Student Services

Term 2 has certainly been a new experience for Term 2 was certainly a challenging term for staff, students, parents/carers and the broader community as a result of COVID-19.

Again, this is a reminder that if you or your child are experiencing distress over the COVID-19 situation, please have a look at these fact sheets from Headspace and Beyondblue that may provide you with some useful strategies.

https://headspace.org.au/young-people/how-to-cope-with-stress-related-to-covid-19/

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/looking-after-your-mental-health-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak

Our long-term Breakfast Club Manager, Kris Balzary leaves us for the greener pastures of retirement.  We sincerely thank Kris for her many years of service to our students and wish her well in the future.

Breakfast Club has now resumed each Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday and runs from ‘E’ block.  It’s free, warm and inviting, so please drop in and say hi to our Youth Worker, Alisha Gibson who will look after you. 

Patrick Burn, our Health Promotion Nurse has now officially started with our wellbeing team.  Patrick has hit the ground running and is busily promoting the health and wellbeing of young people to reduce negative health outcomes and risk-taking behaviours. Patrick is able to provide health promotion and education to students around topics such as Sexual Health and Wellbeing, Safe Environments, Drug and Alcohol, Physical Health and Wellbeing, Healthy Eating, and Mental Health and Wellbeing .  Patrick has already started working with small groups of students and is available in A1 – Wellness Centre on Monday and Tuesdays.

The Wellbeing team have been busily planning for ‘Wear it Purple’ Day on 28th August and ‘R U Ok’ day on 10th September 2020. Please watch out for many exciting events that will be taking place.

Sara Gabriel is busily planning our resilience program, targeted at Explore (Year 7) and Enhance (Year 8) students.  The MyFriends program aims to:-

• Assist children and youth in developing life skills to effectively cope with difficult and/or anxiety provoking situations 
• Normalises the emotional state of anxiety
• Builds emotional resilience and problem-solving abilities 
• Encourages peer learning and builds peer and other support networks
• Promotes self-confidence when dealing with difficult or anxiety-provoking situations
• Is based on extensive evidence-based research relating to the prevention and treatment of anxiety

Parents/carers will be contacted directly regarding this opportunity that commences in Term 3, 2020.

Keep an eye out on Microsoft Teams and Compass for our ‘Wellbeing Wednesday’ tips and fun activities. 

We hope all students have a relaxing and enjoyable break and remember to maintain social distancing practices and comply with the Victorian State Government’s requirements around COVID-19.  Remember, ‘we are all in this together’.

School Holidays Activities

Although we might be at home and adhering to social distancing these school holidays. It doesn’t mean we can have a bit of fun! Check out the things below:

Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of classes for creative and curious people, on topics including illustration, design, photography, video, and so much more. Sign up for free! Skill share has mini tutorials on how to learn more about an are you are interested in. https://www.skillshare.com

Stay active by checking out 

https://www.retrosweat.com.au/vhs-workout-club/, an online series of themed workouts inspired by 80s. Sessions are about an hour long and all experience levels are welcome, so don't rule yourself out if you think you have two left feet

Get the free app Bellish to customize and create free knitting patterns. 

Check out https://www.bellish.co

Why not try your hand at new recipes and check out https://www.foost.com.au/recipes/ for all kinds of recipes and cuisines to try from !