Senior Years and Wellbeing 

Wellbeing Report - Student Counsellor

Welcome back to all students and families as we all begin to settle into the routine of Term One.

Student wellbeing continues to be a priority at The Hamilton and Alexandra College and many exciting initiatives will be introduced this year to ensure students’ emotional health is further developed.  My Student Counsellor role focuses on ensuring all students, both at Myrniong and at the Senior Campus, are able to be the best version of themselves, in spite of any struggles or barriers they may be facing. I also attend the Boarding House on Tuesday evenings for any students who require counselling support.

Counselling aims to explore any difficulties students are facing and to empower them to generate solutions to overcome life’s hurdles. Counselling is provided in a non-judgemental, safe environment where students can share their concerns confidentially. College has developed a positive relationship with many health professionals in the community and referrals can be made to external providers, such as psychologists, to ensure all students needs are met. 

“Encouraging positive peer pressure”

I came across the following article during the holidays on the Reach Out website. It made me think (as a mother of two young children myself) that ultimately, as parents, we all want the best for our children and for them to be good people. Exploring the notion of using ‘positive peer pressure’ is interesting as it encourages young people to be a force for good in their social and peer group. Advice given by a peer is often more influential than advice from an adult, therefore equipping young people with positive skills and tools can be a powerful way to encourage strong emotional or mental health in all of our students.

What is positive peer pressure?

• When someone’s peers influence them to do something positive or growth building. For example, peers who are committed to doing well in school, music or sport can influence others to be more goal orientated.
• Peers who are kind, loyal or supportive influence others around them to be the same.
• It relates to taking healthy risks towards meeting goals and becoming a better person.
• Calling out negative peer pressure and not standing for this unwanted behaviour, whether this be at school or in the wider community.

How to encourage your child to use positive peer pressure:

• Teach your child that their behaviour is always influencing others. Acting with confidence and sound judgement means others will be more inclined to respect them and follow their lead.
• Talk with them abut the kinds of friends they want to have. Are those friends supportive? Kind? Talk with your child about what their values are and how they can demonstrate them.
• Support their interest in positive role models. Role models offer powerful peer pressure and influence. Encourage your child to identify the traits that want to emulate about their role models and support their interest in good role models.

Why positive peer pressure works:

• Young people are constantly developing their identity and working out where they fit in. They are much more susceptible to the influence of a crowd or their friends than adults.
• Areas of the brain associated with reward are more active when young people are with their peers, positive feedback when they are being observed or interacting with others is crucial for patterns of behaviour to continue. 

You can read the full article here: www.parents.au.reachout.com

We have so many students in our school who already exhibit many of these characteristics listed above.  Let’s continue to encourage our young people to use positive peer pressure in their daily lives.

Mrs Kate Couchman

Student Counsellor