Wellbeing News
Welcome back to MCC and I hope that everyone had a fantastic break and you are ready to take on the challenges of another busy term. A special welcome to our new families and I hope that your child settles into their new environment and school community quickly. We have many activities and opportunities available so that students can have an enhanced sense of belonging and opportunities to engage in areas of personal interest. Please do not hesitate to reach out if you would like further information or support for your child to access any of the activities available.
There is lots of exciting activities happening within the well-being space this term. Continuing on with our stance against bullying there is the opportunity for students in year 10 to attend a virtual event in week 4. Created by qualified Kids Helpline Counsellors, the session is curriculum-aligned, evidence based and will provide students with expert tips, tools and strategies to respond to bullying. The session will be made available to all students within the year group however numbers are capped so it is a matter of securing a spot via Compass. More details will be sent directly to the year group.
Education and in particular psychoeducation, (learning about and understanding mental health and wellbeing. It's similar to physical education, where you learn about how your body works, how to look after it and the impacts of different strains or stressors - but instead you apply this to the mind). is a powerful tool in reducing bullying not only within schools but also the wider community. It is capacity building for the individual and encourages more people to be “Upstanders” and not “Bystanders” in a safe and controlled manner. On a personal level it is also important for selfcare as we then have the ability to identify the boundaries, we set for our self to maintain our own wellbeing and allows us to identify behaviours that can potentially cross those boundaries.
As part of our wider community engagement and demonstrating our care and service to
others, during “Book Week 2025” we will once again be accepting donations of unwanted books (fiction. non fiction, text etc) to be donated to organisations within community. If you have any unwanted items that you think would be suitable, please send them during Monday 18/8 until Friday 22/8. A collection box will be available just inside the MCC library entrance. Reading is a wonderful activity that promotes relaxation or enjoyment for many and as the theme for 2025 states “Book an Adventure” reading is also an opportunity for readers to escape reality and transcend to a wonderful adventure within the pages of their book. Reading is particularly important for young children and encourages positive interactions between parent and child therefore we are happy to collect donations of all books at a wide range of interest and reading levels. Students will be reminded and encouraged to bring in their donations as the time draws nearer. This activity also reflects the ethos of recycle, reduce and reuse therefore reducing unwanted landfill.
The Year 11 Wellbeing Team are busy finalising the details for activities and events that will be held in week 8 to acknowledge “R U OK Day?”. This is an annual National Day of Action, and acknowledged across Australia reminding people to connect with those around them and ask "Are you OK?" as a way to support individuals and foster a culture of care and support, particularly for those experiencing difficult times. We have a range of age-appropriate activities and games to be completed within home rooms, an event planned for the entire school community during the lunch break and afternoon tea for our staff. More details will be provided throughout the term.
Finally, I would like to wish all of our Year 12 students to best of luck with their trial exams next week. As Benjamin Spoke famously stated "You know more than you think you do" I wish to add to that, “You just need to believe in yourself”.
Regards Sue Hone
“Student Wellbeing Support Worker”