Wellbeing

From the Director

Congratulations to all of our fabulous students and staff for a fantastic Term 1 and a huge thank you for the way I have been warmly welcomed into this amazing school as Director of Wellbeing. 

The Wellbeing Team wishes everyone a Happy Easter and a very safe and happy holiday break.  We look forward to seeing you all in Term 2, feeling refreshed and ready to take on their learning with renewed focus and motivation. 

Please see the Helpful Contacts at the bottom of the page for any support you or your young person may need during the holidays.

Kerri Haworth

Director of Wellbeing

Term 1 Wrap-Up

Over the course of Term 1, we have:

• streamlined the referral process,
• booked guest speakers and presentations,
• engaged in counselling sessions with a large number of students,
• celebrated International Women’s Day, Pride Week, Diversity Week and Harmony Day
• emailed birthday messages to students throughout the term,
• sourced fruit, snacks and lunch options from Foodbank Victoria for students to enjoy,
• provided Year 8 pastoral care lesson plans,
• arranged for The Danny Frawley Centre to present a lesson on Mental Fitness to our Year 11 VCE VM Sport and Recreation class,
• supported families with uniform pieces through State Schools’ Relief,
• welcomed Beth our Youth Worker from the Les Twentyman Foundation to the team, as well as three visiting counsellors, Nicole, Claire and Nivi to provide support to the growing number of students requiring wellbeing support,
• engaged our Year 7 students in lunchtime games with Kingston Youth Services, and 
• produced our first Student Wellbeing Bulletin for 2023 with the theme of Adaptability. 

Guest Presentations

Year 10 - Periods, Pain and Endometriosis Program Talk® (PPEP Talk®)

On Monday 20th March our Year 10 students were provided with a presentation from the Pelvic Pain Foundation on Periods, Pain and Endometriosis.  This is an exceptionally important topic for all young people to be educated on. Sam was very impressed with our Cheltenham students, saying that our ‘students were so amazing, and an absolute pleasure to engage with’.  Congratulations to all of our students with the respect shown to each other and our guest presenter.  

Here is a snapshot of just some of the feedback received from the students with the questionnaire they completed throughout the session: 

• 98% of students assigned female at birth reported PPEP Talk® was informative.
• 98% of students assigned female at birth reported knowing what endometriosis is, compared to only 33% pre PPEP Talk®.
• 90% of students assigned female at birth reported that PPEP Talk® showed them tools to use if they get period pain.
• 93% of students assigned female at birth reported that PPEP Talk® had information on how to improve their general health.
• 86% of students assigned male at birth reported PPEP Talk® was informative.
• 68% of students assigned male at birth reported knowing what endometriosis is, compared to only 10% pre PPEP Talk®.
• 85% of students assigned male at birth reported that PPEP Talk® showed them how to support people with period pain.
• 77% of students assigned male at birth reported that PPEP Talk® had information on how to improve their general health.

PPEP Talk® Next Steps:

A FREE follow-up session called PPEP Talk® Next Steps. PPEP Talk® Next Steps is a FREE online session for any student who identified a complex pain concern or would like their caregiver to know more. Students attend with a caregiver and have the opportunity to ask questions with the Pelvic Pain Foundation Gynaecologist and Pain Specialist, Dr Susan Evans. Students can register for upcoming sessions here (https://www.pelvicpain.org.au/ppep-talk-schools-program/ppep-talk-next-steps/). 

Whilst it remains a State Government funded program, we aim to provide this very important presentation to our Year 10’s every year as students progress through the College.

Year 9:

On Monday 27th March our Year 9 students enjoyed a presentation from Red Frogs on Identity.  The aim of this talk was to leave students encouraged and excited about who they are, and their inherent worth and value.  Dave was an engaging speaker and our Year 9 students enjoyed the abundance of Allen’s Red Frogs that were rewarded for sharing their thoughts and participating in the discussion.

WHAT IS THE CONFIDENT TRAVELLER?

The Confident Traveller is a program funded by Metro Trains that is designed to build life-long skills in safety, expanding comfort zones, and managing the fears that stop us from taking action.

Through this young people will be empowered to take control over themselves, build (or rebuild) confidence to use public transport post-covid and learn new skills of planning to travel to unfamiliar destinations.

WHAT DOES THE CONFIDENT TRAVELLER PROGRAM DO?

The Confident Traveller program is designed to support young people to build and then vitally use their newly acquired skills in a safe and supportive environment.

The aim of the Confident Traveller program is to implement ‘learn and do’ educational activities that reinforce the learnings and builds confidence to continue.

PROGRAM OUTLINE/ ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The young person must be aged between 12 and 17 years of age to participate.

The program will occur during the Easter School holidays and participants will need to be available for one of the following dates:

• April 12th, 2023
• April 14th, 2023
• April 19th, 2023
• April 20th, 2023

Firstly, the young person will participate in two workshops which will take place at the Les Twentyman Foundation. The workshops will unpack two topics; comfort zone expansion and management of fears.

Additionally, the young person will learn how to use Metro Trains ‘Journey Planner’ platform to plan a trip to one of four places of their choice. These destinations include:

• Royal Melbourne Park and Reserve,
• Ian Potter’s Garden,
• Birrarung Marr Park, and
• Fitzroy Gardens.

HOW TO APPLY

Participants can apply by downloading and completing the application form available here. Once complete please send the form to carly@ltfoundation.com.au

Wellbeing Contact Form

Contact our Cheltenham Secondary College Wellbeing team directly with any concerns or issues and one of the team will get back to you. The form can be accessed here.

Helpful Contacts

Headspace

http://www.headspace.org.au/

Headspace Centres can be a one-stop shop for all young people who just need some help with everyday stuff or wellbeing and physical health. 

Kids Helpline

https://kidshelpline.com.au/

Kids Helpline is across Australia, it is free, private and confidential 24/7. Mainly for young people aged 5 to age 25.

Call them on.. 1800 55 1800

Lifeline

https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Provides all Australians everywhere experiencing a personal crisis allowing 24-hour support. Call them on.. 13 11 14

Beyond Blue

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

Provides information and support which helps tackle head-on the effects of mental health issues no matter where or what age. 

Call them on.. 1300 22 4636

Parentline

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/serviceprofiles/parentline-service

Fantastic service for parents and carers of young children from a few days of age all the way up to 18-year-olds. This service offers counselling and support which is confidential and anonymous on all issues around parenting.  Call them on...13 22 89.