Dear Parents, Carers and Friends of our College community,

I hope that you are well and that you and your family were able to enjoy some additional time together over the EXEAT weekend. 

Student Leadership 

At Red Bend, we believe student leadership is integral to who we are, and how we connect with young people. Core to this belief is empowering them to create change, to share their vision and to lead our community with hope and audacity. Each year we are blessed to have young women and men accept formal positions of student leadership and lead our community.

The formal process of leadership development at the College began earlier this term at the Year 11 Leadership Day. This day allowed the students to reflect on what it is to be a Marist leader and how all leaders are called to ‘serve others’. It is from this day that a large group of students nominated themselves for positions of student leadership. They have capably engaged with the student leadership processes of completing a self nomination form, asking staff members to write reference statements regarding their leadership potential and being interviewed about their hopes and aspirations as future leaders. Next week our prospective student leaders will be presenting speeches to our community and then our community will be voting. It is an exciting time as we look forward to the announcement of our new student leaders for 2025 in the near future.

Cashless School from 2025

I would like to inform you of an important change that will take effect starting January 2025. In our ongoing efforts to enhance efficiency, security, and convenience for our school community, we will transition to a cashless school for all school transactions. 

Why go cashless?

So why would we make the decision to go cashless when cash is used every day in areas such as the canteen, paying for excursions, sporting activities, and fundraising activities?

Firstly, it is about security. Handling cash involves risks such as theft or loss. By adopting a cashless system, we can significantly reduce these risks for students, staff, and the broader school community.

Secondly, it is about improved efficiency. A cashless system streamlines payment processes, reducing the time and resources spent managing cash transactions. This efficiency will enable us to allocate more time and resources to educational activities and student support.

Thirdly, it is hoped that this process will be more convenient for families. With a cashless system, you will be able to make payments online through secure methods. This flexibility allows you to handle transactions at your convenience without the need to send cash with your child or visit the school office.

How will this work?

Starting January 2025, all school-related payments, such as for canteen purchases, excursions, sporting activities, and fundraising, will be processed through a secure digital payment system. We will provide detailed instructions on how this will work. The system will offer secure payment methods, ensuring ease of use for all families.

What are the next steps?

We will keep you updated with detailed information about how cashless transactions will be managed across the College. Mr Martino has outlined some of this information in his section of this newsletter. We understand that changes can be challenging, and we are committed to supporting you throughout this transition. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns.

We believe that this shift to a cashless system will significantly benefit our school community, making transactions more secure, efficient, and convenient. Thank you for your continued support as we implement this positive change.

Grit

At assembly this week, I spoke with the students about Grit in education. Professor Angela Duckworth, an American academic and psychologist, researched how adolescents learn best. Her research findings determined that Grit is crucial for success in learning.

According to Duckworth, Grit in learning is the combination of passion and perseverance to achieve long-term goals, having stamina, sticking with future goals day in and day out and working hard to make your future a reality. 

She states that the most successful people aren’t necessarily those who are the smartest or the most talented. They are the ones who refuse to quit, who tackle obstacles head-on, and who keep their eyes on the prize, even when it seems out of reach.

As parents and carers, below are some ways you can assist your child in developing grit and cultivating perseverance and passion for long-term goals. 

1. Set Clear Goals: set specific and realistic goals that are meaningful. These goals should be challenging yet achievable, providing a sense of direction and purpose.

2. Embrace Challenges: Step out of your comfort zone and tackle difficult tasks. Facing and overcoming challenges helps build resilience and confidence.

3. Develop a Growth Mindset: Foster a belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and learning. This mindset helps you view failures as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks.

4. Practice Persistence: Stick with tasks even when they become difficult. Consistent effort over time, even in the face of obstacles, is a key component of grit.

5. Learn from Setbacks: Understand that failure is a natural part of the learning process. Learn from your mistakes and failures and use that knowledge to improve.

6. Seek Support and Feedback: Seek feedback and support from your teachers and family members. Use the feedback to improve your knowledge and skills.

7. Cultivate Passion: Explore your interests and passions deeply. Try something new. When you are passionate about something, you are more likely to invest the time and effort required to overcome challenges.

8. Build Routine and Discipline: Establishing regular routines and disciplined habits in your daily life, helps you to stay focused and committed to your goals.

9. Practice Reflection: Reflect on your progress, successes, and areas for improvement. Self-reflection helps you understand your growth and areas that need more effort.

By integrating these practices into the everyday lives, your children can develop the grit needed to persevere through challenges and pursue long-term goals with determination and resilience. Their ability to persevere will help determine not only their academic success but also their ability to thrive in all areas of their life.

Happy Father’s Day

Happy Father’s Day to the incredible Fathers and Father figures who inspire, support, and guide us. It is their dedication, wisdom, and love that enriches our lives and contributes immensely to our collective success. Their love, guidance and support is deeply valued and appreciated. 

Father’s Day Prayer 

Lord, we lift up every father and father figure, asking that You continue to guide them in their journey. Grant them the wisdom to lead with integrity and the patience to nurture with love. May they always find joy in the role they play and be filled with Your peace and comfort. Amen

May Mary our Good Mother and St Marcellin Champagnat continue to watch over our community.