Health & Wellbeing News
CANINE COMPREHENSION
We met Ned and Helen from Canine Comprehension. They will be joining us this term. This program is designed to help our students with communication and self regulation skills.
ART THERAPY PROGRAM
What is Art Therapy?
Art Therapy at Jackson School combines creativity and counselling to provide students with a space to express their emotions, practice communication, social skills and boundaries whilst also building an awareness of themselves and others.
In Art Therapy students may use art making to assist with relaxation and self-regulation. This is achieved by using various art materials that engage our senses and assist us to feel calm and settled. Art therapy also aims to promote positive social engagement by using creativity to learn about common social roadblocks and how to overcome them.
Our Art Therapy room is a collaborative space, where students are encouraged to make their mark! Our Art Therapy tree invites those involved in the program to create a leaf that represents them and add it to the tree.
Ultimately, Art therapy at Jackson School aims to promote wellbeing inside and outside of the classroom!
SEXUAL HEALTH VICTORIA INFORMATION SESSION
Dear Parents/Carers,
Thank you to all parents who responded to the parent information session survey earlier this term. Majority of parents who responded have opted for the online presentation.
We would like to invite parents to join us online for the Sexual Health Parent Information Session on Thursday 9th March 2023 from 5.30pm till 6.30pm.
To register your interest please send Michelle Zammit and email on michelle.zammit@education.vic.gov.au for the link to the session. We look forward to meeting with you all.
Thank you.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
HEALTH AND FITNESS
 |
Throughout the year, I will be sharing articles found on the Get Active Victoria website. Get Active Victoria is free to join, and gives you access to a huge resource of tips and tools for being more physically active. You won’t need any fancy gear and expensive equipment to try our guided videos or activity ideas. We can also help with motivation, bringing together a goal-setting tool and an activity tracker on your own personal dashboard. Get Active Victoria has something for everyone. Join the movement, today by visiting their website https://www.getactive.vic.gov.au/
MAKE A MOVE TOWARD BETTER MENTAL HEALTH
The benefits of movement extend far beyond the physical.
Feeling a bit low, fatigued, isolated, and lacking motivation can be a bit of a barrier to physical activity. However, research shows though that movement can play an important role in shifting the dial towards better brain health.
Recent findings from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare highlight how mental and physical health are intricately linked.
People who reported having a mental illness were much more likely to report having a chronic medical condition, and vice versa. Females were more likely than males to experience physical problems correlating to mental illness.
For many people, physical movement is a key factor for enhanced mental wellbeing, enabling them to live with less stress, greater confidence, and a kinder ageing process.
NATURE’S ANTIDEPRESSANT
Physical movement triggers the release of chemicals that preserve brain function, improve focus and kickstart the repair of damaged nerve cells. These chemicals have the added benefit of an immediate feelgood factor, acting as a circuit-breaker for a low mood.
Endorphins, which are often referred to as nature’s antidepressants, reduce pain perception and trigger a positive feeling, like that produced by morphine.
Terms like “runners high” can be attributed to dopamine (which regulates mood and motivation, among other functions) and serotonin (affecting mood, sleep, and sexual desire), which flood the body during activity. Both are depleted in people with depression; exercise is a natural way of stimulating their release.
IN THE MOOD FOR MOVEMENT
Fancy less stress? Being physically active has a balancing impact on the hormones cortisol (the stress responder) and insulin (a metabolism and blood glucose regulator). Scientists have recently discovered insulin resistance increases a person’s risk of major depressive disorder. Exercise can help reduce or eliminate this hormonal condition, which is believed to affect as many as one in three Australians and often precedes a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
In women, fluctuating levels of oestrogen and progesterone create side effects and challenges at different life stages. Exercise can help in adapting to these changes and potential consequences including weight gain, osteoporosis (bone loss) and menopausal symptoms such as insomnia, hot flashes, and depression.
One study comparing Australian women across various life stages found that exercisers were more positive and had better memory than non-exercisers. Another study on the effects of aerobic exercise concluded that it may assist in the alleviation of some menopausal symptoms.
MOVEMENT FOR SELF-LOVE
Fear of judgement is a major factor preventing girls and women from being physically active. But those who view their bodies as functional through exercise report greater body satisfaction and self-image. Increasingly, health campaigns are encouraging females of all ages to reject unrealistic body images and move, sweat, and jiggle with confidence – another reason to feel good.
Consider these tips when moving for a healthier mind:
Start small and at your own pace – Enjoyable movement is sustainable movement!
Socialise your exercise – Connecting with others is a rewarding way to move more.
