Student resilience, empowerment and wellbeing are essential for both academic and social development, and are strengthened by safe, supportive and respectful learning environments. Woodridge State High School shares this responsibility with the whole Woodridge community.
Why Asking for Help is Cool
Life can get pretty hectic, with everything from schoolwork to personal drama piling up. It's easy to feel like you're drowning in responsibilities. But here's the deal:
It's totally okay to ask for help.
Asking for Help is Brave
Some people think asking for help means you're weak, but that's not true. Actually, it takes guts to admit you need help. It's a sign you're smart enough to know when you need a hand and strong enough to reach out.
Busting Myths
Society often tells us that being independent is the only way to be strong, while needing others is a weakness. This idea can stop us from getting the support we need. Let's change that! Everyone needs help sometimes—it's just part of being human.
Your Mental Health is Key
You deserve to live a life filled with happiness and satisfaction. Mental health is a huge part of that. Looking after your mental well-being is just as important as keeping fi t. When you take care of your mind, you're recognizing that you matter.
How to Get Help
Notice the Signs:
1. Pay attention if you're feeling overwhelmed or stressed out.
2. Find Your Crew: This could be friends, family, therapists, or support groups. Pick someone you trust.
3. Talk About It: Be open about what you're going through. Good communication helps others understand and support you better.
4. Be Open to Help: Accept the support and advice you're given. It's a win for both you and the people who care about you.
5. Be Kind to Yourself: Treat yourself with compassion as you work through tough times. Celebrate small wins and remember that healing takes time.
You're Important
Asking for help proves you're valuable and that your mental health is crucial. It's a reminder that you're not alone, and there are people and resources out there ready to back you up.
Let’s make it cool to reach out and support each other. You matter, and your well-being is super important.
How We Cope With Anxiety & Stress | MTV's Teen Code
Tips for Teens | Teen Health | Centerstone
The Five Ways to Wellbeing - boosting mental wellbeing
How To Deal With Anxiety (3 Tools for Teens)
Below is a list of agencies which can support our young people and their parents.
Mental Health Support
Bullying No Way - A site for students, parents and teachers around bullying.
Beyond Blue - Provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, whatever their age and wherever they live.
Smiling Mind – Not-for-profit organisation that works to make mindfulness accessible to all.
Eat for Health - Advice about the amount and kinds of foods that we need to eat for health and wellbeing.
Raising Children - provides ad-free parenting videos, articles and apps backed by Australian experts.
Bravehearts - Australia’s leading child protection organisation.
ACMA - Australian Communications & Media Authority.
Parent Support
Parentline – Free counselling and support for parents and carers.
Centacare – Catholic support services providing help and creating hope.
Mission Australia – Integrated nationwide services helping people find safe and affordable housing, supporting disadvantaged children and families, empowering troubled young people, assisting people with mental illness and disability, and much more.
Reach Out - Hear from others about what has helped them and share what you're going through!
Disability Support
NDIS - Implements the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which will support a better life for hundreds of thousands of Australians with a significant and permanent disability and their families and carers.
Health
The Importance of Sleep for Teens
Sleep is like a superpower for teenagers! It helps you feel your best, stay focused in school, and even boosts your mood. But with so many distractions, like social media, video games, and schoolwork, it can be hard to get enough rest. Here's why sleep is important and some tips to help you catch those Z's.
Why Sleep Matters
Boosts Brain Power: When you sleep, your brain processes everything you've learned during the day. This means better grades and improved memory.
Mood Booster: Getting enough sleep can help you feel happier and less stressed. Lack of sleep can make you feel cranky or anxious.
Supports Growth and Health: During sleep, your body produces growth hormones. Plus, sleep strengthens your immune system, helping you fight off colds and other illnesses.
Improves Focus and Energy: A good night's sleep keeps you alert and ready to tackle your day with energy.
Tips for Better Sleep
Stick to a Schedule: Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This helps regulate your body's internal clock.
Create a Relaxing Bedtime Routine: Wind down with calming activities like reading a book or listening to music. Avoid screens at least an hour before bed.
Make Your Sleep Environment Cozy: Keep your room dark, quiet, and cool. Consider using earplugs or a sleep mask if necessary.
Limit Caffeine and Heavy Meals: Avoid caffeine in the afternoon and heavy meals before bedtime. These can keep you awake longer.
Stay Active During the Day: Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and enjoy deeper sleep.
Manage Stress: Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation to calm your mind.
Remember, sleep is essential for your overall well-being. By prioritizing rest, you're setting yourself up for success in school and life!
