Wellbeing and Inclusion News

It is incredible to think that we are half way through term 2. The weather has certainly reminded us all that winter is on the way. Winter can also mean challenges for families in terms of change of uniform items for the seasonal change. If you need support with uniform items to help your child wear full school uniform please ask them to see a member of the Wellbeing and Inclusion team, or your child’s year level coordinators. Alternatively you can send an email to me at michelle.lewis@education.vic.gov.au so that we can help.

This term we also welcome new Wellbeing team members Hamdi and Mel.

Hamdi - Student Wellbeing Officer at Lyndale Secondary College.

I became a wellbeing officer because I believe every student should have someone they can talk to and connect with at school. Back when I was a student, there wasn't really a specific place for students to just hang out and have a chat and feel heard. That's why I feel this strong sense of duty to create a safe and inclusive space where all students can come together, like a community. When I'm not busy with my wellbeing life, I enjoy diving into DIY projects. I find that there is something magical about turning an idea into something beautiful. I love traveling and catching sunsets, but most importantly, I love spending quality time with my husband and three little girls. They are my world.

Students can find Hamdi in our Wellbeing centre, near the canteen.

Mel Sitas - Student Counsellor at Lyndale Secondary College

Background: Degrees in Psychology and Sociology and a Masters in Counselling

Work at Lyndale College: short term counselling and case management, behaviour support, student triage and Vineland assessor.

Areas of interest: Provide short term supportive counselling, with a CBT and DBT focus, to our students experiencing a range of emotional, social and behavioural issues. This could include: stress/feelings of being overwhelmed, low self-esteem, anxiety, school refusal, low mood and body image disturbances. To engage our students to move through their difficulties towards a more meaningful, connected and rich future at Lyndale College.

Fun fact: Christmas is my favourite time of the year; I have two daughters and two horses; and my favourite holiday destination is Japan.

At all times at Lyndale Secondary College, the wellbeing and safety of our students is paramount. We call upon our whole school community to support us in addressing concerns around student safety on the road.

We are bordered by two major roads, Gladstone and Halton Roads. Both of these roads have safe crossing points, including a Crossing Attendant at critical times of day. It is vital that student use these designated crossing ponts at all times.

At Lyndale we embody our school wide positive behaviours. This extends to showing our values in our Community.

In our Community:

-We show responsibilty by being a Lyndale Ambassador when in public.

-We show respect by being patient, being courteous.

-We are safe by following all road safety regulations.

Students are reminded to cross only at designated crossings.
Students are reminded to only cross the road when the pedestrian light is green. All traffic has the right of way when the pedestrian light is red and pedestrians are required by law, to wait until the light turns green before crossing. Crossing against the lights, is not only dangerous to pedestrians and drivers but is against the law and fines from the police can be administered.

To support students in using these crossings, the pedestrian gate on Gladstone road will be closed in the afternoon, ensuring students exit via Halton Road, to encourage the use of the cross walks. We will reopen this thoroughfare when students are observed demonstrating road safety.

We thank the members of the Victoria Police proactive policing unit for their support in working with us to keep our students safe on the roads.

Be safe and be kind to each other.

Kind regards,

Michelle Lewis

Assistant Principal Wellbeing and Inclusion.

Reconciliation Week 27th May to 3rd June 2024

Lyndale Secondary College Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)

We are proud to inform our school community of the publication of our first ever RAP. Our Vision for reconciliation is shared below. We would like to thank community members for their input and support in its development.

VISION FOR RECONCILIATION

Lyndale Secondary College, located on the Lands of the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation, is committed to reconciliation, and to working collaboratively with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Our community recognises and values the ongoing connections Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have to the lands and waters and that they hold the wisdom and knowledge of the world’s oldest continuous culture. We believe that education is the key to change and through education, we are committed to the process of truth-telling, and to the self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in education.  We believe that the creation of a culturally inclusive and responsive safe learning space is vital, and we commit to doing this by ensuring reconciliation is more than just a word, that it is a shared purpose. We believe that by listening and by working with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, we are creating a learning space where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives are taught with respect, and that these perspectives and truths will be embedded in every learning area, and in every school event.

We see reconciliation as an opportunity for healing, as an opportunity for our vibrant and diverse community to deeply understand Australia's First Peoples culture and to view it as a living and ongoing part of Australia's’ shared cultural identity. We believe that the way forward is together, and that through genuine partnership and authentic communication, our college can help to achieve reconciliation. As educators and lifelong learners, we see a bright future, one where young people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander decent feel proud of their shared cultural heritage and are ready to take their place as future leaders and share in the journey of reconciliation.

Our inaugural Blue Edge Program continues with year 9 students taking the opportunity to learn and train each week.

Each week students and staff participate in a range of physical training challenges as well as learning about community and leadership.

It has been fantastic to see our students grow throughout the term.

Our amazing team members Taj and Orla have been there every week to support our students along the way!

AYA Homework Club returns

Monday night: J2 This session is to support our students of African Heritage achieve their learning and personal goals.

Thursday Night: AYA tutors invite all students to come to this session to get help with any work, or to have a collaborative place to study.

Please register your interest here by 27th of May as students require consent from parents. The event will be posted on Compass on this date and from this date students attending will require parental consent.

For more information see Mrs Lewis or Hamdi

Join Us Go Rainbow Against LGBTQIA+ Discrimination

Friday the 17th of May was IDAHOBIT Day, the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia. On IDAHOBIT Day we celebrate the LGBTIQA+ community and take a stand against bullying and discrimination.

At Lyndale Secondary College we proudly celebrate the diversity of our school community and are committed to creating a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for everyone. We recognised IDAHOBIT Day earlier this week with hot chocolates and messages of support during lunch- it was wonderful to see so many students participating in this activity. During Home Group classes, students also reflected on the impact of LGBTIQA+ discrimination and bullying on young people and considered how they can help create a school environment where everyone feels safe and respected.

For more information about IDAHOBIT Day and how you can help to create a culture where everyone feels safe visit: https://www.idahobit.org.au/

Minus 18 are champions for LGBTIQA+ young people. They work to build a community where all young people feel safe, supported and empowered. For more information click here: https://www.minus18.org.au/

The Department of Education is committed to ensuring all Victorian government schools are respectful, safe and inclusive places of learning and work for all students, staff and members of our school communities. As part of this commitment, the department supports all schools to recognise IDAHOBIT Day in accordance with the Department of Education’s equal opportunity and anti-discrimination policy and Child Safe Standard 5.

'My School Dentist Program'

The Australian Dental Foundation (ADF) will be visiting our school on:

Tuesday, 16 July, and Wednesday,17July 2024

The ADF information pack containing permission forms will be provided to students during Home Group on Tuesday, 21 May.

Students are required to return the completed and signed forms to the school’s front office by

Friday, 14 June 2024.

If a student did not receive a pack during Home Group, they will be able to collect one from the school’s front office.

**Only students who return the completed/signed forms will be able to access the dental program.

About the ADF

The Australian Dental Foundation (ADF) is a not-for-profit organisation, dedicated to improving oral health and expanding access to quality dental care for children and teens (0 to 17 years of age) across Australia. The ADF are proud to deliver the ‘My School Dentist’ program, a FREE* mobile dental program that delivers oral health care and education for students at kindergartens, primary and secondary schools.

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