COVID-19 has affected members of our Chisholm family in different ways. For some of our families, the pandemic has had a terrible impact on their financial security. We want to help.
Caroline Chisholm College has maintained a link with the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW for quite a while now and we regularly make donations to them as a result of various fundraising initiatives at the College.
We have been reminded of the assistance they can provide in times of need, particularly during the current COVID-19 lockdown. They have provided the following message:
Vinnies is here to help. If any family needs help with food, bills and/or housing during this difficult time, please direct them to our Helpline on 13 18 12 or call their local Vinnies Support Centre.
This week is National Homelessness Week which Vinnies is delighted to support. See our statement on Homelessness Week and advocacy for affordable housing.
Study Skills Tip for August
How To Stay Positive About Your Schoolwork
Have you checked out our College Captain Ammaleah’s Five Tips for Lockdown? Share it with the student in your life: https://youtu.be/N5QD2sEZBIQ
It can be difficult to stay positive at all times about your schoolwork, particularly if you have challenges whether they be personal or whether you are grappling with something like online learning. When we allow pressure and stress to build we can get into bad habits and let go of good habits. As a result students can feel even more drained and exhausted.
The key to being positive and managing negative emotions such as anxiety and feeling down and depressed in any pressure situation including schoolwork and exams is to “fuel up”. “Fuelling Up” is about boosting wellbeing factors in your life. You need to boost the wellbeing factors in your BODY, MIND and EMOTIONS.
BODY: Here are some things you can do to boost the energy in your BODY
Get better sleep.
Feeling good all starts with getting the right amount and type of sleep. Start with a good night-time routine. Stop anything that stimulates you such as caffeine or TV or computer, iPad or phone screens etc. Try a warm drink such as chamomile tea and use essential oils such as lavender oil. Having a soothing bath or shower can also help along with gentle stretching of tight or tense muscles. If you still feel you are not getting a “good” sleep be sure to see your doctor.
Eat in Moderation
Never skip a meal, especially breakfast. Breakfast replenishes your body and helps you start your day full of energy. Eat three main meals, and two to three snack meals a day. Eating five to six times in a day keeps your blood sugar levels balanced, giving you an overall sense of well-being needed for focusing on your tasks and responsibilities.
Exercise Regularly
Regular exercise, at least three times per week for a minimum of 30 minute sessions, can virtually “soak up” stress chemicals in your body and help you to relax and even sleep better. Brisk walking, aerobic classes, swimming, bike riding, or jogging are great exercises to release stress buildup and relax your body and mind to either start or end your day right.
MIND: Here are some things you can do to THINK more positive
Change your thinking and perceptions
Write down your top 5 fears and worries. What’s the worst thing that can happen? Then ask yourself, “IS THAT TRUE”? Usually fears and worries are not based on reality but on imagined scenarios that have little to no evidence. If it’s something that can’t be changed bring acceptance to it. It is what it is for now!
Change your focus
Have you noticed that what we worry about we make bigger and keep closer to us by the way we think and focus. Try this…make your fears and worries SMALL in size (5 cm in height) DARK in brightness and as far away as possible in DISTANCE. When we change the size, brightness and distance of the things that upset us in our minds it reduces the intensity of the emotion.
EMOTIONS: Here are some things you can do to FEEL more positive
Acts of kindness
Make a list of 5 acts of kindness you can do every day. Make them simple acts of kindness that are easy to do such as saying thank you etc. Do these 5 acts of kindness every day for 6 weeks. The research shows that people that do this and think of 3 good things in their life (as above) have a dramatic positive boost in their mood.
3 good things exercise
Every day at the start and end of your day think of 3 good things that happened. Write them down. Then think about either WHY those good things happened or how it MADE YOU FEEL when those good things happened.
Start ticking things off your list
Pick something small and achievable to start with that you need to do for school and get it done. You will feel much more positive when you start doing things. Do a few more easy things to get your confidence up then tackle a more challenging task.
You will find lots of resources to support you on the Study Skills Handbook site (www.studyskillshandbook.com.au)
Our school’s login details are:
USERNAME: forccconly
PASSWORD: 55results
Year 11 2022 Subject Selection Interviews
Parents, carers and students are invited to book an interview with one of the leaders in the College if you have questions about Year 11 subjects for next year. These interviews will be held via zoom on August 9 and 10 between 3 and 4pm. If you would like to discuss any questions with one of the leaders please email Mrs Elaine Manders emanders@parra.catholic.edu.au who will make a booking for you.
