We are grateful to the parents that continually notify us on PAM or call to notify us of student absences. This reduces the number of SMS being sent to families. Recently, we sent an email addressing attendance and punctuality. Parent communication regarding extended leave needs to be as early as possible and requires you to notify House and Year Level Team Leaders.
Absence for extended holidays, whilst providing opportunities, also creates situations where students may have gaps in learning which impacts ongoing assessments, SACs and exams at the end of the semester.
The Sustainable School Shop is a great resource for buying and selling uniform and text books. Every secondhand uniform that is sold is supporting another family within the school community and reduces costs for families. In fact, we have had 279 families access the service in the year up to June 2023. We have received really good feedback from some parents that have accessed the shop.
We are pleased to report that our Child Safety team have met and reviewed our child-friendly version of our Child Safety Policy, which has been led by the student representatives. They were able to articulate issues around language used and now we are working towards sharing this within the MSJ community for all students.
This year, the National Child Protection Week continues to champion the message, “Every child in every community needs a fair go”. Should parents need some support in this space, we ask that you reach out. Orange Door is a great resource for families and is a free service and provides support for family violence. Orange Door
The Royal Children’s Hospital has some great resources around vaping. The video provides some very good information for parents. Vaping can trigger secondary asthma attacks and are often marketed as a safer version of smoking. Long-term harms include mouth cancers.
See the video via the following link Vaping RCH Information. We continue to work with students that breach school rules and vape at school and seek to educate them of the dangers. Close monitoring of toilets during breaks has reduced opportunities to vape, as has our policy of having a reflection session for students found in toilets together.
The theme for 2023 is 'growing connections'. This theme supports research findings that strong school community connections and social skills are protective factors in the prevention of bullying and help enable positive, help-seeking behaviours in students. Our supportive friends group are leading our work in this space.
Stacey Bourke - Deputy Principal, Student Wellbeing
Welcome to our first edition for Term 3!
In this edition, have a say about Youth Mental Health in the Inner West, hear about the success of our Winter School Holiday Program and find out about our upcoming Employment and Career Workshop Series and more...
There’s a demonstrated need for more youth mental health support in Hobsons Bay and the inner west of Melbourne that is local, timely and affordable.
We’re encouraging Hobsons Bay schools, students and residents to sign up to Council’s campaign for more youth mental health services.
With 10 per cent of 15-25-year-olds in Hobsons Bay having a long-term mental health condition, we need your help to show the state and federal governments there is a strong need for free or low-cost, ongoing mental health support services in Hobsons Bay for young people who are at risk of self-harm.
Schools, students and residents can join the campaign.
Please help build awareness by sharing with your school community.
To obtain a Supporter Pack, which includes postcards, posters and badges, plus information you can include to parents through your communications app such as social media tiles, please contact youth@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au
Show your support: youthmentalhealthinnerwest.com.au
Hobsons Bay Youth Services has engaged ‘Arrive & Thrive’ to facilitate three series of workshops to help equip young people (and their parents) in their career and employment readiness:
Series 1: Teens (12-17 years), Aug. - Sept.
- Resume development
- Interview skills
- For parents: How to have Career Conversations with your teen (online)
Series 2: Young adults (18-25 years), Sept. - Oct.
- Resume development
- Interview skills
- Building your LinkedIn and personal brand
Series 3: Teens (12-17 years), Oct. - Nov.
- Resume development
- Interview skills
- For parents: How to have Career Conversations with your teen (online)
Where: These sessions are held on site at Newport Community Hub, 13 Mason Street, Newport
For session dates, times and registration, please visit our website.
Please contact youth@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au to register your interest!
Commencing Thursday 3 August 2023
Come connect with yourself and others in a creative way!
Creative Space is a weekly social art group that provides an accessible and supportive space for young people to express themselves through art.
No experience required, just an interest in creativity and reflection.
We bring the materials, you bring the inspiration!
Who: Young people aged 12-17 years
When: 4.00pm – 5.15pm, Thursdays during school term
Where: Woods Street Art Space, 44 Woods Street, Laverton
Cost: Free!
To register, email youth@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au
Expressions of Interest are now open for the Young Ambassadors Group.
If you live, work or play in Hobsons Bay and are aged 16-25 years, we want to hear from you!
Hobsons Bay Youth Services recently hosted an incredibly successful Winter School Holiday Program. The activities were designed in response to findings of our recent What Youth Want campaign and offered an array of engaging and educational activities for 12-17 year olds, resulting in record-breaking attendance!
Participants enjoyed:
Nights@Newport, an all-ages event organised by Westside FReeZA, celebrating local music and allowing young people to hang out, have a boogie and a great time together!
Westside FReeZA is a group of local young people who come together to plan, stage and participate in live events and workshops in Hobsons Bay.
Westside FReeZA meets every Wednesday during school term, 4:30 - 6pm at Newport Community Hub
Applications are now open for the 2023 committee!
We have male and female counsellors offering free and confidential counselling, case management and support for young people aged 12-25 years. A mental health care plan is not required. To speak to one of our qualified and experienced staff, call us on 9932 4000 or make a referral online.
www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/counselling
Youthcounselling@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au
For professionals working with young people in Hobsons Bay.
Come along to:
Network meetings are held quarterly at Newport Community Hub (L1 11-13 Mason Street, Newport)
Next meeting: Wednesday 30 August 9.30-11am
To register: youth@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au or 9932 4000
Events and opportunities from the Hobsons Bay community.
For all enquiries, please reach out to them directly.
