Lowanna College

Wellbeing Update

Blue EDGE (Educate, Develop, Grow, Empower)

Blue EDGE is designed to Educate, Develop, Grow and Empower young people. It is an evidence- based program designed to increase engagement, resilience, and wellbeing through activity-based learning. The program is tailored to students in Years 7-9, and focuses on key capabilities such as emotional regulation, confidence building, safe decision making, peer and community connections. The program uses exercise, workshops, peer support and community police officers as role models, to improve student wellbeing. The sessions involve exercise, a shared meal, and a workshop. 

 

In Term 1 students have been working on building group cohesion, effective communication, collaboration, and teamwork. Last week, students were encouraged to think about the roles they play in a team and their contribution to outcomes. By participating in different group challenges, students were given the opportunity to practice their communication and teamwork skills. The tasks were designed to encourage students to communicate with each other and work towards a common goal. It involved co-operation and teamwork and the sharing of ideas, knowledge, and skills. Learning to work as part of a team is important in supporting the development of many social skills such as empathy, respect for others, listening, compromise and perspective. Students also heard from the police members about how communication and teamwork is a vital part of their work. 

Koorie Camp

This term, some of our Indigenous students got to enjoy an outdoor educational camp in partnership with Rubicon Outdoor School. The students travelled to Rubicon in Nayook and participated in many fun activities such as the high ropes course, caving, bush walking and orienteering, tree climbing and rafting on the Yarra River. Students were physically challenged whilst enjoying these exhilarating activities, which showcased students’ teamwork and leadership skills. The students had a wonderful time together building character strengths to help them at school and in life. The students were also able to learn and share their knowledge about Indigenous creation stories, native plants and the connection to the land and environments which they were on, building connections to their culture and each other.

 

Green Tradies Program

A warm welcome to Tom Kelly, who started at Lowanna this year to work with students in the Green Tradies Program. Tom and Natalie Axford have had just over 40 students engaged in the program during the first term. They have been able to deliver a broad range of activities where students have learnt to work effectively as part of a team and to work together safely. 

 

All students have completed a safety induction and have set individual goals for the year. Many students are well on their way to achieving these goals with some great work in the veggie garden and new skills being learnt every week.

It has been fantastic to see so much growth and leadership in one term and everyone is excited to start the new projects in Term 2.

 

Respectful Relationships

We are continuing our Respectful Relationships work across the school in 2024. Consent Education continues to be taught during PE and Health classes, while other curriculum topics are taught during other class times throughout the school.

 

As a lead school for Respectful Relationships, we also support other secondary and primary schools across Latrobe City and Baw Baw Shire. This means we are working together as a broader community to change thinking and model respect, positive attitudes, and behaviours. The purpose is to teach young people how to build healthy relationships, resilience, and confidence and not to be restricted by gender stereotypes.

Achievement Program

 

The Achievement Program is part of a statewide initiative that supports the development of healthy workplaces and schools. The program contributes to the school by creating a positive learning and working environment where both staff and students have better outcomes.  Students learn better, are more engaged and are active during the school day. 

 

The school has successfully achieved 6 of the 7 benchmarks and are working towards the final priority, ‘Healthy Eating and Oral Health’.  This benchmark looks for indicators that the school are providing opportunities for healthy eating, dental care, cultural inclusion and understanding the role healthy food choices has on our mental health and physical wellbeing. 

Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA)

 

Youth Mental Health First Aid training teaches participants how to provide initial support to a young person who may be experiencing a mental health problem or mental health crisis, until professional help is received, or the crisis resolves. Participants learn about the signs and symptoms of common mental health problems in adolescents, how to recognise and respond to an emerging or worsening mental health problem, and the treatments and supports available.

 

Last week Dr Michael Naughton, Lowanna’s Mental Health Practitioner, provided training to a number of staff members from Lowanna, Kurnai and Traralgon Secondary Colleges as we continue to increase the number of Youth Mental First Aiders in our local secondary schools. 

LGBTIQ+ Support

       

 

The Rainbow Parents and Families BBQ Picnic was held on Saturday the 23rd of March. The event was a great success and provided an opportunity for parents and families to connect. 

 

Lowanna College is committed to providing an inclusive environment for all students. Our school nurse Bernice is supporting students from the LGBTQI+ community. She runs Junior and Senior groups where students connect with their peers and talk about challenges they may be facing and participate in activities such as art and craft and hearing from other professionals in the community. The primary focus of these groups is to encourage and support positive respectful relationships across the school, and a shared understanding that all students are respected, and that inclusiveness is a priority.

 

If you would like to know more about these groups, or any other groups that are run within the school, please contact the Wellbeing Team. We are always available and happy to chat with any families who have questions about the programs we run at Lowanna College. 

Seasons for Growth 

 

Seasons for Growth is an evidenced based change, loss and grief education program that uses the imagery of the seasons to illustrate the experiences of change, loss, and grief. Young people can experience grief following significant changes and losses such as:

  • Someone they love passes away;
  • Separation and Divorce;
  • Friendship Changes;
  • Illness that impacts their life;
  • Relocation and;
  • Natural Disasters.

Our College Chaplain, Glenda Noordam, is a qualified facilitator of this excellent program and has a great deal of experience working with young people who have experienced these changes. If you feel your child may benefit from participating in this program, feel free to contact Glenda at the school (Glenda works on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday's).

Breakfast Club

Breakfast Club is now running 5 days a week from 8am to 8.30am in the school dining room. 

 

Students who have a healthy breakfast each day tend to perform better academically and feel a greater level of connectedness with teachers and peers which leads to further positive health and academic outcomes. We encourage students who have not had a bite to eat to come along and get some toast and a hot milo before school.

 

Community Update 

Latrobe Youth Space are a community group who support young people all over the Latrobe Valley. They provide many opportunities for young people such as camps, support groups and activities to assist young people in our community.

 

To make contact or find out how you can be involved call 0484 777 972 or email info@gippslandyouth.au or info@latrobeyouthspace.org.au.