Student Wellbeing
Welcome to our new Mental Health Practitioners!
I’m Liz. I’m one of the new Mental Health Practitioners and a qualified social worker. Before coming to VUSC, I worked to support young people accessing specialist education, community sports programs, and sexual health services, and as an advocate for young people in contact with the justice system. My approach is grounded in lived experience and a passion for social justice. You can find me at the Junior Campus on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and the iCan Campus on Thursdays and Fridays. I can’t wait to meet you!
Hi my name is Penny, and I’m the new Mental Health Practitioner at the Senior Campus. I'm really passionate about adolescent mental health and am excited to support the young people, and wider community at VUSC. I am a mum to three children, two fur babies, and a passionate Essendon supporter. In my spare time, I enjoy camping, spending time with family, or just relaxing on the couch with my two very spoilt dogs!! If you see me around, please feel free to say hello or pop into my office in Building D.
Foodbank
At VUSC we promote healthy eating and drinking. We would like to remind students to please remember to pack a healthy lunch and snack and bring their water bottle to school every day. In the event students have forgotten their lunch/snack, they can come to the Student Wellbeing Room, at the Junior Campus in C-Block courtyard and at the Senior Campus building D before school only to grab some healthy food options.
Breakfast Club
Breakfast Club is available for students on the following days:
- Junior Campus Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:15—8:55am in Room A4
- Senior Campus Wednesdays and Fridays 8:15am—8:45am in the Building B kitchen.
Student Wellbeing Support
Students may access the Student Wellbeing Team through a referral process from family, their teacher or self referral where they are able to meet with a range of professionals. These professionals are able to assist in ensuring that the student feels supported throughout their time at VUSC.
eSafety Information
VUSC is committed to helping students develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes to be safe and respectful users of technology. We are also aware that students’ online experiences often move seamlessly between school and home, and are therefore aiming to develop, with your support, a whole-of-community approach to keeping our students safe online.
We will be sharing a range of information, tips and resources for parents and carers from the eSafety Commissioner (eSafety.gov.au) that you can use with your family to help create positive experiences for your children online. We encourage all parents and carers to keep an eye on our school newsletter and website for information you can use to build your knowledge, skills and understanding of online safety.
Online safety for every family
The eSafety Commissioner (eSafety.gov.au) has released resources to help parents and carers from all backgrounds protect their families online.
The Online Safety for Every Family resources cover how to:
• get started with social media
• enjoy safer online gaming
• help your child if they are bullied online.
And to make sure more families can start a conversation with their children about online safety, the resources are available in English, Simplified Chinese, Arabic, Burmese, Dari, Hindi, Nepali, Punjabi, Sinhalese, Swahili, Tamil, Tigrinya, Uyghur and Vietnamese.
School holidays
With the holidays just around the corner, your children might be spending more time online for entertainment and to connect with their friends. As a parent or carer, you can help them have safe and positive experiences online. Have a conversation with your child today about how to stay safe online and to deal with online safety issues like cyberbullying, inappropriate content or unwanted contact. The eSafety Commissioner (eSafety.gov.au) has lots of great advice and resources for parents and carers to help keep young people safe online.
Doctors in Schools Program
Victoria University Secondary College is fortunate to be part of the Department of Education’s Doctors in Secondary Schools Program.
As part of this program, we have a Doctor and Nurse from IPC Health in Deer Park available to see VUSC students for FREE appointments at school every Monday at the Senior Campus, in the portable behind Building E.
Parents of Junior Campus students may also make appointments with the Doctor on Mondays, however they must transport their child to the Senior Campus.
What does Doctors in Schools mean for our students?
It makes primary health care more accessible
It provides support to students through early identification of health problems
No cost – this is a free service.
What can the Doctor assist our students with?
The same services at school as those provided by GP’s in the community
Physical Health
Mental Health
Health advice and support
Appointments can be made in advance via a Teacher or the Wellbeing team. They will book the appointment and advise the student of the date and time via Teams chat. Students are also welcome to self-refer using the QR code in their planner.
If you have any questions regarding the Doctors in Secondary Schools program, please contact the Senior Campus on 8312 0200 or download the attached factsheet.
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RRRR Program & Support Services
VUSC is implementing the Rights, Resilience and Respectful Relationships program, which is a primary prevention initiative to reduce family violence through promoting and modelling respect, positive attitudes and behaviours. If you are experience family violence, or would like information or support, please visit the site below or call 1800RESPECT.
https://www.vic.gov.au/family-violence-statewide-support-services
The school community is welcome to access these services for support:
The Orange Door | orangedoor.vic.gov.au
headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation
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