Student and Family Wellbeing
With only 2 weeks of term 2 left, we sit and reflect on the resilience of our students and their families and carers who support them endlessly.
It's not easy being a teenager in the current climate in which we live today.
The wellbeing team are happy to be here to support students, staff and their families. Please don't think that you need to go through tough times on your own. If your mental health is not right, finances are a problem, family violence is present in your life or you are going through a relationship/ family break down there is support for you here.
The wellbeing team is well experienced and versed with presence from youth worker/ counsellor, adolescent nurse, mental health practitioner , chaplain , multicultural education support worker and art therapist . Along with education support staff to assist students in the classroom.
Specialty areas for the team include:
Grief and Loss Mental Health NDIS
Trauma Body Image Family Conflict
Family Violence Adolescent Health Disability Adolescent Development Behaviour Drug and Alcohol
Just a reminder that referrals to the wellbeing team can be made by - Students, Teachers/ Staff and Parents.
We welcome Shashi to our team . Shashi is completing a traineeship in Education Support. Shashi will be with JFC for 12 months.
Hi everyone, my name is Shashikala Pettagan. I am very excited to be joining John Fawkner College learning community as an education support trainee. I am currently working towards one year education support traineeship and I am very pleased that I chose John Fawkner learning community to complete my traineeship.
I moved to Melbourne from New Zealand 6 months ago. I love spending time with my two kids, watching, reading and travelling in my spare time. I am looking forward to work alongside John Fawkner learning community to ensure students are happy and engaged learners.
WORKSHOPS
Unfortunately our workshops were halted due to remote learning. The promise is that these will continue into Term 3.
HeART: Attended by Year 7 to Year 10 female students- expression of feelings and emotions via the medium of art.
Nourish to Flourish: One session of this program has occurred, with 12 female students from year 9 and 10 in attendance. Workshop looks at personal growth and education around navigating life
Chin Up :
Will begin in Term 3 for male students ranging from year 7 to 9.
"Our delivery celebrates the reality that each of us has a unique story. We see the value in mistakes and cherish the learnings. We recognise success and promote alternatives to negative patterns, the 'way things are', or 'always have been'
We believe in young people. Every young person regardless of circumstance deserves to feel worthy of love, success, and happiness.
The reality is that many young people struggle to recognise a future for themselves, overwhelmed by the enormity of the challenges they face. Many accept 'the way things are', or 'always have been', feeling trapped in cycles of negative thought and behavior."
https://www.chinupproject.com/
Caring Teens:
Presented to year 7 and 8 students, Caring Teens... is a short course for girls to grow in relationship and community while caring for self and others. The weekly framework focuses on Communication & Compassion, Appreciation & Acceptance, Reaction & Responsibility and Empathy with others. The purpose of the course is for each student to grow in their interpersonal skills and ways of relationship with self and others. For each student to name their meaning and purpose of What it means to be a Caring Teen!
OTHER NEWS
Breakfast Club continues to run every Tuesday morning. We are working on breakfast being offered to students more than 1 morning per week.
State School Relief: If you require financial assistance with school uniform or books please contact the wellbeing team whom can help in this area.
John Fawkner College hosted Parent Workshop- Dealing with Feelings
Take care
Tanya Vella
Student Wellbeing Manager
ART THERAPY WITH RHIANNON
MENTAL HEALTH WELLBEING WITH JAZMIN
Mental health during COVID
During the current lockdown and remote learning for most students in Melbourne, we might find that we or our children and adolescents are struggling more with our mental health and experiencing some feelings of anxiousness.
It is more important than ever to take care of our mental health and that of our children and adolescents.
There is a channel on YouTube by school counsellor Jo Morton-Brown from the U.K which is a great resource for children and adolescents, but also for parents and careers. This channel can be accessed at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUFB1XwKcbymlIJCzyeo6eg
There are videos on strategies to assist with panic attacks, how to have discussions with parents/carers about mental health, anxiety, remote learning and COVID lockdown, tips for combatting tiredness in youth and many more. The videos are short (often under 9 minutes) and are very approachable to children and adolescents. Please let your children and adolescents know about Jo’s YouTube channel, which they can access from any of their devices from home.
*FREE* Parent information sessions on mental health and self-care that I would recommend if you are able to attend:
‘Navigating your teen’s mental health’, Tuesday 22nd of June 2021 at 7.30pm
Hosted by Black Dog Institute. You can register at https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fXPakGx1QtmR3GyAT6-VBw
'Self-care for Parents’, Thursday 24th of June between 10am-12pm, Hosted by Anglicare Parentzone Gippsland. You can register at
https://www.anglicarevic.org.au/events/online-self-care-for-parents/
Please contact me via the school’s phone number or email address if you would like me to provide any further resources on mental health during COVID lockdown and if there is anything in particular you would like to see in the next newsletter on mental health.
Take care of yourselves and please stay safe.
Jazmin Pursell
Mental Health Practitioner
MULTICULTURAL SUPPORT WITH KADRIYE
Watch this space.
Unfortunately the Multicultural Morning Tea that was organized for the 18th June has needed to be rescheduled. We promise you it will be even bigger and better next time Arabic Welfare and Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health will be in attendance.
Once a new date is set invitations will be sent out.
