The colder weather does not mean that the mid-year holidays need to be boring! Rather than hiding under the covers waiting for the sunshine to return, why not create a winter bucket list filled with indoor and outdoor activities!

INDOOR ACTIVITIES

Get Cooking! Spend the day in the kitchen whipping up your favourite snacks to get you through the holidays. Better yet why not have a go at perfecting a cherished family recipe.

Host a games afternoon/night – Put together a party mix or some finger foods, and dust off your favourite board games to challenge your family/friends.

Get crafty! Thanks to the internet, there are now thousands of creative crafts on offer for you to attempt and master. Crafting can reduce stress and increase mood and self-confidence .. not to mention the pride and satisfaction you feel once you’ve created your very own masterpiece!

Does your dog do tricks? Why not turn dog training and obedience into a fun activity for both you and your canine friend! Dogs love learning and mental stimulation for them is just as important as physical exercise.

Get moving in front of the TV! Many gaming programs are designed to encourage movement while you play. For example, a dance mat or Wii remote can get you moving and burning calories while playing your favourite games. Similarly, virtual reality games require full-body movement and can provide a great workout.

Make over your bedroom – Tired of looking at the same four walls in your bedroom and needing a change? There are many great ways to revamp your own space .. most of which are simple changes that don’t cost a fortune.

Hold a karaoke competition! Did you know that there are many benefits to singing? Belting out a tune can stimulate your brain and relieve stress, allowing you to breathe better and even improve your memory!

Science Experiments – there are literally hundreds of simple science experiments and activities you can try at home (with parental authorisation of course!) Break out the white coats and start searching the web for ideas.

Movie night! Load up your favourite flicks and invite around your family or friends for a movie marathon. Key ingredients: blankets, popcorn and PJs!

Indoor Work-Out: The cold winter weather outside doesn’t need to stop you from physical exercise. There are plenty of ways to keep active indoors, including: lifting weights, yoga, planking, squats, push-ups, pilates, Zumba, or even jumping on a treadmill or exercise bike.

Update your music library: Crank up Spotify and listen to some old tunes you’ve not heard in a while or create some brand-new playlists.

Complete a puzzle: Studies have shown that jigsaw puzzles can help improve visual special reasoning, short-term memory and problem-solving skills.

Pamper time! Spoil yourself with a mini spa day at home with a variety of DIY beauty treatments. Try a nice manicure/pedicure, facial mask, experimenting with make-up, or even just a soak in the tub with a bath bomb.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES (or at least get you out of the house!)

Embrace the rain: If you’re experiencing cabin fever from drizzly weather, why not pop on a raincoat and gumboots and head out into the mud! The world can be an incredible place in the rain, and you never know what fun you might find!

Visit the snow: Take a day trip to our closest ski plains - dress warmly and have a go at skiing, snowboarding or sledding. For the less adventurous, construct a snow man or have a friendly snowball fight with family/friends.

Cultivate your own veggie garden: Even with minimal living space or no access to an outdoor yard, there are ways to establish your veggie or herb garden. Search the internet for design ideas and advice on which plants grow best during the winter months.

Visit your local library: The perfect all-weather activity and it's free! Load up on books to read and you've scored yourself hours of entertainment!

Op Shopping: East Gippsland lays claim to a myriad of second-hand opportunity stores. It’s a great way to save money and find unique one-off items you never knew you needed.

Winter Camping: If you’re brave enough, rug up and camp out in your own backyard or local campground.

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YOUR HEALTH vs VAPING

Vaping is a growing concern among young people due to its addictive nature and potential for harm. Nicotine, a highly addictive substance found in many vapes, can negatively impact brain development in young people, affecting attention, learning, memory, and mood. See attached fact sheet on vaping and the damaging effects it can have on your health. Did you know that BSC has a dedicated Youth Outreach Worker who visits the College once a fortnight to provide advice and support for students. To find out more information and/or to access this service, please contact your Hub or see Wellbeing.

