Wellbeing Update

Last week the Year 10 boys engaged in a full day program with the Mancave team which aims to provide boys with a safe, happy transition into manhood. The program is designed to be transformational and to support the psychological and emotional development of a boy so he can become a healthy young man.

The year 10 girls took part in a “Nurture” day where they engaged in some wellbeing activities such as self defence, Zumba and meditation and self reflection. The girls particularly liked the self defence and Zumba sessions.

Today is International Women’s Day and Western Heights College will be acknowledging this with some sweet treats for the girls. !8th to 24th March is cultural diversity and harmony week and the Wellbeing team are in the process of planning activities to celebrate this.

Jenny Eastwood

Camps, Sports and Excursion's Fund

Application Form:

Our Inclusion Team for 2024

Inclusive Practices Learning Specialist: Shona Scorringe

Shona is in her final year of a Master of Specialist Inclusive Education at Deakin University. She has previously taught English as an Additional Language and low literacy students in the Northern Territory and in China. Shona teaches Literacy in the Vocational Major (formerly VCAL) and is passionate about applied learning. Shona is leading our inclusion team and our transition to the Disability Inclusion reform.

Located in the Year 8/9 Building

Monday - Friday

Shona.Scorringe@education.vic.gov.au

Inclusion Support: Georgie Barker

Georgie is currently studying a Master of Disability Studies, specialising in Deaf and Hard of Hearing at Macquarie University. She also has a Master of TESOL with a background working with English as an Additional Language and low literacy students. Georgie teaches in our English domain and will be supports our Inclusion team with Student Support Group meetings and developing Individual Education Plans. She is looking forward to working with students to achieve positive learning outcomes.

PSD Coordinator, Inclusion Support: Kerryn Cramp

Kerryn has worked at Western Heights College for 23 years as an Education Assistant and as our PSD coordinator. She works in the classroom and within the Inclusion team, making referrals for assessments. Kerryn is a valuable member of our team who is passionate about the team she works with and grateful for her colleagues and students.

Located in the MYR Building

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday

Wellbeing Contacts:

Pastoral Care

College Chaplain: Jenny Eastwood

Located in the Purple/Grey building

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

jennifer.eastwood@education.vic.gov.au

Pastoral Care: Students, staff, parents
Loss and Grief
Management and Referrals – MHP/TGP
Mentoring Programs – GROW, RAISE, etc.

Health Promotion Nurse: Lisa Cooper

Located in the Purple/Grey building

Monday & Tuesday

lisa.cooper2@education.vic.gov.au

Classroom support: sexual health, cyber health, and special programs/activities – Idahobit, diversity, etc.
Individual health support for students
Implements and leads supporting health programs – i.e., ‘Docs and Teens’
COG & Batforce liaison
Staff first aid training and other related professional learning

Mental Health Practitioner: Jordy Morgan

Located in the Admin building

Monday - Friday

Jordan.Morgan@education.vic.gov.au

Jordy has experience working with young people and adults who are experiencing a range of mental health or social difficulties.

Counselling support to young people, individually and in group settings
Support students to connect with external services
Promote mental health awareness and prevention

Engagement and Wellbeing Co-ordinator: Torrie Pugliese

Located in Purple/Grey Building

Tuesday - Friday

torrie.pugliese@education.vic.gov.au

Barwon Community Legal Service:

Located in the Purple/Grey Building

Mondays & Fridays

whcschoollawyer@barwoncommunitylegal.org.au

Classroom programs

We are here to help students understand their legal rights and responsibilities.

Koorie Engagement Support Officer: Sarah Upton

0421 780 718

Sarah.Upton@education.vic.gov.au

Sarah is a proud Gunditjmara woman who has been living in beautiful Wadawurrung country for 4 years and has been involved in the education system for several years as a generalist teacher. She has always been passionate about Koorie students achieving high outcomes during their education journey. Sarah feels fortunate to be working as a Koorie Engagement Support Officer (KESO) within her local Aboriginal community. She is a lifelong learner and firmly believe that education is essential to building solid foundations to empower students and their families have a voice and allow them to make positive independent strong choices to benefit them in the future which will allow them to feel like they can be the best version of themselves and contribute to society in a positive manner.

Engagement and Wellbeing

Learning Community Leaders: Marli McCarthy (7), Ben Cook (8), Lucas Wintels (9), Rachel Daly & Lupcho Temelovski (10), Claire Sullivan (11), Brett Bullock (12).

Supporting students in the relevant community with a focus on attendance, engagement and wellbeing.
Leading the implementation of SWPBS and Berry Street.
Contact point with students, families and mentors

WELLBEING SUPPORTS

If you are worried about your child, or any person and their mental health and well-being outside school hours or during weekends you can contact the Barwon Health Mental Health Triage for urgent support 24/7 on 1300 094 187.

Two important messages to promote are that all of us should seek help from others when we feel down or vulnerable and that young people should tell an adult if they are worried about a friend or themselves.

Please find the following helpful numbers and websites to keep us connected and provide the support necessary to maintain positive mental and physical health:

LOCAL SUPPORTS:

Headspace Geelong – 5222 6690, www.headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/geelong/
Bellarine Community Health – 5253 0400, https://www.bch.org.au/services/all-services/youth-services

GENERAL:

Lifeline – call 13 11 14 for this free Australia-wide crisis support service which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days per week OR TEXT: 0477 13 11 14 between 6pm – midnight, 7 nights a week
Kids Help Line – call 1800 55 1800 for free counselling and advice for young people between the ages of five and 25.
Headspace – eHeadspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds. (Open 9am-1am daily.
Reachout – visit their website for information, tools and support for young people with mental health issues.
Alcohol and drug foundation – free health advice for young people on alcohol and drug use, including mental health.
Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 https://beyondblue.org.au (Phone support all day, every day. Online support 3pm-midnight every day).
Suicide Callback Service – 1300 659 467. Phone support all day, every day, and follow-up calls.

Good self-care practices are important in taking care of ourselves and our mental health. Remember, it is ok to ask for help. Take care of yourself, and each other and do not hesitate to reach out to a member of our wellbeing team in our school community if you need some additional support.

COMMUNITY