Wellbeing

Research as well as our own personal experiences tells us that for some individuals, learning can be stressful. When this is combined with the pressures of a VCE program, particularly in Year 12, as well as challenges managing wellbeing or other issues, then school can become overwhelming for many students resulting in disengagement. A key part of the role of the Wellbeing Team, is to work with students, to identify strategies to allow them to manage their ability to remain and engage in the classroom. Our team works to assist students to develop a greater sense of resilience and self-awareness so they can achieve their educational goals.

To access Wellbeing support, in the first instance, parents and guardians should gain the consent of their student for a wellbeing referral and then speak to their student’s mentor. The Mentor will then make a referral to the Wellbeing Team for support and a ‘case manager’ will be allocated who will follow up with the student. It is however important to note, that the Wellbeing Team does not work with students therapeutically. This means we do not ‘treat’ students, rather we support students to manage their educational programs. If students require more extensive and/or complex wellbeing support, the student will be advised to contact their relevant health professional or where that is not available, they will be supported with an external referral.

A key factor impacting some students over the first few weeks of the new school year has been managing transitions. Throughout the first few weeks wellbeing has been working with students to manage their anxiety about VCE, transition to a new school and social settings. 

As a parent and guardian, it is helpful to acknowledge these challenges and reinforce some of the following:

• Remind them it is normal to feel anxious or overwhelmed during a big transition. With time, patience, and the right strategies, they will get comfortable at their new school and make new friends.
• Encourage them to get involved - throughout the year clubs and activities are running to provide a space for students with common interests. The SRC (student representative council), Rainbow Alliance, Student Wellbeing Advisory Group and Neurodiversity club just to name a few are open to all.
• Reach out to others: If a student is struggling to manage their anxiety, start the conversation. Ask them what may help, sometimes shedding light on the situation is enough. If needed ask if they would like a referral to see wellbeing.

Additionally there are a range of organisations that provide parents/guardians with support and advice. These include:

Headspace - https://headspace.org.au/parents/

Better Health - https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/servicesandsupport/children-young-people-and-mental-health-services#teenagers-youth-and-mental-health

Reachout -  https://au.reachout.com/#parents-carers

Beyond Blue - https://www.beyondblue.org.au/mental-health/supporting-someone

Parentline - https://parentline.com.au/

Finally, another form of support is available through the school’s internal ‘Special Provision’ process. The final Special Provision Information session is coming up on Tuesday 28 February at 6:30 pm.  All details have been sent to parents and students previously and in order to apply for special provision, attendance of both the student and one parent/guardian at the Information Session is required. If you would like to register for the last session next Tuesday please use the following link:

The online session will be live via the following Microsoft teams link.

If you have any questions about the final Special Provision Session, please don’t hesitate to contact us on wellbeing@sssc.vic.edu.au

Finally, the Wellbeing Team have initiated a number of cohort wide programs to support wellbeing and build skills. These have included and will include:

• Consent Education facilitated by Elephant Ed
• Coordination of the Student Wellbeing Advisory Group (SWAG) who will present their ideas and initiatives to the student body next week
• Together with the Student Voice Team - creation of the Neurodiversity Club
• Lunch time activities to build connection
• Onsite visits from local allied health agencies, Headspace Hawthorn and Boroondara Youth Services
• Respectful Relationships sessions through the mentor program focusing on resilience

We would love to hear from parents/guardians and students regarding any initiatives they feel may be suitable for our Swinburne cohort.

With warm wishes for the start of the new school year,

Elizabeth Reardon, Leader of Wellbeing 

and the Wellbeing Team (Summer Read, Michelle Seelig and Fiona Keech)

PARENTING – FREE WELLBEING SUPPORTS

The secondary school years are a time when young people experience many physical, mental, emotional, and social changes.  As parents / carers it can be common to have doubts and worries about the best way to parent during times of concern.  

Adolescent issues can range from things like, teenage behaviours and development, family relationships, learning, friendships, and parental stress. They can be worries where access to correct information will guide you or, more complex mental health and wellbeing concerns where more ongoing support is needed.  

Free, confidential, evidenced based parental advice and support for children from birth to 18 years is available from Parentline and Raising Children Network.

Parentline provides a free confidential and anonymous phone counselling and support on parenting issues by qualified professionals.  Available 8am to midnight, 7 days a week, including public holidays 

Qualified counsellors are available to: Talk about any issues with parenting and your relationships with your child.  Assist you with ways to cope and be a positive parent.  Help with your family's wellbeing and resilience.  Connect you with services in your area.

What you can expect when you call:  Your call is confidential and anonymous.  Calls are not time limited.  You can call back as often as you need & request the same counsellor. You request a male or female counsellor.  Translating, interpreting and hearing-impaired services available.  Cost free apart from individual landline and mobile phone rates.

Raising Children Network is an Australian website launched in 2006. It is funded by Government of Australia as a means to produce and maintain educational tools and resources for families raising children in Australia. Raising Children Network website provides practical educational ideas and advice on issues about raising childrenand caring for yourself as a parent or carer. All the information is factual and easy to understand.  The site has a comprehensive section dedicated to Adolescent mental health and wellbeing.  

Teen mental health & wellbeing | Raising Children Network

Fiona Keech – Adolescent Health Nurse

Thursday & Friday @ Swinburne Senior Secondary College