A wonderful sense of energy comes with the start of a new year and new beginnings. It is a privilege to be stepping into the role of Head of Student Wellbeing. Guided by our school motto, Semper Fidelis – Always Faithful – the focus ahead is on building supportive, trusting relationships, and I warmly invite you to join me in strengthening the connections that help every student feel seen, supported, and valued.

Wellbeing is feeling well, functioning well, and connecting well. When these elements are present, students are able to learn, stay curious, and engage meaningfully with their school experience. Strong relationships are at the heart of this. Our goal for Term 1 is to ensure that every student feels connected, particularly as we welcome our new Year 7 cohort and continue nurturing positive relationships across all year groups. We look forward to sharing our wellbeing approach throughout the term, as our collective efforts play a vital role in helping students settle, thrive, and grow throughout the year ahead.

Pastoral Contacts

If you have any general questions or wish to raise any concerns about your daughter’s wellbeing, please contact her Year Coordinator.

Year 7: Miss Katherine Bull – kbull@meriden.nsw.edu.au

Year 8: Miss Charlotte Richards – crichards@meriden.nsw.edu.au

Year 9: Miss Tara Graetz – tgraetz@meriden.nsw.edu.au

Year 10: Miss Amy Wilson – awilson@meriden.nsw.edu.au

Year 11: Mrs Jennifer Juhn – jjuhn@meriden.nsw.edu.au

Year 12: Mr Luke Mottee – lmottee@meriden.nsw.edu.au

To get in touch with a member of senior staff about student wellbeing, please contact Mrs Jenny Kemp, Dean of Pastoral Care, at jkemp@meriden.nsw.edu.au or myself at lbrennan@meriden.nsw.edu.au.

Attendance

A reminder that if your daughter is absent from school, please ensure that you mark her as absent via the Meriden App. This is our preferred method of communication regarding student absences.

Alternatively, you can email absences@meriden.nsw.edu.au, specifying the reason for her absence.

Updating Health Records

Please ensure that your daughter’s health records are up to date on the Meriden App. This information is used by the Health Centre and assists us in the appropriate planning of excursions and camps.

The Senior School Health Centre is staffed daily from 7:00am to 5:30pm by Nurse Jennifer Morgan‑Nicholson and Nurse Caitlin Dinh. For any questions about how to update your daughter’s medical information, please contact healthcentre@meriden.nsw.edu.au or call 9752 9418.