Wellbeing Program Update

Thank you to those parents who were able to attend the P&F meeting on June 12th, at which our School Counsellor Tamar was able to outline the Wellbeing initiatives at OLGC, in addition to introducing the whole school wellbeing program Open Parachute that we have commenced this year. As part of the Open Parachute program, parents and carers have access to free resources on a variety of mental health and wellbeing topics. Please click on the link below to gain an understanding of the program, to watch a video that explains the aims of the program, and to click on the link/scan the QR code to register to access the resources.

Open+Parachute+Wellbeing+Resources+AU.pdf (parachute-media-prod.s3.amazonaws.com)

Here is also some information shared with parents on the night about Open Parachute (OP):

  • OP was created in partnership with The Sebastian Foundation, formed in 2013 by Jules and Guy Sebastian to support the mental health of all young Australians;
  • OP’s mission is to create generational change by teaching practical mental health skills to students;
  • Lessons focus on prevention, giving students an opportunity to practice skills for addressing any current or future challenges that might impact their mental health;
  • Comes from a trauma informed perspective, incorporating evidence-based clinical psychological frameworks inclusive of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), narrative therapy (NT) and mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR);
  • Comes with Student resources – targeted grade-based lessons in line with state and federal curriculum, videos, worksheets, pre and post data collection measures and is a longitudinal K-12 program which wallows for the reinforcement and development of skills;
  • Comes with Educator resources – fully developed and resourced lessons, educator wellbeing resources.
  • Comes with Caregiver resources – videos, fact sheets.

To date, there has been a positive response to the program from staff and students, and we hope to continue to utilise this program to support positive mental health and wellbeing within our school community.

During Wellbeing Week, students from Kindergarten – Year 4 engaged with Life Education’s Healthy Harold program, with students in Stage 3 engaging in a wellbeing Rhythm to Recovery drumming day. There has been overwhelming positive feedback from both of these initiatives also, and we hope to continue to explore various evidence-based avenues to enhance the wellbeing of our students.

To view photos of the OLGC Life Education’s Healthy Harold visit.