Matthew Porter, Director of Student Wellbeing
Final Year 10 Big Brother/ Year 5 Little Brother Session for 2018
On Wednesday morning our Year 10 and Year 5 students again connected in their house groups as a part of the Big Brother/ Little Brother Program. Students from Aungier and Brennan played a series of team building games and challenges, Conlon and Green completed the Amazing Race Scavenger Hunt on the senior campus, Lacey and O’Connor completed the “We are more alike than different” discussion while Quinn and Tevlin worked on paired reading in the senior library. The feedback from staff and students on the day was incredibly positive, we look forward to continuing to strengthen these relationships as the boys move into Year 6 and Year 11 in 2019.
Bullying Prevention in Education Conference – Konnect Learning
Earlier this week I was invited to present at the Bullying Prevention in Education Conference at the Adina Apartments in Darling Harbour. It was an absolute honour to present alongside experts in the field from a variety of educational settings and to follow the lead of Key Note speaker Dr Ken Rigby. Dr Rigby is among the foremost experts on bullying and strategies to address bullying behaviour in young people. For more information on his work please see the following link https://www.kenrigby.net/.
My presentation focussed on removing unhelpful and often misused labels such as “Bully” or “Victim”. My focus was oriented on upskilling our boys and young men to develop healthy and respectful relationships with their peers and to respond to challenging situations in a clam and considered fashion. Be the best version of yourself, contribute to the common good and make a positive difference in the lives of others. I spoke about the importance of open and transparent communication and an ongoing dialogue between staff, students and their families. The conference provided a fantastic opportunity to showcase the positive impact that the Waverley College Wellbeing Model has had on the way our students feel and the way that they interact with each other. Data to support this from the recent MMA whole school surveys will be distributed early in the new year.
Please feel free to contact myself or the relevant Head of House if you wish to discuss any specific issues further.