What staying up all night does to your brain - Anna Rothschild
Feeling Good About Yourself
Building Confidence and Positive Body Feelings for Kids
Growing up can be tricky, especially when thinking about how you feel about yourself and your body. It’s super important to learn to like who you are and feel good about how you look. Here are some easy ways to help you feel more confident and happy with yourself.
What Do Confidence and Body Feelings Mean?
Confidence is about how much you like and trust yourself. It helps you feel brave and do things you enjoy. When you have good confidence, you think nice things about yourself. If your confidence is low, you might feel unsure and a bit sad.
Body Feelings are how you see your body and how you feel about it. Feeling good about your body means you accept and like it, no matter what others say or think.
Ways to Feel More Confident
Find Your Superpowers
Make a list of things you're good at and enjoy.
Celebrate the little things you do well.
Set Fun Goals
Make goals you can reach and feel good about.
Break big goals into tiny steps.
Be Kind to Yourself
Talk to yourself like you would to a friend.
Say nice things to yourself and skip the mean thoughts.
Choose Happy Friends
Hang out with friends who make you feel good.
Stay away from people who make you feel bad.
Do What Makes You Happy
Try activities and hobbies that make you smile.
Do things that make you feel proud.
Feeling Good About Your Body
Think Healthy, Not Perfect
Focus on being healthy rather than looking a certain way.
Enjoy fun activities that make your body feel strong.
Change Silly Thoughts
Notice when you think something negative about your body.
Swap those thoughts with happy and true ones.
Be Your Own Person
Remember, you are unique and special.
Don’t worry about looking like someone else.
Look Up to Positive People
Find role models who love themselves and their bodies.
Learn from their positive vibes.
Be Smart with Social Media
Think about how social media makes you feel.
Follow people who share positive and happy messages.
Getting Help
If you’re ever feeling down about yourself or your body, talk to someone you trust. This could be a friend, family member, or teacher who can help you feel better. Remember, you’re not alone, and lots of people care about you.
By trying these tips, you can become more confident and feel great about yourself, leading to a happy and exciting life!
The Journey to Self-Love: Which Stage Are You At?
Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia - A registered charity and Australia’s only national support organisation, dedicated to helping individuals and carers alike in managing allergy and anaphylaxis.
Education Support
Study Skills for Teenagers: Easing Pressure and Reducing Anxiety
High school can sometimes feel like a rollercoaster, with all the ups and downs. But don't worry—developing effective study skills can help you handle the ride more smoothly. Here are some tips to help you keep the pressure in check and reduce anxiety while boosting your academic performance.
1. Time Management
Getting a handle on your time is key to juggling school and everything else you love.
Create a Schedule: Try using a weekly planner to map out time for studying, homework, and fun activities.
Prioritize Tasks: Sort out what needs immediate attention and what's important, so you can tackle the most crucial tasks first.
Set Realistic Goals: Break down big projects into smaller steps to make them less overwhelming.
2. Effective Study Techniques
Finding the right study methods can make learning a whole lot easier.
Active Reading: Get involved with your reading by highlighting, taking notes, and questioning the material.
Use of Mnemonics: Mnemonics can be your secret weapon for memorizing tricky info, especially in subjects like history and science.
Practice Testing: Quiz yourself regularly to reinforce what you’ve learned and build confidence.
3. Creating a Productive Study Environment
Your study space can make a big difference in how well you focus.
Quiet Space: Pick a calm spot for studying, away from distractions like your phone and social media.
Organize Materials: Keep everything you need close by to avoid interruptions.
Good Lighting: Make sure your space is well-lit to reduce eye strain and make studying more inviting.
4. Stress Management Techniques
Keeping stress in check is crucial for your mental health.
Mindfulness and Meditation: Practice mindfulness or meditation to help clear your mind and improve focus.
Physical Activity: Regular exercise is a great way to blow off steam and boost your mood.
Sleep Hygiene: Aim for enough sleep every night, as rest is super important for your brain and emotions.
5. Seeking Support
You don’t have to go it alone when things get tough.
Talk to Teachers: Don’t hesitate to reach out to your teachers if you’re struggling or have questions.
Peer Study Groups: Join or start a study group for support and different perspectives.
Professional Help: If anxiety feels too big to handle, consider talking to a Guidance Officer or mental health pro.
By putting these strategies into action, you can find a healthier balance between school and the rest of your life, while also keeping those grades up!
The 9 BEST Scientific Study Tips
3 tips on how to study effectively
How I TRICKED My Brain to Be ADDICTED to Studying
Learning Potential - Ideas to help you nuture your child's potential.
