Wellbeing News 

Wellbeing have had another busy term with the launch of two new wellbeing focused group interventions, Artful Intentions and ACT. Along with this we have continued to run our Boxing Program and have seen the successful rollout of our Peer Support Program as well as IDAHOBIT day celebrations. Read on below to find out about these interventions as well as to hear from students who have participated in the programs throughout Term 2.  

Artful Intentions  

Artful Intentions is a small group program focusing on skill-based engagement over the course of 8-9 weeks. Selected students in Year 7-10 have been provided with the opportunity to develop new friendships/connections at school; develop their self-care/coping strategies and add to their individual ‘tool kits’ by progressing through a range of creative activities, which promote the exploration of students self-care practices. Activities include mindful walks, guided drawing, self care vision boards, Kintsugi art creations and more. We are looking forward to expanding activities in Term 3 with hopes to get some guests in to teach us new creative and self-care skills. If you are interested in supporting this program as a guest facilitator in Term 3, please contact Erika Blazely erika.blazely@education.vic.gov.au or at the college on 8770 6700 

ACT Program 

ACT-ion is an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) based group for adolescents experiencing anxiety or mood concerns. This term, Amanda Craig our Mental Health Worker/Psychologist, has been running this program for eight Year 9/10 students over the course of 10 sessions. The program is skills based, drawing upon the core components of ACT including mindfulness, diffusion, values and committed action. Part of this approach involves learning skills to handle difficult thoughts and feelings more effectively, so they have less impact and influence over us. Students have been asked to practice these skills between sessions. ACT also involves clarifying your values: finding out what matters to you, what you want to stand for in life, what strengths and qualities you want to develop, how you want to treat yourself and others. It also involves taking action to solve your problems, and to do things that make life better. Thank you to all those students who have participated in the program this term!  

Year 9 and 10 Boys Boxing  

During Term 2, Taela and Michael from Wellbeing have continued to facilitate our Boxing Program with both Year 9 and Year 10 students. This program has been designed to show students how to release any built-up stress and anger in a safe and productive manner, whilst giving them a space to do something they enjoy.  Taela and Michael lead the students through a regime of exercises and activities in our school gym each week. The program also partners with Beast gym for onsite training and facilitation of selected sessions.  Taela and Michael are extremely proud of all these boys for all their hard work and dedication over the term. The respect they have they have all shown one another, as well as towards Taela, Michael, Mr O'Brien, Mr. Hayes & Mr Leith, has been fantastic and really has highlighted this core College value!  

Peer Support Program  

At the beginning of the Term 2, Peer Support training, a program that has been running for over 25 years at the College, was undertaken with 60 of our Year 10 students at Mordialloc Yacht Club. This year the program was designed to align closely with our school values of Respect, Persistence, Excellence and Community. The training focused on upskilling our Year 10 students to deliver 6 sessions for our Year 7 Mentor groups based on these values. The program allows Year 10 students the opportunity to improve their leadership, self-esteem, self-confidence and communication skills. For our new Year 7 students, it has been an important link to support their transition from primary to secondary school. A huge thank you to all our Year 10 Peer Support Leaders, you have all done such a fabulous job role modelling and coaching our Year 7 students in the school values and have made this program extremely enjoyable for our Year 7 students.    

Engaging in peer support during our Year 10 journey has been an incredibly rewarding and memorable experience for both our leaders and the students. Despite encountering various challenges along the way, we always found ways to overcome them, growing both individually and as a group. Our close bond with the students was established almost immediately, allowing us to create an environment that was both fun and conducive to learning about our school's values. The experience has gifted us with lasting friendships, the opportunity to be positive role models, and a glimpse into the responsibilities and joys of teaching. Our Year 10 peer support journey has been truly impactful, leaving us with many memories and valuable life lessons – Matt M Year 10 

Breakfast Club 

This term Wellbeing have continued to provide Breakfast Club on Tuesday and Friday mornings from 8am-8:35am in our Community Room. Cereal, toast, juice, and cheese toasties have been enjoyed by all that have attended. We hope to provide a cup of soup lunch in Term 3 utilising the Food bank supplies that are available to the school. If you haven’t attended Breakfast Club yet and would like to, please come along next term – all are welcome!   

IDAHOBIT Day  

Wednesday 17th May was IDAHOBIT Day. IDAHOBIT stands for International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism and Transphobia which celebrates LGBTQIA+ people globally, and raises awareness for the work still needed to combat discrimination. IDAHOBIT day is not just a day against discrimination, but also a day to celebrate visibility, survival, solidarity, and achievement. The theme of IDAHOBIT Day 2023, is Together always: united in diversity” which allows for advocacy and celebrations in many forms particularly when hard-won advances for our LGBTQIA+ communities globally are under threat, allyship has never been more important.   

At Patterson River Secondary College, we’re committed to developing and maintaining a safe, positive, and inclusive environment for our LGBTQIA+ staff and students. Throughout the week we raised the pride flag in celebration of IDAHOBIT Day and to show the schools support towards the LGBTQIA+ community. Staff along with our RESPECT group members were invited to our IDAHOBIT morning tea on Wednesday in the Community Room at recess. Staff and students were also invited to wear a splash of rainbow on Wednesday to help celebrate the day. Kingston Youth Services also attended IDAHOBIT celebrations at the College in support of this day.   

By Koda and Charlie  

Education Support Celebration Day was May 16th. We would like to say a BIG thank you to all the incredible Education Support Staff that work at the College. The skill set of our ES is so diverse and highly valued by all in the PRSC community!