Learning and Wellbeing

Contents

SSO updates - programs and activities

Vaccination Information - Year 7 and Year 10

7T Garden update

Year 11 Ski Trip

Year 9 Gold Coast

Fit for Life

Student Support Officer (SSO) Updates 

Meet the team:

We are lucky enough to have 4 Social Workers triaging the wellbeing hub and supporting students. We have SSO's Kate, Lucy and Bec who provide numerous supports to both students and families. We also have Sue triaging the hub from Tuesday-Thursday supporting students. Sue is a wealth of knowledge and was in the SSO role for many years. Please see below some of the programs and groups we have recently been offering. 

Break Time Groups 

Craft Group -Tuesday at Recess

Craft group has been a great way for students to come together during the break and use their creative brains in a fun, cozy environment. Each week students engage in different structured craft activities with SLSO Sue, enjoy some food and catch up in the Wellbeing Hub. 

Rainbow Club -Wednesdays at Recess

This term, the students of Rainbow Club have been working collaboratively on an artwork display in the lead up to Pride Month. The goal was to incorporate as many different colours and patterns as possible to represent the vast spectrum of identities within the LGBTQIA+ community. Rainbow Club is a wonderful place for students to come together to share in valuable conversations and support each other as members of the queer community and in allyship. For the month of June, students wanting to join Rainbow Club are invited to celebrate Pride with us and participate in some fun, rainbow-themed activities!

Mindful Minds -Thursdays at Recess

Our Mindfulness Lunchtime Program continues to provide students with a calm and supportive space to relax, recharge, and build positive wellbeing habits during the school day. Through activities such as mindful colouring, breathing exercises, quiet reflection, and guided mindfulness practices, students are developing valuable strategies to support their emotional wellbeing and resilience. It has been wonderful to see students enthusiastically engaging in the program and supporting one another in creating a positive and inclusive environment. 

Friday Reset -Friday at Recess

Life's a lot. You don't have to deal with it alone. Join School Counsellor Sindella and SSO Kate for a chill, supportive group where teens can talk, listen, or just exist. We'll hang out, learn coping skills, and support each other through the ups and downs, at your own pace. This term we have been focusing on developing self care strategies, including a self care plan. We have also completed gratitude exercises, journaling and painting. 

SSO School Programs 

Love Bites Program: Year 7-10 

Last Term saw both Year 8 and 10 participate in Love Bites, an all-day program focusing on understanding and developing respectful relationships in adolescence. This term we have been working at delivering the program to Year 7 and Year 9. The students had opportunities to engage in meaningful discussions around Healthy vs. Unhealthy relationships, work together in group activities and learn how they can be upstanders in their community. Each day concluded with a creative module that saw students apply their knowledge in a fun, unique way, creating artworks and composing songs with SLSO Sue. SSOs are looking at ways that we can display these artworks in the community to spread the messages that the students have learnt.  

NRL In League In Harmony 2025 

In 2025, 18 students from FGHS participated in the NRL  " League in Harmony Program" with a focus on empowering youth to be agents of change for a more cohesive society.  At the conclusion of this program 9 students were identified as showing core values, team work and leadership. As a result they were chosen as our peace advocates. These students are listed below: 

 Bronson Hayes 

Philip Kipfer 

Motekiai Talanoa

Brooklyn Berryman

Isabella Douglas-Anderson 

Cali Taufua 

Ava Barlow 

Bree Clacherty 

Georgia Bristow

Being chosen as a peace advocate is a massive achievement, these students are now encouraged to become active peace builders within their community utilising the skills and knowledge gathered from the "In League in Harmony Program". These students have worked hard at putting forwards a Peace Advocacy Project. This was submitted to the NRL and was put in the running to win a bucket of funding to assist in implementing the program into community. 

Last week we were informed that our student's application was successful, with our Peace Advocates being awarded a $1,000 grant to implement their Peace Project. Their project will promote, inclusion, recognise diversity, respect, responsibility and social cohesion which are the core values of the " In League in Harmony". 

What this space for up coming activities in term 2 and 3. 

