Assistant Principal 

Easter

I wish all staff and families a safe and happy Easter break. This time will provide a valuable opportunity for both staff and students to rest, recharge, and prepare for a busy Term 2 ahead. It was wonderful to welcome families into the school for conferences on Tuesday evening, and we thank everyone for their support.

Communication Focus Group

Work has commenced on the Mount Beauty Secondary College Communication Strategy using a Stop | Start | Continue digital brainstorm. The focus group will meet next term to continue refining ideas and developing recommendations for the school leadership team. Thank you to Emma Redmond, Colleen Adams, Rhona Weir, Leanne Hull, Sarah MacDonald, and Olivia Svarc for their contributions to this important work.

Wellbeing Support During the School Holidays

This guide provides tips to continue looking after your mental health and wellbeing during the school holidays and services to reach out to if you need support.

Actions to support positive mental health over the school holidays

• Exercise boosts mood and mental health – make it fun!
• Nourish your brain by eating healthily – it will also improve your mood
• Prioritise sleep to support mental and emotional wellbeing
• Explore relaxation techniques and coping strategies
• Stay in touch and catch up with friends and loved ones
• Make time to do things you enjoy
• Practice positive self-talk – and remember you are not alone
• Seek professional help if needed.

You may find that these actions are not enough to look after your mental health. Here are some signs you may need some support.

Signs that you or a friend may need mental health support

Keep an eye out and seek professional help for changes that last two or more weeks such as:

• Loss of interest or involvement in activities normally enjoyed
• Feeling ‘low’, unusually stressed or worried
• Ordinary things get harder
• Being easily irritated or angry
• Taking more dangerous risks, like using alcohol or drugs
• Withdrawal or feeling overwhelmed
• Difficulties with concentration and motivation
• Having a lot of negative thoughts
• Changing in sleeping and eating

Supporting your friends

You and your friends are most likely to turn to each other for support before seeking out an adult or service provider. 

You and your friend’s can support each other by:

• contacting 000 if a friend needs urgent assistance or is at risk of harming themselves or others
• reaching out to a friend, offering support and letting them know you care
• letting your friend know you may need to tell a trusted adult about your concerns.

Having these types of conversations can be difficult. Information on how to support a friend is available on the headspace website: How to help a friend going through a tough time. 

Mental health support 

• Your local GP can provide you with additional support
• Victorian Government secondary school students including those who have just finished schooling can access counselling services from headspace. During the holidays,  you can self-refer by calling your local headspace centre. 
• eheadspace, online and phone support and counselling to young people aged 12 to 25 and their families and friends: 
  • Phone:1800 650 890
• Kids Helpline, online and phone counselling for young people aged 5 to 25:
  • Phone:1800 551 800 
  • www.kidshelpline.com.au
• Lifeline crisis support and suicide prevention for all Australians: 
  • Phone: 13 11 14 
  • www.lifeline.org.au
• Beyond Blue, online and phone counselling for individuals experiencing depression and anxiety and their families:
  • Phone: 1300 224 636 
  • www.beyondblue.org.au
• Suicide Call Back Service, online, phone and video counselling for anyone affected by suicidal thoughts: 
  • Phone:1300 659 467
  • www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
• Contact 000 if you are in an emergency, or at immediate risk of harm to yourself or others.