Engagement & Wellbeing
Wellbeing and Engagement Update
In Term 2 the wellbeing team have been delivering school-wide support to our Year 7 students through a series of weekly presentations each morning during their Check and Connect class. These short sessions are designed to equip students with essential wellbeing skills, knowledge and coping strategies to help them start their day on a positive and empowered note.
Each week the wellbeing team introduce a different wellbeing topic, addressing various aspects of social and emotional health. Topics covered so far include teaching students to identify their safe/happy place, introducing simple mindfulness techniques to improve focus, reduce stress and enhance overall. We have also shared methods for physical and mental relaxation, aiding students in managing their emotions and maintaining calmness.
The benefits of these wellbeing drop ins are already becoming evident. By starting their day with positive, supportive strategies, students are better equipped to handle the academic and social challenges they may encounter. These school wide sessions are fostering resilience, self-awareness, and emotional regulation, all of which are crucial for overall development.
The regular engagement with the Wellbeing Team normalises conversations around mental health, encouraging a culture of openness and support within our school community. Students are learning to identify and articulate their emotions, seek support when needed, and support their peers.
An additional advantage of these wellbeing sessions is their concise and focused nature. Each session is brief yet impactful, ensuring that the teachings can be readily applied and useful to every student. These short, practical lessons fit seamlessly into students’ daily routines, making it easier for them to adopt and maintain these wellbeing practices.
The wellbeing team at Bemin Secondary college is dedicated to ensuring that our students have the tools and support they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom. Our year 7’s have thoroughly enjoyed this new addition to their mornings, just ask them about our sushi train of thoughts!
Bemin Breakfast Club
Term 2 saw the launch of the Bemin Breaky Club, with the Wellbeing Team handing out toast, fresh fruit, cereal and other healthy food items to help our student’s kickstart their days with a full belly and feel ready for learning.
Breaky Club operates out of the Canteen in each campuses Community Hub, with students on Morris Campus receiving breakfasts on Tuesdays and Everton Campus students sharing breakfast on Fridays.
The Bemin Breaky Club not only provides a connection for all students to the Wellbeing Team, but allows them to build positive links with school as part of our Tier 1 Wellbeing and Engagement work.
So far students have been raving about Breaky Club, and loading up on cereal or toast with jam, Vegemite, honey or the fan-favourite: “just butter”. Students on our Senior Campus also favour some fresh fruit, with well over 100 pieces of fruit being given out at lunch time last week! Fresh fruit is consistently available throughout the day in the Administration and Wellbeing Offices of each campus.
Students in need are also able to access additional food throughout the day, such as tuna and rice bowls, Messy Monkey snacks or fruit cups.
The future plan is to rollout Breaky Club to more days per week on each campus as our supply becomes more consistent and demand grows.
A big thank you is extended on behalf of Bemin Secondary to Deb and the rest of our friends over at Garang Wilam Primary School, who have been generous enough to support us by providing food to give to our students until we can gain independent support.