Secondary Update – Term 2 Week 8
Year 10 to 12 Photo Days
Year 7-9 Students had their photo day last Monday. I would like to thank all parents for their support in ensuring that students were well-presented on the day.
Year 10-12 students will have their individual and PCG photos taken this coming week, in addition to selected specialised group photos. The current schedule can be accessed
Students are required to wear their Winter Academic Uniform with their blazer for all photos. Students wearing the College skirt must also wear the opaque grey tights. Students are reminded to observe our College鈥檚 . Any student who does not meet these guidelines will not be permitted to have their photo taken on the scheduled day. If any students have concerns about their appearance or uniform not meeting our College Guidelines, they are encouraged to speak to their Leader of Wellbeing.
Year 7-12 Celebration Assembly 鈥� Friday 4 July
Secondary students celebrate the past term on Friday 4 July, during the Celebration Assembly. Parents/guardians are reminded that this is a formal event, and all students are required to attend school in the morning in their Winter Academic Uniform with their blazer. Students wearing the College skirt must also wear the opaque grey tights.
Mrs Carla Pastorelli
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL SECONDARY
Parenting through the storm:
Why our teens still need us – even when they say they don鈥檛
As our children move through the teenage years, it can feel as though they鈥檙e constantly pulling away, seeking more independence, more privacy, more space. But beneath the surface, something else is also happening:
They still need us. Just differently.
Their growing independence doesn鈥檛 mean they鈥檙e ready to regulate all the big emotions that come with it. In fact, their developing brains are still learning how.
Here are a few gentle reminders and a few practical ideas to support you in holding space for your teen through the highs and lows of adolescence:
Their brain is still developing
While their bodies may look grown, the emotional regulation part of the brain (the prefrontal cortex) is still under construction well into their twenties. Meanwhile, the emotional centre (the amygdala) is highly active, leading to intense feelings and reactions.
They feel like adults, but they鈥檙e still learning how to manage those feelings. Our calm presence helps their nervous system learn to settle.
What helps in those moments:
- Saying: 鈥淚 can see you鈥檙e really overwhelmed right now. Let鈥檚 take a minute together.鈥�
- Offering a warm drink or quietly sitting with them.
- Gently asking about the activity they鈥檙e engaged in (yes, even an online game), or joining them in it.
- Slowing your own breath and voice and gently saying: 鈥淟et鈥檚 take a breath together. No pressure to talk yet.鈥�
They need co-regulation, not control
In moments of overwhelm, our grounded presence teaches our teens emotional regulation far more than any lecture. Staying calm while staying connected helps them come back to balance.
Support might sound like:
- 鈥淟et鈥檚 take a break and come back to this when we鈥檝e both had a moment. I want to understand you, not argue.鈥�
- 鈥淚 know this feels like a lot right now. You鈥檙e not in trouble – we鈥檒l work it out.鈥�
It also helps to:
- Lower your voice instead of matching theirs.
- Sit beside them instead of across or above.
- Notice your own tone and posture, and shift toward softening.
Validation builds trust
We don鈥檛 have to agree with every feeling to honour it. Reflecting their emotions without dismissing them helps keep the connection open, even when things are tense.
You might say:
- 鈥淭hat sounds like a lot to carry.鈥�
- 鈥淭his clearly matters to you. Thanks for trusting me with it.鈥�
- 鈥淚 might not fully understand, but I鈥檓 here to listen.鈥�
- 鈥淲ould you like me to listen, offer advice, or help you problem solve?鈥� (This gives them a sense of agency and lets them guide the kind of support they need.)
Often, it鈥檚 not about solving鈥攊t鈥檚 about staying.
They crave connection – even while asking for space
Their need for space is real, but so is their need for us. They may not ask in obvious ways, but small moments of presence still matter deeply.
Ways to gently stay connected:
- Offer a ride or invite them on a quick errand – low pressure, no eye contact needed.
- Leave a snack, a kind message, or even a silly meme.
- Say something like: 鈥淣o need to talk – just happy to be here with you.鈥�
- Share something small from your own day to show emotional openness.
Repair matters more than perfection
We all lose our cool. What shapes our teens isn鈥檛 whether we mess up – it鈥檚 how we return.
