Wellbeing

Have you met Elvis yet?

Elvis is one of the College’s therapy dogs and can usually be found hanging out in the Wellbeing space, or with the Year 7/8 Hangout Group during Break 2 on Tuesdays.

Therapy dogs can play a significant role in the school setting, supporting students struggling with anxiety and stress, providing a sense of connection and helping alleviate feelings of loneliness, and encouraging positive social interactions between other students and staff. Elvis’ calming, gentle manner and unconditional acceptance helps to make all students feel safe and secure and he just LOVES pats! Those who are having a tough day emotionally can especially benefit from his presence, as it can provide a circuit breaker to their feelings that can possibly change their day for the better and/or provide some relief from their stress and worries.  

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY MARCH 8TH 

Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that's diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women's equality. Collectively we can all #InspireInclusion.

Celebrate women's achievement. Raise awareness about discrimination. Take action to drive gender parity.

IWD belongs to everyone, everywhere. Inclusion means all IWD action is valid.

What is anger?

Anger is one of our most primitive emotions, ranging from annoyance to rage – usually in response to unwanted actions of another person, if something goes wrong or if we feel we’ve been “short-changed” in some way. Anger is completely normal. What matters is how we manage these feelings.

Why we need to manage anger

The ability to manage anger is one of the most important life skills anyone can have.

Social violence destroys far too many lives in Australia each year. A recent snapshot of statistics reveals:

• 23,000 people were hospitalised due to assault in Australia in 2020-2021
• More than 60 per cent of the victims were male
• Predominantly they were in the 15-24 age bracket
• Punching and kicking caused most of the injuries

There’s also another important benefit of learning to manage anger. Because being self-aware is a vital first step in the learning journey, it provides a firm foundation for a whole range of things, such as:

• Reducing stress
• Developing better self-understanding and therefore improving our communication skills 
• Creating stronger relationships with other people
• Become more socially accepted

1. Dispelling the myth that males and females experience anger differently

One of the myths that needs shattering is that males and females experience anger very differently. In reality, there are more similarities than differences. The triggers are generally the same, and the experience is felt with similar intensity and frequency. The big difference lies in the intensity of aggressive behaviour between genders. Aggression in men has the propensity to result in much greater physical damage. While there is some conjecture about the way brain biology plays in determining the way different genders act on anger, there is clear evidence that societal expectations play a part. This is where educational programs that challenge those attitudes, such as those offered by the Pat Cronin Foundation as well as the guidance of parents and teachers, can make significant inroads.

2. Understanding what anger feels like

Getting kids to recognise and name their emotions – including anger – is an important early step. Anger sparks a whole host of physical responses. Adrenal glands flood the body with stress hormones including testosterone and adrenaline. Some of the physical effects of feeling angry are:

• Muscle tension
• Increased heart rate
• Sweating
• Feeling hot in the face
• Trembling

Whether we end up punching someone or simply walking away depends on the brain’s prefrontal cortex, which responsible for decision-making. Science reveals that feeling angry can change the way we view risks, tending to make us more impulsive as well as underestimate the chances of things turning pear-shaped – including the consequences of violence. 

3. Discover what triggers your anger

Understanding your own individual triggers is one of the most powerful tools to keeping anger in check. Anger is a secondary emotion, which means it’s sparked by another feeling. Depending on your experiences and backgrounds, that could range from:

• Hurt
• Fear
• Frustration
• Rejection
• Jealousy
• Embarrassment
• Someone saying something offensive

Think about “trigger points” and how you would react in a range of situations. Then think about all the possible consequences of those actions, including unintended outcomes.

Finally, discover ways in which you could better have handled the situation, without turning to aggression or violence.

4. Manage anger with removal, distraction, and getting help

There are lots of practical, short-term strategies that anyone can use to short-circuit feelings of anger. These include:

• Removal: Walking away, getting some exercise, or taking a “time out” such as moving to another room are simple but highly effective “circuit breakers” when a disagreement begins to escalate. Once removed, you are also able to think more clearly and identify solutions
• Distraction: Removing yourself from a situation is not always possible. An alternative is to distract yourself, such as pausing and thinking before you speak, “venting” to a friend and using relaxation skills to calm yourself
• Getting help: Emphasise to your child that they don’t always have to face problems alone. If feelings of anger persist over longer periods of time and are becoming difficult to control, help from a medical professional should be sought.

5. Learn to take responsibility for your actions

It’s easy to blame others for things that happen in our lives. How many times do we hear of someone blaming aggressive behaviour on a “brain fade” or being provoked – or they “had it coming”. Taking responsibility starts with being aware of our issues and triggers and how they might affect the people around us. A good exercise is to take note of how many times in a day or week that you blame other people for something. Observe your behaviour. Then try to think of another way to handle your reactions, in a manner that doesn’t resort to aggression but leads to better outcomes for everyone. How does it feel?                

What causes anger?

Triggers vary from person to person, based on their background, experiences and personality. Common ones are:

• Being threatened
• Hurt
• Fear
• Rejection
• Frustration
• Jealousy
• Embarrassment
• Family challenges

How do you stop anger?

Four essential tips for managing anger are:

1. Removing yourself from the situation
2. Distracting yourself by engaging in an activity (a relaxation technique or exercise) 
3. Getting help from a trusted friend
4. Once calm, express your concerns.

If you experience anger regularly or over long periods of time, it is vital to seek help from a medical professional.

What are the physical effects of anger?

While anger is usually accompanied by obvious facial expressions. With stress hormones flooding the body, other physical sensations can include:

• Muscle tension
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Breathing becomes heavier
• Sweating, especially on the palms
• Feeling hot in the face
• Trembling

Is anger a choice?

We can’t always control the way we feel – including anger. However, we can control the way we act on it – which is an important distinction.

Article Credit # Pat Cronin Foundation 

Pat Cronin Foundation | Let’s end the coward punch

TALKING TO YOUR TEEN ABOUT VAPING (a conversation guide for parents)

What is Vaping

Vaping is the act of using an e-cigarette, or ‘vape,’ which are lithium battery-powered devices that use cartridges filled with liquids, or ‘juice.’ The liquids typically contain nicotine, artificial flavourings, and various chemicals, some of which have been shown to be toxic. The liquid is heated into an aerosol, or vapour, and inhaled into the user’s lungs.

Vaping and Young People

 E-cigarettes can serve as a “gateway” to nicotine addiction and tobacco cigarette smoking. There have been many studies which found experimentation with e-cigarettes encouraged the use of tobacco cigarettes, particularly among young people. According to the latest Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing statistics 1 in 2 people aged 18-24 have used an e-cigarette at least once in their lifetime.

Research of e-liquids available to purchase over the counter in Australia found 1 in 5 contain nicotine, among a concoction of other toxic chemicals – all had inaccurate labelling. With the inclusion of fruit, alcohol and confectionary flavours, e-cigarettes are designed to appeal to young people. Experts are concerned these products will create another generation of nicotine addiction and a rise in serious health issues including lung disease and cancer.

For parent information on vaping and how to have a conversation with your young person, follow this link: https://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/resources/resource-download/vaping-conversation-guide-parents?utm_source=ebully&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ebully