Wellbeing update

Wellbeing @ KSC

The Wellbeing Team a looking forward to a very busy term ahead full of many programs which we are really excited to be able to offer to our students. We also continue to support students with one on one counselling support and helping students to reach their full potential. Students can self-refer for counselling or be referred by a parent or carer of their year level coordinator.  Part of our role is to continue to help students build resilience and coping skills to support the challenges they may experience, and Wellbeing is at the heart of what we do here at Koonung. We endeavour to ensure that all young people feel safe, connected and supported at school. See below to find out more about what is happening this term: 

Connect Days! 

The Middle Years Connect Days are fast approaching where students will engage with a range of workshops and guest speakers to support their wellbeing and individual growth. 

Year 7 Connect Day 

Date: Monday 19 May

Theme: Connection 

School Values: Collaboration and Creativity 

Year 8 Connect Day 

Date: Wednesday 28 May 

Theme: Looking After Self and Others 

School Values: Endeavor and Resilience 

Year 9 Connect Day 

Date: Late term 2 – exact date TBC

Theme: Coping with Change and Help Seeking 

School Values: Endeavor and Excellence 

Group Program updates 

Peaceful Teens 

Peaceful Teens has started this term with a group of year 7 students, facilitated by Emily Ridgwell. This small group runs for 8 weeks of the term. Through Mindfulness and Positive Psychology strategies, 'Peaceful Teens' helps teenagers to navigate through their difficulties in a supportive group environment. This includes exploring a deeper understanding and application of Mindfulness, grounding techniques, controlling the controllables, riding the waves of strong emotions, adaptive coping strategies, managing unhelpful thinking and self-care.

I CAN Network 

The I CAN network mentoring program has commenced and students are enjoying the program so far with one of the facilitators being an ex-Koonung student!  I CAN provides mentoring to autistic and neurodivergent students by improving their self-esteem, mental health and wellbeing. I CAN provides one hour mentoring each week that focuses on celebrating autistic strengths, passions and expression. Participants develop a stronger sense of self-acceptance, confidence, optimism and belonging. 

Study Without Stress 

Study Without Stress started for a group of year 10 students, facilitated by Emily Ridgwell and Eryn Tyler. They will be learning knowledge and practical tips on how to approach and overcome the stress associated with schoolwork and exams in the final years of high school. The program goes for 7 weeks across term 2 and covers: 

• Understanding stress (including causes, symptoms and the role of the stress response)
• Goal setting
• Managing expectations and beliefs about examples
• Challenging negative or unhelpful thinking patterns 
• Understanding perfectionism and procrastination 
• Tips to deal with work avoidance
• Strategies for problem solving

Social Skills Group

Koonung’s new social skills small group program continues this term with Liz Senior and Philippa Ziegenhardt leading the group and they are already seeing the positive impact it is having on the students. Students in the group are learning skills related to making and keeping friends, being a good sport and managing peer-conflict and rejection. This 10-week program draws on the evidence-based PEERS Social Skills Training program developed by researchers at UCLA, which has been shown to improve social skills and social interactions among teens.

New Program – Starting in Term 2 

Stand Tall

We are thrilled to have EACH Youth and Family Services facilitating a small group program called Stand Tall. Stand Tall is designed for Year 8 and 9 male identifying students, who may be experiencing difficulties with self-esteem, confidence, anxiety, social issues or loneliness. The program offers a selected group of young men a safe and supportive environment to connect with peers and explore their strengths, values and identity as well as enhance self-esteem, confidence and communication skills.

If you are interested in attending this program, please email emily.ridgwell@education.vic.gov.au

If you are interested in participating in any of the above programs in the future, please contact the wellbeing team for further information. 

Teen Mental Health First Aid Training – Year 8 

Across term 2, Emily and Eryn will be delivering the Teen Mental Health First Aid training to the year 8 cohort. This program aligns with our whole school approach to wellbeing and teaches young people how to identify when a friend might be struggling and how to seek help from trusted adults. By the end of the 3 sessions, students will learn a range of skills that they can take with them into the future. 

Regular clubs run by the wellbeing team 

Wellbeing Wednesday – Every Wednesday Lunchtime in the Wellbeing Space 

Wellbeing Wednesday is held in the Wellbeing space. We come together and do a range of activities such as stress ball making, bracelet making, mindfulness and games. It’s a great way to connect with other students in your cohort!

Culture Club – Every second Thursday Lunchtime in room 50

Led by the International Captains, we aim to bring diverse global experiences, including food, games, and fun, to create a space where people from all cultures can learn, share, and celebrate what makes us unique.

Breakfast Club – Every Friday, 8:15am-8:40am in the food tech rooms 

Breakfast Club runs on Friday from 8.15am in the food tech rooms. It’s an opportunity to eat some breakfast with friends, listen to some good music and check out the treats our lovely Food Tech team make. Everybody is welcome!

Study and Snack – Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 3pm-4pm in A5

Study and Snack is an opportunity for students to come to MYC from 3.00pm as a space to complete their homework with snacks. Staff will be there to supervise and support students 

Eryn Tyler 

The Wellbeing Team