Western Heights College Newsletter

WELLBEING

Wellbeing Term Wrap-up

What a busy term it has been in the engagement and wellbeing space at Western Heights College!

 

We have seen many new students and staff welcomed and settled in the college. I can attest to this myself being a term in, in my role as Assistant Principal. Some term highlights for me have been the swimming and athletics carnivals where students really embraced school pride. I have loved the comradery that has been created in houses around students receiving green chronicle entries for school wide positive behaviours linked to our college values: community, courage and integrity. Barton (Blue) House taking out the highest tally of recorded green positive chronicles for the term. It was so nice to see students awarded from Year 7-12 with a pizza lunch this week.

 

Some other highlights have been in the space of our leaders who took tours on the Open Night, hosting over 700 people on tours around the school as potential enrolments in the coming years. I was also fortunate enough to see student voice unfold at Be Bold, Be Heard forum recently at Rydges. An event where 13 Year 9 and 10 students represented Western Heights College to take action to promote female leadership. We are looking forward to these students hosting the event in Term 3. I am also really excited around our First Nations student voice group working together to strengthen relationships and make connections with our KESO Sarah Upton.

 

I am really keen to extend our student leadership team in Term 2 to support some work in our school wide positive behaviour team to have student voice input in the layer of how we acknowledge and support SWPBs. We will also delve into the space of structured break time activities. What a very exciting time to be a Western Heights student embracing school pride!!

 

Ricki O'Shannessy, 

Assistant Principal, Engagement and Wellbeing

Western Heights College is very fortunate to once again have the Raise Mentoring program commencing in Week 2 of next term. Trained volunteers will be matched with 12-15 Year 8 and 9 students and meet once a week to strengthen confidence, social skills and goal setting. There are only a few vacancies left so please contact Jenny Eastwood at the college if you think this would benefit your student.

 

After a very long and busy Term 1, the holidays are here, providing a welcome break from routine for students and families. Some lucky ones will be heading away for their break. Others will enjoy this break at home. 

 

Please find within this newsletter (Community section) some holiday activities in the community that may interest students, and some support services (scroll down towards the end of this page) should you have any concerns regarding your young person’s wellbeing over the holidays.

 

Jenny Eastwood, College Chaplain

Introducing our Inclusion Team for 2023

 

Inclusive Practices Learning Specialist: Shona Scorringe

Shona is in her final year of a Master of Specialist Inclusive Education at Deakin University. She has previously taught English as an Additional Language and low literacy students in the Northern Territory and in China. Shona teaches Literacy in the Vocational Major (formerly VCAL) and is passionate about applied learning. Shona is leading our inclusion team and our transition to the Disability Inclusion reform.

 

Located in the Year 8/9 Building 

Monday - Friday

Shona.Scorringe@education.vic.gov.au

 

Inclusion Support: Georgie Barker

Georgie is currently studying a Master of Disability Studies, specialising in Deaf and Hard of Hearing at Macquarie University. She also has a Master of TESOL with a background working with English as an Additional Language and low literacy students. Georgie teaches in our English domain and will be supports our Inclusion team with Student Support Group meetings and developing Individual Education Plans. She is looking forward to working with students to achieve positive learning outcomes.

 

PSD Coordinator, Inclusion Support: Kerryn Cramp  

Kerryn has worked at Western Heights College for 23 years as an Education Assistant and as our PSD coordinator. She works in the classroom and within the Inclusion team, making referrals for assessments. Kerryn is a valuable member of our team who is passionate about the team she works with and grateful for her colleagues and students.

 

Located in the MYR Building

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday

 

Wellbeing Contacts:

Pastoral Care

College Chaplain: Jenny Eastwood 

Located in the Purple/Grey building 

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

jennifer.eastwood@education.vic.gov.au  

  • Pastoral Care: Students, staff, parents
  • Loss and Grief 
  • Management and Referrals – MHP/TGP
  • Mentoring Programs – GROW, RAISE, etc. 

Health Promotion

Health Promotion Nurse: Lisa Cooper

Located in the Purple/Grey building

Monday & Tuesday

lisa.cooper@education.vic.gov.au

  • Classroom support: sexual health, cyber health, and special programs/activities – Idaho, diversity, etc. 
  • Individual health support for students
  • Implements and leads supporting health programs – i.e., ‘Docs and Teens’
  • COG & Batforce liaison 
  • Staff first aid training and other related professional learning

Legal

Barwon Community Legal Service: Emma Cvitak

  • Legal Education: classroom programs
  • Support for individual students

Engagement and Wellbeing 

Learning Community Leaders: Marli McCarthy (7), Ben Cook (8), Louise Van Dugteren (9), Roger Conron(10), Claire Sullivan (11), Brett Bullock (12).  

  • Supporting students in the relevant community with a focus on attendance, engagement and wellbeing.
  • Leading the implementation of SWPBS and Berry Street.
  • Contact point with students, families and mentors

WELLBEING SUPPORTS

 

If you are worried about your child, or any person and their mental health and well-being outside school hours or during weekends you can contact the Barwon Health Mental Health Triage for urgent support 24/7 on 1300 094 187.

 

Two important messages to promote are that all of us should seek help from others when we feel down or vulnerable and that young people should tell an adult if they are worried about a friend or themselves.

 

Please find the following helpful numbers and websites to keep us connected and provide the support necessary to maintain positive mental and physical health: 

 

LOCAL SUPPORTS:

 GENERAL:

  • Lifeline – call 13 11 14 for this free Australia-wide crisis support service which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days per week OR TEXT: 0477 13 11 14 between 6pm – midnight, 7 nights a week
  • Kids Help Line – call 1800 55 1800 for free counselling and advice for young people between the ages of five and 25.
  • Headspace – eHeadspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds. (Open 9am-1am daily.
  • Reachout – visit their website for information, tools and support for young people with mental health issues.
  • Alcohol and drug foundation – free health advice for young people on alcohol and drug use, including mental health.
  • Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 https://beyondblue.org.au (Phone support all day, every day. Online support 3pm-midnight every day).
  • Suicide Callback Service – 1300 659 467. Phone support all day, every day, and follow-up calls.

Good self-care practices are important in taking care of ourselves and our mental health. Remember, it is ok to ask for help. Take care of yourself, and each other and do not hesitate to reach out to a member of our wellbeing team in our school community if you need some additional support.