HT Wellbeing
The Wellbeing Team follows the guidelines set by the Department of Education Wellbeing Framework that encourage schools to create learning environments that enable students to be healthy, happy, engaged and successful. At North Sydney Girls High School, the Wellbeing Team provides support for student wellbeing through a dynamic program of activities purposefully designed to strengthen student wellbeing and provide strong connections between students and the school community. There are strong links between wellbeing and learning and success. Wellbeing is valued as a fundamental aspect for all students and takes place as one of the three Strategic Directions in the School Plan, known as ‘Supporting Learning’. The aims are for students to:-
- be actively connected to their learning, have positive and respectful relationships and experience a sense of belonging to their school and community.
- be respected, valued, encouraged, supported and empowered to succeed.
- grow and flourish, do well and thrive.
Wellbeing Team
The team that supports student wellbeing is comprised of:
· Year Advisers (Year 7 - 12)
· Head Teacher Wellbeing
· Principal
· Deputy Principals
· Learning and Support Staff
· School Counsellors
· Careers Advisor
For matters relating to student wellbeing, please contact your child’s Year Adviser, Head Teacher Wellbeing or Deputy Principal on 9922 6666 or northsydgi-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au
Wellbeing Activities
Year 7 Transition Program
The Year 7 Transition Program is designed to welcome and orientate students as they begin their high school journey. Students will be provided opportunities to make new connections with their peers, meet staff from the school’s Wellbeing Team and engage in various activities aimed at familiarising them with their new school environment.
Peer Support
Selected Year 10 students will be trained as peer support leaders to welcome and support Year 7 students in their transition to high school. These sessions provide a supportive peer environment for Year 7 students and opportunity to build new connections, while developing the leadership skills of Year 10 students.
Mentoring Programs
Each Year 7 student will be matched with a Year 9 student in Term 3. The aim of the Peer Mentoring program is to enhance student belonging by providing links between year groups, while allowing students to set and pursue a personal goal with the support of their peer mentor.
Year 12 students will be matched with a teacher mentor, who they will meet with regularly throughout the school year. The purpose is to allow ongoing wellbeing check-ins, encouragement and support as students prepare for their HSC. It is an opportunity to debrief with peers and discuss and share various skills, including time-management, goal-setting and stress-management techniques.
The Raise Mentoring program matches some Year 8 students with a trained community mentor. These weekly check-ins allow students to talk to another trusted adult and positive role model, while exploring their personal goals, strengths, support networks and other wellbeing topics.
Wellbeing Events
Wellbeing activities have been scheduled for each cohort throughout the school year. This includes joint Wellbeing Days to provide connections between year groups and guest speakers who will provide important information on topics such as sleep, online safety, prosocial behaviours and help seeking.
Years 7, 9 and 11 will have the opportunity to go on school camp. They will participate in various activities aimed at creating new friendships, while developing teamwork and leadership skills.
Support Services
The following services provide support for young people and families:
● Kids Helpline (24/7 online and phone): https://kidshelpline.com.au/ (Phone: 1800 551 800)
● Youth Mental Health: https://headspace.org.au/ (Phone: 1800 650 890)
● Depression: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/ (Phone: 1300 224 636)
● Butterfly Foundation: https://butterfly.org.au/ (Phone: 1800 334 673)
● Rape Crisis: http://www.nswrapecrisis.com.au/ (Phone: 9819 6565)
● Domestic violence/sexual assault: https://www.1800respect.org.au/ (Phone: 1800 737 732)