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MENTAL HEALTH OVER THE HOLIDAYS

Holidays can take students away from their friends and usual school supports, whilst a change to routine can sometimes cause young people to feel stressed, isolated, alone or just a bit out of sorts. Below are some tips for students to help maintain a healthy headspace over the school holiday period.

Stay Connected - Social relationships are essential for your wellbeing. It’s okay to take time out for yourself but it’s just as important to keep in contact with your friends over the break. If you don’t feel like going out, even a phone call or message can still help you feel connected with peers.

Get Involved- Holidays are a great time to participate in some volunteer work, find new hobbies, join a committee or take up a new sport. These activities can help you link you in to the wider community and establish further connections outside of school.

Physical Activity- If you are feeling down or finding things are difficult, physical activity may be the last thing you feel like doing, but even small activities, like walking around the block, can help relieve stress and frustration, provide a good distraction from worrying thoughts, as well as improve concentration and mood.

Healthy Eating Habits - While an occasional fast-food meal won’t hurt, a habit of eating out could be doing a number on your health. Eating well doesn’t only reduce the risk of physical health problems, but it can also help with sleeping patterns, energy levels, mood, and general health and wellbeing. A good balanced diet with less junk food/lots of sugars and more vegies, fruit, whole grains and plenty of water will ensure you have all of the vitamins and minerals to help your body and brain function well.

Get Some ZZZZs - By all means, enjoy a sleep in over the holidays but don’t sleep the entire day away! A good night’s sleep helps you to feel energised, focused and motivated. Adolescence is a time when a number of changes to the “body clock” impact on sleeping patterns and young people are more likely to have problems with sleep. Developing a sleeping routine can help and it’s important to try and maintain this over the break. Try to wake up around the same time each day, get out of bed when they wake up, and go to bed around the same time each night.

Mental Health Support - If you, or someone you know, are experiencing a difficult time over the holiday break, see below for some information and links for various support services.

KIDS HELPLINE - Kids Help Line website is full of great information and support for young people aged 12 – 25 years, with friendships, family issues, sex, e-safety, bullying, schoolwork, life Issues, mental health, etc.

Kids Helpline | Phone Counselling Service | 1800 55 1800

HEADSPACE - Headspace supports young people with mental health, physical health (including sexual health), alcohol and other drug services, as well as work and study support.

headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation

REACHOUT - ReachOut is a free service that’s available anytime and pretty much anywhere. Their trusted self-help information, peer-support program and referral tools save lives by helping young people be well and stay well.

A Safe Place to Chat Anonymously, Get Support & Feel Better | ReachOut Australia

MINUS 18 - Minus18 is Australia's charity improving the lives of LGBTQIA+ youth via life-affirming events, leadership programs, and education for the whole community.

Home | Minus18

QLIFE - QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTQIA+ peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings, or relationships.

QLife - Support and Referrals

eSAFETY COMMISSIONER - The eSafety Commissioner addresses issues such as cyberbullying, image-based abuse, and harmful online content. They also provide educational resources and guidance on online safety for individuals, parents, educators, and young people.

Online safety | eSafety Commissioner

ADF - The Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF) is Australia’s leading organisation committed to inspiring positive change and delivering evidence-based approaches to minimise alcohol and drug harm.

The Alcohol and Drug Foundation - Alcohol and Drug Foundation

SEXUAL HEALTH VICTORIA - Sexual Health Victoria focuses on reproductive and sexual health care, education and advocacy.

Reproductive & Sexual Health Clinics, Education and Advocacy

EATING DISORDERS VICTORIA - Eating Disorders Victoria (EDV) provide carers and loved ones with the resources and skills needed to understand eating disorders, navigate the treatment journey and support their loved one.

Home - Eating Disorders Victoria - Services and Support for ED Recovery

BUTTERFLY FOUNDATION - Butterfly Foundation is the national charity for anyone in Australia impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, as well as the families, friends and communities who support them.

Support for Eating Disorders and Body Image Issues | Butterfly Foundation

1800RESPECT - 1800RESPECT is available for free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to support people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence.

Home | 1800RESPECT

Community News

The Old Geriatric Centre Site - Community group update