IONA 10

Mary Aikenhead’s Feast Day

The feast day of Venerable Mary Aikenhead, foundress of the Religious Sisters of Charity, is celebrated annually on July 22. The date commemorates her passing in 1858 and serves as an occasion for us to reflect on her far-reaching legacy.

Mary was a woman of faith – trusting in God’s providence as she established her new congregation.

Mary was a woman of vision – setting up her new congregation as one that would go out into the world, meeting people at their point of need; establishing hospitals and schools to serve the most vulnerable.

Mary was a woman of courage – naming what needed to be named, even when this was tough; a saying attributed to Mary, “I think we need not fear about stating the difficulties”. 

Mary was a woman of strength – making the necessary decisions to ensure that her congregation could continue to serve God’s nobility, the suffering poor.

Mary was a woman of innovation – working in collaboration with others to find new ways to meet the needs of those whom she was called to serve.

Mary was a woman of perseverance – even when beset by infirmity, Mary continued to be a prolific letter writer, working to secure the foundations of her congregation so that they could continue God’s work into the future.

As we celebrate and commemorate a woman whose revelation has been felt across the world, we give thanks for her inspiration and her example as we strive to be people who live up to her vision, values and legacy.

“Serve God with a great heart and a willing mind.”

Mary Aikenhead

College Musical

What a spectacle. There are no words to describe the pride I felt as a leader and member of this community watching our students, alongside the St Bernard’s students, shine on the stage. There was a palpable sense of confidence, pride and enjoyment coming from the cast as they delivered this superbly polished performance. Congratulations to all of the students involved. Thanks, and appreciation go to the following St Columba’s College staff members for all they do to make this happen.

• Linda Henderson, Director
• Pei Sun Lai, Producer and Nicola McCaskill, Assistant Producer
• Pei Sun Lai and Evan Clements, Musicians
• Ed Chan, Musical Director
• Vocal Coach, Ed Chan and Ella Zagroon
• Acting Coach, Casey Hall
• Choreographers, Monique Zammit, Kira Nielson, and Linda Henderson
• Emma brown, Stage Manager and Assistant Stage Manager. Sabrina Chard
• Set construction, the Maintenance Team at StCC, Dean Cassar, Damian Doherty and Sean Devlin
• Publicity and Design, Laura Ambrose, Nicola McCaskill and Sabrina Chard
• Costuming, Sandra Boicos and Paula Kavanagh
• VIP Hosting and Function, Jo Marazita
• Alumnae College Musical Evening, Siobhan Browne, Jo Marazita, Brigitte McDonald, Laura Ambrose

Each year the combined St Columba’s College and St Bernard’s College musical provides the opportunity for our students, supported by our expert and dedicated staff, to showcase their flair, enthusiasm, and commitment. These opportunities build confidence and connection, optimism and self-esteem, belonging through meaningful relationships and peer support, and they provide opportunities for engagement in community activities and co-curricular programs. All of these are important protective factors for adolescent wellbeing. These programs are just not “nice to haves” – they are fundamental to the holistic and exemplary school environments we aim to build.

School Approved Absences 

The College reserves the right to grant a School Approved Absence (SAA) for particular activities where a student may not be present on school premises. School Approved Absences may include; external examinations (e.g dance examinations), state or national sport representation, external suspensions. Where a student will not be present due to participation in activities of this nature, parents/carers are asked to Direqt Message their child’s House Leader with the dates, reason and evidence. This information will then be considered and a determination letter from the Deputy Principal’s office will be sent via Direqt Message to confirm your child’s absence.  

Overhelping

Dan Pink is the author of several bestselling books on science, business, and creativity. He regularly shares research insights via his social media sites. This one resonated with me, as parents and educators we endeavour to build student independence, resilience, confidence and problem-solving skills.

“This new meta-analysis of 44 studies shows what actually happens when parents overhelp. Researchers analyzed data from more than 21,000 participants, and a clear pattern emerged. The more parents overhelp, the worse kids’ mental health becomes. 

• Higher anxiety.

• Higher depression.

• Lower resilience.

However, the effects are not universal. In Western cultures, overparenting tends to increase anxiety and emotional distress. In Eastern cultures, the same behaviors are often interpreted as care and can even increase life satisfaction.

The study also found that maternal overhelping has a stronger impact than paternal. And the older the child gets, the more harmful overparenting becomes.

