Taylor Joyce

Dear Parents and Carers of Year 9

Welcome to the 2024 school year at Catherine McAuley Catholic College! I hope you and your family had a restful and enjoyable break. My name is Ms Taylor Joyce, and I am the Leader of Wellbeing and Engagement for Year 9. I am excited to support your child throughout this important stage of their schooling as members of Watha House.

I have been a Leader of Wellbeing at CMCC since the College opened in 2021 and have taught or supported many students and siblings in our community. After a year away, I am eager to return and work closely with students and families to ensure a successful and positive experience in Year 9.

A Clean Slate – A Fresh Start for Year 9

As we begin this new school year, I want to emphasise an important message to students: they have a clean slate. Whatever happened last year—positive or challenging—does not define them. This year is an opportunity to start fresh, set new goals, and take steps toward becoming the best version of themselves.

One of the symbols of Watha House is fire, representing passion, strength, and transformation. I shared with the students the image of a phoenix—a mythical bird that burns away the old and is reborn stronger and brighter. Just like a phoenix, Year 9 students have the chance to shape their future, make new choices, and rise into something new.

My question to them was: Who do you want to be? Every day, every lesson, and every decision contributes to their growth.

Building Connections

This term, I will take time to meet individually with students, whether through casual conversations in the playground or short sit-down chats. These interactions are simply to introduce myself and build connections—I want students to feel comfortable approaching me for support. Additionally, I will be visiting classrooms regularly to engage with learning and student progress.

I encourage open communication between home and school. If you have any concerns regarding your child’s wellbeing, your first point of contact should be their Learning Advisor teacher. For more serious matters, please do not hesitate to reach out to me via email at taylor.joyce@mn.catholic.edu.au. For subject-specific learning concerns, please contact your child's classroom teacher. You can access contact information regarding your child's teachers on Compass. However, if you are ever in doubt about who to contact, please let me know, and I can point you in the right direction.

Wellbeing Resources for Parents

Supporting your child's wellbeing extends beyond the classroom, and we understand the challenges that can come with parenting. Below are some resources to assist you in promoting your child’s physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing:

Information and Community Support Services

• Raising Children Network – A well-regarded parenting website with free, expert-reviewed resources (raisingchildren.net.au)
• Beyond Blue – Healthy Homes – Support for parents facing family challenges, fostering resilience, and setting boundaries (beyondblue.org.au)
• Interrelate – A not-for-profit service specialising in relationship support for families.
• Relationships Australia – A community-based organisation offering counselling and relationship support (relationships.org.au)
  
  

Online and Telephone Support Services

• Lifeline: 13 11 14
• Parent Line NSW: 1300 130 52
• Parentline QLD & NT: 1300 30 1300
• Parentline VIC: 13 22 89
• Parent Helpline South Australia: 1300 364 100
• Parentline ACT: (02) 6287 3833
• 1800 Respect: 1800 737 732
• MensLine: 1300 78 99 78

I look forward to working with you and your child this year.

United in Mercy.