Epping Secondary College Newsletter

Wellbeing Report

March

Headspace with 8D

 

Thank you for giving your time to talk to the year 8s about what mental health is and what affect it has on people. The true and false activity we did was great and we learned a lot. 

P.S. Thank you for the lollipop and wrist bands.

Paige and Kyra

 

During this session we learned about mental health and the affects it has on you. We talked about how these feelings are normal and where to get help and how to help someone else who maybe suffering from the same things. I found out that there are a lot more places than I expected where you can get help. The class did some activities and answered some questions. They gave our some bands and lollipops which was pretty cool. Overall I think we all learned from the session and found out some new information.

Thank you Headspace.

 

I think the experience was very educational and engaging. Taha, Brody, Seth and Eren all think this could help us in the future or perhaps even now. This session gave us all a different perspective on mental health. Thanks a lot for teaching us about positive mental health.

Brody

 

Today 8D were visited by the Headspace people who spoke on the topic of mental health. They make us aware of the impacts and causes of a negative or positive mentality and a variety of emotions. We were taught the definition of mental health, underlining ideas, solutions and alternatives to having an optimistic mindset, or highlighting ways we could deal with others or ourselves when sad. We were also encouraged to ask for help if we’ve got an illness and where help is always available. I personally found this session with them very helpful and I took many things out of it all. It encouraged me that I can ask for help whenever I need it, the places where I can seek help and different ways of coping with tough times. I honestly felt this visit by the Headspace ladies was both fun and educational. 

Mannat Kaur 

 

Thank you for coming!! I’ve learned that whenever you’re having a difficult time, you can always seek help from different services such as Headspace. Headspace seems like a great place where you can seek help whenever you are home, or anywhere else. Learning about mental health and participating in activities was great to do because we need young people to be aware that you’re not alone especially during these times. 

Mina

 

Headspace came today to talk about mental health and it really helped us learn more about the differences in mental health. Our favourite part was getting lollypops and bracelets, as well as the true or false activity. We all really enjoyed it and hope Headspace will come back again.  

Nevena, Angelina & Bailey

 

This session with headspace was very helpful and the presenters were nice. They really helped us understand how our mental health can improve. They assisted us in recognising some mental health symptoms and we learnt that these don’t have to last your whole life, sometimes it can get better over time.

Cassie, Taliah, Amaya, Medina

 

It’s was a fun, interesting class. We have learnt about mental health and strategies to control it. During this class we did activities such as true or false and discussed how to promote sound mental health. We also learnt how to help and support our friends and people around us. We loved our lollypops. Thank you. 

Indiana & Arianne

 

EAL Welcome Morning Tea

On Thursday, 4th February, the year 7 and 8 EAL students were invited to a welcome morning tea.

This was an enjoyable way to introduce the students to their teachers, coordinators and the Wellbeing staff in a relaxed setting.

Mona Botros

Multicultural Social Worker

 

Year 7 Cyber-Safety Workshop 

 

Senior Constable Wendy Shields presented the “Think U Know” Cyber-Safety workshop to all Year 7 students on 11th March. It is important for adolescents to understand their rights and responsibilities when they use online platforms. Students need to be respectful to others and develop skills to keep themselves safe when interacting with others online. 

 

Wendy Shields covered the following topics:

  1. Wendy checked what Apps students were using. Students mentioned they used: SNAPCHAT, TIK TOK, Instagram, Safari, Facetime, Youtube, Facebook, What’s App, Twitter and Netflix. 
  2. Risks were outlined such as; predators, spam emails, potentially being exposed to inappropriate materials, (Catfish) people may pretend to be some-one else, fake accounts, information links that corrupt files and scams that want personal information. Wendy explained it is important to seek help if you have been exposed to a risk or someone is bullying you online. This can include a parent, teacher, Student Wellbeing Coordinator (Leanne Halsall) or Year Level Coordinator such as Mr Kaskamanidis. 
  3. Eliminating Risks helps a young person to be safer online. This includes;  adhering to age restrictions for social media sites, reporting abuse, Cyber-safety education, use privacy settings, don’t give too much information on your profile, don’t be-friend people you don’t know face to face, follow rules of apps and don’t harass, bully, swear or be obnoxious online. Wendy asked students if people behave the same as they do online compared to when they interact face to face. Students watched a clip and it reinforced that some people behaved inappropriately online and it could make people feel uncomfortable.  
  4. Wendy finished off the workshop and spoke about predators and grooming online.  She gave an example of a case in South Australia. This involved an older male, Gary Newman who pretended to be a younger male by the name of Brandon Kane. Gary Newman groomed Carly Ryan (15 years old) over a period of 18 months. This case ended in tragedy when Carly Ryan met up with Gary Newman, believing it was the younger male Brandon Kane. Unfortunately, Gary Newman ended her life. A tragic case, however it really highlighted the risks and dangers that are online. 

 Wendy Shields has been working with students at Epping Secondary College for over 18 years. She will be working with staff to deliver the Respectful Relationships programs throughout 2021.  I will include the link for Think U Know https://www.thinkuknow.org.au/

Please take some time to look at the resources and discuss strategies with your child, how to stay safe online. 

 

 

Leanne Halsall

Student Wellbeing Coordinator