From the Counselling Team
- Positive Mental Health Initiatives
- Free Webinars
- Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing Activities at St Pius X College
- Counselling Team Information
Positive Mental Health Initiatives
As we all return to school next Monday, I wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the many students, parents and families who regularly participated in our two wellbeing activities - 'Mindfulness on Monday mornings' and our regular 'Boxercise - Hit to get Fit' sessions on Thursday and Friday mornings. Both these activities were provided for students and their families in order to enable positive and healthy exercise routines to commence the day with.
Especially pleasing was the number of mums, dads and siblings who joined in the fun activities which were aimed at families to help them cope with the stress and isolation caused by home schooling.
It certainly has been loads of fun for us all being part of these positive mental health initiatives, and I wish to express my appreciation and gratitude to everyone who participated over the last 12 school weeks.
Finally, I wish to thank Luka Krizan (Year 12) who graduates from St Pius X in the coming week for his exemplary leadership and support in running these online sessions with me. Together with Nathan Byrne (Year 12), both young men have been wonderful mentors and advocates for promoting positive mental health and wellbeing in Boxercise for many years at the College.
We will miss your presence and inspiring school spirit in the year ahead.
Best wishes from all of the Boxercise Team.
Mr Rick Russo - College Counsellor/Chaplaincy Services
Free Webinars
KYDS, a youth development service which provides free access to mental health support for children, young people and their families in the northern Sydney region and in the Northern Beaches is offering the following Free Webinars in the coming weeks:
Parenting a Screenager
- Learn the neuroscience of the effects of technology on the adolescent brain
- Discover how to maintain control while encouraging personal autonomy & responsibility
- Find out how to model & foster positive behaviours in the digital age
- Identify and overcome common obstacles to help your child create a more healthy relationship with technology
Time: 6:30 pm
Date: 19 October
Presenter: Mary Santiago (Adolescent & Family Counsellor specialising in social media & tech health, lecturer at Excelsior College)
Link: https://lu.ma/k1s3z42i
Ages: Adults
What, how and why: How to regain motivation and build momentum after lockdown
- Learn the most effective way to avoid mental blocks and overcome procrastination
- Find out what drives motivation and simple hacks to build momentum
- Discover how to create a simple plan to achieve your goals
- Find out how small changes and habits can lead to outstanding results
Time: 6:30 pm
Date: 27 October
Presenter: Nick Kenny (KYDS Head Facilitator & Chief of NSW Speakers Tribe)
Register: https://lu.ma/kkc0m2re
Ages: Useful for both adults and teenagers
Deep listening
- Increase your understanding of the neurobiology of the stress response and overcome barriers to communication with your young person.
- Learn practical skills in communicating effectively
- Top tips on frequent mistakes that get in the road of effective listening
- Strategies to facilitate connection and create opportunities for conversation when our teens are reluctant
Time: 6:30 pm
Dates: 21 October & 28 October
Presenter: Helen Jarvis (Chair of KYDS board; Relationships Australia Co-ordinator of Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution; Nationally Accredited Mediator & Family Dispute Practitioner)
Link: https://lu.ma/rf9mcwdl (21 October)
Ages: Adults
College Counselling Team
The College Counselling Team are available to provide confidential emotional and social support and guidance for your son and family. For reference our College Counselling Team contact details are shown below.
Mr Rick Russo
Counsellor (Full time Monday to Friday) working with students across all year groups.
Email: rrusso@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Direct Phone: 9414 4359
School Mobile (in case of emergency): 0418 438 325
Ms Joe McCarthy
Psychologist (2 days per week: Tuesday and Thursday) working with students across all year groups.
Email: jmccarthy@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Direct Phone: 9414 4322
Mrs Judy Gill
Psychologist (2 days per week: Wednesday and Friday) working with students across all year groups.
Email: jgill@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Direct Phone: 9414 4315
The Counselling Team, together with the Diverse Learning Team, look forward to providing CONFIDENTIAL support to assist your son to build his SELF CONFIDENCE / SELF ESTEEM AND RESILIENCE within a caring, supportive Catholic school community. Please do not hesitate to make contact with any of the above team should the need arise.
Mr Rick Russo - College Counsellor/Chaplaincy Services