Wellbeing

Due to popularity, Kingston Youth Services will continue to visit every Wednesday lunchtime during Term 2.  Most weeks, they will engage Year 7 students in games, helping them build connections across their cohort.  They will also utilise a couple of weeks across the term to engage in activities for the whole school for Awareness Days such as IDAHOBIT Day and Reconciliation Week.

We have commenced our placement program with various higher education institutions, supporting tertiary students to complete their placement hours for their various courses, including but not limited to Masters of Counselling.   Cheltenham’s support of their placements ensures that there is a continued and sustained growth of qualified professionals entering the field of mental health support work.  Their contribution to the team and their support of our students is highly valued.

Our first parent online workshop for 2025 was held on Wednesday 7th May. This was hosted by Katie, a clinical psychologist from Toolbox Education and was held over Zoom from 7.00pm-8.00pm.

The topic was Thinking Traps and was centred around parents supporting their young person to catch their unhelpful thoughts before they spiral.  

We had fantastic feedback from the parents that attended and they shared with us the thing they found most helpful from the workshop:

• I liked the tools to help the balance of emotions and to help the child recognise spam thoughts
• Evidence based assistance with kids issues
• The use of apps - very relevant
• The tools are really easy to follow and understand
• Steps in responding

The Thinking Traps poster can be used as a resource for all parents to be able to use in supporting their young person. 

Please stay tuned for any other workshops that we host this year.

The remaining guest presentations/workshops have been confirmed for our students for Term 2:

Breakfast Club

Don't forget about our Breakfast Club, which runs every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 8.15am to 8.45am, offering cheese toasties and fruit cups. We also have free apples available in the front office for all students, and we kindly ask that they be mindful of where they dispose of apple cores. Organic waste bins are conveniently placed throughout the school grounds, particularly in the large courtyard outside the canteen.

Maths Club

For those needing extra help, students can get assistance with Maths every Tuesday and Thursday after school from 3.15pm to 4.00pm in B1 and/or B2. Please speak to your child's Maths teacher if you would like to know more.

If you would like to arrange wellbeing support for your child with one of our counsellors or our provisional psychologist, please contact me or the Director of the relevant sub-school/coordinator.

We can also support families with access to books and uniforms through State Schools Relief and the Les Twentyman Foundation.  Again, please contact me or your child’s Director of Sub-school/coordinator to let them know which items you require. 

Thank you for your continued support. Let's make this a fantastic term together.

Warm regards

Kerri Haworth

Director of  Wellbeing

Meet the team for 2025

Kerri Haworth                                Nella Foley                                       Dan Ferdinands

Director of Wellbeing                  Mental Health Practitioner         Youth Engagement Officer

     Jane O'Callaghan                          Nicole Huang                         Donna Hurst                      

    Youth Worker Les Foundation   Counsellor                               Counsellor

                                   Jeremy Zivin                               Patty

                                   Provisional Psychologist        Therapy Dog

Wellbeing Contact Form

Contact our Cheltenham Secondary College Wellbeing team directly with any concerns or issues and one of the team will get back to you. The form can be accessed here.

Helpful Contacts

Headspace

http://www.headspace.org.au/

Headspace Centres can be a one-stop shop for all young people who just need some help with everyday stuff or wellbeing and physical health. 

Kids Helpline

https://kidshelpline.com.au/

Kids Helpline is across Australia, it is free, private and confidential 24/7. Mainly for young people aged 5 to age 25.

Call them on.. 1800 55 1800

Lifeline

https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Provides all Australians everywhere experiencing a personal crisis allowing 24-hour support. Call them on.. 13 11 14

Beyond Blue

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

Provides information and support which helps tackle head-on the effects of mental health issues no matter where or what age. 

Call them on.. 1300 22 4636

Parentline

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/serviceprofiles/parentline-service

Fantastic service for parents and carers of young children from a few days of age all the way up to 18-year-olds. This service offers counselling and support which is confidential and anonymous on all issues around parenting.  Call them on...13 22 89.