Updates from our community - COVID-19 alert level 1 No images? Click here Welcome to Whītiki, our Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington student newsletter.Following the Government’s announcement on Monday, New Zealand (excluding Auckland) is in COVID-19 alert level 1. Auckland is in COVID-19 alert level 2. There are no physical distancing requirements on our Wellington campuses and contact tracing is not required, but please use the NZ COVID Tracer app and swipe in with your student ID at the main entry and exit points. Thank you for working together and following the guidelines to ensure our community remains safe. We know that this is a very uncertain time and a period of adjustment for everyone—look after each other and kia kaha. It's Mental Health Awareness Week and this week the Student Wellbeing Awareness Team are holding a programme of events together with VUWSA. Tomorrow we’ll be at Pipitea campus in the Rutherford House foyer from 11 am–1 pm with wellbeing activities, resources, and free fruit. The Bubble programme is open again between 11 am–2 pm weekdays for students to take a break from the rush of campus life. Come and enjoy a dedicated space for personal downtime, meeting friends, and seeking advice from Bubble Leaders, fellow students who know the ins and outs of the University and can point you in the right direction. At the Bubble we invite you to enjoy a free hot drink or fruit, or heat your lunch in the kitchen. There’s space to relax on a bean bag, play guitar, or chill out to a relaxing playlist. Join in on a board game or try out origami, Sudoku or some mindful colouring to rest and reset. Often, we forget how important our wellbeing can be, but taking care of it will mean you are in a healthy state of mind to study. Our Student Wellbeing webpage has lots of information, advice and activities, including online modules that can aid you in taking the right step towards wellbeing. A good start would be to read up on the self-care module where you will find tips for eating well, sleeping well, staying calm under pressure, and exercising. If you are having trouble sleeping, check out the worksheet that allows you to track the things you do before sleeping, which can help you identify what helps your chances of a good night’s rest. To take some time out of the day to relax, why not listen to a podcast? You can find the excellent podcast, ‘The science of eating well’ by Michael Pollen, under the eating well module, which discusses the importance of certain foods. Listening to podcasts in general is an excellent way to unwind whilst still learning and discovering. There are a multitude of ways you can look after your wellbeing this week. Find something that helps you relax, and enjoy the rest of Mental Health Awareness Week! Laila Abada, a third-year student studying a triple major in International Relations, Political Science and Philosophy and Student Wellbeing Leader in the Bubble. This week is also New Zealand Sign Language Week, to coincide with the International Week of the Deaf and the United Nations International Day of Sign Languages on 23 September. New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) is taught here at the University and some of our alumni who are NZSL Interpreters have been seen this year at the COVID-19 media briefings. They are graduates or former students of NZSL Studies and Applied Linguistics, in the University’s School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies. They have also all worked for the University’s Disability Services team. Shout out to Alan Wendt, Wenda Walton, Rosie Henley, Melissa Sutton, Angela Murray, and Jenn Gilbert! Associate Professor Rachel McKee writes about how COVID-19 has put sign language in the public eye and what scope there is for improvement. Increase your skills with the New Zealand Sign Language Dictionary developed by the Deaf Studies Research Unit at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. Come along to the Hub on Friday morning (9 am–12 pm) to have a kōrero with Student Finance and the VUWSA advocate about some helpful financial topics and what services are available to you when you’re in financial hardship. You’ll be asked to answer four simple questions to identify how we can help you with your finances. We’ll chat with you about what support may be available and how to apply. We’re giving away a reusable face mask and hand sanitiser to every student who completes a form (while they last 😊). Read more about the Student Hardship Fund. Whatever your reason for considering postgraduate study—whether you are an undergraduate considering a Master’s degree or a Master’s student considering a PhD—applications for admission and scholarships close on 1 November, so now is the time to talk to your lecturers about continuing at the University. We are hosting a series of information evenings to help you decide, starting tomorrow evening at Pipitea campus from 6–8 pm. Come along and meet staff from each of our faculties, hear from a panel of staff and current postgraduate students, and join programme sessions throughout the evening—find out more and sign up here. Mental Health Awareness Week with the SWAT team 2020 has been a year full of change and challenges, so our Student Wellbeing and Awareness Team (SWAT) is using this myView blog post to reiterate the fundamentals of wellbeing this Mental Health Awareness Week. Everyone has mental health—ranging from good, to poor, to everything in between. We tend to focus our attention to physical health but it’s important to take care of our mental health too. Mental Health Awareness Week is a great time to draw our attention to why it is important to look after this aspect of our health. Share your stories with us! Learning more about how wellbeing impacts the student experience If you are a first or second-year undergraduate who previously filled in this survey, and said you were happy to be contacted again, check your inbox for the survey link and let us know how you are and how your studies are going. By reaching out to students twice a year in each year you are at the university, we aim to help improve the learning environment and support services for current and future students. It is especially important for us to understand how your wellbeing impacts your studies as we live through the current COVID-19 pandemic. To say thank you for completing the survey we are giving away three lots of $150, and a grand prize of $350. Once you complete the survey, you’ll go into the draw and recipients will be selected at random. The survey closes at 11.59 pm on Sunday 4 October. Closing Friday 25 September: VUWSA Outstanding Contribution to Clubs Award Is there an individual that you think deserves to be acknowledged for all they do in the cultural and arts clubs space? Introduced in 2019, our award aims to congratulate individuals within cultural and arts clubs at the University, who have created a long-lasting and positive impact on their clubs. This year the award recognises individuals who did awesome things, helped others, and fostered community within their clubs despite the craziness 2020 has brought upon us. Nominate yourself or your peers before 4 pm this Friday 25 September. Closing Monday 28 September: 2020 Wellington International Student Excellence Awards Are you an international student who has excelled academically in the arts, sports, as a leader or role model, or through volunteering over the past year? Or are you a domestic student who has been a champion for and supported international students? Apply now for a Wellington International Student Excellence Award! Run by WellingtonNZ, these awards recognise the achievements and contribution of international students from around the Wellington region and those that have supported them on their journey. Closing Friday 2 October: 2020 Disability Services Access Awards Applications are open for our Access Awards for students with disabilities who have financial need, who have made good academic progress, and who have one or more years left of study. The awards range from $500 to $2000—apply here. Reminder: Review of the Sexual Harassment Response Policy and associated procedures The University is seeking feedback from its community on the Sexual Harassment Response Policy and associated Sexual Harassment Response Procedures. Feedback can be sent to policy-feedback@vuw.ac.nz by Sunday 11 October. Please let us know if you would like this feedback to remain anonymous. The University is an organisation that is subject to the Official Information Act, please also let us know if you would like any information you provide to remain confidential. Fruit and Vegetable Co-op reopening Thursday 1 October The Fruit and Vegetable Co-op is reopening on 1 October. Sign up to the co-op by 5 pm on Thursday 24 September to receive an order next week. The co-op is excited to be back with healthy fresh produce at just $12 a week. Whītiki As a student, we want you to feel connected with your Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington community. Whītiki is a Māori word that is often used in a phrase heard at the University: 'Whītiki mai tō waka ki te wharenui nei, ki Te Tumu Herenga Waka'—'tie or bind your canoe to this meeting house, to the hitching post of canoes.' This weekly newsletter provides important information and updates from the University, resources to support your studies, and stories from our student community. |