Student Wellbeing 

Stand Tall - Hope and Resilience Event 

27 of our students were given the opportunity to attend Stand Tall, a unique learning experience for students to explore, strengthen and refine self-management and interpersonal skills.

Students self nominated to attend the event that was held during November in Tamworth.

Founded in 2012, the annual Stand Tall event was initiated and developed by Jeanine Treharne, Angela Farr-Jones and Roslyn Hills in response to the tragic level of drug use, depression, bullying, hopelessness and self-hard among school students.

They are mums who had the desire to see change in the next generation by providing young students with hope for their future. Jeanine and Angela set about creating a unique one-day TEDx style event which has the ability to get cut-through with teenagers and change their mind sets - and ultimately the course of their lives.

Donors and sponsors of Stand Tall covered the cost of our students participating and they were well rewarded for their very early departure with all students and staff saying the positive mindset, resilience and life messages learnt were incredible. 

Some of the takeaway messages our students said they really connected with included;

• ”The life you complain about is one some can only dream about”
• “It’s your time to shine”
• “Some people would do anything to have your bad day” - think of others before yon complain about what you already have
• “The more you give without expectation s the more you receive in return“
• “What don’t kill you makes you stronger, value yourself and invest in yourself“
• ”Believe in yourself and achieve your dreams”
• ”Don’t let the ugly in others kill the healthy in you” 

Our sincere thanks go to the team at Stand Tall for this incredible experience and to many their many donors for supporting making it possible to take the event out into regional areas for rural students to attend. 

Jonathan Thurston's Lead Like A Girl Program Now Offered at WWHS 

Young women across Australia, including some of the most remote communities, are able to connect and be empowered by their peers across the nation thanks to an innovative program delivered by the Johnathan Thurston Academy. 

Lead Teacher of the program at WWHS is Mrs Currey who explained; "We are delighted that as of last week, Wee Waa High School has joined the growing list of rural schools taking part. Participating students were chosen based on the leadership they have shown and their good behaviour".

In October 2012, Johnathan Thurston launched his incredibly successful and inspiring JTLeadLikeAGirl program, with Sponsored by NBN Co coming on board as a sponsor. The partnership has enabled young women in rural, regional and remote communities can access the program and stay connected through online platforms, with plans to embark on an exciting, wider partnership over the next two years.

The national program sees young women around Australia join weekly online and regular in person workshops, mentoring programs and take part in online conversations with an impressive portfolio of young role models.

When launching the program, Jonathan said; “We are so proud to be launching our JTLeadLikeAGirl program. Our vision is to live in a world where women can live fearlessly and unapologetically.  We are working towards that dream by empowering one, young Australian woman at a time.

“To help make this happen we need to empower, connect and build confidence so they can truly lead like a girl. That’s why our JTLeadLikeAGirl program supports young women with self-belief and courage to reach their full potential.

“The program has one sole focus: to inspire young women to be confident, bold, and goal-oriented, but most importantly—to be kind and shine a positive light on each other,” he said.

To learn more, visit - jtleadlikeagirl.com.au 

STEPPING FORWARD

Years 9 & 10 students took part earlier this term in the Stepping Forward program that seeks to get students learning and thinking about the impacts of AOD, harm reduction and safety messages. 

The presentation was given by CEO and Founder, Tony Trimmingham who shared his moving personal story of loss. Tony talked about the impacts of alcohol and other drugs and the far reaching impacts these can have. The workshop also gave students skills and knowledge to effectively communicate on this topic with peers and for dealing with conflict.