Wellbeing MATTERS!

Welcome Benvenuto

Everyone has a part to play in developing a positive school culture and encouraging students to look out for each other.

The vast majority of children do not want bullying to occur, but often don’t know how to stop it. The rate of bullying in schools is consistent over time - it hovers around 1 in 5 students and has done so for years.

The reason for this is not that prevention programs are ineffective, but that there is consistently a percentage of young people who believe that bullying is an acceptable way to interrelate. These people need to be educated that bullying is not acceptable - ever.

This means that we should have ongoing campaigns and programs to prevent bullying, to intervene effectively when incidents occur, to celebrate diversity, and to promote friendship and positive social behaviours.

The culture of a school is set by the leadership and teachers, but it is children and parents that can really make it strong. When children feel empowered to tell adults when bullying occurs, to create opportunities for positive relationships and make commitments not to engage in bullying they can establish a positive peer group culture that makes a huge contribution to the school culture.

How can parents support their children in countering bullying?

be vocal supporters, in a positive manner, for the importance of schools being safe and friendly places where no one feels bullied or intimidated
support the schools’ programs that involve children in creating great school
support your child in effectively intervening in bullying incidents. Teach children to use comments like ‘that’s not cool’, ‘don’t be mean’ and ‘come on, you’re a better friend than that’. The effects are powerful and can change schools.

FREE WEBINAR: Guide to Digital Technologies and Mental Health

This webinar is designed for parents and carers of young people aged 10 - 18. It will explain how games, apps and social media can influence young people's mental wellbeing.

It covers:

current research on young people, time online and mental health
accidental exposure to content about suicide, self-harm or eating disorders
using games, apps and social media to support mental wellbeing
pros and cons of digital mental health platforms
strategies for young people to support friends online

The webinars run on:

Wednesday 12 October, 7.30 - 8.30 pm

Monday 17 October, 12.30 - 1.30 pm

Thursday 27 October, 12.30 - 1.30 pm

Tips for Dads

Supporting your child's emotional and mental wellbeing is critical to their overall health and development. As fathers you play an important role in helping your children develop their social and emotional skills and understandings. Helping your child understand their emotions allows them to grow into emotionally mature young adults.

TOP TIPS

1. Schedule emotional check-ins. Regularly checking in will help you understand your child. You could try having days of the week on the fridge and getting them to draw an emoji for how they are feeling.

2. Help them explore their emotions. Read stories or watch videos or TV shows and discuss the character's emotions. Talk about what they might be feeling and how they respond to these emotions.

3. Practise gratitude. Take time to chat with your kids each day, or before bed and encourage them to reflect on what they're grateful for or what went well that day

Joke of the day

I had to fire my fruit delivery driver today. I hate to let the mango but he was driving me bananas!

If ever you need help sorting out personal or family issues, give CatholicCare Victoria a call. They offer many services to all members of our community – ALL FREE.

Niente Senza Gioia

Dom POPPA

Pastoral Wellbeing Leader