their expert team will guide you through our Engineering hangars, Flight Safety Facility (Cabin Crew training) and a drone racing demonstration. Tours are Saturday 20 November. Learn about all our course offerings for 2022 and the career opportunities that each will open for you.


They have three session times available; each session will be 1 hour long.

• Session 1: 8:30am - 9:30am
• Session 2: 9:30am - 10:30am
• Session 3: 10:30am - 11:30am

REGISTER HERE

If you have any questions, please contact Lyn.Sank@aviationaustralia.aero

Job Opportunities for Year 12 School Leavers

Many employers are contacting the College to advertise positions for Year 12 school-leavers.  Please read the newsletters and check Year 12 emails, to keep informed of what is presently available.

This week’s opportunities, details available via links below:

• Golden West Apprenticeships - Carpentry, Auto-electrical & Parts Interpreting
• Colonial Roofs apprenticeship – Carpentry OR Roof Plumbing
• Patterson’s Signature Plastering – Plastering Apprenticeship
• Jewell’s Removals & Storage – Job Opportunity

Try-A-Trade Open Day

Downs Group Training (DGT Employment & Training) are inviting Year 10 and 11 students to their Try-A-Trade open day at their Toowoomba Trade Training Centre.

During the two-hour session, students will participate in a range of construction, engineering and horticulture learning and work activities that provides them with a tactile experience of studying and working in a trade. Students will also be provided with information on DGT’s Construction, Engineering and Horticulture VETiS and Pre-Apprenticeship programs for 2022, School Based Apprenticeships and full-time Apprenticeship opportunities.

WHEN:  Wednesday 24th November, 9-11am

WHERE: DGT Employment and Training, 56 Duhig Street, Harristown.

If you are interested in attending, then please see the Careers Team in DUHIG 21 by Thursday 11th November to register your interest.

More information HERE.

School Based Apprenticeships/Traineeships Sign Ups

Available SBA's

If you are interested in an SBA, please contact the Career Support Officer, Mr. Barber @ barberp@stmaryscollege.com  or visit the Careers Centre in DUHIG 21. 

You will need to complete an SBA Referral Form and have a current Resume and Cover Letter. 

Students have access to Resume Templates and information to assist you on the Careers Canvas Page  

Presentation Night

You are invited to virtually attend Presentation Night on 19 November. The evening represents a special occasion on the College calendar, where we celebrate and recognise our boys acheivments across the year. The ceremony will be live streamed for parents. caregivers, friends and family to watch.

Join the virtual event here

Christmas Appeal

Primary boys will be out at break times until the end of term with the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal collection tins. This year funds will go towards buying gift cards for families in need.

The Hub

Support is available to all students who require assistance with homework, assignments or reviewing current classwork. Support is available with Mr Roy in the Hub every morning before school from 7.00am and at both lunch breaks. Support will also be available after school on Thursday afternoons from 3.05pm until 4.00pm. If you would like further information, please contact Dave Roy on 07 4631 7333.

Can you lend a helping hand?