This week during our Pastoral Lesson, our Year 10 students had the privilege of attending a dynamic and insightful presentation by Sonya Karras, a leading expert on safe partying and alcohol consumption. Sonya’s engaging and interactive talk focused on the importance of making informed decisions in social settings, particularly around alcohol use, and how to navigate peer pressure and risky situations. The message could not have come at a more important time, with the Year 10 Social fast approaching on 28 November.

The presentation gave students practical strategies to ensure their safety and wellbeing while enjoying themselves at the Social and any other upcoming events over the Summer break and leading into their senior years of schooling. It’s also a great opportunity for parents and guardians to continue these discussions at home, reinforcing the importance of responsible behaviour.

As the Social is one of the highlights of the Year 10 calendar, we know how excited our students are! To ensure everything runs smoothly, we kindly ask parents to please complete the PAM notification, purchase tickets and provide the guest information form to the College as soon as possible. These details are essential for organising the event and ensuring the safety of all attendees. Don’t forget – students are encouraged to invite a guest, but we need all guest details to be submitted promptly so that we can finalise preparations.

While the Social is a moment of excitement and celebration, we must also turn our attention to the upcoming Semester 2 examinations, which will begin on Friday 15 November, at the end of Week 6. These exams are a key component of the Year 10 academic program, and students are encouraged to start preparing now to avoid last-minute stress. We recommend creating a study timetable, focusing on areas that need improvement, and seeking help from teachers if needed. Balancing social events with study is a skill we hope students continue to develop as they move through their senior years.

As we head into this busy and sometimes stressful time, it’s important to remind our students about the values we uphold as a College community—strength and kindliness. We ask that students demonstrate these values in how they treat their peers, particularly as we move towards the end of the year. Respectful behaviour is critical to ensuring a positive atmosphere for all, both inside and outside of the classroom.

Let’s finish this term with a strong sense of community and care for one another, while celebrating the fantastic opportunities ahead – both academic and social. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Social and wish all Year 10 students the best in their exam preparations!

Jessica Baddeley

Level Leader: Year 10