WELLBEING

Wellbeing Update

Well summer has finally arrived and we all survived the heat of the last few days! Students have been encouraged to stay hydrated, seek shade or make use of rooms made available on days of extreme heat.

The team have continued to support individual students who self refer or are referred by a parent or staff member, and we are able to refer on to the Geelong Project for early intervention for students who may be at risk of disengaging from school or home. The Geelong Project can also now offer family support through a newly created position and some mental health support through their mental health worker. WHC  has our own Mental Health Practitioner, Jordy Morgan, who we can also refer to for mental health support as well as our new headspace clinician, Jay who comes in every second Thursday.

We have an opportunity to offer again a small group program called Empower for year 7 and 8 students who may be experiencing anxiety. This program is facilitated by members of the Geelong Project team, and offers students understanding and strategies for managing anxiety. 

Next week we have the Mancave team coming in to deliver a program for Year 10 boys. This was very appreciated by students involved and some positive reports back from staff and parents. On the same day, the Wellbeing team are excited to be running a “Nurture” program for the rest of year 10 students.

Two of our team , Jordy and Torrie, attended the Year 12 camp this week and engaged students in some wellbeing and team building activities.

Please feel free to contact a member of the wellbeing team should you have any concerns for your student

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.cooper@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: Emma Cvitak and Madelaine Landini

Located in the Purple/Grey Building

Mondays & Fridays

whcschoollawyer@barwoncommunitylegal.org.au

• Free and confidential legal help for individual students about common legal issues, including: Family violence or trouble at home; Consent in relationships, sexting and dating; Getting official documents like birth certificates; Issues with Police or Court; Cyberbullying, harassment and online safety; Vaping, Smoking and Partying; Scams; Feeling unsafe; Issues at work; Experiencing any harm; and Fines
• 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.