Why does this happen? Researchers define overparenting as “developmentally inappropriate control.” It blocks children from building autonomy, from failing safely, and from learning how to make decisions on their own. Overhelping is usually done with love. But too much help early can lead to helplessness later.

This insight applies beyond parenting. Whether you are a parent, teacher, or leader, the principle is the same: Do not just protect people. Prepare them. Do not solve every problem for them. Let them solve their own. That is how real strength is built.”

Source:

Hu, N., et al. (2025). Associations between overparenting and offspring’s mental health: A meta-analysis of anxiety, depression, life satisfaction, and subjective well-being. Behavioral Sciences, 15(923135), 1–?

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/9/1235

Loving God,

We give you thanks for the gift of our Year 12 Retreat, for the moments of laughter, conversation, reflection and joy that brought our community together.

Thank you for the friendships that have been formed and strengthened over the years, for the teachers and families who have walked alongside our students, and for the many experiences that have shaped them into the young people they are today.

As they reflect on their journey through the College, help them to recognise how they have grown in wisdom, courage and compassion. May they see the ways your presence has been revealed through the relationships they have nurtured, the challenges they have overcome and the moments that have called them to become people of justice, hope and love.

As they enter the busy months ahead, grant them calm minds, generous hearts and confidence in their own gifts. Remind them that they never walk alone, that they are held by this community, and that your love continues to guide them into whatever lies beyond the College gates.

Inspired by the example of Mary Aikenhead, may they remain contemplatives in action, people who use their gifts extensively for others, trusting always in your providence and responding with compassion wherever life leads them.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Year 12 Retreat

The Year 12 Retreat offered our students something that can be difficult to find in the midst of a busy final year, the opportunity to pause.

While it was certainly a welcome chance to recharge before the demands of the second half of the year, it was also an invitation to reflect on the journey that has brought them to this point. Students spent time looking back on their years at the College, the friendships they have formed, the experiences that have shaped them and the ways in which they have grown as young people. They also considered the role that faith, relationships and community have played in their lives so far, and the part these will continue to play as they look towards the future.

Of course, retreats are never only about quiet reflection. They are also about sharing life together, and there was plenty of that. From meals together and arts and crafts, to performances, early mornings watching the World Cup, late nights playing games or watching the footy, and even racing around the city in search of clues, every moment helped strengthen the sense of community that has been built over many years.

As a staff member fortunate enough to attend, I will let you in on a little secret. While the retreat was designed for our Year 12 students, it was equally special for the staff. We treasured one of our final opportunities to simply spend time with this wonderful group of young people, to laugh together, to listen, to share conversations and to witness the remarkable people they have become.

In the Mary Aikenhead tradition, we are reminded that community is one of God’s greatest gifts. It is through our relationships that we discover who we are and how we are called to live with love, hope, compassion and justice. This retreat was a beautiful reminder that the greatest lessons are often found not only in the planned activities, but in the conversations, shared experiences and quiet moments spent together.

To our Year 12 students, thank you for making this retreat such a memorable experience. It was a privilege to share this time with you. We wish you every blessing as you embrace the remainder of your final year, and we look forward to celebrating all that lies ahead.

ST COLUMBA’S DAY

Thanks to the generosity, creativity and enthusiasm of students, staff and families, we have raised funds that will support a number of organisations connected to the Sisters of Charity and our College values.

Williams House raised $323.50 for Sr Mary House of Welcome.
O’Brien House raised $408.50 for McAuley Community Services for Women.
Cunningham House raised an amazing $931.20 for Sister Francesca Healy Cottage.
De Lacy House raised $1,216.15 for St Vincent’s Melbourne Emergency Department.
Cater House raised $1,657.25 for St Paul’s College.
Bruton House raised $1,688.20 for The Good Samaritan Inn.
Cahill House raised $1,695.20 for Prague House, making them our highest fundraising House this year!.

Congratulations to our Specialist Captains and Ms Marriner’s Literacy class for all their great fundraising activities on the day and to our food vans who also made generous donations to the College. An additional $2,455.00 was raised and these funds will go to the Sisters of Charity Foundation. 

Altogether, our College community raised an incredible $10,355.00. This is more than just a fundraising total. It represents compassion, generosity and living out the values of St Columba’s College.

Thank you to every student, staff member and family who donated, organised activities, volunteered their time or supported STCC Day in any way.

STUDENT EXECUTIVE INFORMATION SESSION

Leadership begins with a willingness to step forward.

