The Wellbeing Team has had a busy Term 2! We have launched new lunchtime groups, celebrated IDAHOBIT Day, and are gearing up to launch our latest program: The Fathering Project! Please read below for more details!
I want to welcome Kerrie and Elli – new counselling students from the Australian College of Applied Psychology, to our team. They will be with us for the remainder of 2022. While we welcome new placement students, sadly, we’ve had to say goodbye to our previous placement students as their placements have finished. We want to thank Bec, Maddy, Steph, and Petrina for their support and efforts toward the wellbeing of our students. We wish them all the best for the remainder of their studies.
“Improvement at anything is based on thousands of tiny failures, and the magnitude of your success is based on how many times you’ve failed at something.” – Mark Manson
Amal Saleh-Zada| Student Wellbeing Coordinator
Lunch Time Groups
Explore, facilitated by Gail, our School Chaplain, is a group for Year 7/8 girls and students who identify as female to connect through games, crafts, activities and discussion. The group will explore themes of friendships, personal strengths, coping and lots more. It runs Tuesdays at lunchtime in the Wellbeing Centre. Interested students can speak to the Year Level Leader or pop in to see Gail on a Monday or Tuesday for more information.
Feel Good Fridays update. Due to some unforeseen changes in the Wellbeing Team, Feel Good Fridays will relaunch in Term 3. Stay tuned for new dates!
? Squad – our LGBTQ+ group continues to run on Thursday lunchtimes in the Wellbeing Centre and is open to all students.
Fathering Project
The Fathering Project is coming to Fairhills! The Fathering Project educates, connects and mobilises fathers and families to create brighter futures for all children. It is research-based prevention and early intervention programs and resources that engage, inform, inspire, equip and support fathers, families, schools, corporates and community-based organisations. It’s simple, fathers and father figures play a critical role in preventing long-term social, emotional and cognitive difficulties and creating the conditions for children to thrive.
If you are interested in participating in this fantastic upcoming project, please contact our Student Wellbeing Coordinator – Amal Saleh-Zada (amal.saleh-zada@education.vic.gov.au or 0456 416 431).
IDAHOBIT Day
Our whole-school wellbeing campaign in Term 2 was IDAHOBIT Day on 17 May. This is an International Day against LGBTQIA+ discrimination. We had a rainbow free dress day for students and staff, and it was great to see so many people getting their rainbows on to stand with the LGBTQIA community. Students were asked to bring a gold coin to participate, and we raised $278 for Minus18- the peak support, education and advocacy group for LGBTQIA young people in Australia.
We had some fantastic entries for our DIVERSITY-INCLUSION-RESPECT poster exhibition, which are now on display in the C Block foyer.
At lunchtime, we had a hive of activity happening in Courtyard A- with info boards, our posters entries on display, giveaways and a photo booth. We had many students and staff come down for some fun, crazy and colourful photos!!
A huge thank you to everyone who supported the day. Our wellbeing campaigns are often about creating safe, inclusive and respectful relationships and community by celebrating difference and diversity. We aim to make our school a place where everyone feels like they belong and are accepted for who they are.
Breakfast Club
Breakfast Club is held in J2 – entrance from the Canteen Courtyard) as follows:
- Monday – recess – basic breakfast
- Tuesday – recess – basic breakfast
- Wednesday – before school – basic breakfast
- Thursday – before school – pancakes
- Friday – before school – basic breakfast
Families in need – External Food Options
For families in need please see the following services that support the community:
Student Wellbeing Team
Student Wellbeing Coordinator – Amal Saleh-Zada
Chaplain – Gail Ackroyd
Mental Health Practitioner – Peta Cartwright
University Placement Students: Elli, Kerrie, Michelle
Accessing Support through Wellbeing
The Wellbeing Team can assist students in accessing the support they need to navigate challenges that may impact their ability to engage in learning or general feelings of Wellbeing. For example, the Wellbeing Team can engage the student or family in an initial assessment of need, short term counselling or skills development or referrals to external support agencies. Students may also be encouraged to access self-help strategies or resources. We will explore the best options for each student.
We encourage students and/or parents to contact the year level leaders for wellbeing referrals. You can also make an appointment with someone from the Wellbeing Team by attending the Wellbeing Centre or contacting us via email at wellbeing@fairhillshs.vic.edu.au
Teachers who have concerns about a student may also refer them to the Wellbeing Team through their Year Level Coordinator.
If you or anyone you know needs immediate support, please contact kidshelpline or lifeline on the numbers at the bottom of this page.
