VCAL News

VCAL Youth Mental Health Projects

On Thursday the 24th of August the Year 11 VCAL students implemented their Personal Development Skills Action Plans. Presented by pre-service teacher Miss Phoebe Bradshaw the students have been studying strategies that can support mental health. The class had a guest speaker, Liam Barling who is a music therapist and accessed techniques such as meditation, physical movement, journalling and art therapy. 

The class utilised employment skills such as writing mission and vision statements and professional planning templates. In addition, the students had to negotiate with the teachers and team members to find and activity the team was happy to present to a Year 7 class. VCAL PDS focuses on connecting people to the community and the students as part of their project, used a range of community groups some of which they shared with the Year 7s, eg Smiling Minds. 

The VCAL students are now in the final stage of their projects which is review and evaluation. The Year 7s are being surveyed for feedback which will help in future projects.

Linda Harris

VCAL Teacher