20 Sep 2024
Year 9 have now had opportunity to participate in Mount View High School’s wellbeing program, PitStop. It is a comprehensive health promotion program designed to address various health issues that adolescents commonly face. The program not only covers vital health-related topics such as oral, mental and sexual health, drugs and alcohol, road safety, healthy eating, sexual assault, skin cancer, and smoking but also actively engages students in their wellbeing journey by aligning with the school’s "Five Ways to Wellbeing": Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning, and Give.
By incorporating the "Five Ways to Wellbeing," PitStop fosters a holistic approach to student development. Here’s how:
· Connect: The program encourages students to engage in meaningful interactions with their peers, teachers, and health professionals during workshops and activities. This promotes social well-being, helping students build supportive relationships that contribute to a sense of belonging and trust within the school community.
· Be Active: PitStop integrates activities that promote physical health, encouraging students to stay active and understand the importance of physical well-being. Whether through physical demonstrations or activities related to road safety and sports, students are reminded of the connection between physical health and overall well-being.
· Take Notice: The program teaches students to be mindful of their own health, recognising warning signs and factors that could affect their well-being. Through sessions on mental health and personal safety, students learn to take notice of changes in their mental and physical states, leading to better self-awareness and proactive health management.
· Keep Learning: PitStop encourages continuous learning about health and well-being. Students are exposed to important knowledge on topics like drug and alcohol prevention, sexual health, and smoking cessation, equipping them with the information they need to make informed, healthy decisions.
· Give: The program also emphasizes the importance of giving back, whether through supporting peers in their well-being or participating in school-wide initiatives aimed at raising awareness about health issues. Students learn the value of contributing to a healthier, more positive school environment.
The benefits of PitStop are evident in the positive outcomes for students. By engaging with the program, students not only gain valuable knowledge about key health topics but also improve their emotional resilience and physical well-being. The program helps them develop critical life skills such as decision-making, self-care, and empathy, empowering them to take control of their own health while contributing to the well-being of others.
PitStop’s alignment with the "Five Ways to Well-Being" ensures that it remains relevant to the students’ everyday lives, enhancing their engagement with the program and their ability to apply its lessons in real-world situations. This integrated approach strengthens the overall school culture and reinforces Mount View High School’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded, health-conscious individuals.
UPDATE- ROTARY EXCHANGE PROGRAM
In other news I am pleased to announce that Year 9 student Payton Burke has been successful in his application to participate in the Rotary District 9660 Short Term Exchange Program. This program is a family to family exchange and offers students a three month study in Germany from 1 November 2024 to 26 January 2025 and will follow with the family hosting a student from Germany in July 2025 for three months who will attend Mount View High school. The competition for a placement was in high demand including our applicants from Mount View. The Rotary District 9660 Youth Exchange Committee and successful applicants were assessed to have the following competencies:
• Demonstrates high levels of integrity, trust and is values-driven
• Is resilient, adaptable and a flexible problem solver
• Values and respects cultural diversity and difference
• Possesses sound interpersonal skills
• Works well with others and in teams
• Possesses sound representational and presentation skills
• Is organised and planned
Students who participate in Rotary youth exchange programs, learn skills that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. The social changes that take place in exchange students are remarkable; they are often more flexible in any ‘foreign’ situation, whether this means taking a new job, embarking on a new course of study or speaking publicly in front of their peers. I am certain that you will share in congratulating Payton, for being open to expanding his life experience by participating in this amazing opportunity of furthering study in Germany. If you missed out this time keep trying, more opportunities to participate will be communicated to families when they become available.
I look forward to seeing Year 9 Students at the Reward Excursion at Revolution Park. There has been a lot of interest- the more the merrier! If you were not eligible this time use it as motivation to come along to the next one at the end of Term 4 ! Photos of the excursion to follow in my next article. Wishing everyone a safe a restful holiday break, see you all in Term 4.
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