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SUPPORT SERVICES
If your child, friend or you are feeling overwhelmed and struggling to manage things at home, with friends or schoolwork, or just feel like they need some help or want to chat, there are a number of sources of support both within the school and outside.
At school:
• Your Year Adviser/s
• Deputy Principal/s
• Head Teacher of subjects
• Student Support Officer- Dean Adams
• School Counsellors – Jessica Cashman and Regan Pullen
Outside of school:
• Kids Helpline (1800 55 1800)
• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Suicide Call Back service 1300 659 467
• Headspace https://headspace.org.au/ info sheets on how to help yourself or others, contacts for your local headspace
• GP - You can go to your doctor and access a Mental Health Care plan - this will allow for free/cheaper psychology sessions - You are allowed 10-20 sessions a year
• Beyond Blue https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/talk-to-a-counsellor
• Programs that are self-paced https://thiswayup.org.au/coping-and-resilience-tools/
YEAR 8 WELLBEING
In Term 4, we have been tackling some important wellbeing concerns, providing space for Year 8 students to consider issues, talk about solutions, and to reflect on their personal roles and responsibilities. Because of their consistent willingness to participate and engage in wellbeing learning, our Year 8 cohort continue to grow as individuals and mature as valued members of the NHSPA community.
In Week 4, we used research from the Black Dog Institute’s Future Proofing Study to consider the wellbeing impacts of various social media apps on teens. Students were highly responsive to the research, offering an authentic and honest critique of social media's role in their own lives.
In Week 7, we welcomed speakers from the NSW Public Health unit to talk to the cohort about the physiological and psychological impacts of vaping. The presentation was both informative and engaging, equipping students with relevant information about the risks and dangers of vaping, and empowering them to make positive choices, seek support, and offer support to others.
Some helpful links are below:
Information about vapes and health harms
In Week 8, Year 8 attended a custom-produced performance from our Year 10 Extension Drama students.
This piece was written in consultation with Year 8 Year Advisors and students, and addressed concerns around friendships, peer relationships, and thinking before speaking. The performance was followed by a Q&A panel where panelist shared their own experiences and provided strategies and resources for students.
The feedback from students has been positive, and we thank Year 10 Drama Extension students along with Ms Hardingham for their hard work and focus in developing and staging this performance piece.
2024 has been another great year at NHSPSA with Year 8 students maintaining a standard of excellence, creativity, and equity in their academic, social and extracurricular pursuits this year.
We wish all Year 8 students and their families a fun, joyous and safe holiday. We look forward to 2025 and Year 9!
Your Year Advisors,
Lisa Coveny and Dr. Jessica Brooks
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