College Newsletter

Wellbeing

Support During Lockdown

As you may already know, the Wellbeing Team are doing check-ins over the phone. We will be calling to see how families and students are going with the more recent restrictions and lockdown, to offer support to both parents and students. As we are working from home, the calls will be coming from a ‘Blocked Number’ or ‘No Caller ID’. If there is no answer, we will leave a message (if able) and endeavour to contact you another time or through another means such as Compass.

 

Students can reach out to the Wellbeing Team by emailing dscwellbeingteam@gmail.com or by texting 0420 763 783 with their name and someone will get in touch. Please note the email and phone is only available during school hours (8:30am – 3:30pm).

 

Clare

On behalf of the DSC Wellbeing Team

Positive YouTube Views: Clips that Inspire!

During these challenging times we'd like to share some positive videos going around. They are well worth a look!

Michael Mcintyre Visits Fortune Teller Before Lockdown!

 

British comedian Michael Mcintyre takes you with him on a hilarious mystical journey back in time to 2019. You may relate to what his fortune teller sees for 2020!

Elephant Baby Boom in Kenya 

 

The combination of interruptions in international travel and periods of heavy rainfall has led to Kenyan wildlife officials reporting a recent elephant baby boom. Read more...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Head Up

There are so many things to learn from this simple but clever animation about two goats traversing a rocky track. This is a great clip to watch as a family!

Boredom Busters: Ideas to Stay Entertained at Home

If you're looking for new ways to stay entertained during lockdown, the below list offers some fantastic and creative resources including digital tours that are well worth a look. 

  • ABC Education. ABC Education brings you high-quality, free educational content covering english, maths, science, geography, history, the arts and technologies, and STEM.
     
  • Online museum tours. Many of the world's museums and libraries have their collections and tours available to people online including the British Museum, Sistene Chapel and Rijks Museum. 
     
  • Animals at home. Zoo's Victoria has set up live stream cameras from Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo. You can also see animals from across the globe here. 
     
  • Sealspotter citizen activity. Phillip Island Nature Parks Seal Challenge allows people to participate in research by reviewing drone footage to count the seal population.
     
  • National Science & Technology Centre. Support kids to learn about the way our world works through a variety of fun experiments and activities you can do at home.
     
  • Sydney Opera House. Experience the Sydney Opera House from your home through digital content and hands-on activities created to inspire young minds.

Beth Moody

Middle School Counsellor/ Social Worker

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 Ways to get Mental Health Help Without having to Talk on the Phone

This article was originally published on Generation Next, 10 August 2020. 

 

Aliza Werner-Seidler, UNSW and Sophie H Li, UNSW

 

Access to mental health support has never been more important, as Melburnians are hit with a stage 4 lockdown and much of the rest of Australia braces for a potential second wave of COVID-19.

 

This year, many mental health professionals have moved to providing telehealth services via phone and video calls.

 

But what options are available for those who don’t like talking on the phone, or who find it difficult to find a quiet space to have a private conversation?

 

Fortunately, there are several ways to get help without having to speak a word.

 

1. Talk with a therapist via SMS or web chat

You can access free web chat or text messaging services that allow you to talk with a therapist via messaging….read more here.

Wellbeing Team to 'Wear it Purple'

At Doncaster Secondary College, the Wellbeing Team are working to make the school an inclusive and safe place for all students. Friday, 28 August marks national Wear it Purple Day. The aim of this day is to show LGBTIQA+ young people that they have the right to be who they are and the right to be proud. The other aim of this annual event is to develop safes spaces for young rainbow people in schools, universities and workplaces.

 

Why do rainbow students need safe spaces? In Australia, rainbow young people experience poorer mental health comes when compared to other cohorts as a result of homophobia and homophobic bullying. Recent research shows that 80% of this reported abuse was experienced by young people at their school.

 

To show their solidarity and support of rainbow students, the Wellbeing Team will be wearing purple and undertaking professional development to further their capacity to engage with students. So, to all of our rainbow students and rainbow families, we wish you a happy ‘Wear it Purple’ day on 28 August. You are seen and deserve to feel proud.

 

Belle and Joy on behalf of the Wellbeing Team