Community Wellness
SHINE – S&E new program
Our SHINE girls enjoyed a fantastic day last week filled with learning, connection and real-world experiences!
The day began with an energising Pilates session at @Pilates 24/7, where Max and our very own social worker Maddie guided the girls through activities focused on strength, wellbeing and confidence.
Next, the girls visited Moama Bowling Club, where Tina generously provided a behind-the-scenes tour of the venue. They gained valuable insights into the hospitality industry and participated in a table-setting lesson, learning how to prepare a table for guests. The experience was followed by a delicious lunch at EMBR and a special treat from Frinkle.
Back at school, the girls continued developing important life skills, exploring budgeting, saving and making informed financial decisions. These activities encouraged thoughtful discussions about money management and personal financial goals.
A highlight of the day was the wonderful feedback from community members, who praised the girls for their excellent behaviour, manners and respectful interactions. We are incredibly proud of the way they represented themselves and our school!
We thank The Caledonian Hotel for their donation of transport for all of the Shine sessions! We look forward to our next SHINE session on Friday, 23 October, as the girls continue to build confidence, develop practical skills and strengthen friendships.
Tegan Reid
Family & Community Liaison
Wellbeing Corner: Support for Families and Carers
Caring for someone you love who is going through mental health or substance use challenges can be a lot to carry. It's important that those doing the caring are supported too.
Loddon Mallee Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect (Mind Australia) is a free local service for family members, carers, kin and supporters. You don't need a referral or a Medicare card.
They can offer:
- A listening ear from staff who have their own experience of caring
- Counselling, plus individual or group support
- Practical financial help through Tandem's Carer Support Fund
- Connection with other carers in our community
Support is available by phone, online or in person across Campaspe and Echuca.
📞 1800 979 730✉️ LoddonMalleeMHWConnect@mindaustralia.org.au🌐 mindaustralia.org.au (search "Loddon Mallee Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect")
If you'd like a chat about where to start, our Wellbeing Team is always happy to help. Brochures are available from the office.
This is not a crisis service. If you need urgent support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or 000 in an emergency.
SME Disco
What a wonderful evening we had at SME’s very first disco! The night was filled with laughter, dancing and plenty of fun. It was fantastic to see so many learners getting involved, dressing up and embracing the disco spirit! The event was organised as a fun opportunity for our learners to connect, build friendships and enjoy time together outside the classroom. We were also delighted that the disco generated some additional funds, which will go towards next year’s camp expenses to help keep costs as low as possible for our families.
A huge thank you to our wonderful volunteers, Nicole Bottomley, Beverley Monigatti, Brodie Kiel, Jillian George, Sarah Rumble, Jane Emonson, Jane Garbers, Kristy Serpell and Ingrid Farrant, along with our dedicated staff who gave their time to help make the evening such a success. We could not have done it without you!
Congratulations to our 2026 Junior Disco King and Queens, Vincent & Samuel Gilby and Bridget Potter, and our Senior Disco King and Queen, Alice Verhey and Ethan Chakabva. All our winners danced the night away and helped make the evening extra special!
Following the success of our first disco, we are already looking forward to hosting another event in early 2027.
Koori Buddy Initiative
We are excited to welcome 15 learners from St Joseph’s to SME in Weeks 3 and 7 as part of our Koori Buddy initiative!
The program aims to strengthen connections, build meaningful relationships and celebrate community. During their visits, the St Joseph’s learners will spend time with their SME buddies, sharing a yarn, connecting with one another and providing support with classroom learning.
We look forward to welcoming our visitors, sharing experiences, watching these relationships grow and the positive impact the program will have on our learners and wider school community.
St Mary’s + ERH
For almost a year, St Mary’s learners have had their artwork proudly displayed at Echuca Regional Health, bringing colour, creativity and joy to patients, visitors and staff. It is now time for a fresh collection of artwork to take its place! As we prepare to install new pieces, we have been working collaboratively with our talented SME artists and the team at ERH to give the existing artworks a wonderful new purpose. The artwork will be auctioned by ERH, with funds raised going towards supporting the hospital and its community.
This initiative highlights the generosity and creativity of our artists, as well as the valuable connection between St Mary’s and ERH. We are incredibly proud that our learners’ artistic talents can contribute to such a meaningful cause and make a positive difference beyond our school. Thank you to Tegan Reid and Ms Hayley Martin for working with myself to support this!
Sweat vs Steam🏃
Get ready to lace up your running shoes! The Sweat vs Steam community running event is coming up on 15 November, and we would love to see our SME learners getting involved. Families are reminded to use the discount code SMPSVS when registering for either of the children’s races.
If your child has used the discount code and will be attending as part of the SME crew, please ask them to come and see me over the next few weeks.
We are looking forward to a fun morning of running, community connection and cheering each other on!
Liz Chapman
Deputy Principal: Community Wellness