Kadriye Kurt
Multicultural Aide
VICSGEG Family & Children's Programs VICSEG's social support groups offer an opportunity to share information, practice English speaking skills and participate in fun activities in a safe and friendly environment. Join a group near you! |
Email Sayanti for further information. |
SUPPORT SERVICES & WORKSHOPS FOR PARENTS & STUDENTS
Family Violence and Support Services
Family (or domestic) violence is a crime and everyone has the right to be safe. Research shows that women are much more likely to be victims of family violence than men, though men and boys can be victims too.
Family violence includes any behaviour by a family member that causes a child to hear or witness, or otherwise be exposed to the effects of family violence. Behaviours may include emotional, psychological, physical, sexual and financial abuse. Coercive and controlling behaviours are also common across all experiences of victim-survivors.
Family violence incidents and risk can increase during emergency and traumatic situations and in the aftermath of these situations.
During these times family violence and other wellbeing and safety issues for students and their families can be impacted by
- isolation from support networks
- inability to seek and access support services
- difficulty telling someone what is happening at home (disclosing)
- family violence or abuse for the first time
- increased unemployment, financial and housing insecurity
- limited ability for community members, peers or services to monitor known issues.
Family violence is a complex issue and those experiencing it need individual support and access to support services. A range of services is available in Victoria. If you or someone you know require support and/or advice please refer to the links below.
- In an emergency, if you, a child, or another person is in immediate danger, always call triple zero (000) for police or ambulance services
- National Sexual Assault, Family and Domestic Violence Counselling Line Tel. 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) (24 hours a day, seven days per week)
- Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre (previously the Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service) Tel. (03) 9322 3555 or 1800 015 188 (24 hours a day, seven days per week)
- inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence Tel. (03) 9413 6500 or 1800 755 988
- Dijirra - Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service Tel. (03) 9244 3333 or 1800 105 303
TRIPLE P PARENTING PROGRAM
WHAT DOES TRIPLE P DO?
The three Ps in ‘Triple P’ stand for ‘Positive Parenting Program’ which means your family life is going to be much more enjoyable.
Triple P helps you:
Raise happy, confident kids
Manage misbehaviour so everyone in the family enjoys life more
Set rules and routines that everyone respects and follows
Encourage behaviour you like
Take care of yourself as a parent
Feel confident you’re doing the right thing
HOW DO YOU DO TRIPLE P’S POSITIVE PARENTING PROGRAM?
You can do Triple P anywhere, anytime—24/7 with the online programs. Triple P Online is for parents of toddlers to tweens (under 12 years), and Teen Triple P Online is for parents of pre-teens and teenagers (10-16 years).
The Victorian Government has proudly supported access to the online Triple P – Positive Parenting Program since June 2020. FREE access for Health Care Card holders is funded by the Victoria Government
https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/vic-uken/get-started/health-care-card-holders/
MEN'S HEALTH WEEK
Held from Monday 14 June to Sunday 20 June, the week provides the opportunity to learn about men’s health issues and take action to help improve health outcomes for men.
Men are typically at higher risk of serious health outcomes, many of which are preventable with early intervention and diagnosis. The risk increases for men in marginalised populations, including men living in rural areas and socially disadvantaged men.
For more support and resources refer to the Men’s Health Week website, or access the following external resources:
- the Healthy Male website, for resources, tools and information about men’s health
- the Men’s Health Information and Resource Centre
- the Head to Health: Supporting yourself – men website
- Beyond Blue, for information on depression and anxiety, advice for new dads and taking action to make positive changes
- the Better Health Channel website
- MensLine Australia, a free online counselling service and forum for men available by phone: 1300 78 99 78 or online chat. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Dads in Distress, a peer support network for separated dads. Available Monday to Saturday, 8:30am to 5pm by phone: 1300 853 437
- SANE Australia, providing support for people living with a mental illness. Available 10am to 10pm, Monday to Friday, by phone: 1800 187 263 or live chat
- Australian Men’s Shed Association, providing a support network for men. Phone: 1300 550 009 to find a local chapter.
CAREERS VIC
Carers Victoria recognises the toll lockdown can take on your mental health. It's normal to feel more stressed, uncertain, anxious, lonely or burnt out.
During this time it's important to stay connected with others to avoid isolation, and to spend some time doing something for you.
Carers Victoria has added two additional evening health and wellbeing workshops for carers over the next fortnight - Music and Self Care and Meditation for Carers. Learn more about these below.
For those that missed our special webinar Carers and COVID-19 Vaccine: What you need to know, below is a link to the recording.
And remember, if you require support during the lockdown please reach out. Phone the Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737 or visit their website https://www.carersvictoria.org.au/
SATELLITE FOUNDATION
At Home with Satellite is a fun, creative program that offers connecting activities for children and young people aged 8-14 years old (approx.) that runs during the school holidays.
Our 'At Home' program provides a curated selection of activity-based self-care packs and online workshops. These fun activities are facilitated as a two-part workshop series. They have included:
- Songwriting workshops where participants explore the songwriting process including writing lyrics and composition.
- Digital photography workshops include photography challenges and scavenger hunts and explore how photography can be a cool platform for expression and sharing stories.
- A 'Creature Comforts' workshop where participants use the materials posted to them in a craft box to design and make wild creations!
- A Dreamboards workshop where participants create a collection of images, words, and doodles for inspiration.
New in June 2021 is our 'All Superheroes Wear Masks' workshop, where participants receive all the materials needed via post to bring their masked-adventures to life.
