Student Wellbeing 

Let’s talk about Headspace

Face to Face Counselling

Headspace is Australia's National Youth Mental Health Foundation, providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds.

The Swan Hill Headspace Centre have recently begun working with the Buloke Shire and have a mental health clinician based in Birchip to support young people across the Shire. In the coming weeks we hope to be able to provide more information on these services, in particular face to face counselling. Referrals to Headspace can be made by a family member, friend or professional using the link provided 

https://form.jotform.co/headspaceSH/family-friend-professional-form

Young people are also able to self refer using the link provided

https://form.jotform.co/headspaceSH/headspace-swan-hill--self-referral-

Jess and Tasha are always available to assist with any questions or supporting a young person to refer for this service. Please don’t hesitate to get in contact. 

Tuning Into Teens Program

Headspace also offer a number of education programs. Expressions of Interest are being taken to run a parent session ‘Tuning Into Teens’. Below is some further information about the program. If you are interested in participating please email Jess McGurk Jessica.mcgurk@education.vic.gov.au to express your interest. 

Are you a parent or carer of a young person aged between 12-18 and would like to:

• Be better at talking with your teen?
• Be better at understanding your teen?
• Help your teen learn to manage their emotions?
• Help to prevent behaviour problems in your teen?
• Teach your teen to deal with conflict?

Tuning in to Teens shows you how to help your teen develop emotional intelligence.Adolescents with higher emotional intelligence:

• are more aware, assertive and strong in situations of peer pressure
• have greater success with making friends and are more able to manage conflict with peers
• are more able to cope when upset or angry
• have fewer mental health and substance abuse difficulties
• have more stable and satisfying relationships as adults
• have greater career success – emotional intelligence may be a better predictor of academic and career success than IQ!

Program details:

Where: TBC

The program runs for 6 weeks, 

Cost: This program is free.

Eligibility: Parents/carers of pre-adolescents and teenagers aged 12 to 18 years.

L2P’s Program

The Buloke & Loddon L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program is part of a state wide initiative funded by the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and managed by Vic Roads. The aim of the program is to reduce the number of driver fatalities by giving learner drivers supervised experience in many different environments and situations, building self confidence, trust and safety on our roads. The program aims to provide assistance to young people who are facing significant barriers to completing their mandatory 120 hours of supervised on road driving experience through the support of Volunteer Mentors from the community. Young people are matched with fully licensed volunteer mentors and have access to a sponsored vehicle to gain driving experience.L2P is free for eligible young people.  To join an L2P Program, you need to:

• Be between 16 and 20 years of age
• Hold a current learner’s permit, and
• Not have access to a vehicle, a supervising driver or both.

To become a volunteer mentor in the L2P program, you need to:

• Be over 21 years of age
• Hold a current full Victorian drivers licence, and
• Meet requirements of the L2P program.

Our driver mentors offer coaching, support and guidance to the learner drivers while they learn the skills required to become safe, fully licensed drivers.

If you would like to apply for this program please contact Jess McGurk at the College. 

Second Hand Uniform Shop

The cooler months are just around the corner. Now is a great time to check if you child/ren are in need of any winter school uniform. The Second Hand School Uniform Shop is available for all families to access! The shop is stocked with pre-loved clothes from students that have mostly ‘grown out of’ but still have plenty of life left in them. All items of uniform are available, eg; shirts and jumpers, shorts and pants, dresses, school bags and even some shoes. Each item is only $2.00. To make a donation of clothing or to purchase please contact the office.

Mental Health Resources

Each week we aim to provide families with some of the resources that are shared with the College from various organisations. Attached at the back of the newsletter is a quick reference guide to some of the mental health services and supports that are promoted by Beyond Blue. These are just some of the available services to help young people in a constantly evolving space. The wellbeing team are always available to support families in engaging with any additional mental health support required. If you have any concerns or would like to know more about any of the available services please get in touch with Jess or Tash at the College.