Wellbeing

Special Report: Shaping Healthy Masculinity

In today’s fast-paced and digital world, many boys are searching for guidance on how to grow into confident, capable young men. Unfortunately, even well-intentioned online searches about fitness, relationships or self-confidence can sometimes lead them to content that promotes narrow, rigid or harmful ideas of masculinity.

The critically acclaimed TV series Adolescence has recently spotlighted this issue, revealing how messages that glorify dominance and toughness, while dismissing empathy, vulnerability and emotional expression are still widely circulated.

These outdated beliefs can significantly affect boys' emotional development and how they form relationships at school, at home and in the wider community.

That’s why this Special Report: Shaping Healthy Masculinity is such an important resource. It explores how we can all help shape a more balanced, healthy view of masculinity by:

• Promoting positive and diverse role models

• Creating safe spaces for open and honest conversations

• Encouraging respectful relationships and friendships across genders

• Fostering empathy, curiosity and emotional intelligence

We encourage parents and carers to engage with this report and reflect on how we can support boys to grow into respectful, thoughtful and emotionally resilient young men; capable of not only resisting harmful messages, but also questioning and challenging them.

Access the Special Report here: Shaping Healthy Masculinity – SchoolTV

If you have any concerns about your child’s wellbeing, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the wellbeing team at school or seek professional support.

Together, we can help the next generation grow with strength, compassion and confidence.

Term 3 Wellbeing Programs at VSC

At Vermont Secondary College, we are committed to supporting our students' wellbeing and personal development. This term, we are pleased to offer a range of engaging and age-appropriate programs designed to equip students with important life skills.

Pat Cronin Foundation – "Violence is Never OK"  

Tuesday 20th August – Year 11The Pat Cronin Foundation will be delivering their powerful presentation "Violence is Never OK" to our Year 11 students. This session explores the impacts of social violence and empowers young people to make wise, safe, and respectful choices.

Brainstorm Productions – "The Flipside

"Tuesday 3rd September – Year 7Our Year 7 students will attend "The Flipside", an engaging live theatre production by Brainstorm Productions. The performance focuses on cyberbullying, peer pressure, and online safety, helping students understand the importance of empathy, responsible choices, and respectful relationships both online and offline.

Elephant Ed – Consent Workshop

Tuesday 17th September – Year 10Year 10 students will participate in a consent education workshop facilitated by Elephant Ed. This session aims to educate students about respectful relationships, the concept of affirmative consent, setting boundaries, and fostering open communication.

We encourage families to continue these important conversations at home. If your young person needs further support, please don’t hesitate to contact our Wellbeing Team.

You can find contact details for the Wellbeing Team and explore a wide range of helpful topics on our SchoolTV platform:👉 https://vermontsc.vic.schooltv.me