Wellbeing

Welcome

Welcome to the Wellbeing page of the Fairhills Forum. My name is Paul Graham and I am the Student Wellbeing Coordinator. On this page, throughout the year I will endeavour to keep you updated with everything related to Student Wellbeing as well as provide families and students with relevant information about some great programs that are being run in the community.

2016 was a big year for Wellbeing as we officially opened the Wellbeing Centre. The Wellbeing Centre is the hub of wellbeing in the school; it provides students with a safe and comfortable space, somewhere to grab something to eat and get some support.

The Wellbeing Team consists of several staff, some part time. My role as Student Wellbeing Co-ordinator is full time and completely dedicated to the wellbeing of the students. Our School Chaplain, Stewart McCartney is available for students and families, especially those families in need and looking for extra support. We have several counsellors that attend the school including Social Worker, Thoula McLinden, Guidance Officer Michael Bourne, Youth Counsellor Bojana Mladenovic from Link Community Health and for the first time at the school ‘Lead the Way’ counselling service will be offering their services directly to students at the school. Lead the Way offer animal assisted therapy, so counselling with a dog!

Unlike the other counselling services offered at school, Lead the Way requires a student to attend a GP and get a mental health care plan. The service does not provide bulk billing so there is an out of pocket cost of approximately $65.

If you believe your child would benefit from any of our counselling services, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with myself at the school on 97585022 or via email on graham.paul.d@edumail.vic.gov.au

We have several exciting pastoral care programs being run this year. They include but are not limited to Year 7 Empowering Girls Program, Year 7 Boys Program (Rock and Water), Year 8 Platforms Program, Year 9 and 10 Boys Gym Program (invites only) and a Year 10 on site Work Experience Program (invite only).

We will also be working closely with Student Voice to raise awareness for special social issues and awareness days. One of the major events for the Wellbeing team and Student Voice is Diversity Week which will be running for the 3rd consecutive year during Term 3. This year’s Diversity week will be bigger and better than ever with several ideas being currently considered including holding a youth expo mid-week.

So an exciting year ahead... I look forward to working alongside the teachers, staff and students in supporting our students wellbeing and making 2017 a healthy and safe year!

Green Foot Flicks

Youth Film Festival

LAST CHANCE TO GET YOUR FILMS IN AND WIN!

We are looking for short films from local young film makers aged 10-25 years, who live, work, study or have a connection to Knox. Submit your film now to be in the running to win $1000 in prizes and become a celebrity on the green carpet at Green Foot Flicks Youth Film Festival on Wednesday 5 April 2017. Films are due by Friday 17 February 2017. Finalists will be selected by a panel of young people on the Knox Youth Events Crew who plan and run the youth film festival event every year. For full details contact Kate Clark tel: 92988550, kate.clark@knox.vic.gov.au or visit www.knox.vic.gov.au/greenfoot

Knox Factor

Calling all singers, vocalists, divas and crooners, the Knox Factor is your ticket to stardom! Open to everyone 18 years and under, auditions and heats will narrow the field to the best 10 singers, with the winner decided at the Knox Festival, on the 4th and 5th of March, 2017. Auditions will be held on Tuesday 14 February from 6pm at Knox Community Arts Centre. For more information and to register visit: www.knox.vic.gov.au/knoxfactor

Navigating the Journey -

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Parent Workshop

Learn strategies on how to advocate and support your young person, tools to support yourself and your family, and how to feel encouraged in your role as your young person's advocate. Thursday 23 March 6.30-8.30pm at Knox City Council, Civic Centre, Room 4, 511 Burwood Hwy Wantirna South.

Cost: FREE

Bookings are essential: click here for online form. For more info contact Michelle Pascoe 9298 8311 michelle.pascoe@knox.vic.gov.au

Be a Young Leader

The Young Leaders program provides a unique platform for young people to develop skills across a wide range of topics including goal setting, communication, public speaking, advocacy, project planning and development. The program starts on Tuesday 2 May and will run weekly until Tuesday 5 September. Applications are open until Friday 31 March. Click here for further details. City of Greater Dandenong Youth and Family Services.

Paul Graham

Student Wellbeing Coordinator

KYM - Reconnect

Supporting young people to explore, navigate, and engage in their aspired educational, training and career pathways. Reconnect Engagement and Learning Supports Program is a Victorian Government initiative aimed at supporting disengaged early school leavers, in exploring their pathways away from secondary school and supporting them to engage in and complete a VET Qualification. Who is eligible for the Reconnect: Engagement and Learning Supports Program?

Young People aged between 15-24 years
Must reside in the Knox or Maroondah LGA’s
Is NOT enrolled in any other education, training or course at the time of registration into Reconnect
Has been separated from school for a minimum of 14 weeks (with no intention of returning)
Not in full time employment
Young People aged 20-24 who are available to work but have not had full-time employment for 12 or more longer

If you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact Annette Hunkin on 03 9722 5777 or Indi Mills on 0477 994 003.

Youth Peer Support Camp - Wellways

This camp is specifically aimed at young people aged 13-18 who are caring or living with someone who has a mental illness. The aim of camp is to provide young people an opportunity to spend time in the outdoors. They will be doing activities like the flying fox, giant swing and high ropes. It will be a positive and safe environment for young people to challenge themselves. It's also an opportunity to them to explore the challenges in their lives and to find ways to overcome these challenges.

Dates: Wednesday 5th - Friday 7th April

Location: YMCA Mount Eliza. Transport provided.

For further information or to book contact Catherine Vine 8873 2510 cvine@wellways.org

Paul Graham

Student Wellbeing Coordinator