As the situation with COVID-19 and Lockdown 6.0 continues we are acutely aware of the impact on our students’ wellbeing.

It has now been over a year since Stage Four restrictions first came into effect and we know the longevity and the uncertainty around this ever-changing situation has left some students struggling. Each new lockdown seems to bring different challenges for our students and the longer the lockdowns continue, the more important it is for students and parents to be talking together about how they are feeling.

We know online learning can feel overwhelming for some students, especially during these snap lockdowns when students had been adjusting to normal school routines again. For some students, avoiding online learning can initially relieve some of the pressure and stress they may be experiencing. However, we also know that avoidance can mean we fall behind in class and feel less engaged with our work. This, in turn can make us feel more overwhelmed and anxious, where we want to avoid further – creating a vicious cycle that can be hard to get out of.

As a school we are mindful that while some students might have initially managed lockdowns well, each lockdown is different and can feel worse, or better. If you have concerns about any of the following it may be worth seeking advice:

• Ongoing distress, poor coping or withdrawing
• Doing things which are out of character, eg. Being secretive or obsessed
• Functioning less well than you would usually expect

You are encouraged to contact your daughter's Head of House, or the Counselling Team, who are continuing to operate and work together throughout the lockdowns. Additionally, if you have concerns you would prefer to address outside of the school system, you can talk to your GP who can refer your daughter to an external professional.

Dr Jen Lear
College Psychologist

Helpline contact numbers:

Kids Helpline

1800 55 1800 https://kidshelpline.com.au/

Lifeline

13 11 14 https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Suicide Call Back Service

1300 659 467 https://www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/

Beyond Blue

1300 22 4636 https://www.beyondblue.org.au/home

Headspace (not emergency support, avail 9am – 1am)

https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/

In an emergency always call 000