VCE & VCAL
Dr Michael Carr-Gregg
We've been granted access to a suite of unique, informative and engaging 30-minute webinars with renowned psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, intended to support all VCE and VCAL students in Years 11 and 12, and also Year 10 students who are accelerating - to navigate their way through the challenges of 2020 and beyond. Students will walk away with practical and evidence-based approaches to boost mental wellness and build resilience, motivation and connectedness. Some webinars have already occurred but were recorded and are available to watch online. Links to these sessions have been provided via Compass and are also available below.
Mental Wellness
Proactive and practical approaches to maintaining and improving your mental wellbeing.
- The wellbeing spectrum
- Bucket fillers and emptiers
- Mood foods, exercise, daily rhythms, relationships
Recording available byClicking here.
Call for Calmness
Understanding and practising ways to achieve calmness in your life as an antidote to VCE and VCAL stressors.
- Doses of anxiety- the Goldilocks principle
- Peak performance
- Benefits of practised relaxation and mindfulness
Recording available by Clicking here.
Thoughtful Solutions
Exploring common thinking traps that can lead to negative patterns of thinking and learning practical strategies to manage them.
- Informed not obsessed - alert not alarmed
- Locus of control
- Circuit breakers and distractions
- Realism/optimism
- Dealing with uncertainty, fear, disappointment
Recording available by Clicking here.
Digging Deep
Identifying your personal motivators to maintain the effort required to achieve your short- and long-term goals.
- The nature of grit and resilience- effort matters
- Intrinsic and extrinsic motivators- what works for you?
- Recreating routines
- Motivational tools - e.g. mantras, quotes hero's
- Adjusting your narrative - short and long game plans
Friday 11th September
13:00-13:30
WebEx: Hyperlink
Session Password: NEVR
Register: Name and email required
Virtual Connectedness
Finding creative, innovative and unique solutions to bring us together.
- Re-imagining VCE and VCAL
- Online study-social groups
- Reaching out to others
- Gratitude, compassion and acts of kindness
Friday 18th September
13:00-13:30
WebEx: Hyperlink
Session Password: NEVR
Register: Name and email required
On the Horizon
Looking through both a realistic and optimistic lens to a positive future with new knowledge, thinking and skills.
- The skilled, connected and informed generation
- Reasons for hope and optimism
- From adversity comes opportunity
Friday 9th October
13:00-13:30
WebEx: Hyperlink
Session Password: NEVR
Register: Name and email required
VCAL Student Work Placement Update
Year 12 student Mitch has begun his School Based Apprenticeship in Plumbing with the team at Amtec Plumbing. Mitch has been honing his skills by beginning his day setting up tools and equipment on site then getting to work with Ben digging trenches, laying pipes and connecting drainage to new houses.
This week Mitch has been up on the ladder installing guttering at a Ceres property enjoying the views.
Mitch’s Fun Facts:
Favourite project so far:
A new house build in Torquay, seeing it develop from ground up (underground actually!)
Best part of the job:
Having good banter with the boss packing up tools on Friday ready for the weekend.
Least favourite part of the job- Starting work in 2-degree mornings!
School Based Apprenticeships are a valuable part of beginning a student’s career in their chosen field and we’re very thankful for Geelong/Surf Coast employers like Ben that take on apprentices such as Mitch to gain all the skills necessary to progress in their apprenticeship. If you’re a student looking for a pathway into employment such as a School Based Apprenticeship, a parent looking for a secure future for your child, or an employer looking for your next apprentice, contact the Careers & Pathways Team about the Head Start Program at Surf Coast Secondary College.
Katrina Coburn
Head Start Coordinator
Barwon Area
VCAL - Cooking with the Salvo's
A huge shout out to Pete Raidme who is keeping the VCAL Cooking with the Salvos program and connection going throughout the remote learning period. Each week Pete has been collecting and delivery food donations from Peaches, Woolworths, Coles and our local Torquay community members.
We cannot thank our local businesses and community members for their generous donations at such a challenging time. As well as Pete who has been an ongoing support to our program and has a heart of gold!
Love the VCAL Crew.