Wellbeing News
Wellbeing Newsletter
Meet the Wellbeing Team 2024
Nic Ryan – Assistant Principal (Wellbeing & Inclusion). As well as teaching Maths and Digital Tech, Nic leads the Wellbeing and Inclusion programs within the school. These programs aim to support all students to fully participate in learning and to assist them when they need some additional support to be well and achieve their best.
Gail Lamb Hale – Wellbeing Coordinator. Students can stop at Gail’s office and get food, lunches, individual support, or referrals. Students can self-refer or referred by staff and parents. Gail also provides support to staff. The Wellbeing Coordinator is the contact for the Wellbeing Team who then manages referrals. Gail works Monday – Friday and can help with student and family wellbeing support.
Sandra Challis – Mental Health Ppractitioner who supports students with individual counselling at school. Sandra works across multiple schools and is available every Friday and alternating Wednesdays. Parental consent is required.
Emma Hughes – Secondary School Nurse and works on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. Emma supports the Pride Group on Fridays, provides individual health support, health promotion and classroom education.
Anne Maree Stever – Koorie Education Support Officer who educates both our students and staff at Mirboo North Secondary College and provides the Koorie students with individual support around wellbeing.
Norm De Silva – School Chaplin. Norm works on Tuesdays and Thursdays and supports the students individually with pastoral care.
Carolyne Boothman – Disability Inclusion. Carolyne teaches at school but also supports students who have additional needs and those who require extra support and management.
Nicole Hobson - Out of Home Care Coordinator. A Careers staff member who works with students who are in out of home care on goal setting. Nicole also supports Carolyne Boothman in working with out of home care students and others that may need assistance. Nicole also works in conjunction with Anne Maree to assist Koorie students.
Kate Gibson - and Indigenous advocate. Kate supports Anne-Maree in supporting our Koorie students achieve their best.
Deslee – Headspace Wonthaggi. Deslee is a counsellor with Headspace Wonthaggi and visits our school every fortnight, referrals can be made via Gail Lamb-Hale, our Wellbeing Co-ordinator.
Leongatha Youth Access Clinic
Free confidential access clinic for young people for physical, emotional, mental and wellbeing. GP and nurse onsite.
71 Ogilvy Street, Leongatha Ph 5662 2201 12.30 – 4.00pm Tuesdays Facebook: Leongatha Youth Access Clinic
Instagram : @leongathayouthaccess
24 hours service
Any time, Any Reason
https://headspace.org.au/online-and-phone-support/
Headspace Wonthaggi ph 5671 5900
Free access for 12 -25-year-olds who provide support for things that might be affecting their health and wellbeing.
Lifeline text SMS: 0477 131n114
Phone 13 11 14
Social, emotional, and cultural wellbeing online resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
13 YARN CRISIS phone - 13 92 76
13YARN - Call 13 92 76 | 24 /7 Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
Taking exams is a stressful thing for both you and your teen to deal with. Causes of exam stress include feeling under pressure to perform, worrying about the future, and finding it hard to focus. You may be worrying for them and wondering how you can support them. The good news is there are things you can do to help with teenage exam stress.
Parents tips Exam stress and teenagers - ReachOut Parents Students Stress | ReachOut Australia
There is more science backed evidence for the benefits of mindfulness in easing anxiety than ever before. We live in a time when childhood anxiety is more prevalent than previously thought. Thankfully we are realising that teaching mindfulness to children is just as important, if not more important, than it is for adult minds in preventing the symptoms of anxiety from an early age.
What is mindfulness? https://youtu.be/OaRDbLWeSXE
https://www.smilingmind.com.au/smiling-mind-app
The importance of sleep
Getting the right amount of quality sleep can give you more energy, improve concentration, help you better deal with stress and, you guessed it, keep a healthy headspace.
1.Have a regular sleep pattern.
2. Spend the right amount of time in bed.
3. Bed is for sleeping, not entertainment.
4. Wind down and relax before going to bed.
5. Make sure your bedroom is comfortable.
6. Alcohol, caffeine, and cigarettes – to be avoided.
7. Avoid daytime naps.
8. Don’t lie awake watching the clock.
9. Avoid sleeping pills except in exceptional circumstances.
10. You may need professional help.
Ten Tips for a Good Night's Sleep (sleephealthfoundation.org.au)
Facts About Sleep & The Impact on Mental Health | headspace
https://au.reachout.com/articles/how-to-get-a-good-nights-sleep
Studying means managing a bunch of competing deadlines. It can be overwhelming and sometimes it feels impossible. Figuring out the best ways to study means developing strategies for planning your time that will help you to stay calm, organised, and on top of everything. Check out our top time management tips for students below.
6 essential time management tips for students (education.vic.gov.au)
How to manage your time | Exam stress | ReachOut Australia
The cost of living has increased and buying food for hungry teenagers isn’t cheap! The wellbeing team have access to food bank. We can order in some food for our families if you need. Foodbank provides food free to all secondary schools. We have access to soups, tins, lunch items, bread, cereals, snacks, fruit and more. We know one in three people are struggling to get enough food for their household needs and are new to this situation. There is no shame in asking for help. Life happens to us all and we’re here for everyone. Please contact Gail Lamb Hale at wellbeing who can arrange a food order for you.
We are very fortunate in the Mirboo North Community to have Hope and Help. The volunteers provide a variety of fruit, vegetables, frozen meals and some pantry goods FREE of charge to any one in need. They can arrange home delivery if needed to. Please call 0491 764 650 and leave a message, they will call you back.