Engagement, Wellbeing and Inclusion

Inclusion Team 

Inclusion Team Update

Inclusion continues to be a major priority at Bemin Secondary College, with the team maintaining a strong focus on supporting students with diverse learning needs. Throughout the semester, the Inclusion Team has continued to coordinate and facilitate Disability Inclusion Profile (DIP) meetings, ensuring students and families are supported through this important process.

A key focus this term has been strengthening and developing the school's use of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) visuals. Working closely with our Inclusion Outreach Coach, the team has refined existing systems, developed clear guidance, and created a comprehensive bank of resources for Education Support staff to utilise in classrooms and learning spaces across the college.

This work culminated in a full-day professional learning session delivered by the Inclusion Leaders and our Outreach Coach. The session provided Education Support staff with practical strategies and hands-on experience in effectively implementing AAC resources to enhance communication, engagement, and student participation. We are excited to begin implementing these new resources and processes in Semester Two as we continue to refine our systems and strengthen support for our students.

Looking ahead, we are also delighted to welcome a new leader to the Inclusion Team. Rebecca Nash (Bec) will be joining us in Semester Two, bringing extensive experience supporting students with additional learning needs. Bec has worked for a number of years at a specialised college in the United Kingdom, focusing on students with learning difficulties and Autism. Her expertise and passion for inclusive education will be a valuable addition to our growing team.

We are excited to expand our capacity and look forward to working with Bec as we continue to enhance opportunities and outcomes for all students at Bemin Secondary College.

Friendship Lunch Club

This term, the Inclusion Team proudly launched the Friendship Lunch Club to support students who may be experiencing challenges with friendships, social interactions, or finding meaningful connections with their peers.

The club provides a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where students can build confidence, develop social skills, and strengthen positive peer relationships. Through structured activities and supported interactions, students are encouraged to foster a sense of belonging and create lasting friendships within the school community.

The Friendship Lunch Club aims to:

• Provide a safe and welcoming environment during lunch times.
• Support students to develop social skills and positive peer relationships.
• Encourage inclusion, belonging, and confidence.
• Offer structured activities and games that promote teamwork and communication.

• Help students build meaningful friendships in a supportive setting.

   

Students have thoroughly enjoyed participating in a variety of activities, including board games, card games, LEGO challenges, creative projects, and social conversations in a relaxed and supportive environment. It has been wonderful to see new friendships forming and students growing in confidence as they engage with their peers.

New Chill Out Spaces

The Inclusion Team has also established two dedicated Chill Out Spaces to support student wellbeing, self-regulation, and engagement in learning.

These spaces have been designed to provide students with access to a calm and supportive environment when they need time to regulate emotions, manage feelings of overwhelm, or refocus before returning to class. The spaces also offer students an alternative setting to complete learning tasks when appropriate, ensuring they remain connected to their education while receiving the support they need.

The Chill Out Spaces provide students with:

• A quiet and calm environment when they feel overwhelmed.
• Opportunities to regulate emotions before returning to learning.
• A space to complete work outside of the classroom when appropriate.
• Access to sensory and calming resources.
• A safe environment that promotes wellbeing, focus, and engagement.

By providing these spaces, we are supporting students to develop important self-regulation skills while fostering a positive and inclusive school environment.

The Inclusion Team remains committed to creating supportive, engaging, and inclusive environments where all students feel safe, connected, and successful. We look forward to continuing to develop initiatives that enhance student wellbeing, participation, and positive outcomes across Bemin Secondary College.

Wellbeing Team 

The Student Wellbeing team has been busy keeping our students safe, connected and ready to learn.  We have also been there to support them for when life does not quite go to plan. Sometimes it’s challenges with attendance, relationships or feeling worried about their learning. Parents, teachers and students have continued to refer students our way to receive a range of supports including individual counselling, referrals to externals agencies, group work and case management.

Our Breakfast Club continues to run four mornings each week, providing students with access to a range of nutritious food options in a welcoming and supportive environment. Across both campuses, Breakfast Club offers students a positive start to the day through connection, conversation, and a full stomach, helping them feel ready to engage in learning.

Throughout the term, the Wellbeing Team has supported a variety of school events and initiatives. The team assisted with a barbecue for students completing the General Achievement Test (GAT), providing encouragement and refreshments as students undertook this important assessment. We also recognised IDAHOBIT Day by hosting an information table with resources and giveaways, promoting awareness and celebrating diversity while reinforcing our commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for LGBTQIA+ students.

The team has continued to support student participation in physical activity and school engagement opportunities. Wellbeing staff assisted with interschool sports both on and off site, including facilitating an indoor soccer team and providing support to students representing the school at sporting events. Fresh fruit was also provided to students attending sporting activities to promote healthy choices and wellbeing.

Targeted group supports have continued throughout the term. The Rite of Passage group remains an important initiative for our Pasifika students, providing opportunities to strengthen cultural identity, leadership skills, and positive connections within the school community.

Across both campuses, the Wellbeing Team continues to provide targeted Tier 3 support to students requiring additional assistance. This includes individual counselling, support sessions, regular wellbeing check-ins, case management, and referrals to external services where appropriate.

Since the start of 2026 the Student Wellbeing Team has received 150 (documented) new referrals, reflecting the significant and ongoing demand for wellbeing support across our college. This figure does not include referrals from previous years that at times remain active, open and continue to need support and intervention.

The continued growth in referrals highlights both the complexity of student wellbeing needs and the importance of timely, coordinated support. Our incredible team which consists of qualified youth workers, counsellors, social workers & a mental health practitioner look forward to continuing to work closely together with families to help make our students feel connected and thrive both personally and academically into next term.

The Wellbeing Team remains committed to continuous improvement and professional growth. This term, staff have engaged in ongoing professional development, with half of the team attending specialised off-site training to further refine their skills and knowledge. The remaining team members will participate in this training next term, ensuring the whole team continues to strengthen the quality of support provided to students.

Lunchtime Activities 

Everton Campus - Who says Lunchtime is just for eating? Here at Junior Campus, we’ve been serving plenty of fun throughout the term. From slam dunks on the basketball court and masterpieces in Art club - to friendly Mario Kart rivalries on the Nintendo Switch, there’s been something for everyone to enjoy. Lets not forget wrapping our week off on a high note- #KaraokeFridays. Next term we’re kicking things up a notch with the introduction of Footsal and Table Tennis. We can’t wait to see more students join in on the fun.

Morris Campus -  It has been a busy and exciting term of lunchtime activities at Morris Campus. Students have shown fantastic house spirit in our Interhouse Basketball Competition, with plenty of friendly competition and slam-dunk moments throughout the term. Video Games Club continues to be a popular lunchtime destination, with students racing for glory in Mario Kart and smashing expectations in Super Smash Bros. The competition has become so fierce that even staff have stepped into the arena to take on students in some friendly Smash Bros. battles!

Art/VCD Club has encouraged students to get creative through a range of drawing activities while also providing a space for VCE students to brush up on their skills and make progress on their folios. We were also excited to strike a chord with the launch of Music Club this term and look forward to hearing what our talented musicians have been working on when they are ready to take centre stage.

Looking ahead to next term, we're hoping students will net themselves a spot in our House Netball Competition and roll the dice on our new Board Games Club. Students interested in joining the netball competition can register via the Google Form available on the Google Classroom noticeboards. If you have an idea for a lunchtime activity or club that you would like to see at Morris Campus, please contact Clare Wood in the Tech Staffroom or via email.