Repair might sound like:
- 鈥淚 was frustrated earlier, and I didn鈥檛 handle that well. I鈥檓 sorry.鈥�
- Can we take a moment to reset and try again. I want this to feel safe for both of us.鈥�
- 鈥淲e鈥檙e figuring this out together. I鈥檓 still learning, too.鈥�
This teaches them that love can hold both mistakes and mending and is an important way for us to role model.
Silence doesn鈥檛 always mean distance
Sometimes our teens withdraw not because they鈥檙e shutting us out, but because they don鈥檛 always have the words. Quiet presence still counts.
How we can gently stay close:
- Sit with them while they scroll, do homework, or game – without asking questions
- Say: 鈥淚 know you don鈥檛 want to talk right now, and that鈥檚 okay. I鈥檓 here.鈥�
- Invite small, familiar rituals – watch a show together, go for a walk, listen to music.
- Keep the door open with: 鈥淚f you ever want to talk or vent, I鈥檓 around. No pressure, no advice unless you want it.鈥�
In summary:
Even as they test limits and push for freedom, our teens are still asking us:
鈥淐an I still count on your calm, when I鈥檓 caught in the chaos?鈥�
鈥淐an you still hold space for me even when I don鈥檛 have it all together?鈥�
Let鈥檚 be their calm. Let鈥檚 be their steady. Not perfect鈥攋ust present.
Helpful book suggestions:
For parents who would like to delve deeper into the science, empathy, and strategies behind supporting teens through their emotional and developmental shifts, these books are a fantastic starting point:
Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain by Dr. Daniel J. Siegel
Explains what鈥檚 happening inside the adolescent brain – from risk-taking to emotional reactivity – and how we can use that knowledge to stay connected and supportive.
Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers by Dr. Gordon Neufeld & Dr. Gabor Mat茅
Explores the vital importance of attachment between parents and teens. It鈥檚 a reminder that no matter how much they push away, our connection is the compass they need.
The Whole-Brain Child by Dr. Daniel J. Siegel & Dr. Tina Payne Bryson
Provides twelve key strategies for helping children use different parts of their brain to better handle and learn from challenging situations, conflicts, and day-to-day struggles.
Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood by Dr. Lisa Damour
Helps parents understand the seven distinct – and absolutely normal – developmental transitions that turn girls into grown-ups.
Masterminds and Wingmen: Helping Our Boys Cope with Schoolyard Power, Locker-Room Tests, Girlfriends, and the New Rules of Boy World by Rosalind Wiseman
Provides insights into the world of boys and offers guidance for parents to help their sons navigate social dynamics, relationships, and the challenges of adolescence.
College Psychology and Counselling Team
Pathways and Careers Information: Year 10
Subject handbook open
Current Year 10 students and families can now access information about Year 11 subjects for 2026, using this link:
A reminder about the major subject selection event coming up in Term 2. It is expected that all students attend this event, accompanied by at least one parent or guardian.
- Tuesday 24 June
- Marist Auditorium, 秀秀直播
- 5pm to 6pm: Careers and Year 11 Subjects Expo.
- 6pm to 6.45pm: Year 10 Family Information Evening.
Year 10 subject selection research
To assist in their subject selection, Year 10 students are currently undertaking a guided research process during EGT time. This process will answer most questions and provide a structure for subject selection. Please see below for a link to the Research Booklet:
Apprenticeship Opportunities 2025
The March 2025 edition of the Apprenticeship Intake Guide has been published recently. This has details of dozens of apprenticeship opportunities with many major employers. You can access it here:
Pathways and Careers Information: Year 11
For students considering UniReady / UniPath in Year 12
A reminder to students on the General Pathway who are considering UniReady / UniPath in Year 12 next year. It is expected that students from the General Pathway would have participated in extra-curricular activities such as work experience, VET Certificates, Leadership, Service, and/or College sport. General Pathway students who have not participated in any of these extra-curricular activities may not be eligible for UniReady / UniPath.
For students thinking of attending University
- TISC has a series of videos explaining things like ATAR calculation, prerequisite subjects, scaling, and preferences. You can find them here:
- Here is a parent’s guide to University:
- And here is the 鈥淔irst in Family鈥� resource, for students who might be the first in their family to attend University:
- Are you thinking of attending a University Open Day? Dates are below. This blog might help you:
Apprenticeship Opportunities 2025
The March 2025 edition of the Apprenticeship Intake Guide has been published recently. This has details of dozens of apprenticeship opportunities with many major employers. You can access it here:
More mid-year TAFE courses open
If you are on the General Pathway and would like to do some TAFE this year, there are some more courses just opened at Health Science Hub in Perth/Subiaco:
- Certificate III Health Services
- Certificate IV in Health and Nursing
- Certificate II Animal Care
- Certificate III Fitness
Please contact Mr Farley if interested in applying.
