Wellbeing

Welcome to the Wellbeing page of the Fairhills Forum. My name is Paul Graham and I am the Student Wellbeing Coordinator. On this page I will endeavour to keep you updated with everything related to Student Wellbeing as well as provide families and students with relevant information about some great programs that are being run in the community.

There have been some exciting changes in Wellbeing in 2016, which includes a few new faces and the new Student Wellbeing Centre. The new members include Linda Kollind, filling in for MIchael Bourne who is on leave, as the new Guidance Officer. Linda attends the school once a week on a Thursday and is available to complete educational assessments. If you are concerned your child may have learning difficulties or struggling to concentrate in class, please contact myself, Paul Graham (Student Wellbeing Coordinator) and I can arrange an assessment with Linda.

We would like to officially welcome on board Kate Arnott (Youth Development Officer) Knox City Council. Kate was involved in supporting the school in various wellbeing events last year, such as Diversity Week and the Year 7 Wellbeing Day. She will once again be heavily involved in running programs and supporting students on a needs basis.

Youth Counsellor, Bojana Mladenovic from Link Health & Community will be attending the school for half a day a week starting in March. She specialises in substance abuse counselling and education. Bojana will also be involved in helping us run some of our wellbeing programs throughout 2016. For the first time at Fairhills High School, we have a Peer Leader as a member of the Wellbeing Team. Laura Borgo who is a Year 12 Leader in Student Voice is the Wellbeing Leader. Whilst being a member of the Student Voice, Laura will focus on wellbeing issues for students at Fairhills, including helping run awareness days. Completing the team is the school Chaplain, Stewart MacCartney and Social Worker, Thoula McLinden.

The Wellbeing team has a new home!! which we are all very excited about. We are slowly transitioning the R1 portable into the 'Student Wellbeing Centre'. It has already been a huge success, providing a safe and comfortable place for students. We look forward to hosting a grand opening in Term 2 and providing more information on the wellbeing centre in upcoming newsletters!

It has been a busy start to the year, but it has been great to hear from so many proactive parents. As a team we are focused on supporting the social and emotional needs of all our students and providing advice and referrals to community agencies where necessary. If you would like to discuss any concerns you many have about your child and or are wanting some advice, please do not hesitate to contact me on my details below.

Paul Graham

Student Wellbeing Coordinator

9758 5022

graham.paul.d@edumail.vic.gov.au

Information for Parents/Families & Students

Knox Vincentian Scholarship Scheme:

Thanks to the generous fundraising efforts of Knox City Council, St. John the Baptist Parish and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, they are able to offer financial relief to those families who need it. The Scholarship Scheme is available to students who live in Knox. Grants of up to $250 per student are available to assist with purchasing school books, stationery, school uniforms and extracurricular activities such as camps and excursions. The grants cannot be used towards school fees or laptops. The only criteria is that the student/family must be experiencing financial hardship. If you wish to apply for the scheme please contact Paul Graham (Student Wellbeing Co-ordinator) at the school. Applications close on Wednesday 9th of March 2016.

Parent Night at Knox City Council:

Knox City Council’s Youth Services is hosting our first parent night for 2016 on Monday 21 March @ 7pm. This parent night, Young People: Gaming, Social Media and the Internet, will be facilitated by Jeremy Shub from EACH and will include education on current technology, gaming, social networking and gambling within games. This Parent Information Session is being held at the Youth Information Centre in Knox Ozone. A detailed map will be provided to all parents registered to attend. Registrations are essental please contact Sarah Waters on sarah.waters@knox.vic.gov.au or Megan Parker on megan.parker@knox.vic.gov.au or 9298 8308 to register.

Uniting Care Harrison:

Tuning into Teens

Emotionally Intelligent Parenting A six-session parenting program for parents of adolescents aged 12 - 17 yrs

The Tuning into Teens program will be running term 1 2016.

Dates: Weds: 17th, 24th February 2016 and Weds: 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd March 2016

Where: Knox Youth Info Centre (Knox Ozone)

RSVP: 12th February 2016

For more information, contact Janine Triandafillou Team Leader Early Intervention Youth and Family Services at Uniting Care Harrison ; 9871 8700.

No Cost

Attendance is for parents only

CHAMPS (Children and Mentally ill Parents):

Children and families better understand mental illness (CHAMPS)

CHAMPS (Children and Mentally ill parents) is a suite of peer support programs for children of parents who have a mental illness or mental health issue.

Autism Friendly Museum:

The Autism-friendly Museum

A family and Autism Friendly Museum, for people to visit in Melbourne

A.Skate Foundation:

The A.skate Foundation is a non-profit organisation that helps kids with autism to be a part of our social world through skateboarding.

Autism Friendly Skateboarding event @ Knox Skatepark & BMX Park.

Last Sunday of every month – January – 1 April, 2016 from 11am – 1pm @ Cnr Ferntree Gully road & Gilbert Park Drive Knoxfield.

register contact email; Jayden, Knox.skatepark@ymca.org.au

The Freedom Initiative's Food Bank:

A new Food Bank is opening in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. See the flyer attached TFI Food Bank (PDF)

The Freedom Initiative's Food Bank aims to provide support for those most in need in the Maroondah area - through the provision of grocery products and fresh produce.

The Food Bank will operate each Thursday, from 9am to 2pm.

Appointment bookings to be made via phone. CONTACT: (03) 9879 7114

Salvation Army, Youth Homelessness Film Comp:

The 'Hidden Others: Short Film Competition' is for young people aged 12-18 years to create a short film that breaks stereotypes of and raises awareness of youth homelessness in Australia.

Entries close Wednesday July 20th.

The winning film be announced during Homelessness Prevention Week 2016.

Visit the Salvation Army website for pertinent information

Community Page

Boronia Fete

St Johns Netball

The Basin 3 Year Old Group