North Star Commendations

Recognising Student Achievement

North Star Points, through student commendations in SIMON (and reflected on school reports!!), recognises the participation and encouragement of students in all areas of College life throughout the school year in the co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.

This student commendations system was launched in 2020 after working with the student leaders about ways to recognise and reward connections and engagement with the school community.

We use engagement and connection as the vehicle for students to navigate to their North Star so they are given the opportunity to utilise their God-given talents, to strive to be the best they can be so as to make a positive impact on the world.

Students are awarded points for their participation in the 5 categories of

• Academic Extension
• Art/Performance Achievement
• Christian Leadership
• School Community Building
• School Representation
• Sporting Achievement

Studies have shown that students’ individual resilience is influenced between the students’ internal attributes and external factors. Schools can therefore play a vital part in creating protective factors to build a positive sense of wellbeing for the students.

• Some school protective factors include:
• Sense of belonging/connectedness
• Positive school climate
• Positive peer relationships
• Positive teacher-learner relationships
• Opportunities for success and recognition of achievement and effort
• Opportunities for participation.

This year we have had over 12,000 Commendations awarded in different categories with this figure increasing from the previous years. The number of students participating at some level is also included below and is a fantastic endorsement of the program, students and staff we are blessed with at Padua College.

At our most recent end-of-year assemblies, we recognised those students in each year level with the most North Star Commendations.

Rosebud Campus North Star Award Winners

Tyabb Campus North Star Award Winners

Mornington Junior Campus North Star Awards

Mornington Senior Campus North Star Awards

School TV

In a bid to help parents over the festive season I have decided to re-publish the vaping presentation from school tv as well as the alcohol one as well.

PADUA COMMUNITY > Padua Parents > SchoolTV or following the below link
Link - School TV https://padua.catholic.schooltv.me/launch

Vaping & E-Cigarettes

Vaping is becoming a trendy pastime that is growing in popularity across Australia, especially amongst teenagers. It is the act of inhaling a vapour created by an electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette. Many teenagers are succumbing to peer pressure around this risk-taking activity due to the ease of accessing and hiding vapes. They are often cheaper than conventional cigarettes, making it more cost-effective and attractive to young people.

Although under 18s are not legally allowed to purchase any type of e-cigarette or vaping product in Australia, teenagers are finding ways to access them online. Australia has strict regulations in place for nicotine-containing products, and attempts are being made to regulate vaping and ban the importation of them. Many of the flavoured liquids associated with vaping, contain not only high levels of nicotine, but other potentially harmful additives. Many of these “e-liquids” contain chemicals that are likely to be toxic, that when inhaled or vaped repeatedly, can cause severe damage to the lungs.

Vaping is often marketed as being the “healthy” alternative to smoking. However, doctors strongly advise that if you do not smoke, then you should not start vaping. Most teenagers are unaware of the associated risks and potential impact vaping can have on their development and overall health. Parents are encouraged to discuss the dangers of nicotine addiction and include e-cigarettes in the discussion alongside alcohol and drugs.

This Special Report highlights the facts around vaping and e-cigarettes and what are the potential risks. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to your special report https://padua.catholic.schoolt...

Having the Alcohol Discussion

With the impending festive season and end of school celebrations, some teenagers may be feeling ready to party, wanting to put the disruptions, frustrations, and disappointments of this past year, behind them.

To ensure our young people stay safe during this time, parents and carers are encouraged to have the alcohol discussion - no matter how difficult or overwhelming it may be. It is important to outline the rules and boundaries around age-appropriate alcohol consumption and what the legal implications may be.

Young people are at greater risk of alcohol-related harm than adults because their brains continue to develop until their mid-twenties. The safest level of alcohol consumption for teenagers, is no alcohol at all, but this may be difficult to enforce and may not prevent them from experimenting. However, parents and carers can influence sensible drinking habits and help minimise the risks.

In this Special Report, a series of discussion points are offered to help make the conversation about alcohol consumption a little easier. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback.

If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to your special report https://padua.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-having-alcohol-discussion-au