Wellbeing

Ally Training at Doncaster Secondary College

As part of Doncaster Secondary College’s Whole School Approach to Wellbeing, the Wellbeing Team are working with the Department of Education and Training’s Safe Schools initiative to ensure that schools are safe and inclusive places for all students, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and asexual (LGBTIQA+) students.

As part of this initiative, Doncaster Secondary College is establishing an Ally Network. An ally is someone in the school who works to promote a safe and inclusive environment.

In the upcoming weeks, a number of DSC staff will be participating in Ally training, developing knowledge in areas such as gender and sexuality, experiences of LGBTIQA+ students, celebrating diversity and developing skills to be a 'safe’ person who LGBTIQA+ staff and student can talk to.

The Ally Network is a step towards Doncaster Secondary College's commitment to establishing and maintaining a safe, inclusive and supportive environment for all students and community members.

Lily and Sophie

DSC Wellbeing Team

For Parents: Helping children face their fears

Doubt and fear seem to be intrinsically woven into the hearts of some children. Their worries and anxieties cause them to shrink, lean out, and avoid. 

As parents, we sometimes don't recognise those fear responses are normal, healthy, and to be expected.

We notice that children will have some uncertainty and respond fearfully at times. Very few children are completely fearless.

So how do we as parents respond to our child's worries and fears? More importantly, how do we help our children to ‘get over’ those fears?

With the best intentions, forcing our children towards those fears, even to show them there’s ‘nothing to be afraid of’ just doesn’t work. Force is what creates resistance. Fortunately, there's a whole heap of things we can do instead, such as:

• Take it slow
• Allow them to express their fear without recrimination
• Encourage bravery
• Empathy rules

Read more about these tools on the Happy Families Blog.

Drew Hanna

Student Wellbeing Coordinator

Positive YouTube Clips that Inspire

During these challenging times, we'd like to share some positive videos going around. 

Have You Found Zen Lately? | SoulPancake Street Team

Watch what happens when people take an unexpected break in their day.

Headspace | Mini Meditation | Unwind

Lead your mind to a natural place of rest with this calming mini-meditation.