Wellbeing News
Wellbeing Newsletter
Meet the wellbeing team.
Gail Lamb Hale – Wellbeing Coordinator. Students can stop at Gail’s office and get food, lunches, individual support, or referrals. Students can be self-referred or by staff and parents. Gail also provided support to staff. The Wellbeing coordinator is the contact for the wellbeing team who then manages referrals. Gail works Monday – Friday and can help with student and family wellbeing support that is needed.
Sandra Challis – Mental Health practitioner who supports students with individual counselling at school. Sandra works across multiple schools and is available every Friday and alternating Wednesdays. Parental consent is required.
Emma Hughes – Secondary School Nurse and works on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday. Emma supports the Pride Group on Fridays, provides individual health support, health promotion and classroom education.
Anne Maree Stever – Koorie Education Support Officer who educates both our students and staff at Mirboo North Secondary Colleges and provides the Koorie students with individual support around wellbeing.
Norm De Silva – School Chaplin. Norm works on Tuesday and Thursdays and supports the students individually with pastoral care.
Carolyne Boothman. A classroom teacher who works with students who are in out of home care on goal setting. Carolyne works with students who have a disability. Works Monday to Friday.
Sophie – Headspace Wonthaggi. visits our school every fortnight.
Leongatha Youth Access Clinic
Free confidential access clinic for young people for physical, emotional, mental and wellbeing. GP and nurse onsite.
71 Ogilvy Street Leongatha Ph 56622201 1230 – 4pm Tuesdays Facebook: Leongatha Youth Access Clinic
Instagram : @leongathayouthaccess
24 hours service
Any time Any Reason
https://headspace.org.au/online-and-phone-support/
Headspace Wonthaggi ph 56715900
Free access for 12 -25-year-olds who provide support for things that might be affecting their health and wellbeing.
Lifeline text SMS: 0477131114
Phone 13 11 14
Social, emotional, and cultural wellbeing online resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
13 YARN CRISIS phone - 139276
13YARN - Call 13 92 76 | 24 /7 Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
At Anglicare Victoria, we create opportunities to transform futures. Everything we do is to prevent, protect & empower disadvantaged Victorian children, young people and families.
- Foster Care
- Family and Parenting Support
- Family Violence
- Children and Young People
- Education
- Financial Counselling
- Emergency Relief
- Alcohol and Drug Support
- Community Support Programs
- Former Clients
Upcoming Free Activities around Mirboo North
February
7. Glow in the Dark Disco by SGSC’s Youth Council for people aged 12 to 18.
A fantastic opportunity for connection, dancing, food and music.
Mirboo North Shire Hall, 6 – 9 pm. Visit www.southgippsland.vic.gov.au/youth to register.
8. Kids’ movie at MN Library Cinema Space 10 am
Free event with snacks – booking essential
10. Yoga & Wellbeing session by BooFIIT for Teens 4 pm
A self-care session for teens designed by Ruth Kelly.
Baromi Centre Reserve a space: https://www.mirboonorth.com/boofiit
13. Anniversary Come and have a Chat.
Come and have a cuppa and a chat on the anniversary of the 2024 storm.
A place to come together, talk and reflect.
Details to be advised.
Restore, Relax and Recharge at BooFIIT for Adults 6 pm
Andrea Windsor will provide an opportunity to pause, reflect and be mindful.
Baromi Centre Reserve a space: https://www.mirboonorth.com/boofiit
15. Storm Proof Soiree at the Mirboo North Pool 4.30 – 8.30 pm
Celebrating the reopening of the pool and community resilience.
With Borderline band, games with Gippsport
Free BBQ and entry (BYO drinks)
Blessing of the pool at 5 pm
16. Restore, Relax and Recharge at BooFIIT for Adults 6 pm
Andrea Windsor will provide an opportunity to pause, reflect and be mindful.
Baromi Centre Reserve a space: https://www.mirboonorth.com/boofiit
17. Yoga & Wellbeing session for Kids at BooFIIT 4 pm
Session designed by Ruth Kelly for kids to explore yoga
Baromi Centre Reserve a space: https://www.mirboonorth.com/boofiit
18. Yoga & Wellbeing session by BooFIIT for Teens 4 pm
A self-care session for teens designed by Ruth Kelly.
Baromi Centre Reserve a space: https://www.mirboonorth.com/boofiit
19. Restore, Relax and Recharge at BooFIIT for Adults 6 pm
Andrea Windsor will provide an opportunity to pause, reflect and be mindful.
Baromi Centre Reserve a space: https://www.mirboonorth.com/boofiit
20. Insurance Preparedness session by Gippsland Community Legal Service 5.30 pm
Learn about different types of insurance; the difference between sum insured versus total replacement cover; am I underinsured; policy exclusions; lodging a claim; disputes and where to get help.
BYO insurance documents for personalised assistance.
Location to be advised.
