Principal's Messages
KEEPING MRS. PATERSON IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS
Could I please ask everyone in the St Ita’s school community to keep Mrs. Helen Paterson, her daughter Kristy and her family in our prayers and thoughts as they work through a very emotional and challenge time. Mrs Paterson will be taking some leave over the coming weeks and I will keep our community posted on any changes that may occur.
CHILD SAFETY WEEK
SEPTEMBER 4 - 10 2022
In 2022, National Child Protection Week will continue to embrace the overarching message that ‘Every child, in every community, needs a fair go’. In particular, this year we will be shining a light on children growing up safe and supported.
Children and young people thrive when they grow up safe, connected and supported in their family, community and culture.
They have the right to grow up in environments that support them according to their needs, now and into the future.
This year let’s talk about how we create a supportive environment for every child.
National Child Protection Week will be looking at what works to keep children safe and supported… what children are telling us… what families are telling us… what the evidence is telling us… and how to translate this knowledge into action.
We know that too many children are not growing up safe and supported and that Child Protection systems are overloaded. There are many opportunities to change the trajectory for these children.
We can stop child abuse and neglect – and reduce its impact – by working together to make sure every child in every community has a fair go.
UNDERSTANDING PEER PRESSURE
As your children grow older, they will be faced with some challenging decisions and choices that they have to make, which involve serious moral questions like; whether to cut school, try cigarettes, drugs or alcohol, or lying to your parents or family members.
Making decisions on your there own is hard enough, but when other people get involved and try to pressure you them one way or another it can be even harder. People your child’s age are called peers. When peers try to influence how your child acts or to get them to do something, it is called peer pressure. Peer pressure is something everyone has to deal with — even adults.
Peers influence your life, even if you do not realize it, just by spending time with you. You learn from them, and they learn from you. It is only human nature to listen to and learn from other people in your age group. Peers can have a positive influence on each other. Maybe another student in your science class taught you an easy way to remember the planets in the solar system or someone on your team-taught you a cool trick with the ball. You might admire a friend who is always a good sport and try to be more like him or her. Maybe you got others excited about your new favourite book, and now everyone is reading it. These are examples of how peers positively influence each other every day.
Sometimes peers influence each other in negative ways. For example, a few kids in school might try to get you to wag school with them, your football friend might try to convince you to be mean to another player and never pass her the ball, or a kid in the neighbourhood might want you to shoplift with him.
WHY DO PEOPLE GIVE IN TO PEER PRESSURE?
Some kids give in to peer pressure because they want to be liked, to fit in, or because they worry that other kids might make fun of them if they do not go along with the group. Others go along because they are curious to try something new that others are doing. The idea that "everyone's doing it" can influence some kids to leave their better judgment, or their common sense, behind.
WALKING AWAY FROM PEER PRESSURE
It is tough to be the only one who says "no" to peer pressure, but you can do it. Paying attention to your own feelings and beliefs about what is right and wrong can help you know the right thing to do. Inner strength and self-confidence can help you stand firm, walk away, and resist doing something when you know better.
It can really help to have at least one other peer, or friend, who is willing to say "no," too. This takes a lot of the power out of peer pressure and makes it much easier to resist. It is great to have friends with values similar to yours who will back you up when you do not want to do something.
You have probably had a parent or teacher advice you to "choose your friends wisely." Peer pressure is a big reason why they say this. If you choose friends who do not use drugs, cut class, smoke cigarettes, or lie to their parents, then you probably will not do these things either, even if other kids do. Try to help a friend who is having trouble resisting peer pressure. It can be powerful for one kid to join another by simply saying, "I'm with you — let's go."
Even if you are faced with peer pressure while you are alone, there are still things you can do. You can simply stay away from peers who pressure you to do stuff you know is wrong. You can tell them "no" and walk away. Better yet, find other friends and classmates to pal around with.
If you continue to face peer pressure and you are finding it difficult to handle, talk to someone you trust. Do not feel guilty if you have made a mistake or two. Talking to a parent, teacher, or school counsellor can help you feel much better and prepare you for the next time you face peer pressure.
PARENTS DROPPING CHILDREN OFF AND PICKING UP AT SCHOOL
A reminder to all parents that school drop off at St Ita’s is between 8.30am and 8.50am, and school pick up is between 3.20pm and 3.40pm.
We have noticed that an increasing number of students are being dropped at school around 8.00am, and similarly collected after 3.40pm during which times they are being left unsupervised.
To support our child safety practices at St Ita’s could we ask all parents to refrain from early drop off’s and late pickups on school days.
School on the last day of term concludes at 2.20pm