Western Heights College Newsletter

WELLBEING

TERM 2

Wellbeing Update

26-4-2024

 

This term we have a number of programs that are on offer to benefit students.

  • This week we have had a team from Vic Police present a valuable workshop for Year 7 students on Cyber Safety. This was well received by students. 
  • Last week students attended presentations by the Resilience project which was very engaging for students. 
  • The Raise mentoring program for 14 Year 8 students commenced last week and will run for 20 weeks.
  •  A year 7 Empower group for around 10 Year 7 students also commenced last week and will run for 55 weeks focusing on managing anxiety.
  • Brainstorm will be running presentations for Years 7 and 8
  • We are currently planning activities for mental Health Awareness week running from May 13th to 19th and IDAHOBIT day on 17th May
  • We have a new Counselling placement student starting next week and look forward to welcoming her to the Wellbeing team this term

 

My name is Jenny Eastwood, and I have been the Chaplain at Western Heights since 1991 with a stint of 9 years at Matthew Flinders in the middle. I will be retiring on Friday 3rd May and want to thank the entire Western Heights College community for their support of me in my role. I have loved working with the students and families across the college and will miss everyone very much. I have also made some wonderful friends amongst the staff and have felt tremendously supported by them.

We are hoping a new Chaplain along with other wellbeing support staff will soon be coming on board to attend to the emotional and wellbeing needs of our students.

Camps, Sports and Excursion's Fund

Applications close:  28th June 2024

Application Form: 

CSEF-application-form (4).docx

Our Inclusion Team for 2024

 

Inclusive Practices Learning Specialist: Shona Scorringe

 

Located in the Red Building

Monday - Friday

Shona.Scorringe@education.vic.gov.au

 

 

Inclusion Support: Georgie Barker

Located in the Red Building

Monday - Friday

Georgie.barker@education.vic.gov.au

 

 

 

PSD Coordinator, Inclusion Support: Kerryn Cramp  

Located in the Red Building

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday

 

 

 

 

Wellbeing Contacts:

Pastoral Care

College Chaplain: Jenny Eastwood 

Located in the 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.cooper2@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: 

Located in the Purple/Grey Building

Mondays & Fridays

whcschoollawyer@barwoncommunitylegal.org.au

  • 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: 

7: Marli McCarthy & Brent Watson 

8: Annie Flood & Ben Joustra 

9: Joseph McArlein 

10: Lucas Wintels & Rachel Daly

11: Claire Sullivan

12: Brett Bullock 

  • 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.