Wellbeing News

Messages from Emily Prince

Dear families,

 

St Agatha's School is now a member of the Mental Health in Primary School (MHiPS) framework that is designed to support all students' wellbeing and in particular their mental health. The framework works within three tiers of support. These are Universal, Targetted and Intensive. This allows us to provide support to students and their families when and if they need it by making referrals through external and/or internal pathways. A key feature of MHiPS is developing a common language and understanding around mental health through the use of the Wellbeing Continuum.

We use the Wellbeing Continuum to monitor our mental health over a period of time. Most people will fluctuate between Good and Coping. At times, due to many various factors people may move towards the Struggling and Overwhelmed end of the scale. This may be caused by having continuous friendship issues, feelings of low mood, feeling anxious and lacking in self confidence. At school when students are identified as 'struggling' or 'overwhelmed' we can look to implement some targetted or intensive strategies to support mental health. 

 

We encourage you to use this scale when talking to your child about how they are feeling from day to day. The video link describes how you may like to use this at home with your children.  https://vimeo.com/844785801 

 

Please reach out to your child's teacher if your child is experiencing regular episodes of feeling 'struggling' or 'overwhelmed'. We are here to support you.

 

Here are some useful links if you or child has significant mental health concerns

 

Beyond Blue

Learn more about depression and anxiety, or talk it through with our support service.

Phone: 1300 224 636 (24/7)

Email or chat online

 

headspace

Helps young people aged 12 to 25 who are going through a tough time, providing support for problems with depression, anxiety, bullying and body image.

 

eheadspace

A confidential, free and secure space where young people aged 12 to 25 or their family can chat, email or speak on the phone with a qualified youth mental health professional.

Phone: 1800 650 890 (9am – 1am everyday)

 

Kids Helpline

A free, private and confidential, telephone and online counselling service specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25.

Phone: 1800 55 1800 (24/7) 

Harmony Day

On Tuesday the 19th of March, we will be celebrating Harmony Day. The students will participate in African drumming as well as learning about African culture, as well as many other cultures throughout the day. Students can wear orange or their traditional clothing to school. 

 

We ask that students also bring an Easter Egg this day to donate for the raffle.