Wellbeing News

School Lawyer – Year 9 Consent Education

Our School Lawyer is currently visiting all Year 9 classes to deliver an engaging session on consent and cyber safety.

The sessions will revisit some of the topics covered in last year’s SECASA presentations, including sexting, cyber safety, and online safety and behaviour. While students may have encountered these topics previously, revisiting and reinforcing these important messages provides valuable opportunities for learning and discussion as students continue to navigate the online world and develop healthy, respectful relationships.

Topics include:

• Consent and respectful relationships
• Sexting and sharing images
• Cyber safety
• Online safety and appropriate online behaviour

We believe that regularly revisiting these topics is an important part of supporting our students in making safe, informed, and respectful choices both online and in their relationships.

Cultural Mentorship Program – Years 7 & 8

This term, we have introduced a new Wellbeing program, Cultural Mentorship, designed to support and empower our Pasifika students through connection, culture and positive mentorship. This program aims to empower young Pasifika boys by supporting their engagement in education and their exploration of cultural knowledge. The program started with a reflection activity called My Time. Students were asked to spend some time checking in with themselves and journalling how they are feeling, a goal for the day, and reflecting on their choices, actions, and moments they are proud of. They then participated in an activity called Our Circle, where students, one by one, shared something they were happy about.

Students explored the cuisines of Fiji and Samoa, learning how Lolo Buns and Keke Pua’a are made. They also explored Fijian and Samoan traditional dress and the purpose of different garments. Students enjoyed the games and activities and were actively engaged with the program content, the facilitator, and the other group members. We look forward to watching this program evolve and seeing it empower and support our Pasifika students.

Social Emotional Learning Group – Steady Minds

Students participated in the Steady Minds group, focusing on understanding the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. They reflected on their current emotional “zone” and built on prior learning through engaging discussion and practical examples. Staff modelled real-life social scenarios, helping students identify both unhelpful patterns and more positive, constructive responses. Students then applied these skills through their own role-plays, demonstrating growing confidence in managing social challenges. The session concluded with a group game that encouraged teamwork while exploring emotions such as worry, control, and inclusion in a safe and supportive environment.

Canine Comprehension

This week during the Canine Comprehension program, students focused on building an understanding of trust and learning how to recognise and interpret social cues in both people and dogs. Discussions and activities highlighted how body language, tone, and behaviour can indicate comfort levels and help us respond appropriately in social situations.

Marley played an important role as a calm and cooperative example throughout the session, supporting students to observe these concepts in real time. In a light-hearted moment that helped reinforce connection and trust, Marley also remained settled enough to be used as a “table” for an UNO game, which the students thoroughly enjoyed while continuing to practice respectful interaction and awareness of boundaries.

What is School TV?

It has never been more challenging to raise and support happy, healthy, and resilient young people. SchoolTV is an online Wellbeing platform that provides an extensive range of wellbeing resources for parents, carers, teachers, and young people so they can work together in partnership to ensure better wellbeing for all students. Developed in collaboration with leading child and adolescent psychologists, educators, and health professionals, SchoolTV provides evidence-based information, videos, articles, and practical strategies on a wide range of topics, including anxiety, resilience, friendships, bullying, cyber safety, school can’t, and mental health.

We encourage parents, carers, and young people seeking information, practical strategies, and support to enhance mental health and wellbeing to access School TV.