Wellbeing Report
:Wellbeing Matters: Supporting One Another as a Community
At Saltwater College, we are incredibly fortunate to be part of a caring, generous and connected community. As the semester continues, the Wellbeing Team would like to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude to the many families, staff and community members who continue to support one another in meaningful ways.
Our Food Pantry – Community Supporting Community
One of the most powerful examples of this support is our Saltwater College Food Pantry. Thanks to the generosity of our school community, the pantry has continued to grow and provide practical assistance to many local families throughout the year.
Every week, families both contribute to and access the pantry, helping to create a cycle of care that reflects the very best of our community spirit. Whether you are donating items, accessing support when needed, or encouraging others to do so, your contribution makes a genuine difference.
We would like to remind all families that the Food Pantry is available to everyone. There is no judgement, no eligibility criteria, and no need to explain your circumstances. If you need support, please feel welcome to access the pantry. Likewise, if you are in a position to contribute, donations of non-perishable food and household essentials are always appreciated.
Together, we are ensuring that support is available when it is needed most.
Understanding Bullying: Kindness, Respect and Seeking Support
At Saltwater College, we are committed to fostering a safe, inclusive and respectful environment for all students. As part of this commitment, it is important that we have a shared understanding of what bullying is and what it is not.
The term bullying is sometimes used to describe any disagreement, conflict or unkind interaction between young people. While these situations can certainly be upsetting and require support, not all conflict is considered bullying.
Bullying is defined as behaviour that is:
Deliberate and intended to cause harm, distress or fear;
Repeated over time; and
Involves a power imbalance, where it is difficult for the person experiencing the behaviour to stop it or defend themselves.
Disagreements, friendship issues, one-off incidents and conflicts between students of equal power are not typically classified as bullying, although they still require attention, support and resolution.
We encourage all students to:
Treat others with kindness, empathy and respect;
Consider how their words and actions may impact others;
Speak up if they witness someone being treated unfairly;
Seek support from a trusted adult if they are concerned about their own wellbeing or the wellbeing of a friend.
It is important for students and families to know that seeking support is always the right thing to do. If a student is experiencing difficulties with peers, feeling unsafe, or unsure whether a situation constitutes bullying, our staff are here to listen, investigate concerns and provide appropriate support.
By working together and promoting respectful relationships, we can continue to build a school culture where everyone feels valued, included and supported.
Bullying of any form or for any reason can have immediate, medium and long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders. Single incidents and conflict or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying.
Department of Education defines BULLYING as:
Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening.
Bullying can happen in person or online, via various digital platforms and devices and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert). Bullying behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time (for example, through sharing of digital records).
Community Support Through The Orange Door
Many families are not aware of the wide range of support services available through The Orange Door. This free service helps connect individuals, parents and families with local supports and resources that can strengthen wellbeing and family life.
Support may include:
Parenting advice and guidance
Resources for raising young children and teenagers
Sleep and bedtime support strategies
Family wellbeing and relationship support
Connections to local community services
Information about health, education and family support programs
One of the greatest strengths of The Orange Door is that families can refer themselves directly. You do not need a referral from the school or another agency to access support. If there is an area where you feel you could benefit from additional guidance, information or connection, The Orange Door can help identify services that meet your family's needs.
Seeking support is a positive step, and often a simple conversation can open the door to valuable resources and connections. https://www.orangedoor.vic.gov.au/
Thank You
Finally, thank you to every member of our Saltwater College community for the care, compassion and generosity you continue to show. The strength of our school is built upon people looking out for one another, celebrating successes together and offering support when it is needed.
We are proud of the community we are building together and look forward to continuing to support the wellbeing of all our students, families and staff.