Advice from Our School Counsellor: Preparing for the New School Year

How your child may be feeling:

Your child may feel excited or happy about starting or returning to high school. Or perhaps they may feel nervous or frustrated about all the changes. Remember that all these feelings are normal, and your child may react differently to others.

Encourage your child to keep a balance in their high school life. They still need time to relax, have fun and socialise with family and friends. They also need healthy food, exercise/hobbies/interests and a good night’s sleep.

It’s important to have some strategies to manage their worries, re-focus their thinking and ensure they’re looking after themselves.

What you can do to help/support your child:

• Monitor the media your child is watching.

• Talk to your child about their understanding of situations and correct misunderstandings or confusion.

• Support your child to stay connected to friends.

• Keep to your regular routines and activities as much as possible. Share these tips with your child and remind them that you’re here to help.

• Be balanced and compassionate in your thinking – It’s important to be kind and realistic in your thinking. Speak to yourself as you would if you were talking with a good friend.

• Keep connected – In challenging times, we’re better together. Stay in touch with friends and family, look out for those around you and keep connected. Make time to reach out to people who make you feel good and are there to help.

• Take back some control – Identify things in your life that you are in control of, make a ‘to-do’ list of what you are going to complete and check them off when you’re done.

• Accept what you’re unable to change – Accepting that there are things beyond your control and choosing to be comfortable with that is likely to bring greater peace of mind and use less energy than fighting something you can’t change.

• Make healthy choices – Stay active, make sure you’re getting enough sleep, eat well and keep hydrated. Remember that you’re still in control of your own body and your own path.

 

School counselling and support services:

All NSW public schools have access to psychological expertise through the School Counselling Service, which includes school counsellors and psychologists. They help students with learning, relationships, and managing emotions. These professionals play a crucial role in student success and wellbeing. (Information from the NSW Department of Education)

School Counsellors at Dulwich High School of Visual Arts and Design:

Ms Katherine Owen - Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Mr Jeff Reid - Tuesday, Wednesday (Week A), Thursday (Week B)

Students can self-refer to the school counsellors and sessions are confidential, unless there is a concern for somebody’s safety, an illegal activity is discussed, or the student provides permission to share information. Referral forms are outside the office in D Block or on the classwork tab on the year Group’s Google Classroom page.