North Central Football, Netball & Hockey League Headspace Round

This Saturday 21st of June the North Central Football, Netball and Hockey Leagues will join together to celebrate Headspace Round. Headspace play a vital role in providing counselling services to young people in our community as well as education to students, staff and families.

As a school community we are so fortunate to have the support of Headspace. Please get behind this cause. There are also some great prizes up for grabs!

Student Illness

It is that time of year when illness more commonly strikes our students, staff and families. It is very important for unwell students to stay at home until they are better. If your child has any symptoms of a cold or flu then they should stay home until the symptoms have ceased. A general rule of thumb about whether you should send your child to school is as follows:

If you have to give your child Panadol or Nurofen for a fever today, they should STAY AT HOME
If your child has a hard cough, constant runny nose, sore throat or swollen glands THEY SHOULD NOT BE AT SCHOOL
If you have given them Panadol or Nurofen in the morning to get them “through the day” THEN THEY SHOULD NOT COME TO SCHOOL
If your child has vomiting and/or diarrhoea today, they should not come to school for 48 hours AFTER SYMPTOMS HAVE RESOLVED

Please do not send your child to school if they are still unwell or recovering from an illness.

Further information on the exclusion periods for illness’ can be found at https://www.health.vic.gov.au/infectious-diseases/school-exclusion-table

Bendigo Speechworks

Bendigo Speech Works is pleased to inform that Charlton community that we will be providing Speech pathology services in Charlton and the surrounding communities.

Donna Buxton, a Charlton resident and Speech pathologist, is working with Bendigo Speech Works to provide services to your local region.

Donna will be providing services to people of all ages and servicing areas around Charlton, Wycheproof, Donald and Birchip.

Bendigo Speech Works is a registered NDIS provider and will accept both private clients and participants funded under the NDIS.

Places are limited. If you would like to enquire about this service, please contact Bendigo Speech Works on (03) 5443 9912 or send an email to admin@bendigospeechworks.com.au.

If you would like to make a referral, please go to the Bendigo Speech Works website and complete a referral form.

Is your teen feeling the pressure?

In today’s digital world, social media is nearly impossible to avoid—especially for teens. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and X (formerly Twitter) are where many of us stay connected, find trends, and express ourselves. But behind the filters and followers, there’s often unseen pressure that can take a toll on mental health.

Many students feel the need to keep up a “perfect” online image. Whether it's getting enough likes, posting at the right time, or comparing your life to someone else’s highlight reel, social media can sometimes create unrealistic expectations.

Constant notifications and the fear of missing out (FOMO) can make it hard to unplug. This can lead to anxiety, poor sleep, and even lower self-esteem. The pressure to respond quickly to messages or be active online can blur the boundaries between personal time and social obligations.

Signs a Student Might Be Feeling Pressured:

Obsessively checking likes or comments
Comparing themselves to influencers or peers
Feeling anxious or left out after scrolling
Spending excessive time editing photos or curating posts
Struggling with self-esteem or body image

What Can Students Do?

Take breaks from screens and unplug regularly.
Set boundaries: It’s okay to say no to trends or online conversations.
Be real: Share authentic moments, not just highlight reels.
Talk to someone: A parent, teacher, or counselor can help.

What Can Parents Do?

Encourage open conversations about what students see and feel online.
Promote healthy screen habits and lead by example.
Remind students that online life isn’t always real life.

Social media isn’t all bad—it’s a powerful tool for creativity, connection, and learning. But it’s important for teens to take control of their online experience, rather than letting it control them.

Catholic Care Victoria (CCV)- Parent programs & workshops

Over the year, CCV run a wide-range of one-off parent programs, as well as lengthier workshops. The delivery is both online & face-to-face & addresses a range of range of useful topics. Some programs are free, however some attract a cost.

Please see the attached flyer as to what’s on offer in Term 2.

Register at: www.catholiccarevic.org.au/register

CCV also offer single session parent consultations which are available on weekdays, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm. Consultations are offered via phone, online via Zoom, or face-to-face. To book a single-session parent consultation, call the Bendigo office reception on (03) 5438 1300.

Wellness Hub Psychology

The Mental Health Foundation Australia’s Integrated Wellness Hub psychology clinic offers in-clinic and telehealth counselling services with provisional psychologists/counsellors at an affordable fee of $20 per 50-minute session.

Appointments are available, enquire via website or contact us on 03 8825 3501 or email: wellness.hub@mhfa.org.au

Glasses for Kids Program

The Glasses for Kids Program will be visiting Charlton College on Tuesday 29th of July. The program offers all students from Foundation to Year 3 free vision screening, additional testing, and glasses (if needed) at no cost. Consent forms have been sent home with all Foundation to Year 3 students. Consent forms are due back to school by Thursday 19th of June. For any families who may have misplaced their form, additional copies are available from the front office. Please see the additional information attached to the back to the newsletter. If you have any further questions, please contact Jess McGurk.

Community News