Wellbeing News
Shannon McCARTHY
School Psychologist
At Highvale Secondary College, we know that a young person’s mental health plays a big role in their learning and overall wellbeing. That’s why the Wellbeing Team is excited to introduce our 2025 newsletter series:
Healthy Minds @ Highvale!
Our Wellbeing Team
The Wellbeing Team is here to support our students and families by providing guidance, resources, and a safe space for conversations about mental health. We work alongside staff, students, and parents to help young people feel heard, supported, connected, and equipped with the skills they need to thrive and navigate life’s challenges.
Photo: Our wellbeing space
Mental Health at Highvale
Last year, our school psychologists, Sean and Shannon, trained our teachers and educational support staff in Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) with the goal of supporting our staff to better understand and respond to students experiencing mental health challenges. This initiative equipped our staff with the skills to notice changes in our student’s behaviour, have supportive conversations, and encourage help-seeking. By fostering a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing, we aim to create an environment where students feel safe, supported, and empowered to reach out for support when they need it.
Photo: Our psychologist, Sean (and his dog, Daisy) preparing to train our staff in Youth MHFA
What is Healthy Minds @ Highvale?
Healthy Minds @ Highvale is a monthly newsletter series designed to help parents support their young person’s mental health and wellbeing. Throughout the year, we’ll cover a range of topics, including:
School Attendance – Understanding why attendance can be a challenge and how to encourage engagement.
Talking About Mental Health – How to have open and supportive conversations with your young person about mental health.
Self-Care for Parents – Looking after your own wellbeing while supporting your child through challenging times.
Building Resilience – Helping young people develop coping skills for life’s ups and downs.
Managing Stress and Anxiety – Practical strategies to support emotional regulation.
Online Safety – Helping young people navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.
Physical Wellbeing – Understanding the connection between physical health, sleep, nutrition, and mental wellbeing.
Each edition will include insights, practical tips, and useful resources to support you and your family.
We’re looking forward to sharing this journey with you throughout 2025. If there are specific topics you’d like us to cover, or if you have any questions, please reach out to the Wellbeing Team at wellbeing@highvalesc.vic.edu.au.
Let’s work together to support Healthy Minds at Highvale!
Molly, Sean, Shannon, and Victoria (The Highvale Wellbeing Team).