This term, the wellbeing team continues to support our students’ mental health and wellbeing through a variety of new and improved lunchtime clubs, one-one-one counselling support and wellbeing events.

This newsletter will give you an outline of the lunchtime clubs on offer to our students, an overview of our successful Friendship Day and links to webinars and events in the community that you may be interested in.

Lunchtime Clubs

Our lunchtime clubs continue to evolve, in line with student interest and take-up. We’re pleased to share that our Mindful Monday and Junior Friends Groups which are aimed at our year 7 and 8 students are gaining great traction with lots of students choosing to spend some of their lunchtime engaging in these clubs.

New this term is our Films with Friends club which has been created in collaboration with our year 9 and 10 students and takes place on Thursdays at lunchtime. This is a great opportunity for our middle school students to unwind together watching movies, have group discussions to analyse and evaluate the movies they've watched together and connect with new and old friends.

International Friendship Day

On Thursday 30 July, we marked international Friendship Day with activities and games aimed at celebrating existing friendships (bracelet making, gratitude cards) and supporting students in making new friendships (bookmark craft, friendship bingo) with delicious orange segments (to match the 'wear a touch of orange' theme) and candy jewellery on offer to maximise take-up.

Think You Know Incursion

We have once again partnered with VicPol to educate our students about staying safe online. The Think You Know session covered some really important topics including:

The challenges young people may face including online grooming, self-generated child abuse material and sexual extortion
How to support young people to make decisions about their online interactions to ensure the safety of themselves and others
Where young people can get help and support, and how to report online child sexual exploitation

These sessions have been presented by VicPol with our Year 7 and 8 students supported by sub school and wellbeing and will be extended to our Year 9 and 10 students later in the term.

To find out more about this program, including tips to keep your child safe, please check out the Think U Know website: https://www.thinkuknow.org.au/

Webinars for parents and carers

The eSafety Commissioner has developed a series of live webinars to give parents and carers the knowledge, skills and tools to support their children to have safer online experiences. Check out the website for a full list of upcoming webinars, key information and links to register: https://www.esafety.gov.au/parents/webinars

The changing face of cyberbullying: protecting your child in 2026

19 August 2026, 12:30pm

Influencers, ideology and impact: how algorithms influence and reinforce harmful beliefs

4 August 2026, 12:30pm

Navigating screen time: tools for today’s families

26 August 2026, 12.30pm

How connection and belonging shapes children and young people’s vulnerability online

8 September 2026, 12:30pm

Parenting with Mental Health in Mind: Anxiety and Resilience

Brought to you by the headspace Elsternwick, Bentleigh and Syndal team.

When: Wed, 26 Aug, 6pm - 7pm AEST

Where: Online Event

Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/parenting-with-mental-health-in-mind-anxiety-and-resilience

Youth Art Expo 2026

Kingston Youth Services invites young artists to showcase their creativity in the Youth Art Expo 2026. This free event celebrates the theme “GROWTH” and is an exciting opportunity for students aged 10 – 25 to express their creativity through painting, drawing, sculpture, digital art, and more.

Why Encourage Your Child to Participate?

Gain public recognition for their artistic talent
Exhibit their work in a professional gallery
Win fantastic prizes
Boost confidence and artistic skills

Expression of interest is now open, with limited spots available!

Register here: Kingston Youth Services Participation Form

Thank you for helping us inspire the next generation of artists.

Kingston Council - Platform 81 Drop in

Is your child looking for a place to unwind after school, make new friends or get creative?

Every Friday during the school term, Kingston Youth Services offer a safe and inclusive space for young people to connect.

At Platform 81 Kingston Youth Services have arts and crafts, or young people can challenge their friends to a game of pool, get competitive with our board games, or take on the youth team at 2K on the PS5.

Whether they're keen to get involved in an activity, or simply hang out and chat with the youth workers, there's something for everyone.

It's a great opportunity to build social connections, be part of a supportive community, and have fun in a welcoming environment.

Details:

Every Friday of Term 3 from 3-5pm

Ages 10-17

Platform 81 – 81 Albert Street, Mordialloc 3195 (next to Mordialloc train station)

Come along, get involved, and be part of the Platform 81 community!

Wellbeing Team

2026 Big Freeze