Pathways and Careers Information: Year 12
University Early Offer Information
Please see below for the latest available Early Offer information.
Early Offers are now open, and all Year 12 students have been provided with information about how to access the TISC system and enter preferences.
Students and families can find this information here:
| Curtin University | Early Offers are available for ATAR and non-ATAR students. Must achieve WACE and meet any prerequisites. Submit your application via TISC, putting your Curtin Early Offer course as your first preference. Full information and list of eligible courses at: |
| Edith Cowan University | Full information and list of eligible courses at: Open to ATAR, Certificate IV, and UniReady students. Submit your Early Offer application by placing an eligible ECU course as your first TISC preference. First offers released to students on 2 September 2025. |
| Murdoch University | Must achieve WACE and meet any prerequisites. Early Offers for Certificate IV and UniReady/UniPath students will be conditional on passing. Submit your application via TISC, putting your desired Murdoch Early Offer course as your first preference. |
| Notre Dame University | Full information and list of eligible courses at: Opens 1 May 2025. First offers released to students on 1 September 2025. Apply via the Notre Dame online portal or via TISC. Open to ATAR Pathway students only. All offers are conditional offers. |
| University of WA | Submit your application via TISC, putting your desired UWA Early Offer course as your first preference. Open to ATAR Pathway students only. Students can apply for an Early Offer for all degrees excluding Assured Pathways to Medicine, Dental Medicine, Podiatric Medicine or the Bachelor of Biomedicine (specialised). Students must satisfy UWA鈥檚 English requirements and any subject prerequisite requirements. Further information at: |
University information
- TISC has a series of videos explaining things like ATAR calculation, prerequisite subjects, scaling, and preferences. You can find them here:
- Are you the first person in your family to attend University? This might assist:
- Here are some useful tools to prepare students for the transition to University:
- Here is a parents guide to University:
- This resource is a place where you can ask current University students questions about their University courses:
University scholarships
| Curtin University | |
| Edith Cowan University (ECU) | |
| Murdoch University | |
| Notre Dame University | |
| University of Western Australia (UWA) | |
| Christian Leaders Scholarship |
Gap year information
Students interested in taking a gap year in 2026 might find the following interesting:
- Defence Force Gap Year:
- Other gap year ideas:
- And:
- Also this Marist volunteering opportunity:
Apprenticeship Opportunities 2025
The March 2025 edition of the Apprenticeship Intake Guide has been published recently. This has details of dozens of apprenticeship opportunities with many major employers. You can access it here:
UPCOMING CAREERS EVENTS
| EVENT | DATE | LINK |
| 秀秀直播 Careers Expo and Year 10 Parent Evening | 24 June Marist Auditorium | 3.30pm to 4.30pm: Yr 11/12 Careers Expo 5.00pm to 6.00pm: Yr 10 Careers & Subject Expo 6.00pm to 6.45pm: Yr 10 Family Info Session |
| Early Offers and Entry Pathways Information Session (UWA) | 25 June | |
| Air Force Information Session | 1 July | |
| Defence Force Careers Session | 10 July | |
| Defence Force 鈥� School Leavers Information | 15 July | |
| Army Reserve Information Session | 22 July | |
| Defence Careers Information Session | 29 July | |
| WAAPA Information Evening (ECU) | 29 July | |
| Year 12 application support session (Murdoch) | 29 July | |
| Open Day (Sound and Engineering College) | 16 August | |
| Nursing Information Evening (Murdoch) | 27 August | |
| Health and Education Information Evening (Murdoch) | 2 September | |
| Science, IT, Engineering Information Evening (Murdoch) | 3 September | |
| Business and Law Information Evening (Murdoch) | 4 September | |
| Engineering Information Evening (ECU) | 5 September | |
| Entry pathways to Medicine (Notre Dame) | 30 September | |
If you are thinking of attending a University Open Day, this blog might help you get the most out of it: