Wellbeing - Middle School

R U OK? R WE OK?

Conversations in the Middle School

Last Friday, in our pastoral care lessons, we had an opportunity to focus on encouraging each other to stay connected and have conversations that can help others through life’s ups and downs. A time where we all can work together to help build positive, respectful relationships among students through understanding friendship and building support networks.

Here are some reflections from our Middle School students:

In the PCL lesson we had on Friday we learned about ‘R U OK? Day’. We interacted with various activities that in relation to when you’re feeling down your friends are always there for you and will have a conversation with you. We also learnt about how a conversation starting with ‘R U OK?’ can help a friend or even anyone them feel a lot better and potentially change their life. I really think that this lesson was important and could change many lives.

Anthony Geagea Year 5

Are you Ok day is a chance to ask your mates a question that men usually shy away from. It encourages public or personal conversation. Asking just one question can help in time of need and promote connections while bonding with others.

Cooper Garcia - Year 6

Last week, during our fortnightly PCL (Pastoral Care Lesson), students focused particularly on mental health, with the theme of ‘R U OK? Day’. Together, homerooms collaboratively discussed ways to help a friend who may be struggling with mental health issues, signs that a friend may be struggling, and how to effectively check in on a peer that they could be concerned about. This PCL lesson provided insight and helped students gain a better understanding of the importance of checking in on their peers, and how to effectively use the skills and techniques that were discussed during the period to help a friend.

Emilio Cotroneo - Year 7

Last Friday, students were taught about R U OK? Day during PCL, one of the aspects was how to simply follow the four steps of an R U OK? conversation:

A	Ask R U OK?	Ask whether your family member or friend are ok after noticing that they are not themselves.
L	Listen	Listen to what they have to say.
E	Encourage Action	Encourage your friend to stand of for themselves and take action to stop the problem from becoming larger.
C	Check in	Continuously check in to make sure your friend/family members are ok.

By raising awareness and understanding wellbeing through identifying, recognising and responding to emotions, support students with strategies that promote resilience and positive behaviour. As such, developing these skills to have important conversations with those around them online fosters belonging and strong networks- which we are known widely in the community for.

Marcus Gregory - Year 8

Alexandros Sinadinos

Director of Middle School