Mental Health First Aid
In recent years, mental health concerns and crises seem to be becoming more common and awareness from those around has become increasingly important, especially among young people. As teenagers navigate the difficulties of
adolescence, past trauma, cyberbullying and many other significant events, they often encounter challenges that can impact their mental well-being. In Australia, statistics reveal a concerning trend: a significant number of teens experience mental health issues, ranging from anxiety to depression and beyond.
According to recent data from [Beyond Blue] (https://www.beyondblue.org.au/), approximately one in seven young Australians aged 4-17 experience a mental health condition. This highlights the critical need for initiatives that support early intervention and provide essential skills to recognize and respond to mental health challenges.
To grasp the urgency of such initiatives, consider these statistics:
- 1 in 7 young Australians experience a mental health condition.
- Mental health issues are a leading cause of disability and illness among young people.
- Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15-24, underscoring the critical need for effective mental health support systems.
Our school has been working on providing more support in this space, and we are grateful for the opportunity we have had to provide our Year 9 & 10 Students with Mental Health First Aid training over 3 sessions in the last couple of weeks. Many of the staff have done this training beforehand and would highly recommend it for anyone! Due to some extra wellbeing funding, we acquired we were able to provide this for our Year 9 and Year 10 as a whole group.
This program equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to provide initial support to peers experiencing mental health problems or crises and guide them to appropriate adults, interventions or supports in the community. The benefits of such training are huge.
Students trained in Mental Health First Aid are empowered to identify signs of mental distress early on, potentially preventing escalation of issues, and securing early interventions. When we surveyed our students after the course, 90% said they would now know how to respond if a friend came to them in crisis, or with a particular mental health concern.
Secondly, by promoting understanding and empathy, the course is also designed to help break down stigmas associated with mental health problems, creating a more supportive school environment. Our students indicated that the course had informed them and that they now felt like they had much more understanding around certain mental health concerns. They were asked to tick as many as they felt they understood better after finishing the course.
The reality is, often students disclose their concerns to other students, and this can really impact on the students as they don’t know what supports the community offers, who trained staff might be or how to support their friend to take the next step towards professional intervention. The training empowers the students to serve as a vital link between their peers and appropriate support services, ensuring those in need receive timely assistance.
By arming students with these skills, schools can not only build a safe and supportive community but also cultivate a culture of compassion and resilience among the student body. In the journey towards mental health awareness and support, every small step counts for our students. Together, we can make a difference—one student, one conversation, and one act of compassion at a time.
**Sources: **
– Beyond Blue (https://www.beyondblue.org.au/)
– Australian Bureau of Statistics.
School Updates
What’s Christianity All About? You’re invited to find out!
Here at Casino Christian School we believe that knowing God and living faithfully for him is the most important thing that any person can do in life. We believe that knowing God and living for him actually makes us the best version of ourselves in every part of life – as mums and dads, grandparents, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, in our work or study, in our play…… in fact, in everything!!
But you may not have had very much opportunity to explore the things of God and to really figure out what this Christianity stuff is all about. In fact, maybe becoming part of the Casino Christian School community is the closest you’ve ever come to God, and you’re now interested to know a little bit more.
Well, good news! We’ve decided to run a short, introductory, low-key explanation of what Christianity is all about. It’ll be run by our Chaplain, Darryl Spriggs, who teaches our students every day about God and whose greatest passion in life is helping others know God.
This short evening will begin at 6:30pm and the presentation (including ample time for you to ask your burning questions in an open Q&A with both Darryl and our Principal Faith Hull) will finish by 7:30pm. At 7:30pm a yummy supper will be served for any who would like to stay and chat further. We will be all wrapped up by 8:30pm. Just come to the front office when you arrive and we’ll direct you where to go from there.
This is an open invitation and you don’t need to RSVP in order to come, but it would be really helpful for us for catering and childminding purposes if you could. If you’re not sure if you can make it until that very evening, please still come – we’ll be ordering extra just in case!
There will be creche/childminding available from 6:30 – 8:30pm. We’ll probably put on a movie (like Shrek or Frozen) and play some games while we have our ‘adult time’.
If you’d love to come and are able to RSVP, then please register your interest by emailing: awatson@ccs.nsw.edu.au
Senior 11 & 12 Information Night
On Wednesday the 31st of July at 6 pm we will hold an information night. We invite parents and students who are:
- Currently in year 10 going into year 11
- Currently in year 11 going into year 12
This night is important for parents and students to hear about the requirements for years 11 and 12, what elective subjects will be offered, TVET and Distance Education subjects, HSC and all about senior school life.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Kindergarten 2025!
We have now completed our first round of 2025 Kindergarten offers. We would like to invite families who may have missed this first round of offers but would like to look at enroling their child for Kindergarten in 2025. If you would like more information please contact the office by phoning 6662 5599 as soon as possible to secure an interview with our Principal Faith Hull and visit our website ccs.nsw.edu.au/enrolment/ to complete an enrolment application.
