Student Wellbeing Update

As we come to the end of another busy and productive term, the Student Wellbeing Team would like to share some of the highlights from Term 2 and thank our wonderful school community for its ongoing support.

Bayside Wellbeing Network

On Tuesday 9 June, our school was proud to host the Bayside Wellbeing Network, bringing together wellbeing professionals from local schools to share ideas, strengthen partnerships and showcase initiatives that support young people.

We were delighted to welcome the Health Promotion Officer from Caulfield Community Health Service, who presented on current health promotion initiatives and opportunities for school-community collaboration.

Our own Wellbeing Team also had the opportunity to present our Junior Social Skills Program Pilot. The presentation highlighted the development of a five-week social skills program for Year 7 and 8 neurodiverse students, building on the excellent work of the ICAN program and aligned with our SWPBS and Respectful Relationships frameworks.

The session explored the program's design, implementation, outcomes and key lessons learned, with a strong focus on creating opportunities for connection, confidence and belonging for our students.

Celebrating Our ICAN Mentoring Program

Our ICAN Neurodiverse Mentoring Program has continued to provide students with valuable opportunities to build confidence, develop connections and celebrate their individual strengths.

This term, we were excited to welcome local MP David Southwick, who joined one of our mentoring sessions. Students and mentors enjoyed sharing their experiences, and it was a wonderful opportunity to showcase the positive impact of the program.

We are also delighted to welcome back Chris Varney for our final mentoring session of the term. Chris's ongoing support and commitment to empowering neurodiverse young people has been an invaluable part of the program's success.

The session will also celebrate the incredible work of our dedicated mentors, Ryan and Simi, who continue to create a positive, supportive and engaging environment for our students.

Exam Time Support

As assessment and exam periods can bring additional stress, we encourage all students to reach out for support if they are feeling overwhelmed. Whether it is speaking with a trusted teacher, Year Level Coordinator, member of the Wellbeing Team or simply checking in with a friend, seeking support is a positive step.

Remember, looking after your wellbeing is just as important as preparing for your exams.

Thank You

It has been a very busy and rewarding term, and we would like to acknowledge the incredible work and dedication of our Student Wellbeing Team.

A special thank you to Loveena, El, Em, Teagan and Roz for the care, compassion and commitment they bring to supporting our students and families every day. Their passion for creating a safe, inclusive and connected school community is greatly appreciated.

We would also like to thank our students, mentors, staff and families who continue to support the many wellbeing initiatives across our school.

We wish all members of our school community a safe, restful and well-deserved break and look forward to another exciting term ahead.

Nicholas Ford

Head of Wellbeing

Headspace Push-Up Challenge

On Thursday 11th June, the wonderful teams from Headspace Elsternwick, Headspace Bentleigh and Glen Eira Youth visited Glen Eira College to run The Push-Up Challenge.  Created by Headspace, The Push-Up Challenge promotes mental health awareness and encourages positive wellbeing through physical activity, connection and education. It provides a fun and engaging way for young people to support mental health while connecting with friends, peers and local support services.

With 1 in 4 young Australians currently experiencing a mental health challenge, the event was a valuable opportunity to raise awareness and help students learn about the supports available within their local community. Throughout lunchtime, students enthusiastically took part in a range of challenges, including push-ups, squats and lunges. Prize winners were awarded for achieving the highest numbers in each category. The competition was fierce, and the event was thoroughly enjoyed by the Glen Eira College community.

Roslyn Harry

Glen Eira College Secondary School Nurse