Wear it Purple Day

Friday 28 August is an important day in the MGSC calendar - Wear it Purple Day.

Wear it Purple Day started in 2010 in response to global stories of real teenagers, real heartache and their very real responses. In 2010, several rainbow young people took their own lives following bullying and harassment resulting from the lack of acceptance of their sexuality or gender identity. Wear it Purple strives to foster supportive, safe, empowering and inclusive environments for rainbow young people.

We are asking that students and teachers wear some purple to class on that Friday to show support to the cause and to all your fellow students to let them know they are loved and accepted. We are hoping to put some photos in the next newsletter.

MGSC is a supporter and an ally of the LGBTIQ community and we do not stand for discrimination in the school community.https://www.wearitpurple.org/

We stand with you.

Be true. Be brave. Be proud.

Thanks so much to all those students who get involved and support their fellow students.

Building Resilience

Resilience is the ability to ‘bounce back’ from life’s difficulties. For many young people it is vital to help them develop resilience strategies that promote well-being and develop coping mechanisms. Many resilient teenagers are seen as resourceful and are emotionally and mentally balanced. Tips for building resilience:

1. Make connections

Teach kids how to make friends and develop empathy. Encourage them to be a friend in order to get friends. At school, watch to make sure that one child is not being isolated. Connecting with people provides social support and strengthens resilience.

2. Teach your kids to help others

Young people who may feel helpless can be empowered by helping others. Ask for help with a task they can master. At school, brainstorm with children about ways they can help others.

3. Daily routine

Following a routine can be comforting to young people, especially younger children who crave structure in their lives. Encourage your children to develop their own routines.

4. Take a break

Although it is important to stick to routines, endlessly worrying can be counter-productive. Show them how to focus on something besides what’s worrying them.

5. Self-care

Teach young people the importance of making time to eat properly, groom themselves, exercise and rest. Kids need ‘down time’ to relax, so make sure that not all free time is filled with a scheduled activity.

6. Goals

Teach your kids to set reasonable goals and move toward them one step at a time. Moving toward that goal and receiving praise for doing so will focus on what they have accomplished.

7. Nurture a positive self-view

Help young people remember ways that they have successfully handled hardships in the past and how this can help them handle future challenges. Help your children learn to trust themselves to solve problems and make appropriate decisions.

8. Be optimistic

Even when young people are facing very painful events, help them look at the situation in a broader context. A positive outlook enables you to see the good things in life and keep going even in the hardest times.

9. Self-discovery

Change and tough times are often when young people learn the most about themselves. Help them to see that this is a good time to find out “what they are made of.” Change can be scary for young people, help them to see that change is part of life.

10. Make home a safe haven

In high school, taunting and bullying can intensify – home should be a haven, especially as your teen encounters more freedoms and choices and looks to home to be a constant, safe and emotionally secure place in his or her life.

State Schools' Relief

State Schools’ Relief have been an important resource for eligible families to get assistance with the cost of school uniforms. Remote learning has reduced the need for this resource, so they are able to use that funding to assist those students who are at a financial disadvantage and are unable to afford the necessities required for their continued learning from home. Support items / packages available:

Art supplies pack* for secondary students
Stationery packs* for primary and secondary students
Headphones (with inline mic and volume control)
Plain (unbranded) clothing items for home wear in a range of colours & styles

Clothing items available are as follows: Knitted v-neck jumpers, bomber jackets, crew neck windcheaters, rugby windcheaters, track pants in various styles, shorts in various styles, polo shirts, fitted pants, shirts, shoes in various styles, underwear, socks and 100ml hand sanitiser.

MGSC families wanting to access this funding, need to contact the school through the genearl email mentone.girls.sc@education.vic.gov.au.

Applications are verified by the school and then forwarded to State Schools Relief.

Referrals

Students can continue to access Wellbeing support from our qualified practitioners. Referrals can be made through emailing the relevant Student Manager.

The Wellbeing Team

Wellbeing services, resources & support

Local Youth & Family Mental Health Services

Kingston Youth & Family Services - kingstonyouth.org.au

Southland Shopping Centre, Cheltenham: 1300 369 436

Information, programs, events, counselling and support for young people aged from 12 to 25 years and their families in the City of Kingston.

Family Life - www.familylife.com.au

Sandringham: 8599 5433 Cheltenham: 8599 5433 Frankston: 9770 0341

Mental Health project for young people 8-14 years of age and their families offering counselling, support, information and education.

headspace Southern - www.headspace.org.au

Bentleigh: 9076 9400 Frankston: 9769 6419

Early intervention service offering mental health, alcohol and other drugs and other specialist support to young people aged from 12 to 25 years.

Financial Support & Assistance

National Debt Helpline: 1800 007 007

Open Monday-Friday, 9:30am-4:30pm

moneysmart.gov.au =Free tools, tips, guidance and resource

National Helplines

Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 or kidshelpline.com.au

Free, confidential counselling service available any time of the day or night by phone or webchat.

Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au

Call or chat online with a trained mental health professional any time of the day or night.

Headspace 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au

Online and telephone support service that helps young people who don’t feel ready to attend a headspace centre or who prefer to talk about their problems via online chat, email or on the phone.

Parentline: 132289

Lifeline 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au

Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 or suicidecallbackservice.org.au

Online Youth Support Forums & websites

Beyond Blue forums are a supportive place to connect with people who are going through similar experiences to you. You can read other people’s stories, ask for advice or share your own experience. https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ 1300 22 4636

ReachOut Forums is a supportive, safe and anonymous space where people care about what's happening for you, because they've been there too. The website offers information and other resources designed specifically for young people. https://au.reachout.com/

Kids Helpline has information and services to support young people through any problems – big or small. https://kidshelpline.com.au/

Headspace has information and services to support a young person going through a tough time. https://headspace.org.au/

ESafety provides education and resources for Australians to encourage safer, more positive experiences online. https://www.esafety.gov.au/

Online Programs and Apps

Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) is a free online parenting program, but it doesn't tell you how to be a parent. It's more like a toolbox of ideas. You choose the strategies you need. You choose the way you want to use them. It's all about making Triple P work for you. https://www.triplep-parenting.net.au/vic-uken/triple-p/

Bite Back is a free, self-guided online wellbeing and resilience program for young people aged 13–16 years old. It uses a combination of fun, interactive activities, quizzes, animations and information across nine positive psychology domains including gratitude, optimism, flow, meaning, hope, mindfulness, character strengths, healthy lifestyle, and positive relationships.

Brave Program is an interactive, online program for the prevention and treatment of childhood and adolescent anxiety. The programs are free, and provide ways for children and teenagers to better cope with their worries.

MoodGym is free, fun, interactive program helps you identify and overcome problem emotions and shows you how to develop good coping skills for the future.

Important dates

Term 4