Happy Holidays

That’s right, the school holidays are right around the corner. It has certainly been a big Term 1 for all our students. Our Year 7s have done a wonderful job of adapting to their new (and in most cases much bigger!) environment and our Year 12s are well into their VCAL and VCE journeys. All students have had the opportunity to take part in camps, excursions, sports carnivals, clubs, interschool sports and a range of other extra-curricular activities. In fact, it’s quite normal to feel a bit tired at this time of year (despite the extra hour snooze-time that the end of daylight savings offered us over the weekend!).

We hope all our students and families have a safe and relaxing time over the school holidays. The Student Services Wellbeing team will also be taking a break over the holidays. We’re looking forward to catching up with friends, getting out into nature and hopefully squeezing in some yummy meals and adventures too. We know that, for some people, the school holidays can be tough. We have compiled a list of mental health supports and resources that are available for students and families over the school holidays.

Kids Helpline provide free counselling (phone or chat) for young people aged up to 25 years. They are available 24/7 on 1800 55 1800

Eheadspace provides free online and telephone support and counselling for young people aged 12-25 years. You can get support by simply creating a headspace account

The Reach Out website includes a range of information on mental health and wellbeing – they have a huge catalogue of resources including information and support on topics including anxiety, stress, relationships, partying safely, LGBTQIA+ support and much, much more! 

Ask Izzy is a great all-rounder – it’s an app (and website) that helps you find support services near you – including health, housing, centre link, drug and alcohol, education, counselling (and much more)

This guide for parent and carers includes information about support available during the school holidays (including mental health and family violence support resources) while this guide includes tips to stay healthy over the holidays 

Support and resources for the LGBTQIA+ community is available through Switchboard and Qlife (available 3pm – midnight, 7-days a week on 1800 184 527 or chat)

Parentline is a telephone counselling and support service for parents and carers of young people aged up to 18 years. They are available 8am – midnight, 7 days a week on 13 22 89

Goodbye and good luck Ellie Heald

This term we farewell Learning Support superstar Ellie Heald. Since joining us last year, Ellie has been a truly valued member of the Student Services team. In this time, Ellie has contributed so much to NHS. As an integration aide within the Program for Students with Disabilities, Ellie’s support has been greatly appreciated by students, families, and staff. As editor-in-chief of the 2021 Ripples Magazine Ellie sourced page-turning leads and coordinated the enormous job of completing our school’s magazine with Walkley worthy journalistic rigour and integrity.

Ellie leaves us to pursue her passions for working with young people at Home Base in Mildura and to complete her studies in law. We wish Ellie all the best in her new role, and know that whoever is lucky enough to work with her in the future will be in very safe hands. Thank you for everything Ellie!

Talking the Talk – Healthy Sexuality Parent Resources

Earlier this term Northcote High School hosted Vanessa Hamilton from Talking the Talk for an informative and engaging parent presentation. We are so grateful for the support Vanessa has offered our school community. As well as bringing over 20 years of experience as a sexual health nurse and sexuality educator, Vanessa is also a valued member of our school’s parent community. Vanessa has generously shared her knowledge and insight to support us in the development of our school’s Respectful Relationships program.

We are pleased to share that those who missed Vanessa’s sexuality education presentation earlier this term can access a similar recorded version on Talking the Talk’s parent resource platform (called Virtual Classroom). You will also be able to access a 67 page E-book conversation guide. Vanessa has kindly donated this access to Northcote high school community. 

Parents and carers can use this unique link to access to parent content

After using the above link, you can access further resources and future logs in here.

Upcoming Family Information Nights – what would you like to see next?

Each year the Student Services Wellbeing team offer a range of parent and carer information evenings. The topics for these sessions span mental health, wellbeing and healthy adolescent development. To ensure that we are responding to the needs of our community, we invite you complete this expression of interest form which will help inform and shape future events. 

Thursday 7 April	Yves Rees & Clare Wright, PAC 7pm
Friday 8 April	Last day Term 1 2.30pm finish
Tuesday 26 April	First day Term 2
Wednesday 27 April	Open Morning
Friday 29 April	All day production rehearsal
Wednesday 4 May	Free dress day
Thursday 5 May	Maths Competition Years 7-10
Friday 6 - Sunday 8 May	Generations in Jazz Festival

For your diary

Key Dates