Counsellor/Wellbeing

Welcome to Term 1, 2024! A particularly warm welcome to our new families and staff who have joined us and are now part of the Marian College community. 

Transition

The start of the new school year involves a lot of change. Everyone reacts differently to change – some may find it exciting, stressful, or anxiety provoking while others will not react at all. Adults often have strategies to manage change while young people often do not have a lot of experience and knowledge of change, so they can find it more challenging. 

Starting secondary school is a big transition for many young people. Other transitions may include moving home, going on holidays, birth of a sibling, family changes, separations or bereavements, but small transitions are happening all the time. 

How quickly young people adjust varies and it is important to understand that they often communicate their feelings through behaviour, relying on the adults around them to understand, acknowledge and interpret their behaviour, and provide a safe, secure, predictable space for them.  

Transitions are successful when young people feel confident, secure and included – and these are all important protective factors for children’s mental health and wellbeing.

We build resilience by learning and developing social and emotional skills – including coping skills. With these skills we manage life stressors, grow confidence and willingness to try new things, and seek and accept help when required. 

During transitions, to provide the most positive experience for young people, maintain and grow relationships, and reduce routine disruption and stress it is important to: 

• Plan and prepare for transitions through a supportive orientation process
• Have consistent communication with everyone - including the young people, their families, educators and other supports  
• Develop strategies that include planning for and respecting diversity and individual needs.
• Be flexible when the unexpected happens.
• Establish routines as soon as possible to develop a sense of predictability in the new environment.

School TV

For those new to the College, I want to share a great wellbeing resource, School TV. School TV provides information and practical strategies on a wide range of topics from leading specialists. It is accessible from mobile, tablet or desktop and is designed for Australian schools. Every month there is a new topic introduced by Dr Michael Carr–Gregg, along with an archive of past topics. The information is compiled by leading experts but is in simple, easy to understand, bite sized pieces, enabling you to become informed and empowered to support young people into adulthood.

This month SchoolTV features a SPECIAL REPORT: The Wellbeing Barometer 2024

The Wellbeing Barometer survey has proven to be an invaluable tool for schools, providing insights into the state of youth mental health and wellbeing. Whilst last year’s results focussed the spotlight on areas of concern, there were also many highlights that demonstrated the resilience and adaptability of students and emphasised the necessity of prevention strategies. 

Participating in this year's survey, will assist in identifying areas of strength and concern, as well as pinpointing opportunities for early intervention. Previously gathered information has helped support families as they navigate difficult conversations that enable understanding and foster connections to build relationships. This survey is part of an ongoing, longitudinal study, with the results being instrumental in tailoring support for students and their families. Participation is strongly encouraged, as it provides a comprehensive view of students' experiences, challenges, and achievements over the past year. Its aim is to capture a comprehensive picture of young people's lives, allowing for a tailored approach to enhance mental and emotional wellbeing.  

We encourage you to take a few moments to complete a survey for each of your children. This will help us determine the nature and extent of your concerns and how best to support families in the months ahead. Responses remain anonymous and will only be reported on an aggregated basis. You are asked to base your responses on observations made in the last 12 months. Acquiring the skills for future independence, taking healthy risks, and giving young people the opportunity to emancipate from parents, are key developmental tasks that are essential if we are to stave off the impact of mental illness in the future. Please reflect on the information offered in this Special Report, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you or your child, please reach out to the school or seek professional medical advice. Here is the link to your special report 

https://mccww.catholic.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-wellbeing-barometer-2024-au

Our new MCC families may also find the School transitions topic on School TV very helpful. There are a range of resources that address the challenges of transitioning to secondary school and provide helpful advice on ways to support both yourself and your young person. Please take some time to check it out.  

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your young person’s wellbeing, please reach out to their Pastoral Leader or myself. 

Best wishes for Term 1!

Karen Surian College/School Counsellor