On Monday 20 July, our Student Executive Leadership Team hosted an information session for Year 10 and 11 students interested in applying for the 2027 Student Executive positions.

It was inspiring to see approximately 40 students choose to spend their lunchtime learning more about the leadership opportunities available at St Columba’s College. The team shared valuable insights into the application process, spoke honestly about their own leadership journeys, and reflected on the personal growth, confidence, and skills they have developed through serving their school community. The session concluded with an engaging Q&A, where students asked thoughtful questions about the challenges, rewards, and responsibilities of student leadership.

Opportunities like these do more than prepare future leaders, they help build a culture where leadership is valued, nurtured, and inspired by students who lead with authenticity, service, and purpose.

Thank you to our Student Executive Leadership Team for generously sharing your experiences and encouraging the next generation of student leaders. Your example continues to strengthen the leadership culture at our College.

ATTENDANCE AT CLC FOUNDERS DAY

Our Sister School partnership with Catholic Ladies College is a relationship we greatly value at St Columba’s College. As two schools founded in the tradition of Mary Aikenhead and the Sisters of Charity, we are united by a shared commitment to compassion, service, justice and community. 

Over the past eight months, we have worked to strengthen and celebrate this special connection. Late last year, our student leaders attended a Formation Day, where we met our leadership counterparts from Catholic Ladies College. This provided a wonderful opportunity to build new friendships, share ideas and collaborate as leaders. Since then, we have maintained regular communication, continuing to support one another and deepen the partnership between our schools.

Following Catholic Ladies College’s visit to St Columba’s for St Columba’s Day in June, we were delighted to attend CLC’s Founders Day celebrations on Thursday 23 July.

We were privileged to be able to take a small group of Student Executive Captains to the Catholic Ladies College campus in Eltham. It was so insightful for us to be able to experience some of their celebrations on Founders Day. 

Their whole school assembly had many similarities to ours with a common interest being commending the incredible work and faith of Mary Aikenhead. What was a stand out was the inspirational story of former CLC alumna Stephanie Nolan who shared her story on life after school which included things like travel, volunteering pursuits and passion for her work as a community lawyer. 

At the conclusion of the assembly we joined CLC for a brief morning tea before taking a tour of their campus. This was a great opportunity to be immersed in their school community. Many of us were blown away by the the beautiful bushland that surrounds their campus. 

To finish the day off we had front row seats at CLC’s lip sync battle dress rehearsal which was AMAZING!!! We were astonished by all the hard work that the girls had put in to this. The vibrancy they brought to the stage certainly rubbed off on us as we made our way back to school singing Justin Bieber in the van. 

We’re so grateful at STC to have such a strong relationship with CLC formed through being a Sisters of Charity school. We loved the opportunity to meet with CLC’s Student Leadership Team once again.

Thank you to Ms McDonald and Ms Egan for making this day possible 

Written by Tiana Ciavarella and Charlize Bellette (College Co-Captains)

LEARNING TO LEAD PROGRAM

Over the past few weeks, we have had the opportunity to take part in the Learning to Lead Program, and it has been an enjoyable and rewarding experience. The program was designed to help students develop leadership skills, build confidence, and learn how to work effectively with others.

Throughout the program, we participated in 5 modules that challenged us to communicate, solve problems, and support our teammates. At first, some of the tasks seemed a bit uncomfortable as we had to work with others we didn’t know, but in the end we all worked together and became more confident in sharing our ideas.

One of the biggest things we learned was that being a leader is not just about being in charge. A good leader listens to others, demonstrates many leadership qualities, encourages teamwork, shows respect, and helps everyone succeed. These are skills that we know will be useful both at school and in the future, especially regarding our future careers.

One of our favourite parts of the program was working together to complete team challenges. These activities helped us build stronger friendships, improve our communication skills, listen to others’ opinions even if they don’t match with what we want, and learn how important it is to trust and support one another.

Overall, the Learning to Lead Program was a fantastic experience that taught us valuable life skills. We are grateful to have been part of it and would encourage other students to take part if they have the opportunity and especially if they want to be a leader during their secondary school years. We believe the confidence and leadership skills we gained will help us both in school and beyond.

Written by Maya F and Dulara D, Year 9

PARENT ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE (PEC)           

Every parent in our community is a member of the PEC and we welcome your involvement. If anyone is interested in joining the PEC or learning more about what we do you can join us in person or online – 7.30pm – meet.google.com/fij-hziu-ymk). 

