Newsletter Term 3 > Week 4

There is a national definition of bullying. ‘Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening. Bullying can happen in person or online, via various digital platforms and devices and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert). Bullying behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time (for example, through sharing of digital records). Bullying of any form or for any reason can have immediate, medium and long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders. Single incidents and conflict or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying’ (bullyingnoway.gov.au)

I experienced bullying as a child and have seen it as an adult and educator. No parent wants to see their child being harassed or bullied and it can also be hard as a parent to hear that your child is responsible for bullying another child. In either case, listening to your child and trying to understand their feelings and behaviours is so important. Whilst some bullying occurs in social circles, sports clubs or online beyond school, it is important to let us know so that we can follow up and support anyone involved, with counselling if necessary, and ongoing education and re-education.

The three common forms of bullying according to the Bullying No Way website are:

Verbal bullying which includes name calling or insulting someone about their physical characteristics such as weight or height, or other attributes including race, sexuality, culture, or religion
Physical bullying which includes hitting or otherwise hurting someone, shoving or intimidating another person, or damaging or stealing their belongings
Social bullying which includes consistently excluding another person or sharing information, images or other digital content that will have a harmful effect on the other person.

If these behaviours occur as a one off, or in very young children not able yet to understand and control their emotions, it is not bullying, however inappropriate the behaviour. The exception to this is when a behaviour occurs online and is published or shared to a wider audience.

Every student has a right to feel safe and supported at school, at home and in the wider community. We should take every opportunity to talk about bullying, and to support young people in learning how to get on, and interact positively and safely in person and online. 

Dr Sandra Hewson,
Principal

Much appreciation goes to all who helped out during the day and for all students that attended the day with respect and reverence for the experience. 

Year 10 Retreat 
On Thursday 8 August, the Year 10s ventured to Gladstone for their Retreat Day. The theme was connecting with ‘Pathways in Life’, reflecting on the pathways at, to and from the present moment. This allowed students to reflect on their journey through life so far, what life is like for a Year 10 student and making commitments to a vision for their future, whether it be 2, 5, or 10 years ahead. 

Much recreational time was had by all during the day to keep the energy going and time was spent in reflection at the end of the day with a liturgy. The connection to the way we also accompany each other on our pathways was highlighted. Students were asked to donate a packet of food or a hygiene product for making packs for the homeless in Port Pirie, to remind us that all of us are on a pathway journey. We thank our Year 10 families for their generous support in this. In our reflections, we are also reminded that the journey through life is never lonely, with God to keep us company, keeping us going through the hard times. 

Many thanks go to the supporting staff for their facilitation of rotating sessions and the students for their levels of engagement with the experience. 

Year 10s Cooking for Fred’s Van 
As part of their social justice programme in Religious Education, Year 10 classes are rotating through weeks in cooking food for Fred’s Van. Fred’s Van is an outreach organisation that provides a cooked meal to people in our community doing it tough. Team members of Fred’s Van also support attendees in finding supplies of items that will help them in day-to-day life (toiletries etc.) while others find comfort in the companionship of just having a chat. 

The Bosco Home Economics Centre was a hive of activity on Monday evening with the humming of ovens cooking food and the sorting of donated goods to package (from the Year 10 Retreat) for Fred’s Van. It allowed the students to connect and bond with their classmates outside of school hours for a good cause. A big thank you to the supporting staff in facilitating this experience and to the future evenings in the coming weeks. 

Feast of St Mary MacKillop
On Thursday 8 August the Catholic Church celebrated the feast day of Australia's first saint, Mary MacKillop. South Australian Catholic Schools have a special tie to St Mary MacKillop as she devoted much of her life to providing educational opportunities to South Australian children who otherwise would not have had access to formal schooling.

Across Benedict Campus, R-6 students learnt about Mary MacKillop's life and works, and reflected on ways we can follow her example today. Students in 3 Blue explored some of Mary MacKillop's most famous quotes and created posters showcasing their favourites. The celebrations culminated in a beautiful Mass led by 2 Blue where students and families engaged with Mary's story through prayer and song before sharing together in Holy Communion. 

For families planning an absence greater that one school week, legislation requires Principal approval. This can be obtained through the Bosco Student Office prior to the absence.  

Regular attendance at school is one of the major contributors to success - as Dr Hewson shared during our Celebration of Success Assembly. Being absent for just one day per fortnight means you lose 4 weeks of learning a year. Over 13 years of compulsory schooling this equates to missing a year and a half. Being absent for a day a week on average means you lose 2 and a half years of schooling. I’m sure you can see why students who attend school regularly and avoid unnecessary absences are more successful, and also more ready for the workplace when they leave school.

2025 Curriculum
Our Curriculum Handbooks have been updated as we look to prepare for 2025. Ms Russack has commenced working with our Year 11 and 10 students on subject selection and Career Counselling to support informed choices. We encourage families to speak  with your children about their discernments on subjects for 2025.

SATAC Applications
Mr Ben Goode has been systematically meeting with each of our Year 12 students about their pathways beyond secondary schooling and assisting them in considering their preferred options. Those students who are applying for tertiary studies next year can commence the application process. Details can be found on the SATAC website.

Mrs Katie Pole, Deputy Principal, Bosco Campus

Junior Football Finals
The Junior Football Finals Series is underway. Congratulations to our U13s who have progressed through to the Grand Final. This coming weekend Auskick an U9s play on Memorial Oval. Grand Final Weekend all our football teams play as curtain raisers to the U13 Premiership Match.

Netball champion hosts training
St Mark’s Sports Centre was abuzz with excitement as Lucy Austin joined our junior teams for training. We are so grateful to Lucy for making herself available to share her netball knowledge with us. Mentoring is something the club has promoted this season and I thank our D Grade teams for coming out to work with the U12s last week.

Winter sports head to finals

As our Winter Sports are coming into finals and celebrating the end of the season, I take the opportunity to remind all players, coaches and spectators about our expectations to ensure that our games are played in a positive and supportive environment for all, with a view to developing good sportsmen and women into the future.

Please come along and support our teams to achieve their best, however far they make it through in the Finals series.

We ask our players, coaches and spectators to remember these expectations around conduct:

• Children’s sport is played for the enjoyment of the sport.
• Spectators are there to watch and support the game from the sidelines.
• We accept the decisions of all referees as being fair and called to the best of their ability.
•  We relate to umpires and officials in a respectful and polite way.
• Be a spectator. Applaud all good plays whether they are made by your team or the opposition.
• Always be positive in your support of all players and officials.
• Encourage and develop positive player behaviour by not using foul language or harassing players, coaches or officials.
• Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all participants. Everyone deserves to feel comfortable and welcome. Be actively inclusive of participation. Sport is for everyone, and no one should be stopped from participating.
• Always respect the use of facilities and equipment provided.
• Any physical or verbal altercation will not be tolerated. You will be asked to leave the game.

Best wishes to all our teams in the remaining games of their chosen sport.

Go SMC!

Mrs Katie Pole, Sports Council