Wellbeing@GEC
Our GEC Student Wellbeing Team (SWT), like all of us, has been on a steep learning curve trying to adapt to the new learning environment and meet the challenges of providing wellbeing support remotely.
Thank you for your patience with us as we try to ensure we follow up all wellbeing concerns that have been raised with the team.
If the wellbeing concerns are primarily related to navigating the online learning environment then the Year Level Coordinators or Sub-school Leaders are a good first point of contact. They will discuss the issues with you, including a referral for further support to the SWT if required.
If there are serious wellbeing concerns and you are seeking support from the SWT one of your options for alerting us to this is via the GEC wellbeing email. wellbeing@gec.vic.edu.au
Members of the SWT meet each morning and review the emails and referrals that have come in from GEC staff and parents. We triage the referrals and agree on what action is required.
There are new protocols that the Department of Education has provided for us to follow during the remote learning experience.
Prior to providing wellbeing support there needs to be a discussion with a member of the SWT to listen to your concerns and outline options for support, including the consent process. Alyssa Zumbo our Student Support Worker and Jenny Sanchez our Wellbeing Leader are the SWT members who are able to make these calls.
There are some great online resources for students and their families. Below is my selection of the ones I have found to be most helpful – hope you they are for you too.
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
https://kidshelpline.com.au/coronavirus
This website is so easy to navigate, visually engaging and has a great range of resources for young people. They can also dial the 1800 55 1800 number and speak to a counsellor 24 /7.
Headspace
Range of resources here that students have found very helpful, there is also the option of online support and counselling.
Couple of my favourites are:
https://headspace.org.au/assets/Uploads/headspace-day-2019-healthy-headspace-action-plan-WEB.pdf
https://headspace.org.au/assets/Factsheets/HSP225-Sleep-Fact-Sheet-DP3.pdf
Berry Street
https://www.berrystreet.org.au/covid-19-resources
Practical resources and information for families, teachers and young people, including some fun stuff to do!
My favourite fun activity from this website is a brain break activity – check it out. This could be done as a family activity. My family has tried it as an “entrée” when having a meal together.
https://www.berrystreet.org.au/sites/default/files/Alphabet%20Actions.pdf
I have found this routine worksheet has been helpful, very simple but seems to work.
https://www.berrystreet.org.au/sites/default/files/My%20Day%20StartUp%20Routine.pdf
eSafety
https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/blog/covid-19-online-safety-kit-parents-and-carers
The eSafety Commissioner is providing parents and carers with tips in this online safety kit – lots of handy hints to be esmart as well as ways to report online concerns.
Beyond Blue
https://www.youthbeyondblue.com/
Beyond Blue provides some great ideas for keeping mentally healthy during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The following link provides translated resources for families about COVID 19.
https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/translated-resources-coronavirus-disease-covid-19
Thanks for reading – hope you have found some helpful and useful information. Best wishes to all our community from the Student Wellbeing Team. Stay connected, be kind to yourself and others, I hope you continue to find fun and creative ways to survive and even thrive in our challenging new world of remote learning.
On behalf of our GEC SWT - “HERE IF YOU NEED”
- Alyssa Zumbo Student Support Worker
- Stanley Cheng Mental Health Practitioner
- Christalia Formoso Adolescent Health Nurse
Jenny Sanchez
Wellbeing Leader