Dear

A Message from the Director of Wellbeing, Chonny James 

Over the 12 + hours of walking through Dwellingup, I often questioned whether I had it in me to complete the walk. Upon reflection, it was two themes that got the group through to the end:

‘How are you going?’ and 'Are you okay?'

These questions, along with a gentle nudge of encouragement, can make a great difference to an individuals' confidence, self-doubt and the determination to succeed. 

The challenge was a great reminder that, as human beings, we easily identify when individuals are in physical stress, however, identifying emotional and mental stress in each is far more complicated. 

Whilst we recognise 'R U OK Day' later in the year, it’s timely to remind ourselves that every day we should be checking in with each other.

Support Network

Completing such a long walk in one day would not be possible without a significant group of caring people, whose sole purpose that day was to keep us fueled, repaired and spirited.

It is extremely important to identify and grow your personal support network; asking for help when you need it and letting people, A.K.A your support network, come in to your life will help you to identify and grow this network. 

We are stronger than we seem and more capable than we know. When faced with challenges, it can be as simple as finding the courage within to just keep putting one foot in front of the other, for as long as it takes, to get through whatever you are faced with.

- Chonny James, Director of Wellbeing

Meet the Team - Izzy Guille

Meet Izzy, one of the PLC Boarders hired to work at the Lighthouse. 

Born and raised on a cattle farm near Mt Barker, Western Australia, Izzy made the brave decision to join the PLC Boarding House as a Year 10 student in 2017.

We asked Izzy a few questions to get to know her better. 

 Who inspires you?

One month after the attack, Bethany returned to surfing and within two years had won her first national surfing title.

I am inspired by her determination and motivation to reach top-level surfing, even after such a traumatic experience.

Reflections With Sue Tredget 

My Unexpected Journey 

Sometimes our lives don’t follow the path we had expected. If you had told me six years ago that I would be a beyondblue ambassador, a published author, and teaching at the School that built the Lighthouse, I would have looked at you as if you’d just told me Donald Trump had won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Sharing My Story 

Educating myself about depression and anxiety was an important part of my journey. I was also determined to create something positive and use my experiences to reduce stigma surrounding mental health.

Speaking for beyondblue and writing various books have been very important aspects of my journey, and I hope that sharing my story with others has had and will continue to have a positive impact.

Its More Than Just a Mindset

A common misconception about depression and anxiety is that it’s a switch you can just flick on and off.

The truth is that recovering from depression is a lot like recovering from a serious physical injury.

Seven years ago, I broke my wrist. When the cast was removed, I could barely move it, and worried that I would never play the piano or swing a tennis racquet again (catastrophising is one of my great strengths!). Thankfully, with the help of a patient Occupational Therapist and weeks of rehabilitation, I gradually regained full movement. I did the work, and things got better. The pain that had been keeping me awake at night got less and less, until one day it was no longer there.

The Healing Process 

I had to repeat the healing process the following year, only this time with my mind and spirit. I was grief-stricken, broken, depressed and beyond despair. But, with the help of a fantastic doctor, an insightful psychologist, the support of family and close friends, and reconnecting with the things I love, the pain began to diminish, until one day it was only a distant echo.

Persistence, Purpose and Passion

I transformed my life by finding a renewed sense of purpose, by learning, and by connecting with people.

Now, I’m teaching my passion of languages, in a truly amazing school, and I couldn’t be happier. Funny thing, life.

Online Safety

PLC Protective Behaviours Programme

Recently in the Lighthouse, Year 9 students have been learning about online safety. It is important that young people understand the risks they face as they engage with the online world, such as cyberbullying, online pornography, sexting, gaming, unwanted contact and grooming. The PLC protective behaviours programme teaches students that they have the right to be safe; they need to look for and identify risks or abuse (both online and in person) and then ask for help from a trusted adult, for example, a parent or carer. 

Supporting a Young Person With Concerns Online

1. Plan – go somewhere you can be alone to talk without interruption.
    
2. Listen without judgement – say something like “I’m glad you came to me about this”.
    
3. Ask questions – ask the young person how they feel and what they know about the situation.
    
4. Get help – seek advice from parentline if you need (9368 9368). If the person discloses that they may have been abused or assaulted, seek professional counselling for the young person.  

Flowchart by Scarlett Keys (Year 9)

For more tips on how to support young people to be safe online, download the Online Safety Guide below. 

- Emily Lockhart, Head of Lighthouse Curriculum 

PLC is on its way to Becoming eSmart 

PLC has registered to take part in eSmart, a guiding framework for schools to manage cybersafety and wellbeing. 

Our work towards achieving eSmart status will involve the whole school community-for example, we'll be integrating cybersafety into our wellbeing policies, establishing clear procedures to deal with incidents, and delivering curriculum around the smart, safe and responsible use of technology. 

We'll regularly update you on our progress through Lighthouse News. More information is also available at www.esmart.org.au.

- Kelly Curran and Siobhan Rooney, ILT Integration Specialists

A Message from Civics and Social Justice Captain, Lucy

Working Together to Create Awareness 

As the Civics and Social Justice Captain, my aim is to create awareness of social issues within the community, such as homelessness, violence, poverty, gender equality and asylum seeking. To educate PLC students and staff about these issues, I launched a campaign at PLC's Make a Difference Week - ‘Take 3 To Flee. What would you take with you if you were to flee your own Country?'

The interactive lunch-time activity encouraged students and staff to make the very difficult decision of choosing only three items to take with them if they had to flee their home. 

Term 3 Social Justice Meeting 

Social Justice Meetings focus on the education and advocacy around various social issues, including group discussions and sharing thoughts and ideas. The next Social Justice Meeting will be held in Term 3 (date still to come) on the topic of Refugee/Asylum Seeking.

40 Hour Backpack Challenge 

We will be discussing the 40 Hour Backpack Challenge (PLC students involved in the challenge will commit to living out of your backpack with only essentials for 40 hours).

Questions, Ideas and How to Get Involved 

Please contact me, lucy.alderson@student.plc.wa.edu.au or Head of Service and Community Partnerships, Mrs Malone, linda.malone@plc.wa.edu.au. 

- Lucy Alderson, Civics and Social Justice Captain

O2 Active Class of the Month  

Kinder Karate – Why should your daughter learn Martial Arts?  

Kindergarten - Year 3 students enrolled in this course have been learning how to kick, punch, escape and impulse control with the help of their instructor, Jess. 

The Kinder Karate programme is based on techniques taken from martial arts, including Brazillian Jiu Jitsu, Taekwondo and Mixed Martial Arts.

However, they should be equipped with the practical self-defence techniques and knowledge to defend themselves if required.

The programme is open to Kindy - Year 3 students and takes place in the PLC Lighthouse on Mondays, 3.30 pm - 4.30 pm. Contact the Lighthouse to enrol. 

- Caitlin Hunt, O2 Active Founding Director and Owner