Student Wellbeing

Dear Families, Students and Community Members,

With the second semester now in full swing it’s a great opportunity for me to bring you a half year update of what is happening in the wellbeing area at Mordialloc College.

Firstly an update on the Wellbeing Team staff. There have been a few changes this term as we farewelled Harry Lee after being with us for the past year. We were extremely grateful for the strengths and skills Harry brought to the team. Harry's quiet, calm and yet action focused approach was valued by those who met with Harry in Wellbeing. Being a Cantonese and Mandarin speaker and passionate about linking International students with Wellbeing, he was very valued in the school. We wish Harry all the best as he moves to a new fulltime position closer to home. Hailey Pratt joined the team earlier in the year and we are very happy she has now extended her work days to fulltime. 

We greatly value the partnership with Kingston Youth Services – now referred to as Platform 81 and their enthusiasm to work with students at the College. During Semester 1 they facilitated a lunchtime group for our Year 7 students – providing them with an opportunity to help build connectedness to peers. For the new semester there have been some changes with Kingston Youth Services now facilitating our weekly lunchtime RESPECT group.  Last term the Respect Group, under the leadership of Secondary School Nurse Pamela Johnson, spent some time reviewing the purpose and goals of the group. The outcome of this valuable review time was to have two Respect Groups operating. The Kingston Youth Services and Hailey Pratt group focus will be providing a space, having fun and enjoying lunch together. The other group meets on a different lunchtime led by Pamela with more of a working party model. Their energies will be focussed on the planning and delivery of school events and education – both groups share the overall goal of ensuring MC is a safe  and respectful space for all, free of discrimination. 

The Raise Mentoring Program that commenced last term, with 15 Year 8 students,  is continuing on into Term 4. The Year 8 students who are engaged in this opportunity for one-to-one mentoring have provided very positive feedback about their engagement in the program. We have been offered an opportunity by Raise Mentoring to offer this program to some of the students who expressed interest but were not successful in obtaining a position in the program first time around. This will be in an online format. 

Mental Health Practitioner Mel Raike and Speech Pathologist Sarah Terry will be launching a new program in Term 3 for a small group of Year 8s. The Year 8 Social Group will be meeting weekly during class time to learn more about themselves and others.  This  group will be rolled out again in Term 4 for a new group of students. Mel and Sarah have put a lot of preparation into the delivery of this evidence based programme and look forward to their first session on Friday.

In our efforts to provide valuable opportunities to support the wellbeing of the senior students, Pamela Johnson is offering a lunchtime Mindfulness group. Pamela has completed training in some specific mindfulness and breathing techniques that are well suited for senior students to use as a strategy to help manage their stress.

Along with the range of new programs happening from Wellbeing, our usual events are continuing. Breakfast group on Thursdays before schools continues to have a regular group of students enjoying the opportunity to gather and enjoy a good breakfast before getting to class. Michael facilitates the Year 7 - 8 Thursday weekly lunchtime Card Games Group, another great opportunity for students to gather and feel connected at school. 

The Headspace Mental Health Education Program will be facilitating a number of workshops to Years 7, 8 and 10 over the coming weeks. The workshops will include topics such Let’s Talk About It: Mental Health and Standing Strong: Bullying and Mental Health. The delivery of these focussed workshops will supplement and strengthen the breadth of other wellbeing programs and education happening across the College. 

The NRL in Schools Program presented to the Year 8 boys last week on the topic of Respect. With Respect being a whole school focus last term this presentation from NRL in Schools reinforced this important message. The feedback from both the staff and students was very positive and provided some good opportunities for self reflection about who you can turn to for support.

If you would like further information in regard to any of the programmes discussed please email wellbeing@mc.vic.edu.au or call the school on 9580 1184 and ask for me.

Diane Douglas

Student Wellbeing