Introducing SchoolTV Wellbeing Resources
Here at Mac.Rob, we know that young people learn best when they are physically and emotionally well. Learning is optimised when young people feel content, supported, and confident, and when they can overcome challenge and regulate their emotions.
In order to ensure that our students learn well, we strive to provide them with an environment in which they feel safe, competent, and important. We also aim to support students in building resilience and independence; these factors help to prevent young people from experiencing mental health issues. We also hope that Mac.Rob students will develop empathy and prosocial behaviours, benefitting from a sense of belonging and connection with others.
Parents of Mac.Rob students can support this process by promoting a sense of wellbeing in their children. Over the coming months, the Wellbeing and Engagement Team at Mac.Rob will provide you with information and resources to help you to achieve this.
We would like to start this process by introducing you to an amazing resource that is available to all Mac.Rob parents: SchoolTV.
SchoolTV is an online resource that provides parents with information to assist with ensuring that our young people are psychologically well. The information is provided by a range of professionals and is evidence-based and credible; it also features practical, realistic strategies to help parents in supporting their children.
SchoolTV is also available in many different languages. When you access the site, click on the “English” dropbox in the top right-hand corner and select one of the languages available to translate the information.
We strongly encourage our community to explore SchoolTV via the Student Services page of the Student Portal, the new Family Portal (which also contains a number of resources and information about Mac.Rob for families), or via the direct website link here.
Recommended Edition: Raising Girls
Every fortnight, we will be highlighting a particular edition covered on the SchoolTV website. This fortnight, we would like to introduce parents to the topic, “Raising Girls”. The physical, psychological and emotional changes that occur during adolescence can be challenging for young women, and for their parents. This edition of SchoolTV provides a range of videos, articles, and fact sheets, all of which provide useful and interesting information to parents on how they can help their daughters to traverse adolescence successfully, building resilience and confidence along the way.
Each of these resources can be found here.
Special Report: Instilling Hope in Uncertain Times
SchoolTV also features Special Reports, which provide information and advice relating to a particular theme or issue that is affecting young people in the present moment. As we are all aware, the COVID-19 pandemic and associated stay-at-home orders have created significant difficulties for all members of the community; in many ways, young people have been particularly adversely affected, with the pandemic limiting their opportunities to attend school, connect with friends, and experience joy. Parents and carers can support young people by instilling hope, ensuring that young people remain connected to their social networks, focussing on things they can control, and finding meaning in this time of grief. You can learn more about how you can help your child to feel more hopeful here.
What’s Next?
You’ll continue to hear from me and other members of the Wellbeing and Engagement Team at Mac.Rob, via this newsletter and other communication channels. Feel free to get in touch if you would like more information about our wellbeing approach at Mac.Rob – you can contact me by clicking here.
On Thursday, October 21st, I will be hosting a Parent Webinar, providing families with information on how you can talk to your children about their emotional health and wellbeing, and how you can support your children as they undertake their final exams. Keep a look out for more information about this webinar on Compass. We hope to see you all there!
Dr. Bridget McPherson, Head of Wellbeing and Engagement