Health/Wellbeing

🌿 Wellbeing Newsletter – Mid-Term 2 Update

As we reach the halfway point of Term 2 and prepare for Semester 2, the Wellbeing Team is excited to share some important updates and upcoming events including Mindfulness in May, preparing for Exam Week, National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week, Pride Month Celebration and the Body Project, which is commencing soon. 

🧘‍♀️ Mindfulness in May – Tools for Calm 

Our Secondary School Nurse recently led a lunch time session on mindfulness for students and staff. These sessions introduced simple techniques for managing stress and improving focus—skills that are especially useful during busy school terms. 

Students received practical tips and resources, including: 

• Guided breathing and grounding exercises 
• Take-home materials from mindfulness platforms like Smiling Mind 

These sessions continue to be well received. Check out www.smilingmind.com.au for more resources and below a Mindfulness in May calendar. 

📚 Preparing for Exams – Metaphors, Mindfulness & Self-Care 

With exam week fast approaching, our Wellbeing Team and Secondary School Nurse have been supporting students with practical tools to help them feel more prepared and less overwhelmed. This includes a lunchtime session with interactive activities and free resources from Smiling Mind, Headspace, and our own student-friendly metaphor guides. 

🧠 Study Smarter with Metaphors 

We’ve developed four easy-to-remember metaphors to help students approach their exam prep in healthier, more strategic ways: 

• 🎯 Target Practice – Like learning to hit the bullseye in sport, exams require stretching beyond what’s comfortable. Practising only what you’re already good at won’t help you improve under pressure. Instead, challenge yourself with tougher tasks and track your progress. 
• 🧩 Puzzle Pieces – Every subject contributes to the bigger picture. Focusing only on your “favourite piece” leaves gaps. Like a jigsaw puzzle, exams make more sense when you can connect all the subjects and skills together. 
• 🏋️ Gym Workout – Balance is key. Just like you wouldn’t only train one muscle group at the gym, don’t just study one subject or only use one type of revision. Rotate your study like you would rotate body parts in a workout, and include breaks and easier review tasks to warm up and cool down. 
• 🍽️ Dinner Plate – Don’t fill up on chips and skip your veggies! Your study, just like food intake needs balance. Avoid only doing what you enjoy—like Art or PE—and start adding small bites of more challenging subjects like Maths or English so nothing gets left to the last minute 

Each of these metaphors is designed to make study planning more relatable and to promote self-reflection around learning habits. 

⏰ Time Management Tips 

Students are encouraged to: 

• Use visual or digital planners to block out time. 
• Try the Pomodoro method (25 minutes work, 5 minutes break). 
• Focus on one task at a time, rather than multitasking. 
• Break larger topics into smaller, manageable sessions. 

We also encourage students to reflect: Where can I fit 30 focused minutes into my day? 

🛌 Self-Care During Exams 

Academic success is only sustainable with wellbeing at the core. 

• Sleep 8 hours (avoid late-night cramming!) 
• Eat brain-friendly meals (including protein and healthy fats) 
• Move their bodies—whether that’s a walk, stretch, or dance 
• Take regular breaks from screens 
• Talk to someone if they’re feeling overwhelmed

🖤💛❤️ Acknowledging National Sorry Day & Reconciliation Week 

On 26th May, we acknowledge National Sorry Day—a time to reflect on Australia’s shared history and show respect and empathy toward Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It’s an opportunity to recognise the strength of First Nations communities and reflect on the impacts of past policies, particularly those affecting the Stolen Generations.

This leads into National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June), a week dedicated to learning more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, and contributions. It’s also a time for all Australians to consider how we can walk together towards a more understanding and respectful future. 

To recognise these important moments, our school will be hosting lunchtime activities on Friday 6th June. These will offer students and staff the chance to engage in activities and discussions that promote connection and reconciliation. Everyone is welcome to attend and take part in this shared learning. 

🌈 Pride Month & IDAHOBIT 

Earlier this month, our school recognised IDAHOBIT—the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia—by promoting safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTQIA+ students and staff. 

We’re now looking forward to our Pride Month celebration on Thursday 12th June, coordinated in partnership with the Wellbeing Team, Secondary School Nurse, and Student Committee Groups. This event will include lunchtime activities, information stalls, and student-led initiatives to celebrate diversity and foster connection. 

💬 The Body Project – Building Positive Body Image 

We’re excited to offer Body Project Australia, a free, early intervention program running at Kambrya College in Weeks 7–10 of Term 2. This four-week group program supports girls aged 13–18 who experience body image concerns and want to build a healthier, more positive relationship with their body. 

Sessions will help students: 

• Challenge unrealistic body ideals
• Build self-acceptance and body appreciation 
• Connect with peers in a supportive space 

🗓 Dates: June 6, 12, 16, and 26 (during school hours)
 📍 Location & times to be confirmed
 📝 Some short reflective activities will be completed between sessions.


 ❗️Spaces are limited. Register by May 30. 

Not suitable for students currently experiencing an eating disorder. For support, please contact the Wellbeing Team or visit Eating Disorders Victoria. 

To express interest, please contact Sattya and/or Ana and/or use the QR code to fill in the expression of interest form. 

Contact:
 Sattya – Sattya.Gunasekaran@education.vic.gov.au
 

Anna – Anastasia.Syposs@education.vic.gov.au
 📞 9707 7600

💬 Looking Ahead 

It’s been a privilege to support students, families, and staff throughout Semester 1. We’d like to sincerely thank all Kambrya College staff for the incredible work they do each day to support student wellbeing and learning. Your care, dedication, and collaboration make a real difference. 

A special thank you to our library staff, whose support and generosity in hosting our lunchtime wellbeing activities has helped create a welcoming and inclusive space for students to connect and grow. 

Thank you for being part of a caring and connected school community. 

The Student Health and Wellbeing, Engagement Team