Wellbeing

R U OK? Day at Norwood Secondary College

On Thursday 11 September, Norwood Secondary College recognised 

R U OK? Day with a lunchtime celebration coordinated by the Wellbeing Team. The event provided students and staff with an opportunity to come together in a positive and engaging way, while reinforcing the important message that taking time to check in with others can make a real difference.

Throughout the celebration, students and staff enjoyed food trucks, face painting, craft stalls, farm animals and light-hearted competitions. These activities created a vibrant atmosphere and gave students the chance to connect with one another in a supportive environment. Adding further value, representatives from Headspace, EACH, and Maroondah Youth attended, engaging directly with students and offering practical resources to encourage conversations about mental health and help-seeking.

The highlight of the day was the Dunk Tank Challenge, where five staff members - Mr Cole, Mr Mammoliti, Ms Pratt, Mrs Watson and Mr Given - dressed up and bravely volunteered to be dunked in front of an enthusiastic audience. This moment captured the spirit of the day, bringing laughter and enjoyment while also drawing attention to an important cause.

Thanks to the generosity of our students, families, and staff, a total of $1325.00 was raised for the R U OK? Foundation. These funds will directly support suicide prevention initiatives and national programs that encourage meaningful conversations and connection.

R U OK? Day was a genuine success thanks to the efforts of so many people across our school community. We extend our sincere appreciation to the staff and students who contributed their time and energy, our visiting organisations, and the families who continue to support these initiatives. Together, we showed the strength of our Norwood community and the importance of looking out for one another.

RAISE Mentoring Program

This year, 18 of our Year 8 students took part in the RAISE Mentoring Program, which connects young people with trained community volunteers for one-on-one mentoring across 20 weeks. The program is designed to give students a trusted adult to talk to, helping them build confidence, resilience, and positive connections at school.

On Thursday 12 September, we celebrated the students’ growth at the RAISE Graduation. It was a proud moment to recognise their achievements and to thank the dedicated mentors who gave their time to support our young people.