This term, the focus is Mental Health—How we can take care of ourselves, look out for others, and build a positive and supportive environment for everyone.

The Wellbeing Team will be delivering a series of workshops and school-wide activities designed to help students better understand mental health, learn practical coping strategies, and feel more connected.

📅 What’s Happening in Term 3

🔹 Bullying Action Week (11–15 August)

An opportunity for students to learn about the impact of bullying and how we can create safer, kinder spaces—both in-person and online. Activities will include classroom discussions and writing messages of action to stop bullying.

🔹 Year 8 Workshop – “How to Look Out for Your Friends”

(Tuesday, 12 August)This workshop will help Year 8 students understand how to support a friend who may be struggling, how to check in safely, and when to seek help from an adult. It’s part of our ongoing effort to build peer support and early help-seeking skills.

🔹 R U OK? Day Activities (Thursday, 11th of September)

This nationally recognised day is all about connection. Students will be encouraged to reach out to friends and ask, “R U OK?”, and we’ll run school-wide initiatives promoting meaningful conversations and mental health awareness.

💚 Year 7 Workshop Spotlight – “Healthy Headspace”

Our Year 7 students participated in workshops exploring how to maintain a healthy mind and build daily habits that support mental wellbeing.

The sessions were co-facilitated by our Mental Health Practitioner and Headspace Syndal team, and included open discussions, practical strategies, and interactive activities designed to engage young minds and promote resilience.

🌟 Key Messages Students Took Away

Staying Connected

Spending time with people who care about us—family, friends, teachers helps build a strong emotional foundation. Feeling connected is one of the biggest protective factors for our mental health.

Getting Active

Physical activity is not just good for the body; it’s also a powerful mood booster. Students were reminded that even small amounts of movement, like going for a walk or dancing to music, can reduce stress.

Healthy Sleep Habits

We talked about how sleep plays a huge role in emotional regulation and concentration. Students were encouraged to aim for 8–10 hours each night and create bedtime routines that limit screen time.

Doing Things You Enjoy

Taking time for enjoyable activities is vital. Whether it's playing sport, listening to music, drawing, or spending time in nature—these moments help recharge the mind and reduce overwhelm.

Eating Well and Staying Hydrated

Fuelling the body with balanced meals and water supports both physical and mental performance. Students were reminded that what they eat can impact how they feel throughout the day.

Recognising and Expressing Emotions

Students explored how to name and express their feelings, and how this can help them better manage stress, anger, or anxiety. Understanding our emotions is the first step toward managing them.

Help-Seeking is a Strength

We emphasised that asking for help is not a weakness—it’s a courageous and important step. Whether it's speaking with a friend, a parent, a teacher, or the Wellbeing Team, help is always available.

Message from the Wellbeing Team

We were incredibly proud of the Year 7 students for their openness, maturity, and willingness to engage with the Healthy Headspace workshop. These workshops are just one piece of the puzzle in promoting mental wellbeing across our school.

This term, we encourage all students to:

✔ Check in with themselves✔ Check in with others✔ Take small steps each day to look after their headspace

Remember, the Wellbeing Team is here to help. Whether you're going through a tough time or just want someone to talk to, you're never alone.

Let’s continue to look after ourselves and each other this term.

💚 The Wellbeing Team

Useful Resources for Students and Families

WHSC Wellbeing: wellbeing@whsc.vic.edu.au

Headspace: 24/7 phone counselling service for 12 to 25 year old’s.

P: 1800 650 890

www.headspace.org.au

E-Headspace: 24/7 online counselling service for 12 to 25-year old’s.

www.eheadspace.org.au

Beyondblue: 24-hour Phone and online counselling for mental health.

P: 1300 22 46 36

www.beyondblue.org.au

Beyondblue also have a series of podcasts on various topics. 

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/not-alone

Lifeline: 24-hour phone crisis support and suicide prevention services.

P: 131 114

www.lifeline.org.au/get-help/online-services/crisis-chat

Kids Help Line: 24/7 free phone and online counselling for 13 to 25-year old’s.

P: 1800 55 1800

www.kidshelpline.com.au

Q-Life/Switchboard: Free Online and Phone Counselling, information and advice LGBTIQ peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender.

P: 1800 184 527

www.qlife.org.au/resources/chat

VicHealth: Health promotion enabling people to increase control and over and improve health. Physical and Wellbeing activities: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au

5 Ways to Wellbeing: Introducing 5 ways to improve your psychological and emotional health: https://5waystowellbeing.org.au/

1800 RESPECT: 24/7 free online and telephone counselling for Family Violence Affected Family Members.

P: 1800 737 732

www.1800respect.org.au

Men’s Line: 24/7 Support, referrals and counselling for men over the phone and online.

P: 1300 78 99 78

www.mensline.org.au

Suicide Call back Line: 24/7 Phone counselling, online counselling and Video Chat.

P: 1300 659 467

www.suicidecallback.org.au

Parent Line: State wide telephone counselling and support service for all Victorian parents and carers of children from 0-18 years. Experienced social workers, psychologists and family therapists can give families counselling and information around a wide range of parenting issues.

P: 13 22 89

W: Parent Line Link

Black Dog Institute provides a free online resilience course – Mind Strength - for 14 to 16 years, as well as their parents / carers. 

This site also provides information posters – one for students and the other for parents: https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/education-services/schools/school-resources/mindstrength/

Blokes Psychology has offices based in Scoresby.  They are a unique service as their primary target client group are males from the age of 5 onwards – they also work with people who want to learn how to support and communicate with the males in their life:

https://blokespsychology.com.au

The Team

Fosia Mohamud - Mental Health Practitioner

Fosia.Mohamud@education.vic.gov.au 

Haiyi Feng - Student Wellbeing Counsellor

Haiyi.Feng@education.vic.gov.au

Madeline Azhar - Art Therapist/Counsellor

Madeleine.Azhar@education.vic.gov.au

Annette Paterson - PSD Coordinator (Program for Students with Disabilities)

Annette.Paterson@education.vic.gov.au

WHSC Newsletter

Respect | Excellence | Creativity

Issue 10 · 31 Jul 2025

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