Student Wellbeing

Introducing Chelsea Collings

Chelsea is our new Leader of Student Wellbeing, dedicated to fostering a supportive and positive environment where all students feel valued, safe, and empowered to thrive. Her goal is to ensure that wellbeing, alongside learning, is at the forefront of our school community, offering guidance and resources to both students and parents alike. Whether it's through mental health initiatives, promoting healthy relationships, or providing support for academic stress, the Wellbeing team is here to help our students develop the skills they need to navigate life’s challenges and successfully engage in their learning, both in and outside the classroom.

If students or parents have any concerns or need advice regarding your student wellbeing, please feel free to reach out and ask to speak to a member of our team. Together, we can create a nurturing environment that helps our students grow and succeed.

Friendships: Finding the Real Ones

Ever noticed how when two pieces of iron rub against each other, they become sharper? The friction smooths out their rough edges and makes both pieces stronger. Friendships should work the same way—good friends push you to grow, become a better person, and help you through the messy parts of life.

Whether you want to admit it or not, friends matter—a lot. They can shape the way you think, influence the decisions you make, and affect how you feel every day. The people you surround yourself with can either lift you up or drag you down.

That’s why quality over quantity is so important. Having one or two friends who truly have your back is way better than being surrounded by a crowd of people who don’t really care about you. Fake friends might fill your social feed, but real ones fill your life with meaning.

What Does a Good Friendship Look Like?

Take a second and ask yourself these questions:

👉 Are you genuinely happy with the people you spend the most time with?

👉 Do they support you, even when life gets tough?

👉 Do you like who you are when you’re around them?

If your answer is yes—that’s awesome! Keep investing in those friendships. Enjoy the laughs, the deep conversations, the comfortable silences, and all the random adventures. True friendships are rare, and they’re worth holding onto.

If your answer is no—it might be time to pause and reflect. Are you constantly pretending to be someone else just to fit in? Do you feel drained after spending time with certain people? A friendship shouldn’t feel like an obligation, and you shouldn’t have to change who you are to be accepted.

There’s no “perfect” friendship—every relationship is different—but here are some qualities that good friendships share:

✅ They want the best for you. Real friends cheer for your success. When you win, they’re genuinely happy for you—not jealous or competitive.

✅ They stick around—no matter what. Life isn’t always easy. True friends are there through the good days, the bad days, and everything in between.

✅ They’re kind and understanding. Good friends aren’t quick to judge. They listen, they care, and they’re willing to work through misunderstandings.

✅ They forgive and let things go. Everyone messes up. Healthy friendships are built on open communication and forgiveness—not holding grudges.

✅ They make you feel safe. You should be able to be yourself without fear of judgment or gossip.

✅ They’re honest, not fake. A real friend won’t talk behind your back while smiling to your face. Fake friends create drama—don’t let that negativity stay in your life.

✅ They’re open to real conversations. You can be honest about your feelings without worrying about being shut down or misunderstood.

Toxic friendships—the ones filled with gossip, jealousy, and manipulation—are draining. If someone is constantly bringing you down, it might be time to let them go. You deserve friends who uplift you, not ones who make you question your worth.

Friendship Struggles & How to Handle Them

Even the best friendships aren’t perfect. Here are a couple of common struggles and how to work through them:

💥 Ego & Pride

Let’s be honest—it’s easy to let pride get in the way. Maybe you’re holding a grudge because your friend said something that hurt you, or maybe your ego won’t let you admit that you were wrong. But here’s the truth: No one is perfect—not even you. People make mistakes. You make mistakes. And that’s okay. Imagine if no one ever gave you a second chance—how lonely would that feel?

Holding onto anger only hurts you in the long run. It keeps you stuck in negativity and blocks you from building better connections. Being the “bigger person” doesn’t mean you’re weak—it means you value your peace of mind more than being right. Challenge yourself: If a friendship is worth saving, be willing to forgive. Don’t let pride destroy something that could be repaired with a simple, honest conversation.

💬 Miscommunication

A lot of friendship drama starts because of assumptions and misunderstandings. It’s easy to jump to conclusions, but that usually makes things worse. Instead of guessing what someone is thinking, talk it out. If a friend comes to you with a problem, take it as a sign that they care enough to fix things. It’s easier to walk away—but real friends are willing to work through tough conversations.

How to fix it:

Listen—Really hear their side without interrupting or getting defensive.

Be honest—Share how you’re feeling without being harsh.

Find a solution—Work together to understand each other and move forward.

A simple conversation can clear up weeks (or months) of confusion. Don’t be afraid to speak up—it’s better than letting resentment grow in silence.

🚪 When It’s Time to Let Go

Not every friendship is meant to last forever—and that’s okay. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, things just don’t work out. When a friendship starts to feel more like a burden than a blessing, it might be time to walk away. Letting go doesn’t mean you’re a bad person or that you failed—it means you’re making room for better, healthier relationships. It’s okay to outgrow people who no longer align with who you’re becoming.

Signs it’s time to move on:

-You feel drained after spending time with them.

-They constantly criticize or belittle you.

-There’s no trust or honesty.

-They only show up when they need something.

You deserve friendships that bring you joy, not stress.

🌟 Friendship Goals for This Year

This year, make a commitment to invest in the people who matter most. Here are three simple goals to focus on:

💛 Refine your friendships. Surround yourself with people who challenge you to grow while accepting you as you are.

💛 Practice forgiveness. Let go of petty arguments and be open to giving second chances when they’re deserved.

💛 Be the friend you want to have. Show up, listen, and treat your friends with kindness and respect.

Remember: The best friendships aren’t about perfection—they’re about realness. Choose your people wisely, and don’t settle for less than you deserve.

Your friendships should sharpen you—not wear you down. Choose friends who make you better, and be that kind of friend in return.

Looking for Support?

EACH - Health Services 1300 003 224

These services are free or low-cost.

93 Boronia Rd, Boronia

Youth Mental Health Services 9298 8469

Individual counselling on a short-term basis for young people aged 10 to 25 years as well as parent and family support.

2 Capital City Blvd, Wantirna South

headspace 1800 650 890

2 Capital City Blvd, Wantirna South

Offering: General health services (youth-friendly, free Doctors), Counselling & Mental Health Support, Alcohol and Other Drug Services, Vocational, Education & Training Support.

Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre 1800 015 188 (24 Hours)

Confidential information, counselling and support service. safesteps.org.au

1800 Respect 1800 737 732 (24 Hours)

www.1800respect.org.au

Nurse on Call 1300 60 60 24

Puts you directly in touch with a registered nurse for caring, professional physical health advice around the clock.

The Butterfly Foundation 9822 5771

1430 Malvern Road, GLEN IRIS Victoria https://butterfly.org.au/ -

FriendLine 1800 424 287

Supports anyone who's feeling lonely, needs to reconnect or just wants a chat. You can call them 7 days a week or chat online with one of their trained volunteers. All conversations with FriendLine are anonymous.

24/7 Mental Health Hotlines:

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800

Australia’s only free 24/7 confidential and private counselling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 – 25.

Lifeline - Call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or chat online. Provides 24-hour crisis counselling, support groups and suicide prevention services.

Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 or suicidecallbackservice.org.au Provides 24/7 support if you or someone you know is feeling suicidal.

Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

Aims to increase awareness of depression and anxiety and reduce stigma. Call, chat online or email.