Wellbeing
Wellbeing in Action at Lilydale Heights
This year, the Wellbeing Team at Lilydale Heights has been looking beyond individual wellbeing needs to find fun, creative and meaningful ways to promote wellbeing across our whole school community.
🎉 Celebrating Every Student
One of our favourite projects has been celebrating every student’s birthday! Each student receives a birthday note and a small celebratory squishy from the Wellbeing Team. We really value this opportunity to connect with students, celebrate them as individuals and help create a school culture filled with positivity, connection and a little bit of fun.
🍎 Fresh Food, Fresh Connections
Thanks to surplus fruit provided through Foodbank Victoria’s Breakfast Club Program, the Wellbeing Team has also been preparing fresh fruit and vegetables for classes to enjoy. It has been fantastic to see students' faces light up when a platter of cut up fruit and veggies is delivered to their class. Sometimes, sharing a piece of fruit is all it takes to brighten someone’s day!
🎨 Creating Connections Through Art
Creativity has continued to play an important role in our wellbeing activities. Students have had opportunities to participate in collaborative art projects in the Wellbeing Area, get creative during our Mindful Monday lunchtime activities in the school yard and express themselves through a special badge-making activity with a guest from Lilydale Bunnings. These activities provide more than just a creative outlet. They give students - and staff - the chance to pause, be present and enjoy a mindful moment during a busy school day. The best part? The finished artworks continue to brighten our school as students and staff pass by, providing colourful reminders of creativity, connection and belonging.
💛 Learning the Power of Self-Kindness
The Wellbeing Team has also loved the opportunity to spend time with our Year 9 and 10 SELF classes recently, exploring the importance of self-kindness and looking after ourselves during challenging moments. Students learned about practical strategies they can use when things feel tough, including using healthy distractions and helpful coping thoughts to manage difficult emotions and get through challenging situations. These sessions have been a great opportunity to remind students that tough moments are a normal part of life, and we all have skills we can draw on to help us navigate them.
From birthday celebrations and fresh snacks to creativity and mindfulness, our wellbeing projects are helping to make Lilydale Heights a school where wellbeing is something we all contribute to and celebrate together.
R U OK? DAY
Thursday 10th September was R U OK? Day — a day dedicated to inspiring and empowering people to connect with those around them and start a conversation with someone who may be struggling. Students across the College were reminded of the four steps to having an R U OK? conversation:
Are you OK?
Listen
Encourage Action
Check In
To recognise the day, a number of activities were organised throughout the week. One of the highlights was a petting zoo, with live farm animals visiting the College. Students had the opportunity to feed and hold a variety of animals, including goats, lambs, guinea pigs, ducks, geese, rabbits and even a turtle! There were plenty of smiles throughout the day, with students telling teachers how much they appreciated the animals and even asking when they could return. Both students and teachers commented on the calming influence the animals had.
On Thursday, Martine and the amazing Bundy, our Therapy Dog, spent the day with students. Bundy visited classrooms and spent recess and lunchtime interacting with students while helping to spread the R U OK? Day message.
Students were also treated to ice cream and food trucks throughout the week, providing a different lunch experience each day and giving students something extra to look forward to.
A massive thank you to Mr Martin and the VCE Rock Band, who treated students to a fantastic live performance at lunchtime! Finally, a huge thank you to the Year 12 VCE VM class for all your help in organising and running these events. Your efforts helped create a positive and supportive experience for everyone, and we are sure the activities had a wonderful impact on the Lilydale Heights College community. R U OK? Day was a great reminder that a simple question, a listening ear and a genuine connection can make a real difference.
LGBTQIA+ AWARENESS DAY
Wear it Purple Day is an annual LGBTQIA+ awareness day for young people in Australia. Supporters wear a touch of purple to celebrate diversity and show their support for young people in the LGBTQIA+ community. On Friday, 28 August, the Wellbeing Team at Lilydale Heights College acknowledged the occasion by setting up in Town Square during recess and handing out purple ribbons for students to wear and show their support. Thank you to the many staff and students who participated and showed their support for the occasion.
ACTIVE BRAINS AND BODIES
The last Active Brains and Bodies session for Term 3 was held on Friday 11th September. Well done to all the students this term with so many PBs in the weights room and so much growth in confidence on the bikes. Your positive attitudes and encouragement for each other has been amazing. Thanks for a great term.
WHAT VAPING REALLY COSTS AND HOW QUIT CAN HELP
Vaping might seem cheap or harmless, but it can take a bigger toll on your health, freedom and pocket than you might realise. QUIT highlights four big ways giving up vaping can improve your life:
1. Better health: when you stop vaping, you reduce your exposure to hundreds of chemicals found in e-liquids, some linked to cancer, heart and lung disease.
2. Take back control: nicotine dependence can make vaping feel like it runs your day. Quitting helps you feel more in charge of your choices.
3. Less worry and hassle: no more planning your day around finding vape supplies, waking up to vape or stressing about having one on you.
4. Save money: costs for devices, liquids and accessories add up fast. Quitting can free up cash for things you enjoy; gigs, outings with mates, school or uni gear and more.
Support to Quit
Quitting vaping isn’t easy, but you don’t have to do it alone. Quit offers free, confidential support for young people and parents, including:
• Quitline (13 78 48) — talk to a trained counsellor who understands nicotine addiction and can help you plan your quit journey. Quit
• Online tools like quit plans, tips to manage cravings, cost calculators and the My QuitBuddy app to track progress and stay motivated. Quit
Whether you’re thinking about quitting or ready to take the next step, Quit can help young people and families find the support that works for them.
References: Information sourced directly from QUIT, 2024 The Cost of Vaping: 4 Ways Quitting Will Improve Your Life
HEALTH AND WELLBEING SERVICES/CONTACTS -
KNOX, MAROONDAH, YARRA RANGES
