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Macleod College Newsletter
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Wellbeing

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Wellbeing

As we come to the end of another school year, the Wellbeing Team would like to take a moment to reflect, celebrate and thank our community for the support, trust and connection shown throughout 2025.

 

This term marked the conclusion of our EACH WILD Program, which finished on a real high with a five-day camp at Lysterfield Lake, followed by a challenging and rewarding rock scramble through the Cathedral Ranges. Across the year, students involved in the program demonstrated incredible growth in resilience, teamwork, confidence and self-belief. Seeing students step outside their comfort zones, support one another and experience success in the outdoors has been a powerful reminder of the impact of experiential learning and strong relationships.

 

As we head into the school holidays, we encourage families to continue prioritising wellbeing at home. The attached Wellbeing Support for Parents and Carers – School Holidays factsheet provides practical tips to support young people during the break, including maintaining routines, staying socially connected, engaging in enjoyable activities, and knowing when and where to seek additional support if needed . The holidays can be a positive and restorative time, but they can also bring challenges for some, and early support makes a difference.

 

There are also a range of local holiday programs and youth activities available across the community over summer, offering opportunities for young people to stay active, creative and connected. We encourage families to explore these options as a way to support positive mental health and engagement during the break. Take a look at the Banyule Youth Services and Nillumbik Youth Services webpages to book in for an activity.

 

Looking ahead to 2026, we would like to share that Holly Morgan will be joining the Wellbeing Team as Wellbeing Leader, working closely with students, staff and families while Kasi is on family leave for the majority of 2026. We are excited to welcome Holly and know she will be a wonderful addition to the team.

 

On behalf of the entire Wellbeing Team, we would like to wish all students, families and staff a safe, restful and happy holiday period. Thank you for being part of our community, and we look forward to reconnecting in the new year.

 

Warm regards

The Wellbeing Team

 

For parents and carers Wellbeing support for students during the school holidays

This guide provides tips and resources for parents, carers and families to support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people in their care during the school holidays. This includes services to reach out to if more support is needed. 

Actions that support positive mental health

Encourage your child or young person to:

  • Exercise and eat healthily to boost their mood
  • Prioritise sleep to support mental and emotional wellbeing
  • Explore relaxation techniques and coping strategies
  • Stay in touch and catch up with friends and loved ones
  • Make time to do things they enjoy
  • Practice positive self-talk, and remind them they are not alone
  • Engage in healthy online habits
  • Seek professional help if needed.[1]

 

The department has developed wellbeing activities and conversation starters for parents and carers of primary school-aged children and secondary school-aged children.

Feeling it: mindfulness resources and activities for secondary students. Smiling Mind gives tips on self-care, understanding and managing emotions, being mindful, being kind to yourself, navigating uncertainty and preparing for change.

Signs a child or young person may need mental health support 

In some cases, these actions will not be enough to support positive mental health.

Keep an eye out and seek professional help for changes that last two or more weeks such as:

  • Loss of interest or involvement in activities normally enjoyed
  • Feeling ‘low’, unusually stressed or worried
  • Doing ordinary things gets harder
  • Being easily irritated or angry
  • Taking more dangerous risks, like using alcohol or drugs
  • Withdrawal or feeling overwhelmed
  • Difficulties with concentration and motivation
  • Having a lot of negative thoughts
  • Changing sleeping and eating habits.[2] 

Young people supporting each other

Young people are most likely to turn to each other for support before seeking out an adult or service provider.

Young people can support each other by:

  • contacting 000 if a friend needs urgent assistance or is at risk of harming themselves or others

  • reaching out to a friend, offering support and letting them know you care

  • letting their friend know they may need to tell a trusted adult about their concerns.

 

Having these types of conversations can be difficult for young people. Information for young people on how to support a friend is available via:

Mental health resources

Online wellbeing and safety

Mental health support

Self‑harm and suicide prevention resources

  1. (SANE Australia)

Family violence support and resources

[1] headspace – supporting young people with school stress https://headspace.org.au/friends-and-family/parents-guide- tips-for-managing-stress-and-problems-at-school/ https://headspace.org.au/explore-topics/supporting-a-young-person/school-stress/ 

 

[2] headspace ‘mental health and you’ poster https://headspace.org.au/assets/Uploads/Mental-Health-Posters-mgpdf.pdf and headspace – how to talk to your children about mental health https://headspace.org.au/dads/

 

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