Student Wellbeing News

“Dream big, create bucket lists, aim for the stars, express and reflect gratitude daily, and push up for better outcomes for mental health” are the catch phrases that the wellbeing committee are going to be using for the remainder of this term.

This week the Year 11 Wellbeing Committee has stepped up to the mammoth task of taking part in the national initiative “The Push-Up Challenge” as well as representing MCC by actively participating in the regional youth mental health forum held in Wagga Wagga.

The launch of the push up challenge sees Year 11 homerooms completing 3,249 push-ups (or alternate inclusive activities) between 5-28 June, to primarily create awareness for mental ill-health within our school community and in the process, potentially raise funds for our local headspace Griffith.

Sadly, the number 3,249 represents the number of Australians who died by suicide in 2022.

By starting the conversation and creating awareness the Wellbeing Committee will not only

#pushforbetter mental health outcomes in Australia regarding mental ill-health but also reduce

the negative stigma. Plus, as an added bonus increase our own fitness levels!!!!

To follow the team’s journey, give words of encouragement or to donate click on the following link

https://www.thepushupchallenge.com.au/fundraisers/mccyr11wellbeingcommittee

MCC has an extensive history of being proactive in regard to youth mental health, conducting whole school activities and introducing important conversations regarding

 mental health. Just like we need to live a balanced lifestyle to maintain or improve our physical health we also need to take steps for maintaining good mental health. Studies and data provide evidence that we all experience mental ill- health at various stages in our life. Circumstances and situations are often thrown at us unexpectedly and this can be the catalyst or trigger for significant change. We are fortunate at MCC to have a student driven committee that work to address issues that are relevant to their needs and the issues they, as young people see as being significant. The team have been working hard during term 1 and 2 to identify supports available and will present their findings to students at both an upcoming school assembly and within homerooms. By being proactive and reducing the stigma people feel better supported and more confident to reach out and access support when needed. The actions of the group will hopefully empower those without a voice to have their needs met and to not feel isolated or unheard in our busy world.

In addition to launching the push up challenge, in the early hours of a cold winter’s

 morning this week 15 representatives of the committee, with accompanying staff made the journey to Wagga for this week’s forum. Presented by “Burn Bright” a leading provider of psychoeducational programs, proven to increase student leadership and wellbeing, students from across the region were given the opportunity to raise concerns, ask questions, create networks and hear first-hand from people who have a lived experience of mental ill-health or work in a range of services providing frontline support. All students participated in a range of activities to make connections with other like-minded advocates for change and then had the opportunity to work within their own school group to develop a theme and action plan which they will then implement within their schools in the near future.

The conclusion of the forum saw each school presenting their plan to the audience and the variation and standard of the presentations was impressive. The MCC Wellbeing Committee will share their thoughts with the other members of the group and spend the remainder of this term identifying strengths within their group, forming subgroups and working towards some exciting activities for next term. Ultimately it is the goal of the group to not only enhance wellbeing but use gratitude and kindness in a way that reinforces the ethos of MCC that the “Marian Way” is to remind everyone, students and staff alike that they are valued, they belong, and they are indeed part of the Marian community. Studies identify that a sense of belonging in school extends beyond academic achievement influencing students’ social and emotional development, fostering positive relationships with peers, teachers, and the wider community. Students who perceive themselves as belonging experience fewer instances of loneliness, isolation, or exclusion. They demonstrate increased self-confidence, increased self-esteem and emotional resilience, enabling them to navigate the challenges of adolescence and life with greater ease. Furthermore, a strong sense of belonging acts as a protective factor against mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression, contributing to overall well-being, social connections and general life satisfaction.

Belonging is a vital component of self-belief and the ability to achieve our dreams and goals that we have set for ourselves.

Sue Hone 

Student Wellbeing Support Officer