WELLBEING
Staff Wellbeing Week
Monday 5 to Friday 9 November is Staff Wellbeing Week at DSC. Part of our whole school approach to wellbeing is to ensure our staff are also being taken care of. The focus of this week is to promote the benefits of self-care to staff and how it can be implemented into their busy lifestyles. Self-care is a term we hear being used quite a lot and it is something that translates into multiple facets of life. From creating lesson plans to grading papers, being available to help students with their studies and daily administrative tasks that help the school run smoothly, it is easy to see how staff could become so busy, they forget to take some time out for themselves.
From research, we know that 'burning out' is a real thing and comes as a result of long-term unresolvable job stress. In 2013, 1 in 4 teachers Australia wide, reported having symptoms of 'burning-out', presenting as fatigue, lack of motivation, increased irritability, interpersonal problems and a preoccupation with work even when you aren’t at work. By using self-care strategies and effectively managing workloads, staff are able to formulate a realistic expectation of their capabilities.
Part of this upcoming week is about taking some time out in the day to practise some of these self-care strategies. Listed below are some ideas that can be used to take some time out for yourself. And remember that everyone is different and these won't suit everyone. It needs to be something that makes you feel good and a COMMITMENT that can be scheduled into your life to provide a balance between your work and personal life:
- Creativity: Drawing, dancing classes, cooking
- Connection: Our social health is incredibly important so maintain relationships with friends/family/partners outside of work. Organise a weekly dinner, attend pub trivia on a weekly basis, play social/competitive sport, weekly movie night
- Relax: Watch TV, read a book, listen to music, take a bath, mindfulness art
- Energise: Take the dog for a walk after work, gym, CrossFit, boot camps.
- Young Families: Make it difficult to engage in much of what is listed above. However, valuing your time together and providing unconditional attention to your family can provide a release
All of these suggestions seem incredibly simple, and they are. They can be easily integrated into your daily life and provide you with a release from daily stresses and re-energise you. Blending these practices into your daily life ensures you are maintaining your wellbeing so that you can be more productive at work and be there for your students.
Some of the wellbeing activities planned for DSC staff next week include:
- Morning walk
- Staff lunch
- Tea in the garden
- Massages
- Christmas decoration making class
- Clothes swap
- Table tennis in the David Perry Hall
Tim Blacker
ACU Student Placement Counsellor
Parenting Anxious Children ARCVic
Children worry about many different things. Learning to cope with their anxiety, stress and fear can be really difficult indeed - not only for them, but also for the parents and family. Developing an understanding of anxiety and learning some skills to manage it can make a significant difference to a family and can help empower children to have a sense of control in handling their own worries.
There is an upcoming information session with Anxiety Recover Centre Victoria (ARCVic) that will cover a range of topics including:
- Understanding anxiety and normal childhood development
- How personality and environment contribute
- Different types of anxiety
- The signs and symptoms for you and your children
- Management methods and strategies for you and your children
- Relaxation techniques with tips on building resilience
- Where to go for more information and help and take home material
When: Tuesday, 20 November at 7 PM
Where: ARCVic, 292 Canterbury Rd, Surrey Hills
For more details click on the below link:
Drew Hanna
Youth Worker