Our meeting dates are as follows:

Tuesday 28 July

Tuesday 18 August

Tuesday 15 September

Tuesday 20 October

Tuesday 17 November          

FUNDRAISING

In consultation with the Student Engagement Team, funds raised through the raffle and other PEC initiatives this year will go towards the purchase of an outdoor, weather proof table tennis table for students to enjoy during breaks and lunchtime. This exciting addition will provide another active and inclusive recreational option, encouraging students to enjoy healthy physical activity in a fun and social environment.          

ALUMNAE COMMITTEE

Beauty and the Beast Alumnae Night

On Saturday night, the St Columba’s College Alumnae Committee had the pleasure of hosting an Alumnae Cocktail Party to celebrate the collaborative production of ‘Beauty and The Beast’ by St Columba’s College, Essendon and St Bernard’s College. 

It was a wonderful evening reconnecting with familiar faces, meeting fellow alumnae, and celebrating the strength of our school community.

Congratulations to the students, staff, and everyone involved in delivering such an outstanding show.

Victoria Rizzardi (Alumnae Committee Member)

Committee Meetings

Our Alumnae Committee meets once each term on a Wednesday evening from 7:00–8:30pm, working to strengthen and celebrate the lifelong connection between the College and our former students. Through their dedication, the Committee supports opportunities for alumnae to stay connected with one another and with the College community, fostering meaningful engagement with current staff and students and nurturing a lasting sense of belonging.

If you are an alumna and would like to become a member of the Alumnae Committee, please contact alumnae@columba.vic.edu.au. Our next meeting for is scheduled for Wednesday 12 August.

Recently, the Year 12 cohort went on a three-day retreat to reflect on our time at St Columba’s and connect with our faith and school history. Over the course of three days, we completed reflective activities, attended a Mass, listened to a talk by Fr Elio about the deeper messages of art, competed in an Amazing Race around the city, participated in after-dinner activities and spent valuable time with friends. To complete these activities, we were allowed to choose a group of friends, ranging from 7-15 students, who we would be completing the activities with and staying with when away from our accommodation.

On the first day, we gathered at University College, a student accommodation building across from Princes Park, where we were excited to spend time with friends and check out our dorms. Once everyone arrived, we were briefed and given journals that we started in Year 7 and have added to each year throughout our school journey. These journals are a keepsake for our time at the school and were used during our reflective activities.

After attending a Mass and having lunch in the city with our groups, we met back up at our accommodation to settle into our rooms, attended a talk led by Fr Elio, and participated in our first round of reflective activities. Each activity was designed to encourage reflection on our time at school, the people who shaped it (both from within and outside of school), and the growth we experienced over our high school years. My personal favourites were the letter to a significant person and ‘mosaic of me’.

Finally, everyone’s favourite event was the after-dinner activities. From board games, karaoke, movies in the theatre, or just chilling with friends, there was something for everyone. Card games with the teachers was certainly something, and I’ll never forget my four-hour murder mystery marathon. Since we’re all responsible semi-adults, bedtimes were a suggestion at best, and most people pushed the boundaries of their energy to stay up with friends just that little bit longer. Not to mention the soccer fanatics who got up at 5am to watch the World Cup Semi-Finals between England and Argentina.

On the second day, we spent the morning doing more reflective activities, while in the afternoon the real fun started. We had five hours of freedom in the city to complete the Amazing (g)Race, as Mr Jilbert dubbed it, which took us across the city completing missions to explore the school’s unique history and connections, as well as participate in a friendly photo competition for bonus lollies and a couple of extra points. Shoutout to my group for winning three of the seven photo competitions and an enormous lolly prize.

Our final day was spent completing the last two reflective activities in the morning, while in the afternoon we had the grand finale of the retreat. We got to open the letters we wrote to our future selves in Year 7. There was a lot of laughing, remembering past friends and former interests, and considering what had and hadn’t changed since then.

Overall, the retreat was a sum of the time and memories formed over our high school years. It allowed us to reflect, reminisce and appreciate the friends we have before the chaos of our final high school year takes over once again and the mental breakdowns commence. I can’t speak for everyone, but the retreat allowed me to realise just how lucky I am to have my amazing group of friends and how much I’ve grown as a person since Year 7. I really hope, for my fellow Year Twelves, that they feel the same way.

