Student Services News 

Hello from the Student Services Student Wellbeing team

We almost can’t believe it – but very soon, we will all be together again. It has been wonderful having our senior students on campus these last two weeks, and we look forward to our year 7-10s joining us in Week 9. Things may look a little different, but we’re doing everything we can to make coming back to school as safe and comfortable as possible. 

It is likely that many of you will have mixed emotions about the return to school. None of us are likely to go through anything like the COVID-19 Remote Learning experience ever again, and it hasn’t always been easy. We recognise that, for some of you, this time has been particularly challenging. For others there might even be parts of learning from home that you miss (and not just that extra sleep-in!). Take a moment to think about whether there were parts of your Remote Learning routine that you’d like to continue. For example, that hobby you picked up, a new exercise routine or a regular walk with friends... these things don’t have to end along with the easing of restrictions.

Some students may feel worried about coming back to school, or concerned about work that they may have missed or fallen behind on. You are not alone! It is normal to feel this way, your teachers are aware of some of the challenges that you have faced, and we hope to all work together as we transition back to our usual school routines. 

To help with your transition back to school over the next couple of weeks, there are a few things that you can do to get back into your school routine:   

• Try to get enough sleep each night (for most teenagers, that’s around 9 hours)
• Aim to get to bed and wake up around the same time each day
• Prepare the night before (make your lunch and have your books and uniform ready the night before, so that you’re ready for the coming day)
• Speak to your teachers if you’ve had difficulty understanding any work over the remote learning period (and remember, that’s ok – there’s still time to catch up!)
• Check in with the wellbeing team (your SWCs are here to help, and can be found in M11 if you’d like a chat about how you’re feeling being back at school after so long)

Welcome to our new Secondary School Nurse – Lauren Pilakis 

We are thrilled to introduce the newest member of the Student Services team and invite you to join us in warmly welcoming Lauren Pilakis to NHS. Lauren will be working with us here at school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and can be found in M11 with the rest of the Student Wellbeing team. 

Lauren’s role includes: 

• Health promotion and primary prevention;
• School community development activities;
• Small group work and classroom support focusing on health-related discussion and information;
• Advice and referral to assist young people in making healthy lifestyle choices; and
• Individual student support including:
  • Mental health concerns
  • Drug, alcohol, tobacco
  • Sexual Health
  • Relationships (family, friends, partners)
  • Physical health concerns.

We asked Lauren to share a few other fun facts about herself… 

• I teach Pilates and yoga
• I am a bit obsessed with Netflix;
• I used to be a midwife;
• I have taught Allied Health as a VET subject; and
• On the holidays you will find me on a beach in Bali!

To discuss any of the above, or how Lauren can support you, please phone 9488 2321 (Tuesdays and Thursdays) or email her directly at Pilakis.lauren.r@edumail.vic.gov.au 

ICAN Network : Mentoring Opportunity

The I CAN Network is Australia’s first social enterprise founded by people with Autism. I CAN run a mentoring program to empower people on the Spectrum to have an ‘I CAN’ attitude and inspire their peers with the ‘awe’ in Awetism. 

We are currently seeking expressions of interest from students who would like to participate in a mentoring program at school in Term 3. The mentoring will take place for one period a week, over 10 weeks, here at NHS. Students will also have the opportunity to participate in the Awetism Expo, which is always a fantastic event to be involved in.  Outcomes for previous program participants include increase in self-acceptance, social connection, optimism and self-confidence. 

If your child is interested in participating in this program, please contact our Mental Health Practitioner Kat Brissett on 9488 2321 or katherine.brissett@education.vic.gov.au

Cost: Approx. $150* Please note that places are limited. This program is open to students from all year levels. 

It is entirely up to students whether they share the details of the I CAN program with their peers. NHS runs many mentoring and leadership opportunities for our students, and participants will be encouraged to come up with their own group name and culture.