P R I D E W E E K

Last week was Pride Week at Chelt.Sec.

Kingston Youth Services attended on Wednesday lunchtime to provide information on the support that external agencies can provide to the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as playing some games and organising chalk drawings in the courtyard outside the canteen.

Check out the Chelt.Sec social media for more on Pride Week.

Keeping Kids Safe: Women’s Health in the South East x City of Kingston

An upcoming free course we have for parents and caregivers in the City of Kingston, designed to prevent sexual violence and harmful behaviours, through a Commonwealth grant-funded program led by WHISE called Keeping Kids Safe.

Women's Health in the South East (WHISE), is working with the City of Kingston, La Trobe University, Sexual Health Victoria, Talking the Talk Healthy Sexuality Education and South East Community Links and seeking opportunities to promote our free, grant-funded program, Keeping Kids Safe. The program is aimed at parents and caregivers, specifically those of young people in Years 6-10, to build parents' confidence in talking to young people about respectful, healthy relationships, consent, sex and sexuality. The purpose of the program is to prevent sexual violence and harmful sexual behaviours among young people, by ensuring they have access to evidence-based information about relationships and sex, from an accurate, reliable and influential source: their trusted adults.

Over four interactive sessions, we deliver information designed to complement the school-based Respectful Relationships program on affirmative consent, legal and ethical frameworks for understanding young people's sexuality, the drivers of gender-based violence including sexual violence and harm, and how to model equitable and respectful relationships and practices at home.

The program is an Australian-first, Commonwealth-funded program and has been designed with experts at La Trobe University, Sexual Health Victoria, Talking the Talk, and South East Community Links. This is a unique and exclusive opportunity for parents and caregivers in Mornington and surrounding areas to participate.

The program is being delivered at Mentone Activity Hub, 29 Venice St, Mentone, on the following dates for all local parents and caregivers:

Tuesday 28 April, 6-8:30pm
Tuesday 5 May, 6-8:30pm
Tuesday 12 May, 6-8:30pm
Tuesday 19 May, 6-8:30pm

Catering, learning materials and door prizes will be provided.

Registrations are now live at the link - https://whise.org.au/keeping-kids-safe/

For more information about the program, please contact the program coordinator, Laura Riccardi: lriccardi@whise.org.au or 0401 315 387.

Kingston Youth Strategy Consultation

Kingston Council have commenced consultation for their new Youth Strategy.

The strategy will guide how Kingston Youth Services support our young people into the future.

As a school we are encouraging our students, parents and community to get involved and have their say and will be making the surveys available for them to complete. The surveys are anonymous with no identifying information being collected; however, young people can choose to provide their name and email to go into the draw for a chance to win one of seven $100 Visa Cards for sharing their thoughts and participation.

You can get involved too!

Head to https://www.yourkingstonyoursay.com.au/kingston-youth-strategy-2027 for more information.

Meet the Team!

Kerri Haworth (HAW)

Director of Wellbeing

Daniel Ferdinands (FSD) Nella Foley (FOL) Jane O'Callaghan (ONJ)

Youth Engagement Officer Mental Health Practitioner Les Twentyman Youth Worker

Donna Hurst (HTD) Josh McEvoy (MYJ) Nicole Huang (HNG)

School Councillor Psychologist School Councillor

Patty

Therapy Dog

Our counsellor, Donna, is currently on family leave and her position has been filled for 2026 with the appointment of Josh, a Psychologist, who will be onsite two days per week. Referrals to Josh can be made through the Director of Wellbeing. We will also be losing Nicole, our other counsellor, to a full-time position at another school with her final day being Friday 6 March. We are currently advertising to fill Nicole’s Friday position and will keep everyone updated once we have secured a new counsellor.

We have also secured the services of four new placement counsellors from AIPC, who will start their placement at the beginning of Term 2. Applications from prospective placement counsellors from Monash University should be received in the next couple of weeks. We will shortlist and interview these counsellors once applications are received to ensure we are providing the best fit for our Cheltenham students.

If you would like to arrange wellbeing support for your child with one of our counsellors or provisional psychologists, please do not hesitate to contact myself, 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 do not hesitate to contact myself or your child’s Director of Sub-school/coordinator to let them know which items you require.

Kerri Haworth

Director of Wellbeing

Don't forget about our Breakfast Club, which runs every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 8:15 AM to 8:45 AM, 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.

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.

New Junior Learning Centre Building Progess

Down with the fence!