StudyVibe - StudyVibe is a FREE repository of educational resources. It is designed to support students to develop as effective learners and provide carefully curated resources to support teachers' curriculum development and improve learning outcomes for students in middle and senior schools.
LGBTIQA+
Understanding and Supporting the LGBTIQA+ Community
The LGBTIQA+ community is a diverse group of individuals who identify with various sexual orientations and gender identities. Understanding and supporting this community is essential for fostering acceptance, equality, and inclusivity. This guide aims to provide information on key aspects of LGBTIQA+ identities, how to be an ally, and the importance of rights and acceptance.
What Does LGBTIQA+ Stand For?
The acronym LGBTIQA+ represents:
L: Lesbian
G: Gay
B: Bisexual
T: Transgender
I: Intersex
Q: Queer or Questioning
A: Asexual or Ally
+: Other identities not explicitly mentioned
Each identity within this acronym has its own unique experiences and challenges, contributing to the rich diversity of the community.
Understanding Gender and Identity
Gender Identity
Gender identity refers to a person's internal understanding of their own gender, which may be different from the sex they were assigned at birth. Common gender identities include:
Cisgender: Identifying with the gender assigned at birth
Transgender: Identifying with a gender different from the one assigned at birth
Non-binary: Identifying outside the traditional binary of male and female
Genderqueer: A broad term for those who do not adhere strictly to conventional gender distinctions
Importance of Pronouns
Pronouns are crucial in respecting and affirming an individual's gender identity. Common pronouns include:
He/Him
She/Her
They/Them (used for individuals who identify outside the gender binary)
Using the correct pronouns is a simple yet powerful way to show respect and support for someone's identity.
How to Be an Ally
Being an ally involves actively supporting LGBTIQA+ individuals and communities. Here are some ways to be an effective ally:
Educate Yourself: Learn about the diverse identities and experiences within the LGBTIQA+ community.
Listen and Validate: Listen to the experiences of LGBTIQA+ individuals and validate their feelings and identities.
Use Inclusive Language: Incorporate gender-neutral language and correct pronouns in your communication.
Advocate for Rights: Support policies and legislation that promote equality and protect the rights of LGBTIQA+ individuals.
Challenge Discrimination: Stand against homophobia, transphobia, and any form of discrimination or hate speech.
Importance of Acceptance and Rights
Acceptance
Acceptance is vital for the well-being of LGBTIQA+ individuals. It fosters a sense of belonging and reduces mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety. Creating inclusive environments in schools, workplaces, and communities is essential for acceptance.
Rights and Equality
LGBTIQA+ rights are human rights. Ensuring equal rights involves:
Legal Recognition: Legal recognition of diverse gender identities and relationships
Protection Against Discrimination: Laws that protect against discrimination in employment, housing, and healthcare
Access to Healthcare: Ensuring access to comprehensive healthcare services that cater to the specific needs of LGBTIQA+ individuals
Promoting acceptance and equality not only benefits the LGBTIQA+ community but also contributes to a more inclusive and harmonious society. By understanding and supporting LGBTIQA+ individuals, we can all help create a world where everyone is free to express their true selves.
LGBTIQA+ you are not alone
What Does LGBTIQA+ Mean To You? | headspace
Taz's Story - LGBTIQA+ and Aboriginal Communities | headspace
LGBTIQA+ for family and friends
World of Work
Job Outlook – Job Outlook can help you make decisions about study and training, your first job, or your next step in your career.
Seek – Find jobs online, nationwide.
Australian Jobs - Provides an overview of trends in the Australian labour market.
MyFuture - MyFuture is a comprehensive tool for career profiling.
Getting Set for Life
ACCESS Community Services - Provides leadership, education, advocacy and support services to assist migrants, refugees and the broader community, to shape their own future. Our vision is a cohesive community where individuals are valued, participate economically and experience a higher quality of life.
Multilink Community Services - MultiLink provides community services to diverse communities. Multilink focusses on migrant, culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
The Salvation Army - The Salvation Army provides all social services without discrimination.
youtown – yourtown provides employment services, training services, parent education, family refuges to create brighter futures.
Free2Go – Youth program designed to help you get your licence, stay safe on the road and start your journey as a driver in Queensland
Applying for a birth certificate - You should use this application form to get a Queensland birth certificate, a replacement birth certificate or a commemorative birth certificate package.
Residential Tenancies Authority - Provides tenancy information and support, bond management, dispute resolution, investigations and prosecutions, and education services.