Student Wellbeing

Welcome back to Week 2 of Term 2. It has been positive to see students settling into routines, reconnecting with peers and engaging with learning after the break.

As part of our wellbeing focus this term, students who applied for GEM Leadership roles are currently being finalised and will be announced shortly. This is an important leadership opportunity within our school, and we acknowledge the effort and commitment shown by all students who expressed interest.

GEM Leaders will support our school community by promoting the values of gratitude, empathy and mindfulness in everyday interactions. These roles are not only about leadership, but about helping to create a culture where all students feel safe, respected and included. GEM Leaders will encourage positive choices in the classroom and playground, support others to resolve challenges calmly, and model respectful communication and kindness in their daily actions.

Through this leadership, students will contribute to a learning environment where wellbeing is prioritised and where every child is supported to be their best self.

The Orange Door Our school cares about the safety and wellbeing of our students and their families. Sometimes things at home or in a relationship are not OK, or families can be worried about the wellbeing of their children or young people. The Orange Door can help you to get the support you need, quickly and easily. It’s free, and you don’t need a referral. The Orange Door can help families. They provide support for concerns with parenting, relationships, and family violence. The Orange Door is a free intake and assessment service for:

Families requiring support for their child or young person’s wellbeing or development
Families needing parenting support
Young, isolated, or unsupported families
Individuals and families experiencing family violence
Adults using family violence
Young people using violence in the home.

If you contact The Orange Door, they can help by:

working with you to identify the help and support you need
supporting you with the wellbeing and development of your child or young person
helping you make a safety plan if someone is making you feel unsafe
connecting you to services that can help like counselling, accommodation, mental health and drug and alcohol services, parenting support groups, services for children, financial help, or legal assistance
supporting you to access funding for basic living expenses and some other costs
supporting you to change abusive or controlling behaviour.

Each Orange Door location across Victoria has its own phone number and email. Students and their families can also visit their local Orange Door in person for support, Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm for support. No appointment is needed. To find your local service, see The Orange Door – Support near you.

How schools connect with The Orange Door

Our school might talk to a student and/or their family about The Orange Door. We might encourage them to contact their local Orange Door to get advice and help if needed. Ideally, a student and/or their family will contact The Orange Door to seek advice and support. Sometimes, schools might make a referral to The Orange Door without the student's or their family’s knowledge or consent.

Schools will do this if:

informing a student and/or family increases the risk to their safety or wellbeing
Not linking a student to support increases the risk to their safety and wellbeing.

You can learn more about:

The Orange Door and how they can help you and your family here.
How our school keeps our students safe by reading our Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy and our Child Safety Code of Conduct here.

Merri-bek City Council Message

Ride & Stride e-bike subsidies for Merri-bek families

We know the current fuel crisis is affecting Merri-bek locals, adding more cost-of-living pressure on families juggling trips to school and work.

Merri-bek City Council’s Ride & Stride program wants to support families in Merri-bek to make the switch to more affordable and sustainable ways of travelling.

Switching from driving to riding an e-bike for the school run can save your family money and time on the morning commute, and it’s great for kid’s health and wellbeing.

Working with two local bike shops, we’re offering families $500 off the purchase price of a new or refurbished bike, or 50% off a weekly subscription for 3-months (up to value of $500).

See the bikes on offer, review the eligibility criteria, and reserve your subsidy today at: ttps://zerocarbonmerri-bek.org.au/ebike-subsidies/

Vicky and Bianka Wellbeing Leaders