Term 4 has been packed with Wellbeing events and programs as we finish up a very strong year. From targeted programs, cohort presentations, awareness days and community connection work we have been busy connecting with our students and learning community.
Awareness Days
Our Social Work Placement Students provided the college with some fantastic awareness events across term 4 with the Polished Man Campaign in October, and Mental Health Week in week 4. The Polished Man Campaign encouraged staff and students to spark conversations about respect towards women by wearing a blue polish on one nail. Headspace came to visit us on the Junior Campus to help promote Mental Health Week and handed out some fun prizes to our Year 7 and 8s.
Tier 2 – Targeted Programs
Over Term 4, Wellbeing had 5 targeted programs that external facilitators, wellbeing team staff, and MWSC students delivered.
In week 4 we had the final session of our Year 8 select male student ‘Boys to Noble Men’ Program, facilitated by Mr Eric Agyeman. The students have been working with Youth Mentor Eric Agyeman over term 3, and in term 4 had the opportunity to invite their coordinators and key staff members to a cooked lunch celebration. The boys made Mexican food for 30 staff/students and spoke to the invited group about their takeaways from the program.
On the Senior Campus, placement student Ruby facilitated a small group Organisational Skills program for some of our Year 9 and 10 students. Students undertook 4 sessions learning about stress management, organisational skills, compartmentalisation etc.
Our Peer-to-Peer project collaborated with Mount Waverley North Primary School to host its 2nd workshop with selected Year 10 students running wellbeing workshops for Year 5 and 6 classes. The Year 10s did a fantastic job exploring help-seeking concepts with the Year 5 and 6s and had great conversations about the transition to high school.
Speaking of transition, we also hosted a student-led workshop by Year 10s and 11s for our Year 8 cohort, giving Year 8s the opportunity to hear all about what the Senior Campus is like, and ask questions about subjects, events and get to know the campus.
Finally, we had the privilege of hosting Teen Mental Health First Aid for 80 Year 9s and 30 Year 7s in weeks five and six. Students were given the opportunity to identify and understand how they can support a young person who might be experiencing a mental health problem or crisis. Students were led by Ms Irine Sojan (Student Wellbeing Coordinator on Senior Campus) and Ms Rebecca Kent (Director of Wellbeing And Inclusion from Glen Waverley Secondary College), who did a fantastic job over the course of 3 sessions.
Year Level Wellbeing Programs & Workshops
Wrapping up a big year of year level wellbeing programs, we have had 5 presentations delivered so far this term. Our Year 8s engaged in GEM workshops during the camp alternate program, exploring Gratitude, Empathy and Mindfulness delivered by the Wellbeing Team.
Starting fresh on the first day of term 4, our Year 9’s saw Brainstorm Productions’ ‘Sticks and Stones’ interactive play that explored social and emotional skills. During mentoring sessions, Year 10s engaged in Open Parachute sessions and Felstead Education’s Power of Sleep workshops.
To finish up their final term at school, the Year 12s got to hear from Red Frogs who hosted a presentation on safe partying and schoolies, and Comedian TV writer Mr Declan Fay – a returning presenter to MWSC, who shares his stories on ‘Don’t Wonder what if..’.
Monash Youth Services
On Monday 11 November, we had a special lunchtime workshop with Monash Youth Services focusing on mental health. Monash City Council supports a range of services for young people, including youth, middle-year, and homelessness support programs.
In the workshop, the students participated in a fantastic activity exploring where they feel stress in their bodies. Then pointing to those spots on a body outline they discussed different ways to manage that stress. It was a great way to help everyone understand how stress shows up physically and ways to cope with it.
Students also had the opportunity to spin a prize wheel for a chance to win a fabulous prize! It was a fantastic way to learn some valuable tips for handling stress and have a bit of fun at the same time.
Mr Paul Graham
Student Support and Resources Manager