Student Wellbeing

Work and Study Support

Last week during advisory Jess shared with our year 11 and 12 students some of the resources and supports we can offer at the College to support study and career pathways. One of those was the Work and Study Support Program offered by Headspace. This is a free program for young people aged 15-25 years. The program runs for approximately 3 months with sessions being offered weekly or fortnightly, either via phone or video call lasting between 30-60 minutes. It offers tailored advice and guidance for young people to reach their work and study goals. If you or your child would like some information or support referring to the program please contact Jess McGurk at the College. More information about the program is available at https://headspace.org.au/services/work-and-study-support/ 

Grief Support

Grief is a very individual process and like adults, children and adolescents experience, express and process grief in different ways. Over the coming weeks we will continue to provide students, their families and staff with the necessary supports to navigate this challenging time. We will continue to share updates of school support and resources on compass as it becomes available. If you feel your child/ren require any additional support at any stage please reach out to a member of the wellbeing team. 

Water Bottle Donations

In the coming weeks during lunchtimes Chaplain Tom and students will be working towards constructing their own ‘Water Bottle Rockets’ to launch later in the term. Tom is seeking donations of washed and clean 1.25 or 2L plastic bottles. Donations can be left at the front office. Keep an eye out in the coming weeks for their progress!

School Nurse Visit

Kerrie McCosh, primary school nurse, will be visiting our school on Monday 25th of March. 

Foundation Grade Health Assessments:  All parents/guardians of Foundation grade children will be asked to complete a Health Questionnaire online, before the day of the visit. Please see the instruction at the back of the newsletter to complete this.  If you do not wish your child to be seen by the school nurse, please go online and indicate the non-consent.  If you need a paper copy of the questionnaire instead, please ask the school, or, phone Kerrie on 0428319636.  If you would like assistance completing this questionnaire, please contact Jess McGurk at the College. 

Referrals (Grades 1-6): Parents and/or teachers may refer children from any grade for assessments of vision, hearing, basic speech, physical abilities, medical conditions, behavioural and parenting issues.  Please collect a referral form from the school office. Completed forms are to be handed into the school office prior to March 25th.  Should parents wish to have an interview with the School Nurse, please indicate your request on the form.

Please note: You can talk to the primary school nurse at any time throughout the year. 

Catholic Care Victoria (CCV)- Parent programs & workshops

Over the year, CCV run a wide-range of one-off parent programs, as well as lengthier workshops. The delivery is both online & face-to-face & addresses a range of range of useful topics. Some programs are free, however some attract a cost. 

Each term they publish a calendar which will feature on the Parent’s Bulletin & we will also send it out via Compass. In the past, a number of staff & families have participated in CCV programs & have spoken very highly of them. 

Register at: www.catholiccarevic.org.au/register

Tech Strategies for Families

For parents with kids under 12 

When: Wednesday, 13 March 

Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Cost: FREE 

Where: St Mary's Primary School,51 King Edward St, Cohuna    

FREE online parenting support to help kids with anxiety

Do you want to help your child break free from anxiety and worry?Fear-Less Triple P Online can help. Developed by the trusted experts at the Triple P - Positive Parenting Program, this online program is jam-packed with proven strategies to help you understand anxiety and support your child to become more emotionally resilient. It’s one of several Triple P online parenting programs available now, at no cost! Learn more at www.triplep-parenting.net.au

L2P’s Program

The Buloke & Loddon L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program is part of a state wide initiative funded by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and managed by Vic Roads. The aim of the program is to reduce the number of driver fatalities by giving learner drivers supervised experience in many different environments and situations, building self confidence, trust and safety on our roads. The program aims to provide assistance to young people who are facing significant barriers to completing their mandatory 120 hours of supervised on road driving experience through the support of Volunteer Mentors from the community. Young people are matched with fully licensed volunteer mentors and have access to a sponsored vehicle to gain driving experience.L2P is free for eligible young people.  To join an L2P Program, you need to:

• Be between 16 and 20 years of age
• Hold a current learner’s permit, and
• Not have access to a vehicle, a supervising driver or both.

To become a volunteer mentor in the L2P program, you need to:

• Be over 21 years of age
• Hold a current full Victorian drivers licence, and
• Meet requirements of the L2P program.

Our drivermentors offer coaching, support and guidance to the learner drivers while they learn the skills required to become safe, fully licensed drivers.

If you would like to apply for this program please contact Jess McGurk at the College. 

Breakfast Club

Just a reminder that Breakfast Club is open in the canteen on Wednesday and Friday mornings before school with Tom. Breakfast Club helps ensure we can learn and play to our full potential with full tummies. They have on offer fruit, toast, cereal and milos.