Wellbeing update

Wellbeing have had a busy start to term two commencing a range of mental health programs for our school community. We continue to offer one on one appointments for students and work together with our community to ensure Koonung continues to be a safe, supportive and healthy community. 

Events:

Navigating your Teens Mental Health 

Wednesday 24 May 6:00pm – online

The Wellbeing team would like to invite all parents/carers to attend an online presentation for Koonung parents/carers by the Black Dog Institute ‘Navigating your Teens Mental Health’ on Wednesday 24 May at 6:00pm.

It is important for all parents/carers to upskill their knowledge and understanding of youth mental health as during adolescence 50% of mental health issues emerge.

If you would like to register, please e-mail Emily.ridgwell@education.vic.gov.au and you will receive a zoom link

Programs:

RAISE:

The Year 8 RAISE Youth mentoring program has successfully started this term. RAISE is a supervised mentoring session that takes place at the same time each week in terms two and three. A small group of Year 8 students will be mentored by external volunteers who have completed RAISE best practice youth training. Students are paired with an adult mentor who is there to listen and support them. This space allows young people to unpack any of the issues they are currently facing 

“Raise is a program for mentors to help people’s mental health and feeling connected to school. It happens every Tuesday during second period. I went to Raise on Tuesday and it was a lot of fun. We played a game ‘Where the wind blows.’ The second game was focused on getting to know each other. The mentors went in a circle and the mentees would go around to each of the mentors and ask questions about themselves. RAISE has been a very fun experience to try and I can see how it can help you in the future by talking to someone you are comfortable with.”

Kinly Patralis 8G

Peer mentoring

Our Peer Mentoring program consists of 28 Year 10 and Year 9 students. This term they continue to develop their skills as mentors and support and problem solve with Year 7 students. This term Peer Mentors will mentor Year 7 students during their Positive Classrooms twice a term. Well done to all of our Peer Mentors!

I have been to 3 peer mentoring sessions and it is extremely fun. Our training was a full day experience, and we had a blast. Our day consisted of being in groups and remembering little things about each other, winning prizes that we all were very competitive for, and so much more. I will say I went into the day not expecting much and it exceeded my expectations. It honestly was a highlight of my Term 1 experience. We recently had our 3rd period with our Year 7’s and I have connected with them a lot. Playing games, giving advice about school and even simply just being a friend and someone to talk to. It overall has been such a fun experience to be a Peer Mentor and I would gladly do it again.

Georgia Fleming 10 C

EACH – Authentic You 

This term a small group of Year 8 and Year 9 students are participating in the Authentic You group program. This is a seven-week program that takes place once a week. It is designed for young people to explore topics such as self-esteem, body confidence, managing (tricky) emotions, how to support others and communication skills. We look forward to hearing how our students find the group at the end of term!

Clubs:

Breakfast Club: Fridays at 8:15 – 8:40am in A Block 

It allows students to eat a free breakfast before a busy school day ahead. Cereal, toast and fruit are available each week. 

Monday Funday - Mondays at lunch time in A Block

Monday Funday is a lunch time club just for Year 7 students – come along and play some board games and puzzles and have the opportunity to socialise with other students outside of your class

Wellbeing Wednesdays: Lunchtime A2

Wellbeing Wednesday is open to all students and aims to promote student wellbeing in a variety of ways. Run with the assistance of the Wellbeing Captains, activities are different each week and might include craft, mindfulness, movement, trivia, games, chill out space as well as guest speakers.

We invited Headspace Hawthorn to attend a Wellbeing Wednesday session where we made stress balloons and learnt more about what Headspace can offer.

Emily Ridgwell

Mental Health Practitioner