Student Wellbeing

Important Update: Stratton Road School Crossing at Kildare Campus

Following a decision by Council, the existing school crossing on Stratton Road will be removed during the upcoming June/July school holidays. This will include the removal of the crossing infrastructure and line marking.

The College acknowledges the concerns this change may raise for our students and families. Student safety remains our highest priority, and we want to reassure our community that we will continue to work collaboratively with Council and have advocated for an alternative supervised crossing arrangement on Mt Terrick Road. We believe this location may provide a safer and more practical crossing point for our students and families, connecting with existing footpaths and reflecting the changing needs of our growing community. Council has advised that previous applications for a crossing supervisor at the proposed Mt Terrick Road location have not met current State Government eligibility requirements. However, Council has committed to continuing to work with the College community to advocate for appropriate funding and infrastructure solutions as pedestrian movements in the area continue to grow and change.

In the meantime, we encourage all families to speak with their children about the importance of being road safe and making safe choices when travelling to and from school. Students are reminded to always stop, look, listen and think before crossing any road, to use designated crossing points where available, and to remain alert around traffic - particularly during busy drop-off and pick-up periods.

We will continue these conversations and keep our families informed as this advocacy progresses. Thank you for your understanding and ongoing support.

Staying safe as a cyclist

When riding your bike on roads, bike tracks and footpaths please make sure to:

slow down near schools, shopping centres and other pedestrian areas
be aware of pedestrians, motorists and other traffic
change lanes or make a turn on the road after you're sure approaching drivers have seen you
make eye contact with drivers if possible
wear reflective clothing or something light in colour (especially at night)
have a front and rear light on your bicycle
use your lights when riding in the evening or in low light.

https://www.police.vic.gov.au/pedestrians-and-cyclists

Daniel Principe Workshops

Thank you to our students and parents/carers for participating in the workshops with Daniel Principe last week. The Year 8 - 11 students demonstrated respect, willingness to engage and courage to speak up in the year level sessions.

Daniel’s message was powerful: that we need to continue creating spaces where young people can ask questions, challenge ideas and have open and honest conversations without shame.

Please see information below shared with our parents and carers during the evening session.

The Resilience Project

As we hit the half way mark of the school year, we continue to embed GEM as part of our whole school wellbeing program. “Decades of research tell us that practising GEM is fundamental to feeling happier and improving mental wellbeing."

Please take a moment to familiarise yourself with the principles of GEM and ways to begin these conversations.

Preparing for school holidays

With school holidays just around the corner, it’s crucial for parents and carers to ensure their teenagers are staying safe during their holiday break. Here are some practical tips to help keep your teens safe and entertained during their time off.

Open Communication: Maintain open lines of communication with your teenagers. Encourage them to share their plans and whereabouts with you. This fosters trust and allows you to stay informed about their activities.

Establish Boundaries: Set clear expectations and boundaries regarding curfews, screen time and social activities. Ensure they understand the importance of respecting these guidelines for their safety.

Supervised Activities: Encourage participation in supervised activities such as sports, camps, or volunteer programs. These structured environments provide a safe space for teens to socialise and learn new skills.

Monitor Online Activity: With more free time, teens are likely to spend additional hours online. Monitor their internet usage and educate them about the dangers of cyberbullying, online predators, and the importance of protecting their privacy.

Promote Healthy Habits: Encourage a healthy lifestyle by promoting regular exercise, nutritious eating and adequate sleep. Physical activity and good nutrition are essential for both physical and mental wellbeing.

Quality Time: Spend quality time together as a family. Whether it’s a movie night, a day trip, or simply sharing a meal, these moments can strengthen your bond and provide opportunities to discuss any concerns they might have.

We wish all students and families a safe and relaxing holiday break. We look forward to welcoming our students back on Monday 13 July.

Shari Gotch

College Leader - Student Wellbeing