Get out and about – Fresh air and a change of scene cost nothing but bring a raft of payoffs for mind and body.
Celebrate feeling great – Focus on how you feel over how you look.
Mental health is complex, and a range of support and care may be required to address individual needs. But lifestyle factors including physical activity have an important role to play in boosting brain health. Get moving today – and every day – to experience the benefits of the mind-body link. APPLY FOR A VOUCHER
VOUCHERS
Applications for vouchers are now open. This funding is made available for all eligible families by the State Government of Victoria through Services Victoria. Apply for your voucher and present it to your activity provider when you register or pay for your child’s membership and any related uniform equipment. They will reduce the fees up to the value of $200!
Important dates:
21 February to 10 May 2023: Round open for parents, carers or guardians to apply for a Voucher or Reimbursement
28 November 2022 to 10 May 2023: Period families can seek a reimbursement for eligible expenditure
21 May 2023: Last day for vouchers to be presented to activity providers
21 February 2023 – 7 June: Portal open for providers to redeem vouchers.
IS MY CHILD ELIGIBLE FOR A VOUCHER?
To be eligible for a voucher your child/dependant must be:
- aged 0 to 18 years
- a resident in Victoria
- named on a valid Australian Government Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card
- named on a valid Australian Government Medicare Card.
You can apply for more than one voucher if you have more than one eligible child. You can apply for multiple children on the one application.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR A VOUCHER?
When the program is open, apply at https://service.vic.gov.au/find-services/outdoor-and-recreation/get-active-kids to receive your voucher to use with an approved activity provider. Present the voucher code to your activity provider and get up to $200 off the registration and membership fee (as well as any included uniforms and/or equipment).
WHAT COSTS ARE COVERED?
Vouchers up to $200 can be used to pay for membership, registration, or participation fees at a registered Get Active Kids sport or active recreation club, association or program.
You can find a registered activity provider when you apply or ask your local club if they have registered.
If uniform and equipment are part of the membership or registration fee, a voucher can be used to pay for that uniform or equipment (for example, safety equipment, mouthguards).
HOW MUCH IS THE VOUCHER WORTH?
Each voucher is up to $200 for an eligible child. When a voucher is presented to a registered activity provider, the provider will reduce the membership or registration fee (and any related uniform or equipment costs included with registration) by up to $200 at the time of registration.
If the total amount is less than $200, the voucher can only be used for that amount. For example, if the total amount is $80 the voucher will cover the whole amount. The remaining value of the voucher cannot be used with another activity provider.
If the total amount is more than $200, the participant will need to pay the rest. For example, if the total amount is $250, the voucher will cover $200 and the participant will pay $50.
HOW DO I USE MY VOUCHER?
Present your voucher to the activity provider that you nominated when you applied for the voucher. Each voucher has a code that is linked to the nominated provider so it cannot be used anywhere else.
The voucher code represents payment (or part payment) of registration/membership fees. The voucher code must be presented to the activity provider when registering.
The Victorian Government cannot provide the voucher codes directly to an activity provider. It must be presented by the voucher holder.
WHO DO I CONTACT FOR MORE INFORMATION?
If you have any questions, please contact our Call Centre on 1800 325 206 or email getactivekids@sport.vic.gov.au
FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD
Last year I shared with you a series of recipes brought to you by the free website, Australia’s Best Recipes (www.bestrecipes.com.au). This website provides thousands of free recipes across a range of themes: Easy Dinner Recipes; Kid’s School Lunch Ideas; Budget Recipes and Baking ideas. Here is this week’s recipe from Paulene Christie.
PAULENE'S SLOW COOKER ASIAN OYSTER CHICKEN
Easy 0:10 Prep 4:00 Cook 5 Servings
These tasty chicken drumsticks are delicious served with fried rice and salad. Paulene says you could even marinate them in the sauce the night before for extra flavour if you’d prefer. This recipe would work well with wings, too!
- Paulene Christie Ingredients
10 chicken drumsticks
1 tbsp minced garlic
1/2 cup oyster sauce
1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
1/4 cup honey
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp tomato sauce
1 tbsp brown sugar
Method
1 Place the chicken into the slow cooker.
2 Combine all the other ingredients and pour over the chicken.
3 Cover and cook on low for 4 hours, turning and basting with sauce occasionally during cooking for a rich colour.
EQUIPMENT
6 litre slow cooker
BECOME A CONTRIBUTOR
If you would like to contribute a recipe or food idea for publication in the Jackson School Newsletter, please feel free to email me at school (jackson.sch@education.vic.gov.au Re: Recipes/food ideas for the newsletter). I would love to share your ideas and recipes with the Jackson School Community.