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Walcha Central School, Walcha
In-School Initiatives. Peer leadership and student participation in mental health promotion
A representative of Reach Out! spoke to Year 5?12 students. The school has set up an IT program for Years 7 and 7 students. Research activities have been included and students praise the RO! website as being the most accessible for their work. The use of promotional materials has been effective around the school. In February, 2006 Walcha Central is joinig with Narara Valley High to follow up on the successful 2004 training. A DVD, posters and student views are being developed.
Working with community
In 2003 the school held a 'Jigsaw of Life' Day, an SRC initiative that built on significant issues raised at a Youth Health Forum in 2002. Students wanted to involve the local community in health promotion activities. They planned the initiative with support from teachers and identified 30 relevant organisations and networks in the local community and region. Of the 100 people invited to a MindMatters workshop, 83 people attended to hear about the issues that were significant to youth in the area.
Year 5?12 students attended and participated in activities that were vertically arranged for the two-hour workshop. The focus was on decision-making and what is important for young people. The issue of mental health and wellbeing was an aspect of the discussions that involved the community representatives.
The workshop was a sound success and the local service clubs, including Lions, Rotary and Town-Life group, are interested in funding the workshop as a sustainable annual event.
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