Lowanna College

Wellbeing Update

Inclusiveness at Lowanna College

Our LGBTIQA+ Community 

Standout Group

The Standout Group is held on Mondays at lunchtime, alternating weeks for junior (7-8) and senior (9-12) groups. LGBTQIA+ and allies are welcome. See Naomi Mock in wellbeing for more information.

 

On Friday the 29th of August our college celebrated Wear it Purple Day. Lowanna College’s Standout Group ran a stall with purple ribbons and students painting their nails purple. The colour purple shows support for LGBTQIA+ youth. 

 

The theme for the day was "Bold Voices, Bright Futures". Wear it Purple Day is an annual event dedicated to supporting and empowering LGBTQIA+ young people. It encourages everyone to wear purple to show solidarity and acceptance.

General Wellbeing Information

   

   

   

Live 4 Life 2025

On Thursday, the Live 4 Life team attended the college to help us celebrate RUOK? Day and to promote the hard work Lowanna College students and staff have done to roll out the Live 4 Life initiative. Over the last couple of weeks, all Year 8 students have been participating in the Teen Mental Health First Aid Course, facilitated by Emily Vernon and Michael Naughton. It’s been wonderful to see the students engage in the learning and increase their awareness of mental health and supporting their peers.

RUOK? Day

This week the college celebrated RUOK? Day. It was a fun filled day with various community service agencies joining us to connect with our students and talk to them about their services and how they can assist community members. We had the media attend to take photos and promote the college’s efforts in successfully completing the Achievement Program. The students enjoyed a free BBQ and music during lunchtime which added to the positive atmosphere on the day. 

 

RUOK? Day is an annual day of action dedicated to reminding Australians that every day is the day to ask, "Are you OK?", and to start a meaningful conversation with anyone who might be struggling. The day encourages people to connect with others and provides resources to help people have these conversations.

 

For more information on RUOK? Day, visit the below link:

https://www.ruok.org.au/

 

 

The Achievement Program

Lowanna College are thrilled to confirm we have officially been signed off as a Healthy School after completing all 7 Health Priority Areas. This has been a body of work that has taken an almost 5-year period to complete. The priority areas we have worked incredibly hard to achieve are Sun Protection, Mental Health & Wellbeing, Physical Activity & Movement, Healthy Eating & Oral Health, Safe Environments, Sexual Health & Wellbeing and Tobacco, Alcohol & Other Drugs.

 

Successfully completing The Achievement Program health priority areas means our school has effectively implemented a comprehensive framework that promotes the health, wellbeing and learning outcomes of its students, staff and broader school community. This is typically in line with the Victorian Achievement Program in Australia, which provides a structured approach for schools to create healthy environments. One of the major changes Lowanna has made is the overhaul of the canteen. We now offer a variety of food and drinks that meet criteria for healthy eating benchmarks – this has involved changes such as the removal of deep fryers and using air fryers as an alternative, freshly made foods on site by our wonderful canteen team, minimising the number of food and drinks that have sugar in them and changing some providers to ensure we meet healthy eating requirements.

 

A massive shout out and thank you to our canteen manager Jodie Mace, who has been instrumental in supporting our journey to achieve this incredible power of work. Also, to Emily Koppen and Lucy Sevenson from Latrobe Community Health Services, who have guided us along the way, provided the resources to make this happen and generally supporting us throughout the process.

Welcome Daniel O’Shea

The Wellbeing Team have welcomed Dan O’Shea to the team. Dan joined us in February this year on a student placement while completing his Bachelor of Counselling. The college have been lucky enough to keep Dan as a member of the team until the end of 2025. Dan has now officially completed his Bachelor and is also completing Alcohol and Other Drugs studies. This is such an asset to the wellbeing space as it adds another dimension to the services we offer at the college. Welcome Dan. 

 

Wellbeing Team

Paul Fry – Wellbeing Leader / Social Worker

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Naughton – Mental Health Practitioner / Social Worker

 

 

 

 

Donna Garsia – Wellbeing Coordinator / Out of Home Care Support

 

 

 

Larnia Sobott – Wellbeing Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Glenda Noordam – Chaplain

 

 

 

 

 

 

Naomi Mock – Secondary School Nurse

 

 

 

 

 

Daniel O’Shea – Counsellor

 

Emily Vernon – Koorie Coordinator

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chloe Hedges – Koorie Engagement Officer

 

 

 

 

 

Hayden Edwards – Koorie Engagement Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

External Supports Onsite at Lowanna College

  • Jacob Hardy – Salvation Army Onsite Support
  • Amy Cahoon – Youth Insearch Onsite Support

 

If you feel your child would benefit from support from any of our team, please do not hesitate to reach out. We are happy to have a discussion with you about the supports we can provide or to discuss external supports available to young people and their families.

Breakfast Club

 

 

A reminder that Breakfast Club is available Monday to Friday from 8am to 8.30am. We encourage students who have not had a bite to eat to come along and get some toast and a hot milo. A healthy breakfast is just the thing we need to help us start the day well.

 

The Breakfast Club Team are also looking for anyone who would like to volunteer their time on the days we provide Breakfast Club. Please let the Wellbeing Team know if you’d like to help. We are also looking for donations of Milo and cheese. Any donations can be given to the General Office or Wellbeing Team. Thank you.

 

 

Adolescent & Family Mental Health and Wellbeing Supports:

  • HEADSPACE, Morwell – 5136 8300 OR  1800 650 890
  • LIFELINE – 13 11 14
  • LIFELINE TEXT – 0477 131 114 (6pm to midnight)
  • KIDS HELPLINE – 1800 551 800
  • THE ORANGE DOOR – 1800 319 354
  • 1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732 (National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence counselling Service)

 

The school holidays are almost upon us. We encourage our students to use the last couple of weeks of term to strengthen their learning by reviewing what they have learnt so far, attending all classes and asking questions when unsure.

 

Then the task will be to enjoy a break, reset and prepare yourselves for the final term of the year. If you are travelling, be safe. Enjoy the time with loved ones and get some well-earned rest.

 

Paul Fry & the Wellbeing Team