HPSC Newshamper

Wellbeing Team News

It’s the end of 2022 and there were a lot of adjustments to the new ‘COVID normal’.  Reflecting on the year that was, here’s some highlights!   The wellbeing team sincerely hope that Christmas holidays give our students and their families quality time together.  Here’s a tip sheet on how to stay healthy and active over the holidays How To Stay Healthy Over The Holidays | headspace

 

 

DOCTORS IN SECONDARY SCHOOL PROGRAM

What a year!  The Doctor’s Clinic commenced in March 2022 and immediately had bookings. Doctors from The Southern Cross Medical Centre attend the College each Thursday to support our students with health issues.

 

We had the opening on 1st June 2022 with Premier Daniel Andrews officially opening the Clinic and cutting the ribbon.

The Doctors in Secondary School Program details are:-

  • Students have access to confidential care that is a fundamental component of youth friendly care 
  • The Doctor complements a range of school-based health and wellbeing services and programs 
  • For adolescents, confidentiality has been shown to: 
    • Increase comfort 
    • Reduce anxiety 
    • Increase trust 
    • Increase the likelihood of future visits 
    • Important to acknowledge the desire of parents to be involved whilst maintaining trust in the confidentiality of the GP consultation 

 

If any parent/carer has questions about the Doctors in Secondary School program, please contact Student Services Leader, Debbie Edwards on 8795 9400.

 

 

SPORTING CHANGE / SCHOOL LAWYER PROGRAM ( Springvale Monash Legal service)

This year HPSC was incredibly lucky to have a lawyer on site one day a week for students to access for FREE. Talani worked with a number of our students and supported them through lots of issues and questions. Talani will be back at our school next year, however if there are any emergencies during the school holidays, please contact her via her email which can be found on compass. 

 

On Tuesday the 6th December, around 20 of our students attended the last session of sporting change. We were lucky enough to have Alyssia from Rugby Victoria join us and run a rugby game! Students were treated to Nandos and their certificates for completing a whole term of the program. Sporting change is open to all students in year 8-10 and runs after school on Tuesdays from 3.30-4.30pm in the gym.  The program will be back in 2023.

 

BREAKFAST CLUB

HPSC in partnership with Foodbank was able to feed over 1800 meals in term 4 alone! 

Students were able to enjoy breakfast club Tuesday-Thursday from 8.15am in A7/A8.

 

During term four we even celebrated international fairy bread day with a generous donation of finger buns from Bakers Delight Fountain Gate. 

 

In 2023 breakfast club will be running from the E block kitchen as renovations begin in the A block. All students are welcome to attend and grab a cheese toastie! 

 

RAINBOW COLLECTIVE 

 

Every Tuesday lunchtime our Rainbow Collective students met, sometimes just to hang out, sometimes to plan and run events such as the 16 days of activism. Students enjoyed playing games, doing crafts, colouring in and celebrating LGBQTIA+ days over the year. 

 

Our club will be back on in 2023 with a new location! All students are welcome to attend, more details will be up on compass next year. 

 

TARGETED PROGRAMS

  • Rite Mentoring
    Over the last two terms some our students partook in a unique mentoring program designed to promote positive futures and support them as they navigate the significant life transition of adolescence. In the program, young men have built real and meaningful connections with each other and with mentors their participated in topical discussions, storytelling and reflection while sharing a meal and activities together. The group had their final session and celebrations last week, Rite Mentors took time to acknowledge each student and the achievement they made over the last two terms. Huge effort and achievement from our students.
  • Time to Shine
    In Term 3 the Wellbeing team launched the “Time to Shine Program” which ran for 7 weeks. It was a program where a select group of year 7 students learned skills in emotion regulation, conflict resolution, empathy, communication, and self- care. Each week the student engaged in different activities and games to enhance their social skills and sense of self-worth.  



LEGO CLUB

Our Lego Club has run every lunchtime on Tuesday and Thursdays. It has transformed from a place all about Lego, to a safe space for year 7’s to have fun, play games and spend time with friends. Some of our students come and play with the Lego but will still come because the club has become a little home away from home.

 

 

TRANSITION

During term four, the Wellbeing Team provides support for the Explore 2023 students, by helping with the two college Orientation Days and hosting an additional pre-orientation day for a select cohort of students. Students really enjoyed the days and gave us some great feedback!

 

We know that the transition to secondary college can be an exciting and challenging time for young people, so check out the supports available via the college website and the various opportunities promoted via the college social media channels. 

 

Here are some evidence-based tips on how to support your child moving into secondary college: 

  • Open communication: having conversations that allow your child to ask questions or express their feelings, helps to provide opportunities for them to process their thoughts or worries. 
  • Acknowledge the challenges but emphasize the positive: it's important to acknowledge this might be a tricky time, but working with your child to brainstorm ways they can cope with challenges will help them to develop resilience. Try to remain positive and enthusiastic, focusing on school topics your children enjoy and are looking forward to, because this will help them to develop confidence.
  • Routine: maintaining a normal routine at home is important for your child’s wellbeing, especially if they are experiencing changes elsewhere. In particular, healthy lifestyle routines are essential for young people’s learning, mood, and development. Make sure your child is getting one hour of exercise and three meals per day, as well as nine hours of sleep a night!
  • Check in with yourself: your child moving into secondary school is a big change for you too. While it’s normal to have mixed feelings about this change, it's important that parents/carers check in with themselves to address any worries of their own, so they can support their children with this milestone. 

While it might sometimes be nerve-wracking, change is a normal part of life. The transition to secondary college is often a very positive experience that provides valuable opportunities for growth, learning, and working together. 

 

 

16 Days of Activism

This November, the HPSC Wellbeing and Respectful Relationships team organised activities to celebrate and promote 16 Days of Activism a global campaign that signifies action towards ending gendered based violence.  The theme for HPSC was ‘Respect’. The purpose was to start a conversation with students about what respect means for them and what a respectful relationship is.

 

 

 

Lunchtime event was held to celebrate the campaign; it involved the following:

  • Students created protest posters on what Respect means for them.
  • Free barbeque was provided along with oranges and water.
  • Karaoke – music about equality.
  • Our kitchen Operation students baked 200 Orange cookies for our student to support the campaign.
  • Southeast Community Links attended and ran activities with student included handing out gift bags.
  • 1800 Respect Organisation provided free merchandise which was handed out to our staff, a morning tea was also organised.

 

NEW WELLNESS CENTRE

The wellbeing team are very excited about our new Centre that should be finished in late 2022.  Here’s the floor plan!  The team have temporarily relocated to E block.

 

 

Staying HEALTHY over the holiday break!

 

It’s been a big year!  Holidays are a great time to do something different and REFRESH for the year ahead. Enjoy getting active, eating well and lots of good sleep.  A picture is worth a thousand words so check out the infographic to get you thinking....

 

 

The wellbeing team take this opportunity to wish our staff, students and school community a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. See you in 2023!

 

 

 

Debbie, Jacquie, Harlin, Annalisa, Jana, Andii and Kaye 😊