-Written by Taylah R

Last week, the Year 12 cohort attended our retreat at University College. It was a really valuable experience and a great opportunity to connect with everyone one last time before we finish school. With the busyness of Year 12, it was nice to step away from the usual routine and spend quality time together, strengthening friendships and creating memories as a cohort. One of my favourite parts of the retreat was the talent show. It was super entertaining to watch everyone get involved, and it was great to see another side of my peers. I also really enjoyed taking part in the Tai Chi session and making prayer beads. Both activities encouraged us to slow down, reflect, and appreciate the importance of being present, which was something I found especially meaningful during such a busy year. Overall, the retreat was a memorable experience that gave us the chance to reflect, have fun, and connect with each other before we head into our final term together.

-Written by Alexandra K

Last term, our Year 10 students embarked on an inspiring Project Based Learning (PBL) journey, partnering with a range of industry and community organisations to tackle authentic, real world design challenges.

Working alongside partners including Akorn Education, Bionics Institute, Building Engineering, Essendon Football Club, Moonee Valley City Council and Wildlife Victoria, students spent the entire term researching, collaborating, designing and refining innovative solutions in response to carefully developed design briefs.

The program began with an immersive excursion, where students met with their industry partners, explored each organisation’s work and gained a firsthand understanding of the challenges faced by their clients. From there, students applied the Design Thinking process, empathising with users, defining problems, generating ideas, developing prototypes and testing solutions to create purposeful and innovative products.

The culmination of the project saw students present their final concepts and prototypes back to their industry partners. The presentations showcased not only the creativity and innovation of our students but also their ability to think critically, collaborate effectively and communicate professionally. Our PBL partners were highly impressed by the quality of the students’ ideas, their thoughtful design processes and the confidence with which they presented their solutions.

Year 10 student Imogen R reflected on her experience working with Wildlife Victoria:

The project-based learning experience was one we won’t forget. Our class was assigned to design something to help either the volunteers who work for Wildlife Victoria or the animals when being rescued. Our group really enjoyed coming together and brainstorming ideas on how to strategically solve this issue after our exciting excursion to Templestowe Park, where we got to see kangaroos and kookaburras in the wild. It was especially fun when we got the opportunity to see them close up through the binoculars. Our class received insightful information from our tour guides, which inspired us to create something to ease the kangaroos’ stress when being rescued, while being easy to use for the rescuers. What really allowed our creativity to flourish was the creative freedom of our prototype lessons. We got straight to designing and building, which set a productive atmosphere. Our entire class has all developed collaboration skills and deepened our knowledge of wildlife carers’ roles and responsibilities throughout the past few weeks to be part of this provocative project. The challenges our group faced throughout the process of designing and implementing our design were that we couldn’t find the right resources to create our prototype, so we had to make do and get creative with existing materials. Not only did this teach us that we don’t need brand-new materials to create a new object, but we can also use pre-used resources and create the same quality of product. After the scavenger hunt for materials, we faced a bit of a complication when building the physical prototype. As we did not receive the materials we had requested initially, our arts and crafts skills came in handy, although it did take us much longer to create than having the requested resources, as our design served multiple purposes.

The Project Based Learning program continues to be a highlight of the Year 10 curriculum, providing students with authentic learning experiences that connect classroom knowledge with real-world application. Through collaboration with industry experts, students develop essential skills in problem-solving, communication, creativity and teamwork while gaining valuable insight into future careers and community needs.

We extend our sincere thanks to all of our PBL partners for generously sharing their time, expertise and enthusiasm throughout the project. Their support has provided our students with an invaluable opportunity to learn beyond the classroom and experience the power of designing solutions that have the potential to make a genuine difference in our community.

On Tuesday 14th July, the four of us, accompanied by Ms D’Astoli and Ms Grando, went to Melbourne University to compete in the finals for the Dante Alighieri Poetry Competition, having been selected from thousands of students across Victoria. We were proud of making it this far, and went into the day with the mindset of “whatever happens, happens”. When it got to our time slot, each of us went into a room, and in front of a panel of two judges, we recited our poem. Then came the long wait in the lecture theatre to find out if any of us had made it through to the second round of finals. Eventually, we found out that Sophia (Year 12) had made it through to the second round, meaning she got to recite her poem again and was up against five other Year 12 students from Victoria. Afterwards, we all went to Brunetti’s for lunch before making our way back to school. Overall, this experience was lots of fun and helped us become more confident in our public speaking, as well as providing us with the opportunity to connect with the Italian language in ways we wouldn’t be able to in language classes. 

