Wellbeing
From the Director of Wellbeing | Chelt.Sec Wellbeing Team | Contact form |
Helpful contacts
Welcome back to the 2025 school year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday break.
The Wellbeing team hope you all had a fantastic break and are feeling refreshed, recharged and ready to focus on your learning.
It was fantastic to see our Year 7 parents/guardians enjoying complimentary coffees from the coffee van, chatting together as they waved their young person off, creating a great community vibe to start the year off right. We look forward to continuing to foster positive and inclusive relationships with our parent community.
We also extend a warm welcome to all of our new students and their families and are confident that you will have a positive and successful 2025 within the CheltSec community.
Throughout Semester 1, we will conduct Year 7 Transition check-ins, starting in the upcoming weeks to see how students are settling in and to address any concerns they may have. Every year 7 student will take part in these, providing them with an opportunity to see the Wellbeing space and counselling rooms, experience a ‘soft’ counselling session which is more of a ‘get to know you’ chat and give them a safe space to voice any challenges they may be facing and also talk about the things they are loving about being in high school. This sets our young people up for success by knowing where to get the help they need, when they need it. We always encourage students to have open communication with their parents/guardians and we will continue to foster this throughout our conversations.
Additionally, Kingston Youth Services will be visiting every Wednesday lunchtime during Term 1 to engage Year 7 students in games, helping them build connections across their cohort.
Don't forget that our Breakfast Club, which runs every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 8.15- 8.45, offering cheese toasties and fruit cups. We also have free apples available in the front office for all students, and we kindly ask that they be mindful of where they dispose of apple cores. Organic waste bins are conveniently placed throughout the school grounds, particularly in the large courtyard outside the canteen.
For those needing extra help, students can get assistance with Maths every Tuesday and Thursday after school from 3.15 - 4.00 in B1 and/or B2. Please speak to your child's Maths teacher if you would like to know more.
If you would like to arrange wellbeing support for your child with one of our counsellors or provisional psychologists, please do not hesitate to contact me, or the relevant Subschool Director/Coordinator.
We can also support families with access to books and uniforms through State Schools Relief and the Les Twentyman Foundation. Again, please do not hesitate to contact me or your child’s Subschool Director/Coordinator to let them know which items you require.
Thank you for your continued support. Let’s make this a fantastic year together!
Warm regards
Kerri Haworth
Director of Wellbeing
Meet the team for 2025
Kerri Haworth Nella Foley Dan Ferdinands
Director of Wellbeing Mental Health Practitioner Youth Engagement Officer
Jane O'Callaghan Nicole Huang Donna Hurst
Youth Worker Les Foundation Counsellor Counsellor
Zee Lim Patty
Provisional Psychologist Therapy Dog
We will be welcoming Jeremy Zivin, Provisional Psychologist next week.
Wellbeing Contact Form
Contact our Cheltenham Secondary College Wellbeing team directly with any concerns or issues and one of the team will get back to you. The form can be accessed here.
Helpful Contacts
Headspace
Headspace Centres can be a one-stop shop for all young people who just need some help with everyday stuff or wellbeing and physical health.
Kids Helpline
Kids Helpline is across Australia, it is free, private and confidential 24/7. Mainly for young people aged 5 to age 25.
Call them on.. 1800 55 1800
Lifeline
Provides all Australians everywhere experiencing a personal crisis allowing 24-hour support. Call them on.. 13 11 14
Beyond Blue
https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
Provides information and support which helps tackle head-on the effects of mental health issues no matter where or what age.
Call them on.. 1300 22 4636
Parentline
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/serviceprofiles/parentline-service
Fantastic service for parents and carers of young children from a few days of age all the way up to 18-year-olds. This service offers counselling and support which is confidential and anonymous on all issues around parenting. Call them on...13 22 89.