Assistant Principal

Dear Valkstone PS Families,

In our school community we are continually looking to foster the growth of academically successful individuals, but also compassionate, resilient, and well-rounded people. It's with great pleasure that I bring to your attention some wonderful opportunities provided by the Bayside Glen Eira Kingston Youth Network (BGKYN), aimed at building positivity and support in our communities.

The BGKYN is an inclusive platform open to community and government services, projects, or organisations dedicated to working with or assisting young people and their families in the Cities of Bayside, Glen Eira, and Kingston. Through collaborative efforts, the BGKYN offers a range of activities and programs designed to nurture the personal development and well-being of individuals, families, and the community at large.

By actively participating in these activities and initiatives, Valkstone PS families can not only strengthen their own bonds, but also contribute to the creation of a supportive and vibrant community where every individual can thrive.

Here are some of the enriching activities and initiatives available through the BGKYN:

Kingston Youth Services – Parent Information Night: Raising Kind Teens

Who: Parents of young people

When: 23 May 2024

Where: Online

Cost: Free

Are you looking for some practical advice on how to support your child’s body confidence?

It can be hard to know how to respond when a child speaks negatively about themselves, particularly when so many adults struggle with their own body image.

Join the experts from the Butterfly Foundation for a free, relaxed and informative 75-minute seminar for parents/carers on practical strategies for supporting positive body image in children and teens. Topics include: the power of positive role modelling, reducing appearance talk, healthy behaviours in relation to eating and exercise, early intervention and referral advice.

Registration link: https://www.trybooking.com/CPPCV

Kingston Youth Services – FReeZA

Who: Young people 12-25 years old

When: Fortnightly on Thursdays, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

Where: Platform 81 - 81 Albert Street, Mordialloc

Cost: Free

Kingston Youth services currently have an opportunity for students to be a part of an events committee with amazing opportunities for young people to grow their resumes, education, and event management skills.

Can you please share this opportunity and the poster attached with your students and relevant departments.

The FReeZa P81 Events Committee is a group of young people passionate about supporting and promoting the talents of local young musicians within the City of Kingston by running a variety of music events throughout the year.

Being a member of a FReeZA P81 Events Committee allows you to develop new skills through further and ongoing training, to meet other young people in the community who share the same interests, to develop networks in the music and to create events of your choice. No prior or specialist skills needed. The FReeZA program is focused on creating inclusive and accessible events that meet the interests and needs of young people in the community.

In the past year, our FReeZA crew has created some amazing events that you might have heard of. These include:

• St Kilda Fest

• Mordi Fest

• Glitter and Glow

• Kingston Beats

• Skate of mind

Registration link: https://au.openforms.com/Form/2c0bae05-58d1-4a9a-be37-28e64cc6707c

Glen Eira Youth Services – Drop Ins: Hand Writer’s Tale

Who: Young people ages 10-17 with a connection to Glen Eira City Council

When: This is an 8-week program running every Wednesday 4:00pm-5:30pm during term 2

Where: Bentleigh Library and Youth Hub

Cost: This is a free community-based program

Love reading and want to learn how to write your own story?

Our Hand Writers Tale sessions will boost young people’s imagination using words and the power of storytelling.

Run in partnership with author and screenwriter Gab Bergmoser (The Boone Shephard & The True Colour of A Little White Lie) and Glen Eira Children and Youth Librarians, participants will learn how to develop a spark to express their ideas and tales through using a pen and a creative mindset.

Hand Writers Tale sessions will also help further polish spelling, punctuations, and sentence structure to write a story.

Participants will be prompted to submit their creative story for Glen Eira’s My Brother Jack award and going into the draw to be one of the communities next recognised young authors.

To register: https://www.gleneira.vic.gov.au/services/youth/youth-programs/your-space

Glen Eira Youth Services – Family, Youth & Children’s Services Parent Information Night – Connected Parenting

Who: This is for any parents or carers in the community that wish to learn about positive parenting.

When: Wednesday 22 May 2024, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Where: Online information session – registered participants will receive a Zoom invitation two days prior to the event.

Cost: Free

Co-hosted by Glen Eira City Council’s Family, Youth & Children’s Services and The Resilience Project, the Connected Parenting information session will be presented by educator and parenting expert, Lael Stone. Having worked with families for over 20 years, Lael Stone is an author, speaker, mother and parenting counsellor.

The Connected Parenting presentation will be held online and is a 60-minute free parent and carer information session. Lael’s presentation is a wonderful opportunity to gain insight about positive parenting techniques that empower parents and carers to build stronger connections with children and young people. This presentation is part of Family, Youth and Children’s Services commitment to supporting the community through programs that promote wellbeing and resilience. 

To register: https://www.trybooking.com/CPNDS

Bayside Youth Services – FriYays drop-in

Who: Young people aged 10 - 17 with a connection to Bayside (live, work, study, recreate)

When: Fridays, 3:00 - 5:30 p.m.

Where: Peterson Youth Centre, Highett

Cost: Free

Head down to Peterson Youth Centre on Fridays between 3:00 - 5:30 p.m. to chill out, catch up with friends or make new ones.

Join in on fun, free, supervised activities for young people aged 10 to 17 years, on the corner of Peterson Street and Highett Road, Highett.

Upcoming sessions:

• Friday 5 April: Movie and popcorn🎬🍿

• Friday 12 April: Games Day 🎮⚽🃏

• Friday 19 April: Crafternoon 🎨

• Friday 26 April: Basketball Session 🏀

Parents/carers; if your young person would like to attend, please provide your emergency details and permission: FriYays - permission form 

To register: https://www.bayside.vic.gov.au/programs-and-events/friyays

The Rollie Project – Breathe & Chill School and Sports Program

Who: Schools, sporting clubs, youth, parents & carers

When: Please contact for sessions & times

Where: Bayside Melbourne

Cost: Please contact for sessions & costings

Our "Breathe and Chill" program introduces proactive and practical tools for participant wellbeing & performance. By integrating breathwork and cold therapy, it equips participants with preventative strategies for stress management and resilience building. By harnessing the power of the breath we enhance mental clarity and focus for optimizing day to day performance.

What the Breathe & Chill Program will provide our young people:

• Focus & Clarity

• Stress Reduction

• Nervous System Regulation

• Sports performance, Recovery & Preparation

• Increased energy & sense of calm

• Improved mental wellbeing & mood

The Breath & Chill School and Sports Program offers a fresh proactive approach to wellbeing and performance, through modalities and practices that have been around for centuries but will be implemented with a modern twist. Offering students & sporting teams an empowering opportunity for personal development and invaluable techniques for self care and social & emotional resilience. Providing our young people with the take home tools to assist them in everyday life. 

Registration details: https://www.instagram.com/the.rollie.project/