Written by – Sophia (Year 12), Gabriella (Year 11), Carla (Year 11), Nicole (Year 9)

In April, Ms Galea asked me to participate in the Dante Alighieri Poetry Competition because she knew that I enjoyed Italian. At first I was very hesitant but with lots of persuasion and encouragement I agreed. I was surprised that after our first recital I had been selected as a finalist. When we got to the auditorium I was shocked by the amount of students from different schools that had made it into the finals. Although I didn’t advance further into the competition, I definitely had a great experience. I had the opportunity to meet students from other year levels and I had a great time going to Brunetti’s for lunch.  Overall it was a memorable experience and although I was indecisive at first I would definitely recommend it to students in younger year levels.  It helped me build confidence in my Italian speaking and allowed me to enjoy the Italian language even more.

Written by – Nicole K, BRTJ2

St Columba’s College students put their geographical knowledge and skills to the test in the 2026 Australian Geography Competition.

The national competition challenges secondary students from across Australia to apply their geographical knowledge, interpretation and problem-solving skills, while encouraging a deeper interest in the world around them.

We are delighted to congratulate Cara D, who achieved an outstanding High Distinction, placing her among the competition’s highest-performing students.

Congratulations also to Allegra S, who received a Distinction, and Lola C, Eloise B and Mia S, who each achieved a Credit.

These are wonderful achievements in a national competition, and we congratulate all students who participated.

On the 22nd July, three teams of Juniors, Intermediates and Seniors, headed off to MSAC to compete in the annual Futsal round robin competition.  All teams put in a fantastic effort, with two of the three teams winning overall for their division.  Congratulations to all involved!

Term 3: CAREER NEWS – Newsletter 16  | Monday 27 – 31 July

Please find below the link and summary of all the information in the Career Newsletter:

Careers Newsletter

In this edition:

• Information about VTAC
• VET in VCE
• Monash University News: Monash Information Evening, Entry Schemes, The Monash Guarantee, SEAS & Pharmacy
• Kangan Institute: open nights & course guides– Australian Catholic University: Early Offer, Year 12 VCE Revision Webinars & Free Mathematics and Human Biology short courses  
• Vic Uni
• William Angliss: 2027 Course Guides
• SAE: Open Day & Create for a day
• Swinburne: Open Day, Early Entry & Innovation in Action
• RMIT: 2027 Course Guides & New Course: RMIT UniReady
• Bond Uni: Entry
• AIM: Music Theatre Audition Workshop
• Federation Uni: Course Guide & Early Entry
• Deakin: Internet of Things IoT Bachelor of Computer Science, Deakin Uni Ready, Deakin Guaranteed ATAR & Double Degrees
• Collarts: Open Day
• Melbourne Uni: Course prerequisites for entry to Melbourne, Applying to Melb Uni Webinar & ATAR Guarantees
• LCI: Open Day & Diplomas
• ACAP: Open Day
• Helpful guides
• Charles Sturt: Early Offer & Open Day
• Australian Defence Force Academy Open Day
• Australian Federal Police: Becoming a Protective Service Officer
• La Trobe University: Aspire Early Entry. Studying Criminology & Law
• Whitehouse Institute of Design: September School Holidays Workshops
• Snapshot of James Cook Uni
• Camp SEEK 2026
• PGA Institute Careers in Golf Scholarship
• Discover your VET Ringwood
• Elevate education: Term 3 Webinars
• Studying a Common First Year in Engineering
• Early Entry Guide
• Open Days 2026

Happy reading! If you require any further assistance, please DM a member of the Pathways team at  pathways@columba.vic.edu.au

“Just as nature has seasons, so do we. Winter reminds us that growth doesn’t always happen through big leaps; more often, it begins with small, consistent steps.”

As we settle into Term 3, it is not unusual for young people to seem more tired, less motivated or in greater need of downtime. Winter’s shorter days, colder mornings and reduced daylight can affect our energy, mood and motivation, making healthy routines and wellbeing especially important during this time of year.

While quality sleep, regular movement, time outdoors and meaningful connections all help support wellbeing, there is another factor that often goes unnoticed—the mental load of school.

What is mental load?

When parents think about school, it is easy to focus on homework, assignments and exams. However, these are only part of what young people manage each day.

Cognitive load refers to the amount of mental effort our brains use to process information, make decisions and manage competing demands.

