Echuca East Primary School

WELLBEING

Nicki Chalmers

Dear Families,

 

Welcome back! I hope everyone has had a refreshing break and your start to 2023 has been positive. It has been wonderful to see both new and old faces settling into the school and routines.

 

Last year saw the introduction of the Mental Health in Primary Schools (MHiPS) program at Echuca East Primary School as we were fortunate enough to take part in the pilot program conducted by Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and the University of Melbourne. Now no longer a pilot, I feel very fortunate to once again be the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader (MHWL) during 2023 at East. 

 

I am no stranger to Echuca East, having been on staff since 2008 as a classroom teacher and specialist as well as a stint on Maternity leave enjoying my babies! I have always been extremely passionate about Wellbeing and Mental Health in the classroom. Entering the teaching profession as a young adult, having personally experienced supporting loved ones with Mental Health concerns and the associated impacts, made me aware of the importance of developing healthy social and emotional skills as a child to carry into adult life. Having the opportunity to take on the MHWL role was an amazing opportunity!

 

Last year I undertook an extensive amount of training and collaboration with other MHWL’s to learn about this new and exciting role and how to provide the best support for our East families and staff, which will continue this year. 

 

As a whole, my role is to:

  1. promote a whole school approach to Mental Health and Wellbeing
  2. support students, families, and school staff in the areas of Wellbeing and Mental Health

 

While my role is extensive, some of the ways I can help your family include:

  • providing support for families and school staff to identify concerns in students
  • support and coordinate referrals - within the school as well as link to external community-based services for students with mental health and wellbeing concerns.
  • Coordinate the implementation of individualised support for students with mental health and wellbeing concerns – liaising with staff, the family, student and external services, if applicable, to follow up and ensure the child’s needs are being met
  • Advocate for student voice in their mental health and wellbeing needs
  • Provide assistance for families to link in with additional supports – this maybe during times of hardship, family trauma, parenting skills etc.

 

 

Navigating supports can be tricky at times and even knowing where to start can be overwhelming. We all need help at times in life and there is never any shame in asking for some.

 

I will again be teaching Wellbeing as a part of our exciting specialist program throughout the year. Across all year levels, we will be focusing on understanding how the brain works and the way it processes thoughts, emotions, and learning. We will also explore skills on an individual level to support emotional regulation. And I’m super excited to have the addition of ‘Yoga and Mindfulness’ to our specialist program this year, run by Trinity Keath, to help support wellness even further. 

 

If you would like to chat, have concerns about your child/ren or would like some support for yourself or family, I can be contacted by phoning the school or via email Nicole.Chalmers@education.vic.gov.au. I do work part-time but will always return your calls/messages as soon as possible.

 

Nicki Chalmers

Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader