Wellbeing
Beginning Of Term 2 :
Building a Culture of Respect at Our College
At our school, Respect is more than a word on a poster — it’s a value we actively practise every day. As our students grow into young adults, learning to show respect for themselves, for others, and for their environment becomes an essential part of their wellbeing and their success at school.
Respect shows up in many ways across our community. It looks like:
- listening to others’ perspectives, even when we don’t agree
- speaking kindly and thoughtfully, especially in moments of frustration
- taking responsibility for our actions and repairing harm when things go wrong
- valuing diversity and treating every member of our community with dignity
- caring for our learning spaces and the shared environment
For our young people, respect is closely tied to feeling safe, heard, and understood. When students experience respectful relationships with peers and staff, they are more confident to take risks in their learning, ask for help, and engage positively with school life.
Families play a vital role in this. When we work together — school, students, and home — we create consistent messages about how we treat one another. This might involve:
- checking in with your young person about their friendships and interactions
- encouraging them to speak up respectfully when something doesn’t feel right
- modelling calm communication during challenging moments
- celebrating acts of kindness, empathy, and responsibility
As a community, we are committed to nurturing a culture where every student feels valued and every voice matters. Respect is something we build together, one interaction at a time, and we thank our families for partnering with us to help our young people grow into thoughtful, compassionate adults.
At the Kenko Centre, respect is at the heart of everything we do. Whether we are supporting a student through a challenging moment, collaborating with teachers, or partnering with families, we approach every interaction with curiosity, compassion, and dignity. We take time to listen deeply, understand each student’s story, and respond in ways that honour their individuality. By modelling respectful communication, setting clear boundaries, and celebrating growth, we help students and staff experience what respectful relationships look and feel like — creating a ripple effect across the whole school community.
Debbie Walters
Director of Kenko Cantre
Smoking, Vaping and Young People
Parents, carers, schools, and community all play an important role in protecting children and young people from, and educating them about, the harmful effects of smoking and vaping.
Smoking and vaping are highly addictive, especially for teenagers. The chemicals and nicotine in them can cause lung damage, heart disease and cancers and harm the brain development of children and teenagers.
Research shows that young people care about what their parents, carers and older siblings think and do about smoking and vaping.
Some tips on how you can talk to your young person about smoking and vaping:
· Start with information and key facts.
· Approach it calmly.
· Don’t make assumptions. Avoid making accusations.
· Avoid judging or lecturing. Consider questions like: ‘how did it make you feel?’ And ‘what made you want to try?’
· Focus on health and explain your concerns.
Support and resources about smoking and vaping:
· Your family doctor (GP) · Quitline quit.org.au 13 78 48 and their free App ‘My QuitBuddy’
· Headspace
· Kenko Team
The Department of Education also has resources that discuss the facts, the risks, how to talk to young people about vaping, and where to get support.
Please visit https://www.vic.gov.au/smoking-and-vaping-advice-parents for more information. You can view this video https://www.rch.org.au/kidsinfo/fact_sheets/E-cigarettes_and_teens/ from experts at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne for more health advice and tips for starting a conversation with young people.
Penny Hsiao
Health Promotion Nurse
Year 8 and 9 SMASH Incursion
This week, our Year 8 and 9 students attended a SMASH incursion focused on the risks of alcohol.
The presentation encouraged students to think about the impact alcohol can have on health, decision-making, relationships, and safety.
Students listened attentively and engaged well throughout the session as they explored the short- and long-term effects of alcohol use, as well as the influence of peer pressure and the importance of making informed choices. The incursion also highlighted practical strategies for staying safe and supporting others.
It was a valuable opportunity for our middle school students to learn more about making responsible decisions and looking after their wellbeing. We thank SMASH for delivering such an informative and relevant presentation.
"REACH" Heroes Day Year 9
On Thursday 23/4 our Year 9 cohort attended the REACH Heroes day at St Kilda Town Hall.
The workshop seeks to help students find their voice, equip them with the essential tools to navigate life’s challenges and encourages them to think beyond our everyday assumptions. It was an interactive, high-energy day with games, music, prizes and group discussions. Staff in attendance on the day were proud of our students for fully embracing the experience and supporting each other as a year level.
Our students showed emotional maturity, courage and vulnerability with some of our students sharing their personal story in front of 400 staff and students.
Overall, it was a day to remember with a lot of laughter, tears and pushing outside our comfort zone."
Emma Tribe
Student Wellbeing Officer