Student Services: Wellbeing
Each newsletter the wellbeing team shares information about events, resources, and other services. Stay tuned!
As Term 3 ends we enter Poorneet (tadpole) season in the Wurundjeri calendar, a time of fresh growth and new life. This gives us a chance to reflect on all we’ve achieved in Term 3, and reminds us that Term 4 is a chance to build on our learning and wellbeing with renewed energy and possibility.
It has been a busy term for Student Wellbeing team, and we’d like to reflect on some of the work we’ve been part of. With the school holidays just around the corner, we’ve also included resources for students and families who require support during the break.
Loves Bites – Respectful Relationship education for Year 10
Love Bites Senior focuses on the development of respectful relationships for 15-to17-year-olds. This term, Year 10s completed full-day workshops covering building respectful relationships, how gender stereotypes affect respectful relationships, abuse in relationships, sex and consent, speaking out, offering support and creating change. We were blown away by the thoughtful curiosity, collaboration and engagement from Year 10s. Huge thanks to all students and staff involved!
Paul Dillon – drug and alcohol education – Year 10, 11 and 12
Paul Dillon (Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia) spent the day at Northcote High School presenting to senior students. Paul brought his breadth of knowledge and experience to these presentations, with students learning how to stay safe, support friends, and make informed choices around alcohol, vaping, and drugs.
Raise Mentoring – graduation day!
Raise Mentoring connects trained volunteer mentors with students to provide guidance, support, and encouragement during their school years. It focuses on building resilience and confidence. This term we celebrated students’ ‘graduation’ from the program – after working together for 2 terms, we celebrated the new connections built and reflected on all we’d learned this year. Special thanks to Jane Harrison for supporting the delivery of this important program.
NCASA Presentations – Year 9, 11 & 12
NCASA (Northern Centre Against Sexual Assault) delivered their final whole-cohort Respectful Relationships sessions this term. These important sessions covered reporting sexual assault, legal considerations when intoxication is involved, and equality in relationships. We are very grateful to the NCASA team for their skills and knowledge, and to students for their excellent participation. These sessions have been shaped by over four years of student feedback, with students given the opportunity to submit questions and ideas about what they needed in advance of the presentations.
Teen Mental Health First Aid – Year 7
Teen Mental Health First Aid teaches students how to recognise the signs of mental health challenges in themselves and their peers. It equips students with the skills to offer support, seek help from a trusted adult, and reduce stigma around mental health. This term all Year 7s completed their MHFA aid training. We look forward to working with Year 10 students in Term 4, as well as offering Youth MHFA to staff in support of our whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing.
Staff Wellbeing Week
Our school couldn’t run without the incredible teachers and education support staff. To recognise the hard work and dedication of staff, we held a special Staff Wellbeing Week. The week included activities to promote balance, resilience and support a positive work environment. Staff completed professional learning, relaxation activities and yes, there was a pretty good morning tea spread!
Mental health support during the school holidays:
The Student Wellbeing team wishes all students, staff, families and carers a safe and relaxing holiday. Our team will also be taking a well-earned break during this time, if you require support please see the below resources
- Your local GP
- Headspace Counselling: During the holidays, students can self-refer by calling their local headspace centre
- eheadspace, online and phone counselling for young people aged 12 to 25 and their families Ph: 1800 650 890
- Kids Helpline, online and phone counselling for young people aged 5 to 25. Ph: 1800 551 800
- Parentline, counselling and support for parents and carers Ph: 13 22 89
- Lifeline, crisis support and suicide prevention for all Australians Ph: 13 11 14
- 13YARN Aboriginal crisis support Ph:13 92 76
- Beyond Blue, online and phone support service for individuals experiencing depression and anxiety and their families Ph: 1300 224 636
- Suicide Call Back Service online, phone and video counselling for anyone affected by suicidal thoughts Ph: 1300 659 467
- Contacting 000 if you are in an emergency, or at immediate risk of harm to yourself or others.
Need some extra support in Term 4?
As always, we continue to offer short and medium-term counselling to all students. If you’re concerned or worried about yourself, a family member, peer, or friend please get in touch.