Wellbeing
Term 4: Wellbeing Report
Guiding Our Children: Digital Age Awareness and Conquering Exam Anxiety
Dear South Oakleigh College Community,
As we usher in the final term of the year, it is an opportune moment to address two significant aspects of our student's lives: their interaction with the digital age and the impending exam stress. In my role as the Director of Student Wellbeing, I am dedicated to providing support and guidance to assist your children in tackling these challenges.
1. Navigating the Digital Age with Care
The digital age has brought unprecedented opportunities and challenges to our children, including the potential exposure to distressing content on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and news outlets. To help them navigate this digital landscape responsibly, consider the following:
- Promote Open Conversations: Create an atmosphere where your children feel comfortable sharing their online experiences, questions, and concerns, especially regarding distressing content they may encounter.
- Establish Healthy Boundaries: Collaborate with your children to set reasonable screen time limits, especially during the exam season. This ensures a balanced life and reduces the chances of prolonged exposure to distressing content.
- Educate on Online Safety: Make sure your children are well-versed in online privacy, security settings, and critical thinking when engaging with online content. Please encourage them to report or discuss distressing content they come across.
- Supervise with Sensitivity: Strike a balance between monitoring and respecting their privacy. Frame your supervision as a measure of care and protection. Please encourage them to seek your guidance when they encounter disturbing content.
2. Empowering Your Child to Tackle Exam Stress
As we approach the exam period, the stress levels of our students tend to rise. Your support can play a pivotal role in helping them navigate this challenging time:
- Prioritize Wellbeing: Encourage your children to maintain a balanced lifestyle. Ensure they exercise regularly, consume nutritious meals, and enjoy adequate rest. This can help them cope with the stress associated with exposure to distressing news.
- Offer Emotional Sustenance: Reiterate to your children that their worth is not determined by their exam results or the distressing content they may encounter. Let them know you are there to support them, come what may.
- Effective Study Habits: Collaborate with your children to establish a feasible study schedule that promotes consistency, diminishing the pressure of last-minute cramming.
- Advocate for Self-Care: Introduce relaxation techniques such as mindfulness, deep breathing, and meditation to help manage their anxiety. Encourage them to take breaks and engage in enjoyable activities to cope with any distressing content they may have encountered.
- Seek Professional Guidance: If your child's anxiety seems unmanageable or enduring, consider reaching out to a school counsellor, psychologist, or therapist for professional assistance.
As we approach the year's end, remember that your active involvement in your child's life is of immeasurable value. By fostering an environment of open communication, empathy, and understanding, you provide them with the support needed to thrive in the digital age, effectively manage exam-related stress, and cope with any distressing content they may come across.
For any queries or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our school's counselling and wellbeing services. We are here to support you and your child during this crucial period.
Together, we can ensure the wellbeing and success of our students as we conclude this academic year.
Warmest regards,
Elizabeth Smith
Director of Wellbeing