WELLBEING
The Student Wellbeing Team
The Student Wellbeing Team
Collingwood College views student health, sense of belonging, and wellbeing as integral to their learning and future success. As such, we have an experienced, multidisciplinary Student Wellbeing Team to support the school’s community. Students in the secondary school can approach members of the wellbeing team at Recess or Lunch if they would like to make a time for a chat.
If you have any questions, please speak to your child’s Classroom Teacher or Year Level Coordinator, who can assist by helping you make a referral to the wellbeing team. You can also contact Josh Whelan (Student Wellbeing Coordinator) at the school on 9417 6681.
- Josh Whelan (Student Wellbeing Coordinator) – Mon-Fri
- Linh Tran (Social Worker) – Fri
- Libby Shaw (School Counsellor) – Tue-Wed
- Michele Waters (Mental Health Practitioner) – Mon and Wed (Blue Week)
- Hussein Ibrahim (Cultural Liaison Officer) Mo, Tu, Th, Fr
- Hassen Mohamed-Saeed (Cultural Liaison Officer) – Mon-Wed
- Badria Mustafa (Cultural Liaison Officer) - Tue
Sleep Health for students:
While we know sleep is essential for good health, research shows that many children and young people are not getting enough sleep on school nights. This can affect thinking, concentration, memory, reaction times and mood.
Research shows about 12% of primary school-aged children, a quarter of 12- to 15-year-olds and half of 16- to 17-year-olds don’t get enough sleep on school nights. The recommended amount of time to sleep for primary school-aged children is 9 to 11 hours. For teenagers, it’s 8 to 10 hours.
Signs that your child is not getting enough sleep can include:
- low mood and irritability during social interactions
- reluctance or arguing about getting off devices and going to bed
- falling asleep during the day
- difficulties waking up for school and sleeping in late on weekends to catch up
- changes to communicating or interacting at home.
You can help your child to improve their sleep by:
- establishing a regular sleep pattern and consistent bedtime routine
- supporting them to avoid using electronic devices such as smartphones before going to bed and in bed
- encouraging your child to exercise and spend time outside in daylight, steering clear of vigorous activity in the hour before sleep
- encouraging them to wind down and relax before going to bed.
If your child is still having trouble sleeping, has persistent problems with low mood, excessive daytime sleepiness, restlessness in bed, severe snoring or wakening unrefreshed, despite getting adequate length sleep, they should see a doctor.
For more information on sleep health, you can refer to:
- Sleep tips for children and Facts about sleep for parents and school staff, from the Sleep Health Foundation
- Why sleep is so important, from the Kids Helpline’s
- Sleep explained, from the Better Health Channel
External Wellbeing Supports
Kidshelpline – 1800 55 1800
A free telephone counselling service for young people aged between 5 and 25 years.
Lifeline – 13 11 14
Free, 24/7 crisis support service that anyone can access.
Headspace Collingwood – 9417 3279
Free mental health support service for young people aged 12-25. They also offer a GP service as well as a range of youth focused programs and activities. They are open Monday to Friday 10am – 6pm.
Smiling Mind - smilingmind.com.au/smiling-mind-app
Smiling Mind is a free mindfulness app that has been developed by educations and psychologists.
This app comes highly recommended by the wellbeing team! Use this for at least 10 minutes a day for the best results.
Ask Izzy - Links to Support Services
Ask Izzy is a website that provides families, students and teachers links to support services that offer assistance in a wide range of things such as housing, food, health, money, counselling, etc.
Parentline: - ph: 13 22 89 - Available 8am to midnight, 7 days a week including public holidays
Parentline is a free phone service for parents and carers of children from birth to 18 years old. Thy offer confidential and anonymous counselling and support on parenting issues.
St Vincent De Paul - ph 1800 305 330 - Welfare Assistance Line
Provide emergency relief including food. They open on Monday to Friday, 10.00am-3.00pm.
Your GP
Your family GP will be able to support you on accessing the support you need.