From the Wellness Centre
Getting Back into the Rhythm of School
After a particularly busy Term One, we are now embarking on a longer and perhaps more demanding term, especially for those of us who sometimes neglect or forget to set healthy limits, boundaries and expectations around the following: our relationships, our physical health, social media use, and our times for reflection and relaxation. Also, for some of our older students Term Two brings some exacting challenges such as assessment and exams, the first ATAR for our Year Elevens, and this set of ATAR exams for Year Twelves feels especially real. Final course work, certificate completion, portfolio building etc are on the minds of so many of our students and families.
ReachOut Australia is a constant go-to place for useful information and support.
See below an interesting link about how to reset, prioritise and kickstart school focus.
Five apps you need for when school starts | School and study | ReachOut Australia
If any family member is interested in gleaning some support, advice, practical assistance around age/stage tasks of adolescents, family dynamics, study skills and such like, please feel very welcome to make contact with me. I have loads of resources and tons of encouragements.
Thriving Boys
Recently in a staff meeting at the start of term, the topic of how to encourage our boys to thrive emerged. Serendipitously, the next day an invitation to a webinar addressing this very topic appeared in my inbox. So, on Wednesday of this week, I participated in this golden opportunity hosted by Susan Stiffelman and Maggie Dent entitled Helping Boys Thrive at School – Overcoming Setbacks, Building Confidence and Cultivating Resilience. These lighthouse women in the education and parenting space of child and adolescent development offered some commonsense advice which I’d like to share.
I now am fortunate to have unlimited access to this webinar and all of the research behind it.
Here are some details for a Chat 'n' Chomp featuring said webinar:
Friday 31 May 2024 from 1.00pm to 3.00pm.
Please email me to register your interest and for catering and seating purposes.
Maggie Dent - Home | Resources for those who live & work with children
Grief and Loss Meetings
Amity Health is hosting this initiative for people to explore the journey through grief and loss in a safe space, in the company of those who have walked a similar path. This will be occurring every Thursday 10.00am to 11.30am from 9 May 2024 to 11 July 2024.
To register your interest:
Please call Amity Health 9842 2797
Time: 10.00am to 11.30am
When: Every Thursday from 9 May 2024 to 11 July 2024
Where: CWA Hall Serpentine Road, Albany
Lastly .… and in the same vein as my passion in fostering awe hunting, glimmer gathering and finding “Oh My Goodness” moments in the everyday, here’s another scintillating find which I’m so keen to share.
Remember these prompts have a purpose beyond the positive neurochemical spark – Deb Dana posits that glimmers and their chills might be considered antidotes to triggers.
“In some new research, scientists have looked into the potential benefits of giving people with depression the aesthetic chills,” Christian Jarrett writes. He cites a memorable advertisement which brings chills/shivers down viewers’ spines. Jarrett suggests that these aesthetic chills (film, music, art, speech) might be useful in supporting mood disorders such as depression, in concert with traditional interventions (drug and talking therapy). While chills would never replace other treatments, it seems that for some people, along with awe, glimmers and omg moments, chills might offer a hint of what pleasure and engagement with environment might feel like.
Why I'm embracing 'glimmers' for my mental health - ABC Everyday
Tear-Jerker Commercials Create Internet Challenge (youtube.com)
Could that tingle down the spine be a way to rediscover joy? | Psyche Ideas
ChillsDB: A Gold Standard for Aesthetic Chills Stimuli | Scientific Data (nature.com)
Best wishes and chill out
Ms Sheryl Moncur | School Counsellor/Teacher