Lowanna College

Wellbeing Report

Introducing our Wellbeing Coordinator – Donna Perkins

Donna has been working in the Wellbeing Coordinator role for 5 years after spending 11 years in Middle School. Donna lives locally and has a good understanding of the local community. Her two children both attended Lowanna College.

Donna has a Diploma in Community Services and has participated in many professional development opportunities. Donna is currently in the process of exploring further study options in Adolescent Health with a focus on Mental Health.

Prior to Lowanna, Donna was employed as an Executive Assistant role at Monash/Federation University.

Donna has a passion for working with disadvantaged families and has expertise in the area of Out of Home Care.

Breakfast Club Update

A reminder that Breakfast Club is available to students each Tuesday and Thursday morning from 7.45 am to 8.20 am. We encourage students who have not had a bite to eat to come along and get some toast and hot milo.

The breakfast club team of helpers is also looking for anyone who would like to volunteer their time, one or both of the days we provide breakfast club. Please let the Wellbeing team know if you can help out. We also welcome donations to go towards the breakfast club – Margarine, Cheese Slices, and Milo are the things we would greatly appreciate.

 

Respectful Relationships Update 

In our last newsletter we spoke about Respectful Relationships, how it came about and the benefits of such an initiative for your children (our students). The staff of Lowanna College met recently and were introduced briefly to the work they will be doing. We spoke about this initiative taking on 2 parts – Teaching and Learning, through the Rights, Resilience and Respectful Relationships (RRRR) Curriculum and A Whole School Approach. Below are the six elements to driving that Whole School Approach and Building Respectful Relationships. In the coming weeks, all staff will participate in a Respectful Relationships briefing and an Implementation team will be selected to support in driving this important work across our school. Selected teaching staff will also be provided with professional development in relation to the RRRR curriculum in order to assist all teaching staff to deliver this across the school. As students begin to participate in this learning later in the year, they will be encouraged to share this learning with you as their parents. We also encourage you to have open conversations/raise awareness with them at home and at a community level.

Domestic and Family Violence Awareness Month

As May is the month of raising awareness for Domestic and Family Violence, we will be holding a special day on Thursday, 13th May.

This will be an Out of Uniform Day where we ask for a $1.00 donation to go towards our Respectful Relationships and Wellbeing work throughout the year. We encourage all students to help us raise awareness and come along dressed in something orange (it could be socks, hair ties, t-shirts, pants, dresses, a hat, etc ….  as long as it’s orange). Year 10 and 11 students will have a guest speaker who will speak about this important topic and send some great messages to your children.

We will also have a sausage sizzle at lunch time with sausages being sold for $1.00. Mark your calendars to remind yourself and your child of this great awareness-raising event.

International Women's Day Event

To recognise International Women’s Day which was on Monday, 8th March 2021, our Wellbeing Leader attended a special screening of the documentary/film Girls Can’t Surf with Lowanna’s Nurse Laura Van Stijn and our former nurse Karen Thurgood. The event was presented by Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault (GCASA). The documentary followed the careers of world-class female surfers and the challenges they faced in relation to responses from the public and from male surfers and addresses such issues as gender inequity, equal recognition, and the gender pay gap. This event strongly supported the work we are doing in Respectful Relationships and demonstrated the importance of developing an understanding of gender equity and how we, as a school and community, can spread this strong message

Achievement Program Update

We are continuing to work towards a healthier environment for working and learning. The Achievement Program consists of seven benchmarks for the school to achieve. These are –

 

Sun Protection Benchmark 

We are currently working on the Sun Protection benchmark – A balanced approach to UV exposure helps with vitamin D and minimises skin and eye damage.

In working through this benchmark, the school, with the support of our Health Promotion Worker, Claire Watts from Latrobe Community Health Service, will consider various areas such as Leadership & Commitment, Healthy Physical Environment, Healthy Culture, Teaching & Learning, Supported Staff & Educators and Families & Community Partnerships.

You will see that these areas support the whole school approach we take with Respectful Relationships.

Technology & Young People

We are becoming more aware that technology has become a consuming part of young people's lives. Technology refers to the use of digital platforms, applications, and devices. While we know that young people use technology for educational purposes and as a form of connection with others, we also know that accessing Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Messenger, and Text Messaging is not always a positive experience. Unfortunately, as these things are difficult to monitor they often result in unsafe behaviours. Young people can experience upsetting, inappropriate, and harmful content which often leads to bullying, friendship issues, and a lack of emotional and physical safety. As parents and carers, we encourage you to communicate with young people regularly to gain an understanding of when they are not going ok and whether they need support. Lowanna College does not tolerate bullying in any form and we ask the support of our school community to check in at home and talk with young people about appropriate online behaviour and the importance of respect towards our peers.

Healthy Food Is Fuel For A Healthy Mind 

Healthy eating helps young people to feel better about themselves and their bodies, cope more effectively with stress, better manage their emotions, and get a good sleep – ALL OF WHICH ASSIST LEARNING.

Poor nutrition has been linked to emotional & behavioural problems and increased learning difficulties.

Fruits, vegetables, grains, fish, and lean red meats have important nutrients which support the body and brain functions, including mood regulation.

Poor nutrition such as high fat & sugar diets affect the immune system and brain development – this is linked to mental health conditions including depression and anxiety.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

  • Drink water more frequently (Avoid drinks high in sugar)
  • Be a positive role model (We are what we see – Often young people look up to us)
  • Discuss menu options with the family (keep them simple and not so time-consuming)
  • Ensure young people have a good breakfast (so they are ready to learn)
  • Include lots of fruit and vegetables throughout the day (including snacks for recess/lunch)
  • Ensure young people have enough healthy food in lunch boxes (as we grow we need more – just keep it healthy)
  • Consider healthier options on take away night (a hamburger from the fish and chip shop is a better option than a burger from KFC and chips in the air fryer are a better option than chips from the fish and chip shop)