In the lead up R U OK? Day on September 9th Rochester Secondary College held a number of online events, activities and challenges. All our students are in remote and flexible learning and we thought it was important that we create additional opportunities for students to connect with their peers and teachers. Students could choose the activities and challenges to participate in.

We accessed some our Resilience Project gratitude and mindfulness resources and asked students to reflect on the things around them that made them happy e.g. playing sport, hanging out with friends, family, reading, dancing etc. Students made short videos with the title #DISMOMENT. Students were asked to make a photo board about the things they were grateful for from a range of of headings including; that I have owned for a long time, that reminds me of my friends, that makes me happy, that I love in nature, that was a gift from someone special, that smells amazing, that tastes good, that makes a nice sound, and that makes me feel loved.

Whilst students could not travel, we had a number of students who shared their backyards with us and made short videos. Many of us have learnt new skills during COVID and students shared their COVID projects. We had a cupcake decorating competition, basketball shots, goals and trick shots, we received lots of entries for our COVID Cook Book. Students shared sunset photos and photos of their pets.

Conversation Bingo encouraged students to talk to a range of people and have a conversation. To conclude the week the whole school participated in an online Scavenger Hunt and Escape Room. Both activities were very competitive and students worked together to try and beat the staff team.

Meg Hill, our Mental Health Practitioner presented a number of strategies to support the mental health of students. The sessions included students completing a number of Mindfulness activities to help students manage stress and anxiety.

We had great support from our community with Lea Holmberg from Yoga Spot running a live class for all students, the team from Echuca F45 delivered a challenging and tough session and the week concluded with Jenna Harvey from Jen’s Personal Training delivering another session to get everyone moving.

Our wellbeing team, worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring everything together and our Year 12 students and staff received a R U OK? Care package delivered to them, with a cupcake and cookies. We are so lucky to have incredible people working at Rochester Secondary College, the staff have been amazing with the continuous rebounding into remote and flexible learning. The support they have provided both students and families has been outstanding.

Rochester Secondary College is so proud of our students, staff, families and community and the resilience everyone has demonstrated this term. We do encourage everyone to reach out to check in on friends, families and colleagues and ask R U OK?

Watch these video’s below for an idea about how a conversation may go:

How to ask a schoolmate R U OK? (full version) - YouTube

How to be a good friend and ask R U OK? (R U OK?Day 2021) - YouTube

Here is a list of free and confidential services which may help you or your friend:

For webchat support try www.eheadspace.org.au or phone their service on 1800 650 890
Bendigo headspace: Refer online https://headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/bendigo/or phone: (03) 5406 1400
Shepparton headspace: Phone (03) 5823 8800 or email: headspace@gvhealth.org.au
A local Doctor (GP)
Kids help line: 1800 55 1800

Finally remember it’s important to look after your own self-care:

Get some fresh air/ sunshine
Connect to friends and family
Move every day – go for a walk, bike ride, or anything that you find enjoyable
Eat and sleep well
Have a break from technology
Connect to nature
Practice mindfulness (Try smiling mind, or headspace app)
Do anything you find enjoyable – art, cooking, playing games
Practice gratitude at the end of each day (What are 3 things your grateful for).
Try a free yoga session on youtube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kgZnJqzNaU

Watch the following Youtube clip for some more self care tips: https://youtu.be/R6s9xoTjXQ8

Thank you