We have filled the vacant Counsellor (Fridays) position and welcome Jackie Teese to our team. It is a pleasure to have Jackie as a member of our team and we know our students are going to benefit from her calm, kind and friendly demeanour.

We have also secured the services of six placement counsellors from Monash University, undertaking their Master of Counselling. They will provide our students with fantastic support, especially for our International Students with our three Mandarin speaking Counsellors.

If you would like to arrange wellbeing support for your child with one of our counsellors or provisional psychologists, please do not hesitate to contact myself or the Director of the relevant Sub-school/coordinator.

We can also support families with access to books and uniforms through State Schools Relief and the Les Twentyman Foundation. Again, please do not hesitate to contact myself or your child’s Director of Sub-school/coordinator to let them know which items you require.

Kerri Haworth

Director of Wellbeing

Partners in Parenting

Keeping Kids Safe: Preventing Sexual Harm and Violence

Keeping Kids Safe is a four-session, in-person program designed to support parents and caregivers of teenagers to have confident, age-appropriate conversations about consent, sexual safety, and respectful relationships. The program focuses on strengthening parent–child communication and equipping families with practical tools to support young people to build healthy relationships and prevent harmful sexual behaviour.

This program is the first of its kind in Australia, and we have now successfully delivered four cohorts across the south-east. Feedback from parents has been extremely positive, with many reporting that the program significantly increased their confidence to talk with their teenagers about topics such as consent, online safety, and respectful relationships.

We know that schools play an important role in supporting families to navigate these conversations, and wellbeing teams are often the first point of contact for parents seeking guidance. For this reason, we would greatly appreciate your help in sharing this opportunity with parents and carers through school newsletters, wellbeing communications, or parent networks.

Program details

Dates: Tuesdays – 28 April, 5 May, 12 May, 19 MayTime: 6:00pm – 8:30pm (arrival from 5:45pm)

Location: Mentone Activity Hub, 29 Venice St, Mentone

Registration: via our webpage

Participants will receive:

A free workbook to support session activities
A free copy of Talking Sex: A Conversation Guide for Parents by Vanessa Hamilton
Expert facilitation from specialists in respectful relationships, sexuality education and violence prevention
Practical tools to support conversations at home
Dinner provided at each session
Door prizes at the conclusion of the course

Across the four sessions, parents will explore:

Their role in preventing violence and harmful sexual behaviour
How to talk about healthy relationships and consent
Supporting teens to stay safe online and offline
Understanding the drivers of gender-based violence and how to address them at home

Each session builds on the previous one, so participants are encouraged to attend all four sessions to gain the full benefit of the program.

Places are limited, and Keeping Kids Safe are keen to ensure families in Kingston are aware of this opportunity.

This program is delivered by WHISE in partnership with La Trobe University’s Partners in Prevention Project, Sexual Health Victoria, Talking the Talk Healthy Sexuality Education, and South East Community Links.

Meet the Team!

Kerri Haworth (HAW)

Director of Wellbeing

Daniel Ferdinands (FSD) Nella Foley (FOL) Jane O'Callaghan (ONJ)

Youth Engagement Officer Mental Health Practitioner Les Twentyman Youth Worker

Donna Hurst (HTD) Josh McEvoy (MYJ) Nicole Huang (HNG)

School Councillor Psychologist School Councillor

Patty

Therapy Dog

Don't forget about our Breakfast Club, which runs every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 8:15 AM to 8:45 AM, offering cheese toasties and fruit cups.

We also have free apples available in the front office for all students, and we kindly ask that they be mindful of where they dispose of apple cores. Organic waste bins are conveniently placed throughout the school grounds, particularly in the large courtyard outside the canteen.

Wellbeing Contact Form

Contact our Cheltenham Secondary College Wellbeing team directly with any concerns or issues and one of the team will get back to you. The form can be accessed here.

Helpful Contacts

Headspace

http://www.headspace.org.au/

Headspace Centres can be a one-stop shop for all young people who just need some help with everyday stuff or wellbeing and physical health.

Kids Helpline

https://kidshelpline.com.au/

Kids Helpline is across Australia, it is free, private and confidential 24/7. Mainly for young people aged 5 to age 25.

Call them on.. 1800 55 1800

Lifeline

https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Provides all Australians everywhere experiencing a personal crisis allowing 24-hour support. Call them on.. 13 11 14

Beyond Blue

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

Provides information and support which helps tackle head-on the effects of mental health issues no matter where or what age.

Call them on.. 1300 22 4636

Parentline

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/serviceprofiles/parentline-service

Fantastic service for parents and carers of young children from a few days of age all the way up to 18-year-olds. This service offers counselling and support which is confidential and anonymous on all issues around parenting. Call them on...13 22 89.

Chelt.Sec Clubs and Activities

Chess | Badminton | DnD | Maths