Year 8

Youth Mental Health Forum #strongerthanstigma

On Monday, Assistant Year Advisor, Ms Mountain, took five students to the Youth Mental Health Forum, established and hosted by MP Felicity Wilson, and run by the not-for-profit mental health organisation, Burn Bright. Will Christie, Ella Delaney,  Amber Judd, Jessica Wei and Lauren Zhang had volunteered to attend the forum to learn more about the mental health issues that young people face today and how to look after your wellbeing in times of stress and difficulty.

The day was an interactive and participative one, where the students were encouraged to interact with other students from schools such as Marist Brothers and Monte. Speakers on the day shared their personal journeys as well as advice from working in organisations aimed to help young people, such as Lucy Brogden from the National Mental Health Commission.

The day highlighted just how serious the problem is for young people of today, as 7 out of 30 students in a class suffer from some form of mental health concern and yet very few of them actually seek help. Some confronting topics were discussed, including the high rate of suicide present today for 15-25 year olds. Guest speakers talked about the importance of looking after yourself, in particularly through using meditation, exercise, diet and sleep (MEDS) and the developing of positive relationships with friends as being the most important aspect of emotional wellbeing. 

For the final session of the day, we worked in our school groups, coming up with ideas as to how we could improve the issue of student wellbeing in our own school. All of the students enthusiastically brainstormed ideas such as electing a Captain of Wellbeing in the school as a Yr 12 leadership role as well as implementing an online forum to provide help and advice to others.

Science

This week, students in Ms Scott’s class investigated convection currents in Science. They observed how bubbles and a paper snake behaved in the hot air and used the particle theory of matter to try and explain this phenomena.

Yr 8 Yearly Examinations

Steps to successful study and examination preparation has continued to be our focus in Pastoral Care this week. Students have worked with their Tutors to identify techniques to assist with exam readiness and working through the required steps to assist students to remain calm and stress free as they get closer to Week 3.

Lunchtime sessions have also been offered to students, providing further practical strategies to engage in mindfulness and stress reduction techniques.

Monday – Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Tuesday – Colouring In and Mindfulness
Wednesday – Yoga and Meditation
Thursday – Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Friday – Visualisation

Announcements

Friday 26 October – CanTeen Bandanna Day. Bandannas will be available for purchase for $5 at the front and back entrances before school, during recess and at lunch. Bandannas can be worn on Friday to show your support and all funds raised will go to CanTeen, an Australian organisation for young people affected by cancer. CanTeen helps young people cope with cancer in their family. Through CanTeen, they learn to explore and deal with their feelings about cancer, connect with other young people in the same boat and – if they’ve been diagnosed CanTeen provide specialist youth-specific treatment teams.

Ms Lisa Vale
Yr 8 Advisor
lvale@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9968 6462