Health Education at Ruyton allows students to develop knowledge and skills necessary to look after their own health and the health of others. It aims to promote attitudes and behaviours which contribute to personal and community well-being.
Ruyton is a community where all members work together to provide students with integrated, positive experiences and structures which promote and protect their health.
Cyber Safety - Years 7 and 8
Issues such as cyber bullying and ‘sexting’ are serious matters facing the safety and well-being of young people. In response to this, Ms Susan McLean spoke to the Years 7 and 8 students and gave them advice on how to stay safe while using cyber technology. Susan is Australia’s foremost expert in the area of cyber safety and was a member of the Victorian Police for 27 years. Widely known as the ‘Cyber Cop’, she was the first Victorian Police Officer appointed to a position involving cyber safety and young people.
Friendships – Years 7 and 8
The Hurting Game
A visit from Brainstorm Productions was a highlight in the Years 7 and 8 programme. The girls watched a live performance called The Hurting Game. This performance took a daring look at the hurtful games young people play to give themselves a false sense of power and belonging. It showed a powerful group spreading rumours, giving death stares and alienating people. The Hurting Game was an entertaining way to show students how on-going negative relationships, at school and online, affect self-esteem.
Conflict Management – Year 8
A presentation from Ms Jodie Wassner, Psychologist, and Ms Elise Conabere, Ruyton's School Counsellor, aimed to give students skills to manage conflict. The topics addressed included:
• Communicating effectively (being assertive)
• Fights – Do I fight for my cause or do I let it go?
• When do I need to involve an adult?
• Forgiveness
Celebrating Diversity Year 8
Jim Asimakopoulos with OAM medal
During the Celebrating Diversity unit the Year 8 girls enjoyed a number of incursions.
Jim Asimakopoulos, a lively, enthusiastic person with cerebral palsy, spoke to the girls about his passion for life. He inspired the girls to be resilient to the challenges they may face in their lives.
The girls met with a representative from Wheelchair Victoria who raised their consciousness about the importance of spinal health and the consequences of risk taking behaviour. A highlight of this session was playing wheelchair basketball.
Sexual Education – Year 9
This unit aimed to:
• identify the qualities needed for a good and respectful relationships
• identify personal values which will help determine choices
• increase sexual awareness (including issues of pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and contraception).
The girls enjoyed a visit from Athi, of Family Planning Victoria, who educated them on sexually transmitted infections.
Stress Management and Mental Health – Year 10
Stress Management and Mental Health is a key focus in the Year 10 programme. The unit is designed to empower students with knowledge and skills for boosting and maintaining their health and well-being so they can handle challenges in life. As part of this unit the students participated in a range of ‘stress relief’ activities including yoga, boxercise and pilates. They also watched the Brainstorm Productions play Wired. Wired explores the reasons why young people can become stressed and/or depressed and acts as a springboard for discussion about physical and emotional wellbeing.
Safe Partying Year 10
Year 10 girls were involved in a seminar entitled Whole New World. It discussed the pressures young people face with respect to drug use and partying. The presenter, Ms Sonya Karras, has a background knowledge of nightclubs and a wealth of stories and experience to share from working with young people. She aims to provide students with excellent strategies to deal with parties, alcohol, drink spiking, and much more.
Supportive Friends – Year 10
Ms Heather McLaren, a grief counsellor, spoke to the girls about how to be supportive when someone is suffering grief, depression, eating problems, stress and other mental illnesses.
Risk Taking – Year 10
This unit aimed to increase students’ awareness of the difference between positive and negative risk taking. The girls undertook a Life Be in It session which encouraged them to participate in activities outside their comfort zone. By listening to a road accident victim, Kirby, students learned that negative risk taking can have lifelong consequences.
Year 7 Positive Behaviours Programme
Integrated into Health Education is the Year 7 Positive Behaviours Programme. This programme aims to establish a culture and consciousness amongst the girls which will act as a foundation for an enduring set of behavioural values as they continue their educational experiences at Ruyton. The Year 12 Leaders were an integral part of this programme and worked closely with the Year 7s in a mentoring capacity.