Learning & Wellbeing 

On Wednesday the 22nd November, all Year 8 students participated in a learning and wellbeing session which was held over the course of three periods. Students participated in small group targeted activities to support and improve their individual wellbeing. 

The Student Wellbeing Team used this opportunity to hold a consent education session. The consent session focused on providing students with information surrounding the laws related to the age of consent. While information was provided about each age and the change consent requirements there was a focus on the law relevant to the students in attendance.

The session provided the opportunity to increase the knowledge of the Year 8 cohort on the laws relating to sexting and the sharing of sexualised images, videos and text with peers and the potential consequences and social/emotional fallout that can occur from participating in this activity. Students discussed social media pages that have appeared in Ballarat and discussed practical strategies to assist in managing these, including speaking to trusted adults if they notice these sites appearing online so that formal follow up can occur. 

The session also covered content around grooming and risks related to online safety as well as the importance of being aware of what is an appropriate and healthy relationship in the form of consent and the limitations to consent for students, even when they turn 16, which is the legal age of consent for all young people. The final part of this session was on online safety and cyber bullying and the associated impacts of this.

This session was the first of a planned roll out for the entire student cohort in 2024 to ensure all of our students are provided with the appropriate information related to online safety, grooming, consent and the law. The session was developed after consulting with the student leaders in each year level to develop an understanding of what they were seeking in the form of consent education and is adapted to meet each year levels specific developmental, social and emotional needs.

Student Wellbeing Team