Wellbeing Update
Respectful Relationships Update
Domestic and Family Violence Awareness Month
On Thursday 18th May we held an awareness day in recognition of Domestic and Family Violence Month. Students enjoyed a BBQ lunch, had some fun with selfie frames outside and engaged with various community service organisations such as GCASA, Headspace, Gippsland Women’s Health, Quantum Support Services, Proactive Policing, Youth Space and a special visit from the therapy dog at YSAS ‘Maggie’
It was wonderful to see our students engage with professionals from these agencies to learn more about the supports available in the area.
As a lead school for Respectful Relationships we are also supporting other secondary and primary schools across Latrobe and Baw Baw. This means we are working together as a broader community to change thinking and model respect, positive attitudes and behaviours. The purpose is to teach young people how to build healthy relationships, resilience and confidence and not to be restricted by gender stereotypes.
Health Promotion Update
Healthy Latrobe Achievement Program – We are now working on our final benchmark – ‘HEALTHY EATING & ORAL HEALTH’
This benchmark looks for indicators that the school are providing opportunities for healthy eating, dental care, cultural inclusion and understanding the role healthy food choices has on our mental health.
This will involve looking at the food choices we currently offer in the school, including the canteen. As a school, we will discuss and get feedback from students about how we can provide healthier options.
Our Student Representative Council members, working with Mr Lakeman will be involved in this work also.
We encourage any ideas from parents and carers about how we might be able to work towards achieving this final benchmark.
Youth Mental Health First Aid Course
This year, Lowanna College will continue to train teachers and ES staff in Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA). Our Mental Health Practitioner and I will be delivering courses across the year with our third course being delivered this month.
Mental Health First Aid is what we provide to someone who is developing a mental health problem, has a worsening of an existing mental health problem or is in a mental health crisis. This course is designed to provide people with the skills to support a young person until appropriate professional help is received. Mental Health First Aid strategies are evidenced based and facilitated by Accredited MHFA Instructors.
We are keen to share this learning across the wider school community. Our hope is to offer this learning to parents and carers once we have worked through our staff groups.
Study Without Stress
Lowanna College has started the Study Without Stress program with the Year 11 students.
The top two stressors for young people are coping with stress and school study stress. The level of stress increases significantly in years 11 and 12 with over 45% of students found to have stress levels above the normal range with girls showing a slightly higher level of stress than boys.
Macquarie University looked at stress levels in a selection of schools in Sydney and found stress and test anxiety were major contributors to students struggling. In particular they found that a negative thinking style as well as perfectionism were linked to increased study stress.
To help address the challenges of studying stress Macquarie University developed the Study Without Stress program that is a stress management program based on cognitive behaviour therapy. The program at Lowanna College is being run by teachers and wellbeing with students currently working through a Study Without Stress workbook. Whilst all parts of the program will not necessarily be useful to every student it is hoped different aspects of the program will help reduce overall aspects of study stress.
Depending on the success of the program this year it is hoped to expand the Program in the future to other year levels.
Inclusiveness At Lowanna College
Reconciliation Week
Last week Lowanna Students spent home groups learning about the stolen generations and what reconciliation means and how we can continue to be a voice for the generations.
Students decorated or wrote on handprints describing what reconciliation means to them which we have displayed in our Library foyer.
The week was finished off with everyone wearing a touch of yellow to symbolise life and hope as we enjoyed a smoking ceremony performed by the Gathering Place in Morwell and a scrumptious BBQ.
See the photos in the College Updates section.
In the coming couple of weeks we will be recognising NAIDOC week.
LGBTIQ+ Support
Our college nurse, Bernice, continues to support our students from the LGBTIQ+ community.
Our students from the LGBTIQ+ community held a stall at our Domestic and Family Violence Awareness Day last month. They provided an activity for other students to participate in. Students were asked to identify the flags related to the different identities and pronouns. It was wonderful to see students engaging in activities to demonstrate all-inclusiveness at the college.
Community Update
Latrobe Youth Space are a community group who support young people all over Latrobe Valley. They provide many opportunities for young people such as camps, support groups and activities to assist young people in our community.
To make contact or find out how you can be involved call 0484 777 972 or email info@latrobeyouthspace.org.au
General Wellbeing Information
Seasons for Growth, Young People’s Program: Seasons for Growth is an evidenced based change, loss and grief education program that uses the imagery of the seasons to illustrate the experiences of change, loss and grief. Young people can experience grief following significant changes and losses such as –
- Someone they love passes away
- Separation and Divorce
- Friendship Changes
- Illness that impacts their life
- Relocation
- Natural Disasters
Our college Chaplain, Glenda Noordam, is a qualified facilitator of this excellent program and has a great deal of experience working with young people who have experienced these changes. If you feel your child may benefit from participating in this program, feel free to contact Glenda at the school. Glenda’s work days are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Breakfast Club
A reminder that Breakfast Club is available to students each Tuesday and Thursday morning from 7.45am to 8.20am. We encourage students who have not had a bite to eat to come along and get some toast and a hot milo. Children and adolescents who eat a healthy breakfast each day tend to perform better academically and feel a greater level of connectedness with teachers and peers which leads to further positive health and academic outcomes.
The breakfast club team are also looking for anyone who would like to volunteer their time to help our the wellbeing team on one or both of the days we provide breakfast club. Please let the Wellbeing team know if you can help out. We also love donations to go towards breakfast club – Margarine, Cheese Slices and Milo are the things we would greatly appreciate.
Paul Fry
Wellbeing Leader