Child Safety & Wellbeing

An Understanding Heart: Semester Reflection

As we come to the end of a Semester that was, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the joy, honour and privilege of working in the Wellbeing space at Huntingtower. A team that is dedicated to fostering the wellbeing of all students, taking time to create connections, establish relationships, and continue to build the capacity and capability of our young people is what makes my role a pleasure to be in. And to see the growth and development, and the positive impact that our collective influence is having makes the work not onerous or burdensome. Rather it is meaningful and purposeful, and I truly believe this is the key to leading a good life – discovering meaning and purpose and dedicating the time and energy to this pursuit. 

To celebrate the closing of this Term and Semester, the Wellbeing Team hosted our annual Cultural Diversity Day. And what a celebration it was. In my humble opinion, it is one of the best, most colourful and fun days on the Huntingtower calendar, as it allows the rich and diverse cultures represented at Huntingtower to come together and celebrate their roots and heritage in a way that no other event is quite able to. And when we have our students in their cultural dress, demonstrating pride and humility in who they are and where they come from, the sentiment is strong: Huntingtower is a place where everyone belongs. 

I cannot be prouder of the efforts of our Student Wellbeing Team and our school counselling and psychology team, Vicki Close and Jaynie Gorander. Their work in facilitating this amazing group of young people to organise and host days such as IDAHOBIT, Cultural Diversity Day and Be Kind Day is a testament to their dedication, care, and commitment to making Huntingtower a place that is safe, accepting and compassionate.

It has been a jam-packed Semester, full of wonderful moments, where great lessons have been taught and learned, memories have been created, and true meaning and purpose have driven decision making. With the intent to create an environment of inclusivity and solidarity, where we strive to be the best versions of ourselves and act with an Understanding Heart, our True Selves are flourishing. 

I wish you all a safe and prosperous winter break. I hope you get the rest and recouperation that you deserve so that together, we can tackle Semester two with vigour and enthusiasm. 

Raz Sappideen 

Head of Wellbeing

Special Report: Celebrating NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week is a time for all Australians to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples while recognising the importance of connection, respect and reconciliation.

This year's theme, 50 Years of Deadly, marks 50 years of NAIDOC Week as a national week-long celebration, recognising five decades of strength, resilience, culture and community leadership. While NAIDOC's origins date back much further to the Aboriginal rights movement, this milestone provides an opportunity to reflect on progress while continuing to learn from the world's oldest living cultures.

Families play an important role in helping children and young people build understanding, appreciation and respect for First Nations peoples and perspectives. This Special Report offers practical ideas and resources to help families celebrate NAIDOC Week together and continue meaningful conversations at home.

Jaynie Gorander

Psychologist/Student Counsellor

Special Report: Drinking & Alcohol

Alcohol is one of the most commonly used substances among young people, making it an important topic for families to address early and often. From the primary years onwards, children are exposed to messages about alcohol through social situations, media and online content. Starting age-appropriate conversations early can help build healthy attitudes, strengthen trust and make later discussions during adolescence easier and more effective.

As children grow older, curiosity, peer influence and increasing independence can increase the likelihood of experimentation. Research shows that strong family communication, clear expectations and positive role modelling are key protective factors in helping young people make safer and healthier choices.

This edition of SchoolTV explores the impact of alcohol on children and adolescents and offers practical strategies to help families navigate this important topic with confidence and care.

Jaynie Gorander

Psychologist/Student Counsellor