24. Community Lunch
Subsidised at $10 for a two-course lunch
Venue tbc
Yoga & Wellbeing session for Kids at BooFIIT 4 pm
Session designed by Ruth Kelly for kids to explore yoga.
Baromi Centre Reserve a space: https://www.mirboonorth.com/boofiit
26. Movie for adults at MN Library Cinema Space – 2.30 pm
Free event with cuppa and snacks – bookings essential
27. ‘Device Advice’ session at MN Library – 10.30 am
Free event with cuppa and snacks
March
2. Restore, Relax and Recharge at BooFIIT for Adults 6 pm
Andrea Windsor will provide an opportunity to pause, reflect and be mindful.
Baromi Centre Reserve a space: https://www.mirboonorth.com/boofiit
15. Whittling Workshop brought to you by Windermere
Mirboo North Community Shed
Booking details to be advised
19. Information Session – how to manage a power outage
Walter J Tuck Reserve 6.45 pm
21. Whittling Workshop brought to you by Windermere
Mirboo North Community Shed
Booking details to be advised
22. Whittling Workshop brought to you by Windermere
Mirboo North Community Shed
Booking details to be advised
29. Whittling Workshop brought to you by Windermere
Mirboo North Community Shed
Booking details to be advised
Festival of Small Halls presents Hat Fitz and Cara and Lucy Farrell
Ticketed event at Mirboo North Shire Hall
Doors Open 6.30 pm. Show starts 7 pm. https://festivalofsmallhalls.com/mirboo-north-2025/
The cost of living has increased and buying food for the hungry teenagers isn’t cheap! The wellbeing team have access to food bank. We can order in some food for our families if you need. Foodbank provides food free to all secondary schools. We have access to soups, tins, lunch items, bread, cereals, snacks, fruit and more. We know one in three people struggling to get enough food for their household needs are new to the situation. There is no shame in asking for help. Life happens to us all and we’re here for everyone. Please contact Gail Lamb Hale at wellbeing who can arrange a food order for you.
We are very fortunate in the Mirboo North Community to have Hope and Help. The volunteers provide a variety of fruit, vegetables, frozen meals and some pantry goods FREE of charge to any one in need. They can arrange home delivery if needed to. Please call 0491764650 and leave a message, they will call you back.
Self Harm
As many as 10% of young Australians will self-harm at some point in their lives but parents and carers often feel alone when they discover that a loved one is intentionally hurting themselves.
This guide was co-developed by parents and carers of young people, as well as young people themselves.
It is aimed at helping parents, carers, family members and friends cope when a young person is self-harming.
It includes information on the nature and causes of self-harm, how to support a young person when facing this problem and what help is available.
SEXTING
‘Sexting’ means sending a sexual message or text, with or without a photo or video. It can be done using a phone service or any platform that allows people to connect via an online message or chat function – including WhatsApp, Instagram, Snapchat and various dating apps.
‘Sending nudes’ usually means sharing intimate photos or videos with someone else, which is the most common type of sexting.
Whether you’re planning a casual hook-up or you’re in a longer-term relationship, sexting may be a way you choose to express yourself sexually. It can allow you to explore your identity, create intimacy or build a healthy relationship. But it’s important to do it safely and respectfully, with the consent of everyone involved.
Remember: A person who asks for, accesses, possesses, creates or shares sexualised images of someone under 18 may be at risk of criminal charges – even if you’re both young and you agreed to it. Youth Law Australia External link recommends that you never take or share prohibited or sexual images of someone unless they are over 18 and you are sure they have said it’s OK.
This video shows how to support young people dealing with issues like pressure to send nudes or online sexual harassment. It’s designed for parents and carers of young people aged 13 to 18 years old. https://vimeo.com/595727241
More information https://www.esafety.gov.au/sites/default/files/2019-09/English%20-%20Parents%20guide.pdf
E Safety https://www.esafety.gov.au/ has a lot of good information and abuse can be reported here too.
Vic legal Aid - https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/sexting-and-child-abuse-material
DISABILITY INCLUSION - ADHD
Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have brains that work differently from the brains of children without ADHD. These differences mean that children with ADHD have particular difficulties and strengths. Typically, children with ADHD have difficulties with:
paying attention – for example, they find it hard to concentrate on tasks
being hyperactive – for example, they find it hard to sit still for long
controlling impulses – for example, they might say or do things before thinking them through.
These difficulties happen most of the time and have a big effect on children’s daily lives.
Children with ADHD also have many strengths.
They can:
be highly creative and think about things in unique ways
focus on and spend a lot of time learning about and enjoying things they love
be adventurous and open to trying new things
channel their energy into physical activity and be very successful.
At MNSC we are striving towards an inclusive learning environment. If you need any support or more information please contact Gail Lamb Hale at Wellbeing.
More information :
https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/ADHD_ways_to_help_children_at_school_and_home/
https://raisingchildren.net.au/school-age/development/adhd/adhd