The Department of Education celebrated Wellbeing Week last week (11-15 October) by encouraging students to think about self-care as they emerge from at-home learning and prepare to return to school.
Secretary of the Department, Georgina Harrisson said Wellbeing Week was an important opportunity to focus on mental health and wellbeing and to support the return of face-to-face learning at school.
“COVID-19 has again required us to rethink how we support our students, staff and schools,” Ms Harrisson said.
“We know this has been an extremely difficult time, especially for our staff, students and their families in Local Government Areas of concern,” she said.
“Collaboration, communication, innovation and technology have been vital in keeping students connected and engaged with their teachers.”
Ms Harrisson said many of the usual supports and structures available to students had to be delivered differently during lockdown due to physical distancing and learning from home.
“As students return to face-to-face school learning this term, Wellbeing Week 2021 promotes the importance of self-care and provides inspiration, practical advice and resources to promote wellbeing for students, parents and carers and our staff,” she said.
“It’s a great opportunity to show how we can all take practical steps to look after ourselves and each other.”
The Department Secretary said during the Week, the Department partnered with the Commonwealth eSafety Commissioner and key national mental health and wellbeing providers to present a range of free online events and activities providing practical advice about mental health and wellbeing.
Ms Harrisson said staff from the Department’s School Sport Unit also presented online lessons on physical wellbeing and fitness and Student Support Officers guided discussions and gave advice on managing changes as students prepared to return to school.
“We know from our own website data students, staff and families are seeking advice and information on positive student mental wellbeing,” she said.
“We want our children and young people to know how, where and when they can get mental health and wellbeing help anytime for themselves or their peers, online, at school or in their community,” Ms Harrisson said.
