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2026 Wellbeing Programs
The wellbeing team offers several programs that support students to build social and emotional skills and a sense of belonging in the school community. Students who feel safe, supported, and emotionally balanced are also more likely to concentrate, participate, and persist with their learning.
Students have the opportunity to participate in a Minecraft group on Tuesday at lunchtime where they develop teamwork skills, tap into student creativity and connect with peers from different year levels.
There is also the opportunity for students to engage in Run Club after school on Wednesdays. Students are able to develop positive relationships with staff and students and focus on the importance of physical health in supporting good mental health.
Taskmaster is run at lunchtime on Thursdays for years sevens. Students participate in various fun and creative tasks which allow them to build connections with other students in their year level and support their transition to secondary school.
This term, a small group of students participated in the Calm Mind Collective. The program is designed to educate students on the physiological presentations of anxiety and equip them with practical strategies when managing their anxiety.
Next term we look forward to the start of wellbeing programs for selected students including:
- Stride Forward - an equine therapy program
- Iron Armour - a program to build resilience and leadership skills
- Boys to Noble Men - a program designed to guide male students toward a healthier, stronger and more noble version of manhood.
We encourage students to continue to keep an eye out on Kolbe Engage news for any updates regarding lunchtime and afterschool programs. Parents are welcome to contact their child’s year level leader if you believe your child may benefit from one of our select programs.
In the Community
Parentzone Programs
Peaceful Parenting | Online
Parents Building Solutions
A 6-week free interactive online program for parents, grandparents or carers.
Are you tired of all the yelling – yours and theirs?
Do you feel like you are reacting to behaviours rather than having planned strategies?
Do you and your kids talk? Do you have fun together?
Do you have difficulties with increasing school participation?
Do your children have behaviours that you find challenging
If your answer to any of these questions is “Yes!”, please join us for this parenting program where you can meet with other parents and realise you are not alone.
DATE: 23 April-28 May 2026
Contact: Michelle Brown
Email: michelle.brown@anglicarevic.org.au
Register here
Talking Teens | Online
An online program for parents and carers of 12 – 18-year-olds
Do you want to:
- Improve communication and connection with your teenager?
- Explore setting effective boundaries?
- Build positive relationships within your family?
- Understand the challenges of adolescence to better support your teenager?
- Support your teen in managing their emotions?
Date: Monday 27 April – Monday 1 June 2026 (Six evening sessions)
Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location: Online
Bookings: deborah.trengove@anglicarevic.org.au
Please note: this an interactive program via Zoom. Participants are expected to have cameras on and join from an appropriate setting.
Parenting in Neuro Divergent Families | Online
FREE 6-week interactive program for parents/carers of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Learn and develop strategies and approaches to help you parent your neurodiverse children.
Topics may include:
- Managing changes and transitions
- Knowing their strengths
- Responding to meltdowns
- Helping your child (and you) to regulate emotions
- Sharing Neuro-Affirming Language
- Sharing the journey with other parents and carers who understand
DATE: Tuesday, 28 April - 2 June, 2026
Time: 10:30am-12:00pm
Location: Online
Contact: Michelle Brown
Email: michelle.brown@anglicarevic.org.au
Register here
Wellio Webinars
FREE Parent Webinar – Raising Confident and Resilient Kids
In this session, we explore how parents can:
- Understand the pressures kids face today: Why school, friendships, and social life can feel more intense than ever.
- Spot early signs of belonging and identity struggles: How disconnection and self-doubt can show up as anxiety, withdrawal, or resistance to school.
- Build confidence and resilience over time: Practical ways to help children cope, adapt, and feel more capable as they grow.
DATE: 20 May 2026
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm AEST
Register here
Tips, Tricks and Links
Understanding Anxiety in Young People: What Parents Need to Know
Anxiety is the most common mental health concern among children and adolescents. In Australia, it is estimated that anxiety disorders affect around 7% of young people within any given 12-month period. When we include young people experiencing significant but sub-clinical anxiety symptoms, the numbers are considerably higher. Nearly one in three Australian young people report high or very high levels of psychological distress. The secondary school years are a particularly vulnerable time, with academic pressure, social change, and the pervasive influence of social media all contributing to rising anxiety rates.
It is important to understand that some anxiety is a normal and healthy part of adolescent development. The concern arises when anxiety becomes persistent, excessive, and begins to interfere with a young person's daily life, friendships, schoolwork, or sleep.
How Anxiety Can Look in Teenagers
Anxiety does not always present as visible worry or nervousness. In teenagers, it may show up in ways that are easy to misinterpret such as laziness, moodiness, or defiance. Common signs include:
- Reluctance or refusal to attend school, particularly on Mondays or after holidays
- Frequent unexplained physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, or fatigue, especially on school mornings
- Perfectionism, excessive worry about grades, or distress over small mistakes
- Avoiding social situations, group activities, or presentations at school
- Withdrawal from friends, family, or activities they previously enjoyed
- Sleep difficulties, irritability, or difficulty concentrating
The Role Parents Play
Research shows that parental response to a young person's anxiety has a significant impact on whether anxiety improves or worsens over time. One of the most well-studied patterns is called accommodation, where parents, out of love and care, repeatedly help their child avoid anxiety-provoking situations, such as writing notes to excuse them from school, or taking over tasks, they find stressful. While this feels helpful in the short term, evidence strongly suggests that accommodation maintains and can even intensify anxiety over time.
What tends to help more is gently encouraging young people to face feared situations gradually, rather than avoid them, while offering empathy and reassurance rather than excessive reassurance-seeking. A warm but consistent approach that communicates confidence in your child's ability to cope is one of the most powerful tools available to parents.
What To Do if You're Concerned
- Talk openly and without judgement. Ask how they are feeling and listen without trying to immediately "fix" things.
- Contact the school. Teachers and school counsellors can help monitor what is happening in the school environment and coordinate support.
- See your GP. A GP is a good first point of contact and can refer your child to a psychologist. Under a Mental Health Treatment Plan, young people are eligible for Medicare-rebated sessions with a psychologist.
- Seek specialist support early. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) is the most evidence-based psychological treatment for anxiety in young people, and early intervention leads to significantly better outcomes.
Australian Resources for Young People and Families
- headspace (headspace.org.au | 1800 650 890): Free, youth-friendly mental health support for Australians aged 12-25, with centers across Victoria and online support available nationally.
- Beyond Blue (beyondblue.org.au | 1300 22 4636): Information, online chat, and phone support for anxiety and depression.
- Kids Helpline (kidshelpline.com.au | 1800 55 1800): Free, confidential phone and online counselling for young people aged 5-25.
- ReachOut (au.reachout.com): Online resources for young people and parents navigating mental health challenges.
- The BRAVE Program (brave-online.com): A free, evidence-based online CBT program for young Australians aged 8-17 with anxiety.
Anxiety is highly treatable. If you are worried about your child, please reach out to the school or a health professional. Early support makes a meaningful difference.
Support Services
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
eHeadspace: 1800 650 890
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
Suicide Callback: 1300 659 467
Parentline: 13 22 89
1800RESPECT: Call 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732
Annika Ring
School Psychologist
