Western Heights College Newsletter

WELLBEING

Wellbeing Update

Welcome back from the Wellbeing team! 

It has been a busy start to the year. It was great to be out and about and catching up informally with students at the swimming sports this week. Students have really enjoyed the games that the Wellbeing team have had set up outside the year 7 building at lunchtimes.

 

We have the Lifechanger team coming in to conduct sessions with Year 8 students over the next 6 weeks and we have the Mancave team coming in for Year 10 boys on March 1st. This was really valued by students last year. 

 

We are fortunate to have some new additions to the team this year. Torrie Pugliese has come from Newcomb SC to become our Engagement and Wellbeing Co-ordinator 4 days a week, as well as Brianna Magill being our EAW Co-ordinator one day a week. Jenny Eastwood (Chaplain), Jordy Morgan (Mental Health Practitioner) and Lisa Cooper (Health Promotions Nurse) make up the rest of the team. We look forward to working together to support your students in the year ahead.

 

Headspace Clinician

Western Heights College has been lucky enough to secure an on-site clinician, one day per fortnight in term 1 2024. Students can access this service through the Enhancing Mental Health Support in Schools (EMHSS) initiative which helps Victorian government secondary students access free face-to-face and phone counselling services, delivered by headspace.

 

Peer support group programs

Headspace are offering two group programs that start next week, peer space (LGBTQIA+) and diverse city (relaxed mental health peer support group) both start next Tuesday and Thursday respectively. These groups run weekly from 4pm- 5:30pm and take place at headspace Geelong (105 Yarra St). If you think that this might be something your interested in, students can simply complete the self-referral form online on the Headspace (https://stride.com.au/headspace-self-referral-form/) and add a comment that you’re interested in Headspace programs.

 

Jenny Eastwood, Chaplain

Our Inclusion Team for 2024

 

Inclusive Practices Learning Specialist: Shona Scorringe

Shona is in her final year of a Master of Specialist Inclusive Education at Deakin University. She has previously taught English as an Additional Language and low literacy students in the Northern Territory and in China. Shona teaches Literacy in the Vocational Major (formerly VCAL) and is passionate about applied learning. Shona is leading our inclusion team and our transition to the Disability Inclusion reform.

 

Located in the Year 8/9 Building 

Monday - Friday

Shona.Scorringe@education.vic.gov.au

 

Inclusion Support: Georgie Barker

Georgie is currently studying a Master of Disability Studies, specialising in Deaf and Hard of Hearing at Macquarie University. She also has a Master of TESOL with a background working with English as an Additional Language and low literacy students. Georgie teaches in our English domain and will be supports our Inclusion team with Student Support Group meetings and developing Individual Education Plans. She is looking forward to working with students to achieve positive learning outcomes.

 

PSD Coordinator, Inclusion Support: Kerryn Cramp  

Kerryn has worked at Western Heights College for 23 years as an Education Assistant and as our PSD coordinator. She works in the classroom and within the Inclusion team, making referrals for assessments. Kerryn is a valuable member of our team who is passionate about the team she works with and grateful for her colleagues and students.

 

Located in the MYR Building

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday

 

Wellbeing Contacts:

Pastoral Care

College Chaplain: Jenny Eastwood 

Located in the Purple/Grey building 

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

jennifer.eastwood@education.vic.gov.au  

  • Pastoral Care: Students, staff, parents
  • Loss and Grief 
  • Management and Referrals – MHP/TGP
  • Mentoring Programs – GROW, RAISE, etc. 

Health Promotion Nurse: Lisa Cooper

Located in the Purple/Grey building

Monday & Tuesday

lisa.cooper@education.vic.gov.au

  • Classroom support: sexual health, cyber health, and special programs/activities – Idahobit, diversity, etc. 
  • Individual health support for students
  • Implements and leads supporting health programs – i.e., ‘Docs and Teens’
  • COG & Batforce liaison 
  • Staff first aid training and other related professional learning

Mental Health Practitioner: Jordy Morgan

Located in the Admin building

Monday - Friday

Jordan.Morgan@education.vic.gov.au

Jordy has experience working with young people and adults who are experiencing a range of mental health or social difficulties. 

  • Counselling support to young people, individually and in group settings
  • Support students to connect with external services
  • Promote mental health awareness and prevention

 

Engagement and Wellbeing Co-ordinator: Torrie Pugliese

Located in Purple/Grey Building

Tuesday - Friday

torrie.pugliese@education.vic.gov.au

 

Barwon Community Legal Service: Emma Cvitak and Madelaine Landini

Located in the Purple/Grey Building

Mondays & Fridays

whcschoollawyer@barwoncommunitylegal.org.au

  • Free and confidential legal help for individual students about common legal issues, including: Family violence or trouble at home; Consent in relationships, sexting and dating; Getting official documents like birth certificates; Issues with Police or Court; Cyberbullying, harassment and online safety; Vaping, Smoking and Partying; Scams; Feeling unsafe; Issues at work; Experiencing any harm; and Fines
  • Classroom programs

We are here to help students understand their legal rights and responsibilities. 

 

Koorie Engagement Support Officer: Sarah Upton

0421 780 718 

Sarah.Upton@education.vic.gov.au 

Sarah is a proud Gunditjmara woman who has been living in beautiful Wadawurrung country for 4 years and has been involved in the education system for several years as a generalist teacher. She has always been passionate about Koorie students achieving high outcomes during their education journey.  Sarah feels fortunate to be working as a Koorie Engagement Support Officer (KESO) within her local Aboriginal community. She is a lifelong learner and firmly believe that education is essential to building solid foundations to empower students and their families have a voice and allow them to make positive independent strong choices to benefit them in the future which will allow them to feel like they can be the best version of themselves and contribute to society in a positive manner. 

 

 

Engagement and Wellbeing 

Learning Community Leaders: Marli McCarthy (7), Ben Cook (8), Lucas Wintels (9), Rachel Daly & Lupcho Temelovski (10), Claire Sullivan (11), Brett Bullock (12).  

  • Supporting students in the relevant community with a focus on attendance, engagement and wellbeing.
  • Leading the implementation of SWPBS and Berry Street.
  • Contact point with students, families and mentors

WELLBEING SUPPORTS

 

If you are worried about your child, or any person and their mental health and well-being outside school hours or during weekends you can contact the Barwon Health Mental Health Triage for urgent support 24/7 on 1300 094 187.

 

Two important messages to promote are that all of us should seek help from others when we feel down or vulnerable and that young people should tell an adult if they are worried about a friend or themselves.

 

Please find the following helpful numbers and websites to keep us connected and provide the support necessary to maintain positive mental and physical health: 

 

LOCAL SUPPORTS:

 GENERAL:

  • Lifeline – call 13 11 14 for this free Australia-wide crisis support service which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days per week OR TEXT: 0477 13 11 14 between 6pm – midnight, 7 nights a week
  • Kids Help Line – call 1800 55 1800 for free counselling and advice for young people between the ages of five and 25.
  • Headspace – eHeadspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds. (Open 9am-1am daily.
  • Reachout – visit their website for information, tools and support for young people with mental health issues.
  • Alcohol and drug foundation – free health advice for young people on alcohol and drug use, including mental health.
  • Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 https://beyondblue.org.au (Phone support all day, every day. Online support 3pm-midnight every day).
  • Suicide Callback Service – 1300 659 467. Phone support all day, every day, and follow-up calls.

Good self-care practices are important in taking care of ourselves and our mental health. Remember, it is ok to ask for help. Take care of yourself, and each other and do not hesitate to reach out to a member of our wellbeing team in our school community if you need some additional support.