Click the links below to hear the latest from PBC’s Wellbeing Team.

Senior Secondary Guidance Officer

Read the attached article for the latest information targeted to senior students of careers and pathway information.

https://pbc-shs.eq.edu.au/support-and-resources/guidance-officer

Junior Secondary Guidance Officer

Attached is the latest article from our Junior Secondary Guidance Officer Anna Willis.

School Chaplain

Chappy’s Encouragement – Keeping it Simple with the ABC’s

Hey PBC Parents!

I know this note finds you well into the swing of things for the new school year, but thought I’d write to remind you of a thought to ‘keep it simple’ with your kids as Term 1 finds its rhythm, and our young ones start to face the usual challenges of what an unfolding school year brings. As a parent myself trying to balance the usual list of responsibilities that each of us have (raising kids, balancing budgets, coordinating schedules between family commitments, finding matching socks…you know, the important stuff), I find it helpful to remember the ABC’s of parenting. The ABC’s stand for Attention, Boundaries and Connection and my simple breakdown is this…

Pay Attention to what matters for your young one – notice any changes they might be going through and figure out whether its something you simply file away in your parent brain as something to approach another day, or if it might mean they need a conversation to help them find a way through a new challenge they’re facing. You might ask how they’re doing, and even if all you get back is the classic teenage grunt, at least they know that you care enough to check in. You may have been through a tough time that’s affected each member of the family – take note of how that’s impacted your young ones and if they might need a little more support than usual.

Help them to set Boundaries around their activities, whether it be school, work, social activities, screen time (ugh) or otherwise. Are they over committed or under committed to what’s important? Boundaries help kids achieve balance, and helping them with that process lets them know that you’re invested enough in their wellbeing to help put in place healthy parameters around their life and activities.

Connection is key for us all, in families and our wider Reds community. My encouragement to you is to carve out some time with your kids, whether its over a meal, a walk around the block once or twice a week, maybe even a family Friday movie night on the odd occasion. Make it relevant to how you are as a family, and enjoyable for the kids. Taking time out to connect as a family can really help alleviate the stresses of what we face as parents. Letting your kids see you have fun builds a lot of confidence that you can come through the challenges that we sometimes face in our homes.

You’ve got this, parents! Reach out for support if you need someone to help you see that. Hope you’ve enjoyed the read! GO REDS!

Yours in kind,

John Catterall AKA Chappy.