Student Wellbeing News

A message from Frankie

Hello EDSC Community!

My name is Frankie and I have been a Wellbeing Dog at EDSC for 4 months. Fridays are my absolute favourite day of the week because my Mum (Maddie) brings me to school. I get to greet students in the morning, support them in the Wellbeing Hub and I get endless pats at recess and lunch. I really enjoy meeting all of the students and especially those that keep coming back to give me more pats!! 

My Mum asked me to thank all of the amazing staff and students who look out for me when I am at school. I’m only a small dog in a massive school but all of the students are very caring and considerate of me. If you see me in the yard, please double check with my mum that it is ok to pat me. 

See you for a pat soon! 

Frankie

Wellbeing Dog

One Foot Forward

In October, Black Dog Institute organises a ‘virtual event’ called One Foot Forward. Participants are encouraged to set a target of how many kilometers they will run, walk or roll during the month of October. This raises donations and awareness for mental illness in the process of doing something to benefit their physical health. 

Research shows that just one hour of exercise a week helps prevent depression.  Walking together helps to start a conversation about mental health and can encourage people to seek help.

Kate Barresi, Kerryn Murray, Indrani Mahanama, Leanne Kaufmann, Linda La and Paul Haydock were among the staff who joined me in the East Doncaster Secondary College team. Between us, 655km was covered and $1,066 was raised for the Black Dog Institute. This money will support crucial mental health research and support services to help Australians impacted by mental illness and suicide

A very big thank you to goes out to everyone who supported the team.

For more information about Black Dog Institute, go to https://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/

Jane Denton

Biology & Science Teacher

Food & Financial Support

As we are all aware, the cost of living is increasing. We realise that this might be causing some distress to members of the EDSC community. If you are experiencing financial difficulties or food insecurity please look at the website www.askizzy.org.au. This website can help you locate services for food, money, clothing, health & housing in your area. 

The College is able to provide a range of food to families within the community. Foodbank Victoria provide EDSC fresh fruit, cereals, milk, different types of ready meals, fruit cups and messy monkey snacks. If you and your family are experiencing food insecurity, please contact the school to arrange a food collection. For a confidential conversation, please call Maddie on 9842 2244.

Please also note that if your child forgets their lunch they can come to the Wellbeing Hub to access the pantry.

Breakfast club runs every Wednesday during term time in the Wellbeing Hub. Students can access breakfast from 8:15-8:45am.

Wellbeing Team

Wellbeing Staff

For more information about Wellbeing at the College, please visit the following link .. 

Child Safety Standards

East Doncaster Secondary College is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. This will be the primary focus of our care and decision making.

East Doncaster Secondary College has zero tolerance for child abuse.

East Doncaster Secondary College is committed to providing a child safe environment where children and young people are safe and feel safe, and their voices are heard about decisions that affect their lives. Particular attention will be paid to the cultural safety of Aboriginal children and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds, as well as the safety of children with a disability.

Every person involved in East Doncaster Secondary College has a responsibility to understand the important and specific role he/she plays individually and collectively to ensure that the wellbeing and safety of all children and young people is at the forefront of all they do and every decision they make.

In our planning, decision making and operations, all personnel at East Doncaster Secondary College will:

• Take a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety;
• Value and empower children to participate in decisions which affect their lives;
• Foster a culture of openness that supports all persons to safely disclose risks of harm to children
• Respect diversity in cultures and child rearing practices while keeping child safety paramount;
• Provide written guidance on appropriate conduct and behaviour towards children;
• Engage only the most suitable people to work with children and have high quality staff and volunteer supervision and professional development;
• Ensure children know who to talk with if they are worried or are feeling unsafe, and that they are comfortable and encouraged to raise such issues;
• Report suspected abuse, neglect or mistreatment promptly to the appropriate authorities;
• Share information appropriately and lawfully with other organisations where the safety and wellbeing of children is at risk; and
• Value the input of and communicate regularly with families and carers.