Wellbeing 

Online Wellbeing Resource

Managing Screen Time

Many parents have reported excessive screen time as the number one health concern affecting kids, especially now in the hyperconnected world we live in. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that there should be no screen time at all for children under 2, less than an hour a day for children aged from 2 to 5, and less than two hours for 5 to17 year olds. However, these guidelines have been disputed and are often ignored by families. Parents play an important role in modelling a positive approach to using screens, and assisting children to navigate the content they access. Please see the link below for further information and strategies for managing your child's screen time.

It's Neurodiversity Celebration Week (18-24 March).

When families and communities embrace neurodiversity, it’s good for neurodivergent children’s mental health, wellbeing, sense of self and identity.

Embracing neurodiversity takes away the pressure for neurodivergent children to behave in neurotypical ways, hide behaviour like stimming, mask or hide who they are, or cope with sensory overstimulation. This kind of pressure can be physically and mentally exhausting. And it can make it hard for children to focus on schoolwork and take part in social activities.

Embracing neurodiversity is also good for society. Just as the planet needs a diversity of plants and animals to survive, society needs neurodiversity to thrive. Neurodivergent people bring many strengths to society including strengths in creative, innovative and analytical thinking, and expertise in areas of special interest.

For information and ideas, check out the raisingchildren.net.au article on embracing neurodiversity or download the Raising Healthy Minds app.

National Secondary School Immunisation Program

The National Immunisation Program aims to protect the community from vaccine preventable diseases. As part of the program, free vaccines are offered to Year 7 and Year 10 secondary school students.

The following vaccines are recommended for:

Year 7 students 

• single dose of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine 
• single booster dose of diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine

Year 10 students

• single dose of Meningococcal ACWY vaccine

Key messages for parents/carers

• Parents/carers of students in Year 7 and Year 10 should have already received the vaccine and consent information.
• Read the vaccine information, complete, and return the signed consent information by Friday 26 April, 2024. 
• Return the consent information, even if you don’t want your child to be vaccinated. Spare forms are available at the College Reception or via the following links:

• Vaccines given as part of the Secondary school immunisation program are delivered at school by nurses from the local Council Immunisation Service. Our Year 7 & Year 10 immunisations will be taking place at the College on Tuesday 30 April.
• For further information please contact the local Council Immunisation Service Colac Otway Shire Health Protection Support Phone: (03) 5232 9429 or Email: inq@colacotway.vic.gov.au
• To learn more about the Secondary school immunisation program in Victoria visit: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/immunisation-in-secondary-schools