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Term 2 has been a busy period in the wellbeing space, with a range of both small and large group programs being delivered. These have included:
- Stride Forward- equine therapy for selected students
- Iron Armour- building resilience and leadership skills in selected year 9 students
- Keynote speech for year eight students to raise awareness of the impacts of bulling through lived experience
- Boys to Noble Men- mentorship program for selected year eight boys to give them a positive roadmap to success
- Reach workshops for year nine students on peer dynamics
We thank staff for the hard work that has gone into providing these opportunities for our students.
In the Community
Support for Family - Headspace
Talk online or over the phone to a trained clinician for one-on-one support. Open 3:00pm – 10:00pm in your local time. It’s a confidential, free and a safe space to talk about what’s going on with your young person. Click here to connect with a Headspace clinician.
Partners in Parenting - Headspace
In partnership with Monash University, headspace is offering an evidence-based online parenting program designed to help parents and carers build skills and confidence in supporting their high school-aged young people’s mental health and wellbeing.
Partners in Parenting also covers more common parenting challenges, such as communication, managing strong emotions, boundaries, conflicts and staying involved in your high school-aged young person’s life while they navigate their independence.
There are 10 interactive online modules to explore, you can complete them in any order and at your own time and pace. Each one will only take around 15 to 25 minutes to complete. As well as the modules, there are optional reflection questions which can help to recommend specific modules for you.
Click here to find out more and get started.
Tips, Tricks & Links
Supporting Secondary Students Through Exam Stress
As the exam period approaches, many young people can experience heightened stress and anxiety. While a certain level of pressure can motivate students, too much can affect their wellbeing, confidence, sleep, and academic performance. Parents and caregivers play an important role in helping young people manage these challenges in healthy and positive ways.
Recognising the Signs of Stress
Exam stress can present differently in every student. Some common signs may include:
- Irritability or mood changes
- Difficulty sleeping or changes in appetite
- Increased procrastination or avoidance
- Physical complaints such as headaches or stomach aches
- Loss of motivation or confidence
- Feeling overwhelmed or emotional
Open communication and reassurance can help students feel supported rather than judged.
Focus on Effort, Not Just Results
Young people often place enormous pressure on themselves to achieve high marks. Parents can help by emphasising that learning, growth, and effort are more important than perfection. Celebrating persistence, preparation, and improvement encourages resilience and reduces fear of failure.
Simple comments such as:
- “I’m proud of the effort you’re putting in.”
- “One exam does not define your future.”
- “Doing your best is enough.”
can make a significant difference.
Help Create Healthy Study Habits
Students benefit from structure and balance during exam periods. Parents can support healthy routines by encouraging:
- A realistic study timetable with regular breaks
- Consistent sleep routines
- Nutritious meals and hydration
- Physical activity and time outdoors
- Limiting distractions where possible
It is also important to allow downtime. Rest, hobbies, and social connections are essential for maintaining wellbeing and concentration.
Encourage Perspective and Balance
Young people can sometimes view exams as overwhelmingly important. Gentle reminders that setbacks are a normal part of learning can help reduce catastrophic thinking. Encourage your child to maintain balance by staying connected to family, friends, sport, music, or other activities they enjoy.
Encourage Relaxation Techniques
Work with your young person to identify activities that help them feel calm and relaxed. Activities such as deep breathing, mindfulness, and physical activity have evidence for reducing stress hormones and anxiety. Modeling the use of your own positive coping strategies can also be beneficial to your young person.
Be Available to Listen
Young people do not always ask directly for help, but knowing a trusted adult is available matters greatly. Try to create opportunities for conversation without immediately jumping into problem-solving.
Helpful approaches include:
- Listening calmly without criticism
- Acknowledging their feelings
- Asking how you can support them
- Avoiding comparisons with siblings or peers and using catastrophising statements
Sometimes students simply need reassurance that they are not facing the pressure alone.
Exams are only one part of a young person’s journey. With encouragement, balance, and emotional support from home, students are better equipped to manage challenges, build resilience, and approach exams with confidence.
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
Psychologist