Our brains have a limited amount of attention and energy available each day. When too many demands compete for that space, young people may feel overwhelmed, tired, distracted or unsure where to begin.

For students, the mental load of school extends well beyond the classroom. On any given day, they may be managing:

• remembering assessment dates and deadlines
• navigating friendships and social dynamics
• balancing sport, music and co-curricular activities
• responding to messages and social media
• managing expectations at school and at home
• planning ahead and making decisions throughout the day.

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While each demand may seem manageable on its own, together they require considerable mental energy. By the end of the school day, it is understandable that some young people feel mentally exhausted, even if they do not have hours of homework. 

How parents and carers can help

The goal is not to remove every challenge. Learning to manage responsibilities is an important part of growing up. Instead, we can help lighten the mental load by providing structure, support and opportunities to problem-solve.

Help move tasks out of their head

Many young people carry a mental checklist of everything they need to remember. Encourage them to use tools that reduce the pressure of holding everything in their memory:

• a weekly planner
• reminders for important dates
• a homework list
• a Sunday evening check-in to prepare for the week ahead.

The goal is not to control their schedule, but to reduce the mental effort of remembering everything.

Help identify the next small step

When a young person feels overwhelmed, the challenge is often not knowing what needs to be done—it is knowing where to begin.

Instead of asking, “Why haven’t you started?”, try asking:

“What is the first small step you could take?”

Breaking tasks into smaller steps reduces overwhelm and helps build confidence.

Protect transition time after school

The transition from school to home requires adjustment. After managing learning, friendships, noise, decisions and expectations throughout the day, some young people need time to decompress before starting homework or engaging in conversations.

This might look like:

• having a snack
• listening to music
• spending some quiet time alone
• going for a walk
• taking a short break before beginning schoolwork.

Focus on connection before correction

When young people feel overwhelmed, they often need support before solutions.

Instead of asking:

“Have you finished your assignment?”

Try:

“What feels like the biggest thing on your mind today?”

or:

“Is there anything that feels harder than usual at the moment?”

These questions create opportunities for connection and help young people feel understood.

A Simple Practice for This Week

Choose one way to help lighten your young person’s mental load this week. It might be:

• planning the week together on Sunday evening
• helping them identify one priority task
• creating ten minutes of uninterrupted connection each day
• simply asking what feels most challenging right now.

Sometimes, feeling understood is just as powerful as finding a solution.

By recognising the invisible demands our young people manage each day, we can better support their wellbeing, resilience and confidence—one small step at a time.

For practical, evidence-based advice on supporting your young person’s wellbeing, explore:

• Raising Children Network – Teen mental health and wellbeing
  https://raisingchildren.net.au/teens/mental-health-physical-health
• ReachOut Parents – Mental health and wellbeing
  https://parents.au.reachout.com/mental-health-and-wellbeing

We are accidentally raising fragile children. It’s not because we’re bad parents. It might be the opposite. It’s because we’re “good ones”. We love our kids so much that we smooth the path ahead of them, intervene when things get hard, and rescue them from discomfort before it has a chance to teach them anything. It feels like protection. It might be the opposite. But it takes wisdom to know the difference. And it’s hard because it seems that the stakes are high.

About ten years ago, my daughter (Abbie), came home from school in tears. Her best friend, Abby, had discovered that her mum’s cancer had returned after years of remission. The doctors had caught it too late. He body was riddled with it, and the prognosis was terminal. Four weeks. Christmas.

Read the full article here via the link.

Catholic School Parents Victoria (CSPV) is pleased to share the latest edition of its new quarterly newsletter, providing families with information, insights and resources to support parents and carers throughout their child’s education.

In this edition, families can read more about:

• An introduction to the CSPV Chair and Executive Officer
• NAPLAN Results Are Coming Home – understanding what your child’s results mean
• Parenting in the Digital Age – practical information for families
• Understanding AI and New Online Risks for Children – an upcoming webinar presented by the eSafety Commissioner
  • The impact of AI on children’s online safety
  • Emerging risks and opportunities associated with AI
  • Practical strategies to help your child use AI safely and responsibly
  • Tips and resources to support positive conversations at home
  • Registration Link for this free webinar, taking place 11 August 12:30pm- 1:15pm EST

We encourage families to explore the newsletter and the valuable resources available to support parents and carers in navigating contemporary issues affecting children and young people.

To view the newsletter, click here.

23 June – Year 11 Reflection Day

25 June – Combined Music with St Bernard’s

26 June – End of Term 2