Introducing our new Wellbeing Coordinator

- Ms. Kyla Alexander

I am the new Wellbeing Coordinator at Westall Secondary College. I have a background in science and recently completed my Masters of Counselling. I am passionate about youth mental health and have previous experience in a school environment. I am trained in a variety of approaches and am particularly interested in Art Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Positive Psychology. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, scrap-booking and drawing. My door is always open and I am more than happy to answer any questions you might have about mental health.

Ms. Kyla Alexander

Engage 1 on 1

Assisting students to ‘Engage with Life’

Psychology services are now available for students in school at no cost.

The services are provided by Engage 1on1 Psychology, a team of child/adolescent psychologists specialising in working with young people in schools across Melbourne. They assist young people with a wide range of issues, including anxiety, stress, motivation, social skills, depression, and provide practical strategies for relationship difficulties.

The service is professional, confidential and provided on-site at the school. Counselling strategies are evidence-based to help improve psychological well-being.

If you are interested in this service, or would like more information, please contact your school well-being coordinator; review the website www.engage1on1.com.au; or email contactus@engage1on1.com.au.

iCreate Singing, Drama and Dance

On 23rd June, students from Singing Dance Drama, joined with students from Keysborough Secondary College to perform for IKEA’S Midsummer Festival. The theme was “Disney” and all students had an opportunity to choose a Disney song and perform it. The “gig” was two hours long, so this gave us plenty of time to show off our wonderfully talented singers.

Songs ranged from blues like, “Almost there”, to ballads like, “True Colours”, fun songs like “You’re welcome” and the group numbers like, “This is Me”. There were sentimental songs like “A dream is a wish your heart makes” and many more. The students were a little concerned about how they would combine to do the group numbers, but, after a short get-to-know-you session in one of the staff rooms at IKEA and a sing through the songs, they produced a fantastic sound. Shannon Bone skilfully handled the audio, and to top it off, all students were invited to share a meal provided by the IKEA food court.

IKEA was so impressed with the performances they have invited us to be their “Resident Performers”! This is a great opportunity for our students to build confidence and interact with another school. I know there was quite a few exchanges of Facebook contacts!

The students from both schools were supportive of all the performances and came together in song with a great spirit to support our local community.

Ms. Maggie Casey-Dalgheish

iCreate Singing, Dance and Drama Teacher

iCreate Martial Arts

(Tae Kwon Do)

It has been a very busy semester with the iCreate Martial Arts Program. In early Term Two, the students visited Clayton North Primary School to teach fitness games and martial arts to grade 5/6 students. It was a wonderful experience for both schools to collaborate and build on a strong relationship emphasising fitness and the community. It was a great experience for our students, who had the opportunity to act as role models and demonstrate their leadership, creativity and teamwork skills. Many have grown into young leaders since the program started last year.

Among other activities, the martial art class has been so popular and successful that we are also running afterschool training sessions for a number of students in Poomsae, Demo Teams, Fitness and Sparring classes. Our senior students are starting to run and lead these classes.

More great news, we have recently promoted our first black belt student Ngan Trinh (Year 10). Ngan has been learning martial arts for a number of years outside school and also in the ICREATE program. She has demonstrated maturity and continues to build on her knowledge base. She has been promoted to Assistant Instructor representing the students in the program.

Last week, we had our first Martial Art Camp held at the school. It was an overnight fitness camp that ran very successfully. We had martial art training, sparring competitions, poomsae competitions, games and a morning run. Many students participated in the camp and it was great to see the students push through the intensive training. A big thank you to Mr Andy Tran, Miss Sian Moore, Miss Sara Kwestroo and Mr Richardson for supervising and preparing the food and awards, Jake (our instructor and former student) and David for maintaining the safety of the school during our overnight stay.

In the next couple of weeks we will be visiting Hall’s Tae Kwon Do as an excursion, for students to see what it feels like training in a real martial art facility. In addition, students will be preparing for Art week and more Primary School visits.

Another great year for iCreate Marial Arts!

Mr. Charles Tran

iCreate Martial Arts Program Coordinator

Westall Secondary College Newsletter

Issue 7 · 06 Aug 2018

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