Here we go again, another period of Remote Learning! Looking after our students through this period will be the priority of our Wellbeing Team. 

We learnt from the first lock down that some students will embrace the challenge of Remote Learning and thrive and others will be feeling anxious and worried how they will copeA recent newspaper article really resonated with me. They interviewed parents about how they would face the return to Remote Learning. Comments in the article emphasized that this time the priority was going to be “physical and mental health”, “happy family relationships” and “core literacy and numeracy skills”, in other words, families will work out what is best for their kids and their family. Mooroolbark College certainly supports this approach.  

Parents know their kids better than anyone, and they know their family circumstances, and they know what is manageable and what isn’t and so our advice to parents is ….just do what you can”. 

We also know that young people are especially vulnerable to mental health difficulties at the moment, so the health of our young people needs to be top priority.  So, to any parents out there, if you feel that your child is struggling or cant keep up with the work, then speak to their coordinator and adjustments can be made, work can be reducedextensions given and some subjects can be priortised over others .  

Research by Claire Tanner from Monash University during the last lockdown found that many parents were feeling completely overwhelmed and felt considerable guilt, especially when they had children with emotional, behavioural or learning difficulties. She reported that the message from schools to parents should be “Don’t worry, just do what you can.” 

The message from Mooroolbark College to our parents is “Don’t worry, just do what you can, and we are here to support you and your children” 

A final reminder, that despite there not being any ‘normal’ classes, we continue to provide welfare support to our students. If you have any concerns at all about your child then please contact your child’s coordinator or myself and chaplain Gill Van Der Ende. We are available to chat with students via phone or text.  Your child can contact us directly through Microsoft Teams or email and parents can phone or emailThe contact details are below. We are here to support you. 

Regards, 

John Nichol 

Wellbeing Leader 

WELLBEING AND WELFARE SUPPORT SERVICES 

24 Hour Emergency 
Kids Helpline Counselling service for people aged between 5 and 25 24 hours/7 days 1800 551 800 

www.kidshelp.com.au 

www.kidshelpline.com.au/young-adults 

(email, web chat) 

Lifeline Crisis support, suicide prevention and mental health support services 24 hours/7 days 13 11 14 
Beyond Blue Information and support for all ages to promote optimal mental health. 24 hours/7 days 1300 224 636 

www.beyondblue.org.au 

(Chat online or email) 

E headspace Provide mental health support for young people aged 12–25 Phone:  

10pm – 1am  

Online counselling: 1pm – 1am 

1800 650 890 

https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/ 

 

 

Yarra Ranges Youth Team Provide support and advice to young people 

 

 9294 6716??or email?youth@yarraranges.vic.gov.au 

 

Inspiro Free youth, teen, young adult and family  
?  
 counselling ?9738 8801? 

or visit ?https://www.inspiro.org.au/   
for more information 

Parent line Support for Parents and carers with children from birth to 18 years 8am–midnight/7 days 13 22 89 
EDVOS Family violence service in Melbourne’s eastern metropolitan region Mon-Fri 9am-8pm 

Sat 9am-5pm (phone or email) 

03 9259 4200 

edvos@edvos.org.au 

https://www.edvos.org.au/  

No To Violence Supports for men who use family violence Mon – Fri 8am-9pm 

Wkd/PH 10am-3pm 

(Live Chat/Phone) 

1300 766 491 

https://www.ntv.org.au/ 

 
Blue House Report

Term 3 has provided students and teachers with another round of Remote Learning. It has been great to see our VCE/VCAL students back on site, but the school hasn’t quite got the same ‘buzz’ without our Year 7-10 students. The new stage of Remote Learning has brought in some new features which we hope will make learning more enjoyable for all. Staff have been excited to introduce the feature of cameras into their lessons which provides another level of exciting and engaging activities. 

It was great to see over 150 students as well as our on-site students in our Blue House assembly this week. It’s great to be able to come together and celebrate the positive milestones within our College. During Homegroup this term, students have already undertaken goal setting activities, a variety of activities and started the ‘Student of the Week” sessions. These activities aim to support students during their Remote Learning and maintain connections to their fellow students and the staff. 

Andy U’Ren

Blue House Leader