Wellbeing

It is hard to believe that we are already more than half way through Term 1!

We are really excited to now have our full wellbeing team in place with our new Mental Health Practitioner, Mariani Lim, having started with us this week. Mariani comes to us with some great schools experience and we look forward to her stepping into mental health promotion and education at Fairhills. Mariani will also be available for 1:1 counselling work with students. Referrals for students to see Mariani will follow existing wellbeing referral processes.

As a team we look forward to supporting our students and families in 2023 through counselling, groups, in-class wellbeing and mental health education and whole school awareness raising and mental health promotion campaigns and activities. Watch the wellbeing space!

Please see information below for accessing wellbeing support and check out lots of local and online supports for families and young people.

Peta Cartwright | Student Wellbeing Coordinator

The Team

Student Wellbeing Coordinator – Peta Cartwright/ Social Worker (3 days per week – Mon (Wk2), Tues Thurs, Fri)

School Chaplain – Gail Ackroyd/ Counsellor (2 days per week – Mon/Tues)

Mental Health Practitioner – Mariani Lim (2 days per week)

Counselling Intern – Eliza Wade (2 days per week- Tues, Thurs)

Counselling Intern – Sarah Ardiente (2 days per week – Tues, Fri)

Local and Online Services and Supports for Families and Young People

This webinar will give parents strength, tools and strategies to navigate the platform with your child or teen safely.

Thurs March 23rd 8pm Visit Tik Tok Webinar (parenttv.com) to sign up. Cost $19

The Ricci Marks Award recognises the individual achievements and aspirations of young (16-25) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in training, education, arts, sports, culture and community leadership. In 2004, the Award was named in honour of Ricci Marks, a proud Wotjobaluk man who, in his short life, made an outstanding contribution to his community.

In 2023, the winners will each receive a $5,000 grant with another $1,500 being granted to the winner of the Rising Star Award.

Link to more info: https://www.firstpeoplesrelations.vic.gov.au/ricci-marks-award

Nominations close 29 March 2023

Accessing support through Wellbeing: Students

The Wellbeing Team can support students to navigate challenges that may be impacting on their ability to engage in learning or general feelings of wellbeing. This can include: transitions and adjusting to change, family or relationship difficulties, grief and loss, mental health concerns, drug and alcohol concerns, and many other challenges that young people encounter.

An initial appointment with a member of the wellbeing team will be an assessment of need with the student or family which will help to decide the best support option for the student. Support options available through the Wellbeing Team are:

Individual short term counselling, psychoeducation and skills development
group programs
referrals to external support agencies.
students may also be encouraged to access self-help strategies or resources.

Referrals to see someone from the team are made through year level leaders. Parents, students or teachers with concerns are encouraged to speak to their year level leader. Students or parents can also make an appointment directly with someone from the Wellbeing Team by attending the Wellbeing Centre, calling the school office or contacting us via email at wellbeing@fairhillshs.vic.edu.au

Year level leaders who are made aware of concerns by a teacher will always endeavour to make contact with parents before referring a student to the Wellbeing team.

All counselling sessions with students are confidential and information is only shared if a student is deemed to be at risk of harm.

If you or anyone you know needs immediate support, please contact kidshelpline or lifeline on the numbers at the bottom of this page.

What’s on in Wellbeing?

The Wellbeing Centre is open at recess and lunchtime for students who need a quiet, safe place to regulate or access support. The centre is also used for lunchtime group programs which are advertised through compass or on notice boards.

Q-Squad, our LBGTQIA+ group runs every Thursday lunchtime.

More groups to come!

Accessing Support: Families

Most families, at some stage, need a little extra support to manage the normal challenges of life as well as the more difficult situations that arise. If you are experiencing hardship, stress or circumstances that are impacting on the wellbeing of your family life or your ability to cope, the Wellbeing Team can help to connect you with community services that can provide support. Please contact the Wellbeing Team via the school phone number or via email at wellbeing@fairhillshs.vic.edu.au

Breakfast Club

With the support of volunteers from local churches- Knox Baptist and Hillsong Church we are able to provide a breakfast club 5 days a week for our students, including a Pancake Breakfast every Thursday morning. All students are welcome.

Food Support for families in need

Each fortnight on a Tuesday after school from 2.48- 3.08pm we have food support available for families who may be in need, for whatever reason. We have a selection of frozen meals and pantry items that families can collect from the former school canteen area without question or judgement. We know that access to food can be a real challenge for some families and we feel strongly about supporting the basic needs of our students and families. Watch out for compass posts each fortnight.