YEAR 9 GEOGRAPHY EXCURSION
In this issue:
CENTRE
On Tuesday, 12 August, our Year 9 Geography students visited the Brewongle Environmental Education Centre in Sackville North to complete the compulsory fieldwork component of Stage 5 Geography.
Throughout the day, students explored a range of activities focusing on Australian biomes, soil assessments, permaculture gardens, and the environmental sustainability practices of First Nations Peoples.
A major focus was on soil assessments, where students:
Measured soil temperature
Tested soil pH levels
Examined the impact of water on root development
Investigated soil structure and aggregate stability
For many, the highlight was digging into the soil to discover macrolife and earthworms, bringing the science of ecosystems to life
Parents of Year 9 students are encouraged to continue the conversation at home by asking about the influence of ground cover, soil temperature, pH, and macrolife on the soil in your own garden.
This valuable fieldwork not only fulfilled a curriculum requirement but also provided students with hands-on experiences to deepen their understanding of geography and sustainability inspiring them to take a more practical approach to gardening and horticulture
YEAR 10 STUDENTS LEAD THE WAY IN VAPING PREVENTION
We are proud to acknowledge the 27 exemplary Year 10 students who volunteered to be trained in BEAT (Breathe Easy All Together) Australia’s first peer-education program designed to prevent e-cigarette use and promote respiratory health.
Our Year 10 leaders delivered the two-session program to the entire Year 7 cohort, demonstrating outstanding commitment and dedication. Through this experience, they developed valuable skills in leadership, communication, and teamwork, while our Year 7 students gained:
Factual knowledge about e-cigarettes and their contents
An understanding of potential health risks
Strategies for saying “no”
Insights into marketing tactics targeting young people
Tools to make informed and healthy decisions
The BEAT program was created by the Prevention Education and Research Unit (PERU) at Western Sydney Local Health District, in partnership with Sydney University PERU is a leader in prevention research, delivering innovative school and community health initiatives.
It has been a privilege for Santa Sophia to partner with PERU on such an important initiative, equipping our students with knowledge and empowering them to make positive choices for their health and wellbeing.
Year 10 students attended training during pupil free day
Tues 22 July - BEAT Breath Easy All Together Program
Tues 19 August - Receiving BEAT Program Certificates
PARENT EVENT: BUILDING RESILIENCE WITH DR JUSTIN COULSON
We are delighted to invite parents and carers to an uplifting and practical session with Dr Justin Coulson, one of Australia’s leading voices in parenting Dr Coulson is co-host and parenting expert on Channel Nine’s Parental Guidance and co-host of the Happy Families podcast the most downloaded parenting podcast in the country
In his engaging talk, “Resilience: Developing Strength, Calm and Kindness in our Kids”, Dr Coulson will share evidence-based strategies to help children and teens navigate life’s challenges with confidence and care.
Parents will gain insights into how to:
Build emotional strength and flexibility in children
Create calm, connected family environments
Nurture kindness, optimism, and inner confidence
�� This event will also be live-streamed at the scheduled time only (no replay available).
DETAILS
WHEN: Monday 25th August
WHERE: Morley Centre - Catherine McAuley, Westmead - 2 Darcy Rd, Westmead
TIME: 7pm (doors open at 6.30pm)
REGISTER your attendance HERE �� LIVESTREAM LINK HERE (no replays)
PARENT LEARNING & ENGAGEMENT
PARENT SUPPORT HUB REPLAY LINK
DETAILS: Wed 27 Aug, 6pm at the College Chapel
Speaker: Dr Gerard O’Shea
Please note that all of our school policies and procedures may be found on our website, including the Complaint Resolution Policy, AntiBullying Policy and Mobile Phone Policy.
Student Spotlight
Closing Message
Friendships play an important role in your child’s wellbeing and school experience. They provide a sense of belonging, help develop social skills, and can make the ups and downs of school life easier to navigate.
SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD WITH FRIENDSHIPS
As a parent, you can support your child by:
Listening first - when your child shares about friends, try to listen without immediately offering solutions. Sometimes they just need to feel heard.
Normalising ups and downs - remind them that friendships can change and it’s normal to experience disagreements or shifts over time.
Coaching, not controlling - help your child think through ways to solve problems with friends rather than stepping in to fix them. Role-playing can be a gentle way to practice.
Encouraging kindness - guide your child in treating others with respect, while also setting boundaries if they feel uncomfortable
Balancing connections - support opportunities for a wide range of social experiences -school, sports, arts, and community activities - so friendships can grow naturally.
If your child is finding friendships particularly challenging, don’t hesitate to reach out to their teacher or the school wellbeing team for extra support.
Santa Sophia Catholic College is seeking interested parents within our community to share their industry experience, knowledge and skills with our students. Sign up here.