Student Health & Wellbeing
Pakenham Secondary College
Bullying No Way Week - Pop Up Event
On Tuesday, 18th August, our Adolescent Health Nurse and Wellbeing team held a special pop-up event in the Library foyer as part of our College’s activities for Bullying No Way Week.
Throughout the event, students were able to drop by and speak with members of our Wellbeing team and learn more about the support available to them at the College.
The pop-up also provided an opportunity to raise awareness about bullying and remind students about the importance of speaking up and seeking support if they or someone they know is experiencing bullying.
Thank you to our Adolescent Health Nurse and Wellbeing team for organising this valuable initiative and for the ongoing support they provide to our students.
Top tips to help your child navigate cyberbullying
For many children and young people, being online is an important part of how they connect with friends, learn and express themselves. When online interactions become harmful, the impact can be significant, affecting their confidence, wellbeing and sense of safety.
Now is a great time to talk with your child about their online experiences and how to respond to cyberbullying. Children are better able to cope with cyberbullying when they have the support of at least one trusted adult.
If your child is experiencing cyberbullying, you can:
Stay calm and listen without judgement
Let them know they are not alone
Help them collect evidence
Work with them report harmful content using the eSafety Guide and the platform’s reporting tools
Seek support when needed
It is also important not to remove access to devices straight away, as online spaces can be a valuable source of connection and support for young people.
If serious cyberbullying involving a child under 18 is not addressed by the platform, the eSafety Commissions may be able to help remove the content reported to them.
Free Webinars to help you support your child online
Technology is constantly changing, and so are the online challenges young people face. The eSafety Commisioner's free webinars offer practical tips and strategies to help you keep your child safe, confident and supported online.
Key upcoming webinars include:
- How connection and belonging shapes children and young people’s vulnerability online📅 8 September
- AI-generated images and videos: navigating the deepfake threat 📅 15 September
Foster Carers needed in our Community
MacKillop Family Services is seeking foster carers to provide a safe, nurturing home for vulnerable children and young people in our local community. Care can be provided full-time, short-term, on weekends or during school holidays, with training and ongoing support available.
For more information or to make an enquiry, call 1300 791 677 or visit mackillop.org.au/fostercare.
Mindful Knitting
Mindful Knitting has a new date, time and place - please come to the library at recess on Mondays!
Headspace Services
Mindfulness Tuesdays for Students
Doctors at Secondary Schools Program
Pakenham Secondary College is part of the Doctors at Secondary Schools Program. As part of the program, Dr Patrick Halton, a Headspace adolescent-trained GP, will be at the school every Tuesday from 9:30am until 12:30pm, as well as Nurse June, a Headspace adolescent-trained nurse, to provide free access to primary health care for secondary students at our school.
You are welcome to attend consultations with them, if/when required.
Why is it needed?
We know that teenagers are the least likely of all age groups to seek health care, but we also know that many health problems that can have consequences into adulthood start at this time of life. This program seeks to address this issue.
What will the GP do?
The GP will provide students with the same services as the kind normally provided by GPs in the community, including seeing students about their physical and mental health, and sexual and reproductive health issues.
GPs may also make referrals to other health services as required. The GP will bulk bill consultations through Medicare, so there will be no out-of-pocket expenses for this service for your family.
This program is not designed to replace any existing medical arrangements your family may have in place. The GP in the school can provide a convenient alternative to primary care within schools hours, and encourage health care access to those students without an existing relationship with a GP.
The program is intended to provide better access to primary care for secondary school students. Therefore, parents, carers, guardians and other family members are not able to use this service at this time. All GPs in this program adolescent health training and will understand the health and wellbeing needs of teenagers.
Accessing the GP
The school GP office is located behind the Gym, next to the Log Cabin.
Please click on the below image to book an appointment.
Support Services
If you feel like you could do with the support of a professional, help is always available.
MyPlace - Cardinia - 1800 496 884
Youth Counselling and Support Service - Casey - 9792 7279
LifeLine - 13 11 14 - Provides counselling, information and referrals for people experiencing a personal crisis. Click here for the link.
Beyond Blue - 1300 224 636 - Provides advice and support for people experiencing depression and anxiety. Click here for the link
Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467 - Provides free counselling for anyone (15 years+) who is suicidal or affected by suicide.
Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800 - Provides free, private and confidential telephone and online counselling services specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25. Click here for the link.
E-HeadSpace - Provides free online or telephone support with a clinician via an online chat. This service is available for 12–25-year-olds, Click here for the link.
Reachout - Click here for the link.