Synergy - Newsletter 

Student Wellbeing

From the Deputy Principal Student Wellbeing

In the past month we have continued to celebrate and immerse ourselves in community life and  had the opportunity to experience the fullness of and breadth of life at Mount St. Joseph Girls’ College.  Having all recovered from the success of the Debating Competitions, Grandfriends’ morning tea, Duke of Edinburgh Camp, voluntary work at Harvester Schools and the  Annual Athletics Carnival we entered week  4 of the school term with new energy and a commitment to work in partnership with our College community.

 

Students who engage in the many opportunities provided at MSJ are able to experience deep and positive relationships.  Research indicates that those students who take advantage of a school’s co-curricula program are able to organise themselves more effectively and perform better academically.  Informal relationships are formed outside the classroom and students are able to feel that they belong to this great community.   I encourage each student to participate in one of the many co-curricula opportunities provided at the College.

 

Grandparents' Day was a wonderful success, congratulations and thank you to the many staff who organised a true celebration.  Grandparents and grandfriends play a pivotal role in the lives of our young people.  They act as advocates, carers and wise elders.  Please extend our thanks to your parents who could come and ‘be’ with your daughters.

What is Headspace?

Headspace is the national youth mental health foundation.  The organisation works with people from 12-25, who can get health advice, support and information from headspace. With headspace centres in Sunshine, Werribee and Collingwood students  can get help with:

  • General health
  • Mental health and counselling
  • Education, employment and other services
  • Alcohol and other drug services.

So they support students who:

  • Are feeling down, stressed or can't stop worrying
  • Haven't felt like themself for a long time
  • Can't deal with school or finding it difficult to concentrate
  • Are feeling sick or worried about their health
  • Want to cut down on drinking or drug use
  • Want to talk about sexuality, identity or relationships
  • Are having difficulties with friendships
  • Have sexual health issues or want to find out about contraception
  • Are being bullied, hurt or harassed
  • Are worried about work or study or are having money trouble

Headspace is a place where young people can go to talk to someone about any of these issues.

 

What is Anxiety?

'Anxiety' is like 'worry'. It's an unpleasant emotion that most people feel at some time when they're faced with challenges. Mild anxiety, like just before a sporting event or an exam, can help people perform at their best. But when anxiety becomes more intense, causes distress, lasts for a longer time and interferes with daily living, then it's a problem.

 

Physical feelings of anxiety include a faster heart rate, faster breathing, muscle tension, sweating, shaking, and 'butterflies in the stomach'. In a 'panic attack', these symptoms are very severe.  Other common symptoms of anxiety are:

  • Persistent worrying and excessive fears
  • Being unable to relax
  • Avoiding challenging situations
  • Excessive shyness
  • Being socially isolated or withdrawn
  • Trouble concentrating and paying attention
  • Poor sleep
  • Problems with work, social or family life

Crossing at Maidstone Street

Students have been reminded that the crossing in front of the College is only operational when the flags are displayed.  If the flags are not displayed students must cross with caution, as if crossing any busy road.  Cars are not required to stop if the flags are not displayed.

 

D&M@MSJ for Year 7 Students & Mothers and Female Carers – May 17th. 

We know that mothers and daughters share an incredible connection that needs to be nurtured. This is an opportunity to have a deep and meaningful (D&M) with your daughter without the usual family interruptions and the chance to have this conversation guided by a psychologist and teaching staff. This promises to be an exciting evening filled with much laughter and conversation. “The best gift we can give one another is to be present and in the moment.” as young women work through the maze of adolescence.

 

Each Year 7 has received an electronic invitation.  If you have not received this please contact me at the College. 

 

Student Safety and Wellbeing - A Child-safe School

At Mount St. Joseph Girls’ College we hold the care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people as a central and fundamental responsibility of our College. Our commitment is drawn from and inherent in the teaching and mission of Jesus Christ, with love, justice and the sanctity of each human person at the heart of the gospel (CECV Commitment Statement to Child Safety). Celebrating and affirming all young people in the Charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart, we value the dignity and individuality of each person in our community and seek to live in a community guided by justice and fairness for all.

 

For our students to flourish academically and in all areas of their lives, it's important that they are happy and enjoy being at school. Their safety and physical and mental wellbeing are of paramount importance to us.

 

Where Can I go for help?

We encourage any student who feels unsafe to confide in a trusted adult or contact the College's Child Safety Officers, Mr Steven Mifsud and Ms Stacey Bourke in person or by email: childsafety@msj.vic.edu.au

The College has  psychologists who are available to help students and their families. Our wellbeing team  includes psychologists, Director of Student Wellbeing, Wellbeing Leaders, Teachers and Pastoral Group Teachers.

 

Helpful Online & Telephone Support Services

Headspace                                                                eheadspace.org.au

Youth Beyondblue                                                youthbeyondblue.com

ReachOut.com

Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria     www.eatingdisorders.org.au     1300 550 36                                       

LifeLine                                                                      31 114

Kids Helpline                                                           www.kidshelp.com.au                  1800 551 800

Suicide Line                                                              www.suicideline.org.au               1300 651 251

Domestic Violence Crisis Line                           www.dvrcv.org.au                          1800 200 526

Orygen Youth Health                                             www.oyh.org.au                             1800 888 320

Department of Human Services                                                                                     1300 650 172

Eating Disorders                                                     www.eatingdisorders.org.au     1300 550 236

Youth Drug & Alcohol Advice (YoDAA)            www.yodaa.org.au                         1800 458 685

 

Use of Public Transport

Travelling to and from the College using public transport is a privilege and responsibility.  This is a reminder to all students about what is expected on public transport.  Please discuss these dot points with your daughter.

  • Always stand behind the yellow line on platforms and be facing the train as it comes to a halt.
  • Do not block doorways or aisles with school bags.
  • Give up your seat to adult passengers. It is a privilege, not a right to travel on public transport in the Mount St Joseph Girls’ College uniform.  Members of the community are observing your behaviour and are judging your integrity and repute.
  • Talk quietly.
  • Do not move around the carriage.
  • Do not change carriages when the train stops.
  • Do not use connecting doors to move between carriages.
  • Always have a Plan B in case something goes wrong e.g. trains or trams are cancelled.