Student Health & Wellbeing

Wellbeing Support for the holidays

Help keep school leavers safe for schoolies

This year, schoolies celebrations will run from Saturday, 23rd November to Sunday, 8th December in Victoria, and often beyond this date, across Australia and in Bali and Fiji.

Schoolies is a time when large numbers of school leavers holiday together after the completion of their final exams, usually in a popular tourist spot.

It is a time to celebrate an exciting milestone. However, this shouldn’t mean impacting health and safety, or causing problems for communities where celebrations are held.

How to prepare for schoolies

We would therefore like to share some useful resources:

• Victoria Police videos on sexual assault, drugs and alcohol, and road safety. To access the videos, refer to Staying safe at school leaver celebrations. Students can also access information on how to have a safe night out and watch out for their friends, through the Victoria Police Personal safety webpage
• Alcohol and Drug Foundation, on making the most of end-of-year celebrations. This site includes strategies to keep students and their friends safe, including reducing harm related to alcohol and drug use
• Partying safely at schoolies – Better Health Channel
• the Good Times Great Breaks Facebook page, which provides information on what wellbeing support is available in the main schoolies destinations.

Whooping cough 

Whooping cough cases are continuing to increase across Victoria, particularly among school-aged children. Whooping cough is a very contagious infection, mostly spread through coughing or sneezing. 

Symptoms include:

• blocked or runny nose
• tiredness
• mild fever
• severe bouts of coughing, often followed by a ‘whooping’ sound on breathing.

Whooping cough can lead to life threatening infections in babies.

If your child is unwell, they should not attend school. Please see a doctor if you or your child develops whooping cough symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment will help reduce the spread of the infection.

Students diagnosed with whooping cough must not attend school

To reduce the spread of infection and to protect others within the school community, students diagnosed with whooping cough are recommended not to attend school for 21 days after their cough was first present, or until they have taken a full course of antibiotics prescribed by a doctor (usually a 5-day course).

If your child is diagnosed with whooping cough, please contact the school to let us know.

More information 

For more information about whooping cough, refer to Whooping cough on the Better Health Channel.

Vaccination is the best way to reduce the risk of whooping cough. The Department of Health recommends staying up to date with immunisations, including booster doses. A free booster dose of the pertussis vaccine is covered under the national immunisation program for students aged 12 to 13. If you are unsure about your child’s vaccination status for whooping cough, please discuss with an immunisation provider, such as your doctor.

We really appreciate your support in keeping our students safe and well.

Sun Smart

Our New Wellbeing Dog - Kevin

Kevin is settling into College life very well. He is currently at the College every Tuesday and Thursday, visiting classrooms, attending the Wellbeing Engagement Program and assisting in our Wellbeing Office. 

Last week Kevin had a lovely time visiting all of our Year 12 classes.

Kevin also recently met with the students who have volunteered to be monitors for our Wellbeing Dog Program. These students will attend their induction early next term. 

See the Doctor at PSC

Support Services

If you feel like you could do with the support of a professional, help is always available.

• MyPlace - Cardinia - 1800 496 884
• Youth Counselling and Support Service - Casey - 9792 7279
• Coronavirus Health Information Line · 1800 020 080 · Call if you are seeking information on coronavirus (COVID-19). The line operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• LifeLine -  13 11 14 - Provides counselling, information and referrals for people experiencing a personal crisis. Click here for the link.
• Beyond Blue - 1300 224 636 - Provides advice and support for people experiencing depression and anxiety. Click here for the link
• Suicide Call Back Service - 1300 659 467  - Provides free counselling for anyone (15 years+) who is suicidal or affected by suicide.
• Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800 - Provides free, private and confidential telephone and online counselling services specifically for young people aged between 5 and 25. Click here for the link.
• E-HeadSpace - Provides free online or telephone support with a clinician via an online chat. This service is available for 12–25-year-olds, Click here for the link.
• Reachout - Click here for the link.