Wellbeing

As we move through the term, I want to take a moment to highlight the importance of wellbeing as a foundation for learning and growth at our school. At Cheltenham Secondary College, we know that young people achieve their best academically when they also feel safe, supported, and connected.

Our Wellbeing team is here to provide support at every stage of your child’s journey. This includes proactive programs to strengthen resilience, emotional intelligence, and healthy relationships, as well as individualised support when challenges arise. We work closely with families, teachers, and outside services to ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive.

A key focus at the moment is our Year 12 Stress Management Check-ins. Each Year 12 student is meeting with a member of the Wellbeing team to ensure they are preparing well for their upcoming exams. These conversations provide practical support with time management, managing stress, and knowing when and how to seek help. To reinforce these strategies, each student also receives a take-home brochure they can refer back to, offering tips and reminders to guide them in the weeks ahead. By addressing both the immediate and ongoing challenges, we aim to give our Year 12s the tools they need to feel confident and supported throughout this demanding time.

More broadly, this term we are continuing to encourage students across all year levels to strengthen positive connections, maintain healthy routines, and build strategies for managing stress. Parents play a crucial role in these areas, and we encourage you to keep the lines of communication open with your child and with us. If at any stage you have concerns about your child’s wellbeing, please reach out to our team.

Together, we can help our young people develop the skills, confidence, and resilience they need—not only for school, but for life beyond it. Thank you for your ongoing partnership and commitment to our shared goal: supporting every student to feel safe, capable, and connected.

Warm regards 🙂

Kerri Haworth

Director of Wellbeing

RAISE Mentoring Program - We are also fortunate to partner with the RAISE Foundation, who facilitate a valuable mentoring program at our school. Each Wednesday afternoon, trained volunteer mentors meet one-on-one with their mentees in the Library. This evidence-based program has been shown to have a positive impact on the confidence, wellbeing, and future outlook of many young people, and with only three sessions left of the 17-week program, we are delighted to see our students benefit from this opportunity.  

Breakfast Club

Don't forget about our Breakfast Club, which runs every Tuesday and Thursday morning from 8.15am to 8.45am, offering cheese toasties and fruit cups. We also have free apples available in the front office for all students, and we kindly ask that they be mindful of where they dispose of apple cores. Organic waste bins are conveniently placed throughout the school grounds, particularly in the large courtyard outside the canteen.

Maths Club

For those needing extra help, students can get assistance with Maths every Tuesday and Thursday after school from 3.15pm to 4.00pm in B1 and/or B2. Please speak to your child's Maths teacher if you would like to know more.

Meet the team for 2025

If you would like to arrange wellbeing support for your child with one of our counsellors or provisional psychologists, please contact me or the Director of the relevant sub-school/coordinator.

We can also support families in need with access to books and uniforms through State Schools Relief and the Les Twentyman Foundation.  Again, please contact me or your child’s Director of Sub-school/coordinator to let them know which items you require.

We are currently hosting six placement students who are completing their practical training as part of their tertiary qualifications, ranging from Provisional Psychology and Master of Counselling to Social Work and Youth Work. These students bring fresh perspectives, up-to-date knowledge, and a strong enthusiasm for supporting young people. They are an important part of our wellbeing team, working under the guidance of our qualified staff to provide additional support and engagement for students. We will be welcoming a further three placement students in Term 4, which will continue to strengthen the services we can offer. This not only benefits our students directly through increased support but also enriches our wider school community by fostering strong partnerships with universities and training providers.

Kerri Haworth                                Nella Foley                                       Dan Ferdinands

Director of Wellbeing                  Mental Health Practitioner         Youth Engagement Officer

haw@cheltsec.vic.edu.au          fol@cheltsec.vic.edu.au               fsd@cheltsec.vic.edu.au    

(Monday - Friday)                         (Monday - Thursday)                     (Monday - Friday)

  Jane O'Callaghan                             Nicole Huang                         Donna Hurst                      

 Youth Worker Les Foundation      Counsellor                               Counsellor

 onj@cheltsec.vic.edu.au                hgn@cheltsec.vic.edu.au    htd@cheltsec.vic.edu.au

 (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday        (Friday)                                      (Tuesday and Wednesday)

 and Friday)

                                                              Patty

                                                              Therapy Dog

                                                               (various days)

Wellbeing Contact Form

Contact our Cheltenham Secondary College Wellbeing team directly with any concerns or issues, and one of the team will get back to you. The form can be accessed here.

Helpful Contacts

Headspace

http://www.headspace.org.au/

Headspace Centres can be a one-stop shop for all young people who just need some help with everyday stuff or wellbeing and physical health. 

Kids Helpline

https://kidshelpline.com.au/

Kids Helpline is across Australia, it is free, private and confidential 24/7. Mainly for young people aged 5 to age 25.

Call them on.. 1800 55 1800

Lifeline

https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Provides all Australians everywhere experiencing a personal crisis allowing 24-hour support. Call them on.. 13 11 14

Beyond Blue

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/

Provides information and support which helps tackle head-on the effects of mental health issues no matter where or what age. 

Call them on.. 1300 22 4636

Parentline

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/serviceprofiles/parentline-service

Fantastic service for parents and carers of young children from a few days of age all the way up to 18-year-olds. This service offers counselling and support which is confidential and anonymous on all issues around parenting.  Call them on...13 22 89.