By Kerryn Boyko

Keeping Students ‘Healthy’ Online.

We have been hearing from some parents that their teen’s social media use is presenting challenges. In response to student need and parent request, we invited Ctrl Your Scroll to facilitate a parent and carer evening Tuesday 24 March. Presenters Thomas and Xavier discussed how

'excessive social media and device use can pull us apart, not always bring us closer together'

and can come at a cost to our mental health. Ctrl Your Scroll provided strategies for strengthening connection with our young people, supporting U16s with the social media pause and for creating healthier digital habits now. Thank you to all parents who attended. Ctrl Your Scroll have kindly put together an abridged recording of the evening which will be sent to parents of Years 7 – 9 over the next few weeks.

Additionally, Headspace has some great resources to support young people to have a healthier relationship with Social Media. Resources for our teens, and also for adults, are available on their webpage: https://headspace.org.au

A reminder too that the eSafety Commissioner website has many useful resources to support parents with setting boundaries and with helping our young people stay safe online. https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/issues-and-advice

Teen Mental Health First Aid

We have commenced our delivery of the Teen Mental Health First Aid course to Year 10 students this term. Our Year 8s will undertake training later in the year. Teen Mental Health First Aid is designed to strengthen early identification of mental health decline, reduce stigma and increase help-seeking. It encourages our young people to seek support for themselves or a friend, giving them strategies for doing this.

Belonging and Connection

At Loreto we know that wellbeing is enriched by enhanced, purposeful belonging and connectedness to our Loreto community. This occurs at whole school events and there was much joy and social connection during the Athletics Carnival evident in the enthusiastic cheering along the track during relays, friendship group picnics and a tangible house spirit.

The College also provides many opportunities for student empowerment and strengthened connection with lunchtime events like karaoke and friendship bracelet making organised by our student leaders. Our Dhurrung Group and Sincerity Group are other examples of supportive, empowering groups in our College.

Judith Locke Parent Evening

Judith Locke is a registered clinical psychologist, former teacher and school counsellor. She has authored three books: The Bonsai Child, The Bonsai Student and most recently Raising Anxiety (co-authored with Dr Danielle Einstein).

Judith has advice and strategies to assist parents to ensure their child experiences fulfilling years at school. She offers solutions to parents to help children cope better with the demands of schoolwork, exams and friendship issues as well as giving parents strategies they can use when their child is coping with tricky emotions.

We are excited to welcome Judith to our College to work with staff on Monday 20 April. She will then run a parent evening commencing at 6.30pm on Tuesday 21 April. The session is scheduled for two hours to enable parents time to ask questions.

To register for this FREE event please click the link:

Resources and Support for Families on Teens Vaping and Smoking

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.

Research from VicHealth shows that young people care about what their parents, carers and older siblings think and do about vaping.

The Department of Education has developed resources to help you learn more about the health risks of smoking and vaping. The resources include advice about how to talk to children and young people about vaping, and where to get support.

To access the resources, go to https://www.vic.gov.au/smoking-and-vaping-advice-parents

You can also view this video on smoking and vaping from experts at the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne for health advice and tips for starting a conversation with young people.

Other resources:

https://www.vapingfacts.org.au/

https://www.vapingfacts.org.au/start-the-conversation

https://www.rch.org.au/teeninfo/fact-sheets/Vaping_%E2%80%93_everything_you_need_to_know/

Advice services

Quitline provide advice and confidential counselling, including for children from 8 am to 8 pm Monday to Friday – phone 13 78 48, text or request a call back or online webchat

Australian Government: Give Up For Good – national campaign and resources for quitting smoking and vaping

DATE	ACTIVITY
THUR 2 APR	Term 1 Concludes - 2.30pm finish
FRI 3 APR	Good Friday
SUN 5 APR	Easter Sunday
6-10 APR	College Closed
TUE 21 APR	Term 2 Commences
Wed 29 APR	Parent Teacher Interviews - Student Free Day
SAT 2 MAY	Mother's Day Liturgy

Important Dates