Breakfast Club 

Our Breakfast Club continues to be a wonderful way to start the school day, providing students with a FREE healthy breakfast and an opportunity to connect with friends in a welcoming environment. It has been fantastic to see so many students enjoying the program each week. A big thank you to our staff and volunteers who generously give their time to help make Breakfast Club such a positive and successful part of our school community. Please visit us any morning from Mon-Fri. 

External Community Programs 

Youth off the Streets (YOTS) Outreach Program

Youth off the Streets are a service that provide numerous supports in our local community. FGHS is lucky enough to work closely with this service. SSO's completed referrals to YOTS who offer mentoring and caseworker support for young people. YOTS also attend the Woodberry Skatepark for an Outreach Program every Monday afternoon. Please feel free to visit them at the Woodberry Skatepark on Mondays. They provide games and activities for young people, along with a free food. 

During Youth Week YOTS completed an Outreach Program in the community which was a huge success. They were also joined by Up and Up who completed a street art piece. 

Local Food Support

If any families in the community are needing food support we encourage you to access some of our local services. Food Is Life (FIL) is a project run through Maitland Family Support (across from FGHS) weekly on Tuesdays from 12:30pm-2pm. Here, you can access numerous different types of free groceries if you're in need. 

Plans for Term 3 

All SSO's are continuing to work at finding programs we can offer students to promote wellbeing. SSO's will be offering a Seasons for Growth Grief program for select students during Term 3. We are also offering 2 different Art Therapy Programs. 

Please reach out to the wellbeing team if you have any questions. We have also added a list of services below if anyone is needing support. If Parents/Carers are concerned about the mental health of a young person you can also contact the Mental Health Line for advice and support on 1800 011 511. 

Regards:

Vaccinations 2026

Vaccines recommended and funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council are provided for free to high school students as part of the NSW School Vaccination Program. NSW Health works with high schools to deliver these vaccines in schools. All NSW Health workers involved in the NSW School Vaccination program have Working with Children Check clearances.

The vaccines provided to students to help prevent serious illness under the NSW School Vaccination Program are:

• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (dTpa)

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

• Meningococcal ACWY.

Year 7 had their vaccinations during Term 1. 

Year 10 have their vaccinations coming up on 10th June 2026.

Both Year 7 and Year 10 will have an opportunity to catch up on their vaccinations on the 15th November 2026.

Consent for school vaccination

Parents/carers must provide consent for their child to receive vaccinations at school. If you do not provide signed consent as a parent/carer, your child will not receive vaccinations. Students aged 18 years and over may sign the consent form for themselves.

Parents/guardians can provide consent online through an online consent portal. If students and their parents/guardians do not have a Medicare card, consent can still be provided by a paper-based consent form, which can be provided by the school.

More information on how to provide online consent for parents is available on the NSW Health website.

7T - Garden Update 

7T and Miss Clark have been working hard in the garden throughout the beginning of Term 2. From feeding the chickens and fish daily, to prepping the raised garden beds ready for planting winter crops. We are growing gorgeous flowers, delicious brassicas, crunchy iceberg lettuce, colourful rainbow chard, a variety of juicy citrus and even bananas! 

Year 11 Ski Trip

17th August to 21st August, 2026

Cost: $1000

Non-refundable deposit $200 due: 22nd May 2026

Notes have been emailed to parents.

Please see Mr Dawson if you need a hardcopy of the note. 

Stay tuned for details on information evening on 30 July 2026. (Parent Teacher Evening)

Year 9 Gold Coast

26 October to 30 October, 2026

Cost: $800

Non-refundable deposit $200 due: 19 June 2026

Further documentation will be provided this week. 

Please see Mrs Tildsley if you need a hardcopy of the note.

Stay tuned for details on an information evening to be held during Term 3.

Fit for Life - PCYC Maitland

WHAT IS FIT FOR LIFE?

The PCYC NSW Fit for Life Program includes structured morning exercise, a healthy breakfast, and positive role modelling to support young participants.

The program fosters physical fitness, wellbeing, and personal growth, while promoting prosocial behaviours through mentorship.

Additionally, participants are transported to school, ensuring they start their day positively.

This term we have been offered a few spots in the program. We have 8 students attending each Wednesday morning. Mr Dawson and SLSO Pheonix have been accompanying the students to the program. The students have enjoyed attending and making connections with the support staff who attend.