Wellbeing Partnerships and Safety
Featured in this edition:
- Wellbeing for Learning - We All have a role to play
- The Escalation of Online Aggression Among Teens and Tweens Post-Covid
- This edition's featured House is Sion House
- Wellbeing - Special Report - Discussing War and Conflict
Wellbeing for Learning - We All have a role to play
In our Wellbeing Lesson last week, all students were provided the opportunity to explore their role in supporting others. Students commenced the lesson with conversation starters:
What does it meant to be an ally?
Can anyone be an ally?
What is the role of an ally?
Students were then challenged to think about what it means to be an ally with explorations including:
An ally is someone that is associated with another as a helper; a person or group that provides assistance and support in an ongoing effort, activity or struggle.
You don't need to wait until someone invites you to become an ally, you can simply take the initiative if you see something is wrong. Anyone can be an ally to anyone else.
An ally is often defined as someone who steps in to support and take action to help others. This could be asking a question, listening carefully and validating a person’s concerns.
Allyship in our School Community is crucial for inclusion and equality.
Students, as supported by their Tutors, then engaged in a conversation circle after watching
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJsGGsPNakw
Thank you to Mrs Stephanie Rogan, Wellbeing Learning and Data Leader, for designing this lesson purposefully and intentionally for our students. If you haven't already, please check in your young person and ask them about their Wellbeing Lesson.
Student and Staff Feedback
"Today’s Wellbeing session was truly impactful. The PowerPoint was carefully created and resonated deeply with us. However, it was the short animated film that stood out exceptionally - it moved many, including myself and some of my tutees, to the brink of tears. It is rare to experience such a profound emotional connection in a session. A heartfelt thank you for curating this experience." (Sion Tutor)
'What would our College look like, sound like and feel like if everyone was treated with respect and valued for who they are?'
"People would actually be slightly smart because they would finally listen to their teachers. Other people who aren’t loud and annoying the class would be able to show what they can really do without distraction."
"It would look a bright yellow to represent joy and happiness. It would sound like music, laughter and talking. Feel like warmth."
"There would be no bullying
-Everyone would receive respect, care and love
-People will know they are valued
-We WILL ALL BE allies of one another"
"Kids would want to come to school, everyone would get along, with no bullying. Able to be yourself. "
Miss Lace, Marcellin 6 Tutor Group, created a sharing circle at the beginning of the session which allowed for students to be focused and share their ideas. They were extremely respectful of the content presented and feedback was that it really hit home for some who stayed back to chat with Miss Lace afterwards.
The Escalation of Online Aggression Among Teens and Tweens Post-Covid
I share with you an article written by Kirra Pendergast from Safe on Social. This article discusses the reality that is the significant increase and escalation of aggressive online behaviours and bullying on social media that is impacting on our young people and their families. Below is an excerpt of the article highlighting a guide for parents and guardians.
A Guide for Parents and Guardians
"Increased Violence in Online Interactions
There has been a noticeable increase in the severity of threats and violent language used in online conflicts among tweens/teens. Reports include instances of explicit threats of physical harm, contributing to heightened anxiety and stress among victims.
Late-Night Group Chats
A significant number of aggressive interactions, including the exchange of violent threats and derogatory language, are occurring in late-night group chats. This trend is particularly concerning due to its impact on adolescents' mental well-being and sleep patterns.
Impact on Sleep and Mental Health
The presence of mobile devices in bedrooms and participation in late-night online interactions have been associated with disrupted sleep and increased stress levels among teens and tweens, affecting their overall mental health and well-being. They are literally lying awake all night stressing over what is being said and refreshing over and over to see if more is being added to the chat. Every beep of notification is interrupting their sleep.
Use of Derogatory and Hate Speech
The use of racist slurs, homophobic comments, and other forms of hate speech has been prevalent in reported instances of online aggression, reflecting a broader societal issue that needs urgent attention and action.
Concerning level of inaction
The increasing prevalence of online aggression and cyberbullying has unfortunately been met with a concerning level of inaction by various online platforms and regulators. Users, particularly those who have faced harassment or have reported inappropriate conduct, find their pleas for help and intervention often overlooked or inadequately addressed. This lack of responsive action has led to a significant erosion of trust particularly among teen users, leaving many feeling disillusioned and unprotected in their online lives. The seeming indifference exhibited by these platforms not only perpetuates the cycle of online aggression but also discourages victims from reporting, as faith in effective resolution diminishes.
Guidance for Parents and Guardians:
Validation and Support
It is crucial to validate the experiences and emotions of tweens/teens who encounter online aggression. Offering a listening ear and expressing understanding and support can make a significant difference in their coping process.
Promoting Open Communication
Encourage open and honest communication, allowing your tweens/teens to express their feelings, concerns, and experiences related to online interactions and aggression.
Exploring Reporting Mechanisms
Be informed about the various reporting mechanisms available on different online platforms and guide tweens/teens in accessing and utilising these resources when necessary. If there are threats of harm, immediately report to law enforcement.
Advocating for Professional Support
Consider the option of professional mental health support, such as counselling or therapy, to provide your child with additional coping strategies and emotional support.
Device-Free Bedrooms
Promote healthy sleep hygiene and mental well-being by keeping mobile devices out of bedrooms during the night to minimise exposure to disruptive online interactions.
Educational Initiatives
Support educational initiatives that promote online safety, digital citizenship, and the development of coping strategies to navigate online aggression and cyberbullying provided by the school. Attend all the talks (they are all different). Schools and families should work together to educate students about responsible and respectful online behaviour. Please do not just expect the school to do it for you.
Where does a school's duty of care end and parenting begin?
A school's duty of care is to keep the child safe while they are at school. If the aggression/bullying comes from another student at the school, let the school know so they can keep the child safe on school grounds. The school’s duty of care pertains to actions that impact the school environment, student safety, and well-being. Parental responsibility involves supervising and guiding their child’s online activities and behaviours at home and outside of school, instilling values and setting boundaries. Please be across every aspect of your child's online life. I recently wrote a post about how you may even be responsible for what your child says and does online. You can read that here:https://www.safeonsocial.com/post/who-is-liable-for-what-educating-young-minds-on-internet-law-and-regulation "
This edition's featured House is Sion
In this week's edition of Emmaus, we celebrate Sion House who "through love and peace, unite as one." Thank you our Sion House Captains with the support of Mrs Mandy Moore as Head of House. You can read all about Sion House and share in their photo story by continuing to read Emmaus.
Wellbeing - Discussing War and Conflict
In our Wellbeing section this week, the resource from SchoolTV is to help students and families with discussing world issues including war and conflict.
Children are frequently exposed to distressing news through the 24-hour news cycle and social media. These experiences can provoke anxiety, especially in young minds still forming their worldviews. Parents and caregivers should be mindful of overexposure to such content as it can lead to symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder. Find out more about how you can support your young person by clicking on this SchoolTV Special Report
https://mscw.vic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-discussing-war-conflict
Mrs Janelle Burgees
Deputy Principal: Wellbeing Partnerships and Safety