iServi News | 7 May 2021 | Term 2, Week 3
Health and Wellness
“Good mental health and wellbeing allows you to live your life in a positive and meaningful way and cope with life’s changes and challenges” (Headspace). As a school we therefore promote rich conversation and action around the management of one’s own health and wellbeing. We encourage students, staff and parents to proactively engage in initiatives to support their overall wellness.
Headspace provide some key suggestions on how to maintain a healthy mindset:
- Keep doing the stuff you love to do and the things that are important to you. It can help keep the fun in your life, give you a sense of accomplishment and purpose, boost your confidence and help to connect with others.
- Learning new ways to handle tough times
- Spending time with family, friends (including pets) and people in your community can help strengthen your mental health and wellbeing
- Make time to take a break from study or work or hanging out, whether it be going to the gym, kicking a ball around with a mate or just going for a walk. Whatever it is, start small, and make sure it’s something you enjoy.
- Sleeping well is good for your brain and your body and helps you feel energised, stay focused and protect your mental health.
As you would be aware, the College has implemented the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) across all year levels which aims to support the overall wellness of the students and to promote self-regulation and a greater sense of mindfulness. BSEM encourages the development of positive, respectful relationships and the growth of a greater sense and awareness of self. The model recognises the importance of “the mental state and perceptions of the child” along with “their ability to build social networks of support, feel confident as learners and manage the challenging emotions that will certainly arise when they face the unknown”.
We have integrated the BSEM into daily classroom routines and activities, along with the formal adoption of strategies in our Pastoral Care programme from Years 7 to 12. We understand the importance of students feeling safe and well at school in support of their overall educational learning outcomes.
The World Health Organisation suggests that “contributing to the community” promotes good mental health. We would therefore encourage students to always have an outward focus and to look to the needs of others. It aligns very strongly with our Christian thinking around the call to serve. Our Christian Service Learning programme at the College allows students to see the needs others and then to act in support in a truly genuine way.
Our Year 7 to 12 Leadership program meanwhile invites contribution to the running and strategic development of the school. Students have the real opportunity to give back to their College and to ensure that it continues to fulfil its Vision of allowing everyone to “become all that they were created to be”. We continually invite students to step forward to lead and to participate fully in the life of the school.
In support of quality mental health and wellness, we also provide student access to the services of College Educational Psychologist Ms Nadia Truong and College Counsellor Mr Steve Morrison. We would encourage students to see either Ms Truong or Mr Morrison directly should they ever need assistance.
The connection between physical activity and overall health and wellness is very well documented. The Victorian Government in their ‘Building Health Through Sport’ plan suggests that “participating in sport enhances physical health and has positive social and psychological effects, including increased self-esteem, development of life skills and an increase in academic achievement”. It highlights that engagement in sport “improves cardiovascular health; reduces the risk of Type 2 diabetes; and prevents stress, anxiety and depression”. In also says that “participating in sport enhances physical health and has positive social and psychological effects, including increased self-esteem, development of life skills and an increase in academic achievement”.
In understanding the importance of sport, we therefore provide a multitude of sporting opportunities at the College and encourage our students to become fully involved. On the verge of the commencement of our winter NAS sports competition, we strongly promote student participation in the sports on offer. We would ask students interested in joining a team to contact Head of Sport Mr Dave Maxwell.
We have a full suite of engagement opportunities at the College to assist in the development of the whole child, which includes supporting their overall health and wellness. We encourage students to become fully involved in the life of the school and to participate in the many and varied health and wellness opportunities on offer.
Mr Jeff Allen
Principal