WELLBEING
MR JORGEN LESCHKE - DIRECTOR OF WELLBEING
Mental Health Week Celebrations
Last week, we celebrated Mental Health Week with a range of fun and engaging lunchtime activities organised by our fantastic Wellbeing Leaders! These activities provided students with opportunities to get involved, connect with their peers and have some fun while highlighting the importance of positive mental health and wellbeing.
We were also grateful to welcome headspace, who joined us to promote positive mental health, encourage students to check in with one another, and remind us of the importance of looking after ourselves and those around us. Their visit was a valuable opportunity to reinforce the message that small acts of kindness, meaningful conversations and reaching out for support could make a real difference.
We wrapped up the week with our Big Blue Table, bringing our homerooms together to share a meal, connect with one another and enjoy time as a school community. Whether students brought food to share, organised lunch together or simply enjoyed sitting down with their classmates, the day was all about building connections and creating a sense of belonging.
The Big Blue Table provided a wonderful opportunity to strengthen relationships, start important conversations and raise awareness of mental health together. It was fantastic to see our school community come together in support of such an important message and celebrate the role we could all play in looking after our own wellbeing and supporting others.
A big thank you went to our Wellbeing Leaders, headspace and everyone who helped make the week such a success. We hoped the activities and conversations throughout Mental Health Week encouraged our students to continue checking in with one another, showing kindness and remembering that looking after our mental health was something we could all play a part in, every day.
Importance of Connection
Strong, supportive relationships play an important role in a child’s emotional, social and psychological development. Feeling connected to family, friends, school and community helps young people develop a sense of belonging, security and self-worth. These relationships can provide a protective foundation, helping children and teens navigate challenges, manage stress and build confidence as they grow.
Connection does not require constant conversation or large amounts of time together. It is often built through small, everyday moments that help a young person feel noticed, heard and valued. As children become more independent, the way they connect with parents and trusted adults may change, but the need for meaningful relationships remains. By creating regular opportunities for connection and staying emotionally available, parents can strengthen relationships and help young people feel supported through both the everyday and the difficult times.
Practical ways to strengthen connection with children and teens:
Make time for everyday moments
Connection often develops through simple routines such as sharing meals, driving together, walking the dog or having a brief conversation at the end of the day.
Give them your full attention
Put distractions aside when your child wants to talk. Being genuinely present shows them that what they have to say matters.
Listen without immediately fixing
Young people do not always want solutions. Sometimes they simply need someone to listen, acknowledge how they feel and help them feel understood.
Show interest in their world
Take an interest in their friendships, activities, music, interests and experiences without turning every conversation into questioning or advice.
Create regular opportunities to connect
Shared routines, activities and traditions can provide natural opportunities for conversation and help maintain connection as children grow older.
Here is the link from SchoolTV with more information about the Importance of Connection: https://smmc.vic.schooltv.me/newsletter/importance-connection-au
If any of the content raises concerns for you or your child, please contact the school or seek professional medical advice.
If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please feel free to reach out to the Wellbeing Team at 03 5032 9771.
Jorgen Leschke
Director of Wellbeing