Student Welbeing

Open House and Edendale Farm Program

Term 2, 2024 Student Expression of Interest

Open House, Edendale Farm and Eltham High school would like to offer the opportunity for 10 Eltham High School students to spend 1 day per week at Edendale farm during Term 2, engaging in activities aimed at building healthy communities, strengthening engagement with education, doing hands-on-learning, improving relationships, achieving goals and having fun.

The program has been fully funded by Nillumbik Council and is a joint partnership between Open House and Edendale Farm and Eltham High and is free of cost to participants. The Program runs every Wednesday, periods 2-4, across Term 2 (from 24 April – 26 June, 2024).

Student Eligibility Criteria:

Students from Year 9 or 10
Students interested in hands-on learning, gardening, interacting with farm animals, and environmental and health benefits of their local food systems
Students have shown early signs of low motivation, disengagement and/or irregular attendance at school

If you would like to nominate your child to participate in this program, please complete the short EOI form here: https://forms.office.com/r/uVWEPeDt3R

For further questions on the program, please contact Mental Health Practitioner, Anna Jenkins (anna.jenkins@education.vic.gov.au ).

Vocal Workshop and Benefit Gig for South Africa

You are invited to join former Eltham residents, Valanga and Andrea Khoza, to experience the gorgeous sounds, voices, and songs of Valanga's homeland, South Africa, with a wonderful line up; Makepisi and Akasa, plus special guest vocalist Bright Mathonsie, all the way from Soweto, on Thursday 25 April.

Harmony Week (18-24 March), is a perfect time to celebrate the rich cultural diversity that we all enjoy in Australia, as well as give gratitude for our good fortune and opportunities, and extend our thoughts and support to people who live in countries that do not have the same benefits that we are blessed with.

This year during the mid-semester holidays, Eltham High School Staff member, Anna Jenkins and her family will be joining the Khoza family, to travel to South Africa on TOUR LIMPOPO 2024! Since 2001, the Khozas have been hosting joyous tours to share experiences including singing, culture, animals, history, family, education… and giving a little something back, by raising funds and visiting the Noah's Ark Children's Home (https://noahsarkchildrenshome.org.za) and Nkowa Nkowa Primary School.

So, come along on Thursday 25 April, to sing your heart out, enjoy the music and support this worthy cause. If you can't come to the concert, you can make a donation to support the Children’s home and primary school - every little bit helps, and we will be making sure every cent lands in the hands of the kids who need it most.

Details, bookings, and donations via https://events.humanitix.com/raise-your-voice

Eltham High School Parent Support Group

Supporting and Understanding School Avoidance Behaviour

There is a Parent Support Group on offer for Term 2 with a focus on empowering parents to guide your young people back into school. There will be weekly topics such as effective communication strategies, building a positive learning environment at home, fostering resilience in your young person, using specific interventions that promote school attendance and collaborating with school and community professionals.

Together, we want to create a supportive school community that uplifts parents and students by supporting students to engage and thrive in high school.Please note, the expression of interest for this group will close, Wednesday March 20, Week 8 of Term 1.

For parents who are interested, please complete the form:

https://forms.office.com/r/NFX5bSQzAQ?origin=lprLink

Digital Wellbeing

We consistently offer resources and strategies to support parents in navigating the responsible and effective use of social media for the overall wellbeing of your young people. Student Services wanted to bring your attention to a resource called the ‘Student Wellbeing Hub’: studentwellbeinghub.edu.au/parents This resource has a variety of wellbeing topics that can provide you with relevant information, advice, and strategies for supporting your young person’s wellbeing and safety.

As we move closer to the end of Term 1 and the holidays, we wanted to highlight the importance of online safety.

What is online safety?

Online safety is the act of staying safe online with the use of any technological device which has access to the internet.

How can we work together?

As a parent and carer, you have an essential role in guiding your child to protect themselves from online harms and risks. It is imperative that they learn how to have positive online experiences that ensures they can communicate safely with their peers and that this experience does not impact their mental health and wellbeing.

We understand that it can be challenging to keep up with new technologies and applications that allow young people to communicate online. By working together, we can support your child to use technology effectively to connect to others, to have fun safely and to enhance their learning.

Where to start?

If you wanted to information and strategies about cyber safety, please refer to: www.esafety.gov.au/parents. This resource will provide webinars for parents and carers to develop strategies to support and encourage online safety. Moreover, the strategies are centred on ensuring your young person can have a positive experience online and understanding the challenges that can occur. This can be achieved through watching short videos or using one of the family advice sheets to build your capacity to speak to your children about how to be safe online.

Additional Tips from the Student Services team to Promote Digital Wellbeing at home:

Set Boundaries: Establish clear rules about screen time, especially during family meals and before bedtime. Encourage device-free zones in certain areas of your home.
Model Healthy Behaviour: Be a role model for your child. Show them that you can disconnect from your devices when necessary and prioritise face-to-face interactions.
Stay Informed: Stay informed about the apps and websites your child uses. Be aware of the content they're exposed to and have conversations about responsible internet use.
Encourage Physical Activity: Promote physical activities and hobbies that do not involve screens. Help your young person find their passion outside of the digital world.
Mental Health Support: Let your young person know that it's okay to seek help if they're feeling overwhelmed or stressed by digital pressures. We’re here to provide you and your young person with relevant support.

Navigating the High School Journey

Year 7 Parent Transition Session, facilitated by Student Services.

Welcome, new parents of Eltham High School Year 7 students! We're excited to invite you to a special Transition Session aimed to support you in guiding your young people seamlessly into high school life.

Join us for an informative session where you'll gain valuable insights into the social, and emotional aspects of this pivotal transition. Our experienced Student Services (Wellbeing) team will provide tips on creating a positive learning environment at home, fostering effective communication with teachers, and understanding the unique challenges your young person might encounter during their first year.

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with fellow parents, establish a strong foundation for your young person’s high school experience, and discover the key tools to make the transition a success. We look forward to meeting you and sharing valuable insights for this exciting new chapter!

Date: Tuesday 19 March 2024

Time: 7:00 - 8:00pm

Where: Online via Webex. The link will be provided in a Compass post the week before the event.

Key Contact: Madeline Gaitanis madeline.gaitanis@education.vic.gov.au.

MADELINE GAITANIS, Student Services Leader