Wellbeing News
RUOK Day
As part of the RUOK awareness campaign, all Year 7 Boys participated in an educational workshop to understand and discuss the 4 simple steps that could change a life. The four steps included 1, Ask… RUOK, 2. Listen, 3. Encourage Action and 4. Check In.
Students exchanged their thoughts and feelings about each step and were able to move forward being confident and prepared to ask the question. The boys then identified positive attributes about one another, encouraging friendly conversations on their Walk and Talk around the park. Yellow bandanas with mantras of their positive attributes clearly stated on the front were worn proudly. The “Walk and Talk” activity facilitated students to practice the RUOK steps they had learnt in a non-threatening environment while engaging in a fun and meaningful practice.
https://www.ruok.org.au/how-to-ask
Mental Health Week 15-19th October
To celebrate and promote good mental health students and staff participated in activities that increase positive emotions and strengthen social engagement. Mental Health is about wellness rather than illness. When we have a high level of wellbeing all sorts of good things go along with that including better learning, better relationships, greater productivity and better general health.
What better way to increase happiness than to dance? Students gathered at the English Language Centre to strut their stuff in a K-Pop dance session lead by some very talented English Language Centre students. The room was full of great vibes, laughs and dancing. No prerequisite skills were required and all students displayed inclusiveness and encouragement with one another.
We were also lucky to have Ms Deng lead a lunch time Yoga class in the gym. We spent time out from the busy school day schedule to focus on our breathing, clearing our minds and improving our flexibility. We are hoping this might become a regular occurrence as everyone involved came away feeling relaxed and calm.
All week GEC students and staff participated in the “OFF LINE Lunchtime Challenge”.
The whole school purposely turned off all forms of technology at lunchtime aiming to reconnect with their friends, peers and colleagues. It was by no means an easy task, yet many gave it a go. This is something you may like to try at home - “disconnect to reconnect”.
You could start with a phone free time sharing dinner and maybe a conversation starter about one thing you were grateful for during your day.
Kaz Schurmann
Student Wellbeing Support
MIND. BODY. PEDAL
Empowering and inspiring teenage girls to be more active
During Mental Health Week, Glen Eira College in partnership with Bicycle Network Victoria provided a wonderful opportunity for our young women to participate in a free single-day event (incursion) at the school. The aim was to inspire more teenage girls to get active through bike riding, increase confidence, self-esteem and resilience. The program was delivered to the Junior School girls.
The program was led by a team of experts and set out to support and celebrate the differences that make high-school aged girls unique, while addressing issues of self-esteem and confidence that hold many back from being active.
The feedback from students was overwhelmingly positive saying that it was “fun and informative”, “challenging” and “the best way to learn about mental health”.
The program included:
1. Bike ride: A fully-supported bike ride that explored the local area by bike and learned basic road safety skills.
2. Bike maintenance: Designed to help develop skills and confidence in maintaining a safe and working bike.
3. Mind: Designed to address issues of self-care and resilience, focusing on social media pressures, peer perception, anxiety and depression.
4. Body: Designed to cover self-esteem in relation to looking after yourself by taking part in a yoga workshop.
Christalia Formoso
Adolescent Health Nurse