2025 Kindergarten students gain access to our free Transition to School Program that starts in Term 3 this year. If you would like to learn more about our Transition to School program visit https://www.ccs.nsw.edu.au/transition-program/
Camp Payments
Stage 3 Camp (Year 5 & 6) Camp Drewe Lennox Head : 18th – 20th September
Deposit: Friday 2nd August – $100
Second Payment: Friday 23rd August – $110
Third Payment: Friday 6th September – $110
Along with the signed permission letter we also need parents to go to the Burleigh CYC registration link below to register their child for Camp Drewe
https://book.venue.life/cycburleigh/register/1727-year-56-camp
Snow Camp (YEAR 9 & 10) 18th to 22nd August
Snow Camp is fast approaching. Please make sure your payments are up to date. If you have opted for the instalment plan the due dates were as are below.
Instalment plan payments due:
- 12th April $400
- 31st May $400
- 5th July $500
Academic Competitions: ICAS 2024
To register click on the link below and use School Code: FKN194
https://shop.icasassessments.com/pages/pps
Lunchtime Groups
We have lots of lunchtime groups happening at CCS! One of our new activities we have happening on Wednesdays Week A is a Knitting/Sewing and Craft Group! Students will bring their own project to work on with Mrs Stapleton who has kindly volunteered her time. This group is your Year 6 and up and will be held in the Library at lunchtime.
Lion King Musical – Choir
Our musical production of The Lion King is well underway! Mrs Coulter & Mrs Watson are putting together a choir to support our lead roles in some of the songs that require extra voices. If you are a High School Student, Upper Primary Student or Parent or Grandparent we invite you to come and be part of this production.
Practice will be held in the MPC Lunchtime (1.00-1.40 pm) on Thursdays.
If you are a parent or grandparent wanting to join us please complete the Volunteer Agreement here School Volunteer Agreement March 24 including a Working With Children Check number. If you don’t have a WWCC you can easily apply for one for free as a volunteer by clicking on this link https://wwccheck.ocg.nsw.gov.au/Apply
For more information or if you have any questions please contact Mrs Coulter ccoulter@ccs.nsw.edu.au or Mrs Watson awatson@ccs.nsw.edu.au
Illness & School
Canteen
The canteen is now trialling an Eftpos facility. Eftpos will be available to High School students only at this stage.
Primary News
100 Days of School Celebration
On Thursday the 4th of July, Kindergarten celebrated being at school for 100 days by dressing up as ‘Oldies”. Miss Goodacre became a student for the day, which Kindy thought was very funny!
Tutoring
Library
All Library books are due before the end of the term.
Book Fair
Book Fair Wk 3 Term 3 5-8th August
Book Week
Wk 4 Term 3 12-15th August
Book Week Parade Wednesday 14th August
This year’s Book Fair/Book Week theme is ‘Reading is an Adventure’.
Uniform Shop
Important: The uniform shop will not be open on Monday 22nd July. It will reopen on Wednesday 24th as normal.
All uniform orders must be paid at the time of purchase either in person or over the phone, we are no longer able to charge uniforms on family accounts. We appreciate your understanding.
Uniform shop hours are:
Mondays 8-11
Wednesdays 1-4
Uniform orders can be made at any time via the School Stream app or by filling out the uniform order form and returning it to school.
Upcoming School Events
School Holidays 8th to 19th July
Term 3
Week 1 (A) 22nd – 26th July
- Monday 22nd – Pupil Free Day
- Tuesday 23rd – First Day Back – All School
Week 2 (B) 29th July – 2nd August
- Wednesday 31st July – P&F Meeting 6 pm
- Senior Year 11 & 12 Information Night – 6 pm
- Friday 2nd August – Primary Assembly – 9 am
Week 3 (A) 5th – 9th August
- Book Fair 5th-8th
- Wednesday 7th – Zone Athletics – Coffs Harbour
- Thursday 8th – Parent Teacher Interviews
- Friday 9th – Zone Basketball – Port Macquarie
Week 4 (B) 12th – 16th August
- Book Week – 12th-15th
- Tuesday 13th – Book Week Dress Up Day
- Wednesday 14th – Grandparents Day
- Thursday 15th – PASS & SLR Games Night 3.30-8.30
- Friday 16th – Primary Assembly – 9 am
Week 5 (A) 19th – 23rd August
- Stage 5 (9 & 10) Snow Camp 18th-22nd
- Friday 23rd – Primary State Athletics – Sydney
Week 6 (B) 26th – 30th August
- Tuesday 27th – Year 7 & 10 Vaccination Catch Up’s
- Wednesday 28th – P&F Meeting 6 pm
- Thursday 29th – Fathers Day Breakfast
- Thursday 29th – Secondary State Athletics – Sydney
- Friday 30th- Primary Assembly 9 am
- HSC Trial Examinations 26th – 30th
Week 7 (A) 2nd – 6th September
- Hospitality Work Placement 2nd-6th
Week 8 (B) 9th – 13th September
- Friday 13th Zone Netball & League – Ballina
Week 9 (A) 16th – 20th September
- Kinder to Year 3 Swimming – GSAC
- Stage 3 (5&6) Camp Lennox Head 18th – 20th
Week 10 (B) 23rd – 27th September
- Year 10 Work Experience 23rd to 27th
- Friday 27th – Last Day Term 3
- Friday 27th – Year 12 Graduation Assembly
- Friday 27th – End of Term Assembly – Whole School
School Holidays 30th September to 14th October
Term 4
Week 1 (A) 14th to 18th October
- Monday 14th – Pupil Free Day
- Tuesday 15th – Students return to school
- HSC Exams – All week
Week 2 (B) 21st to 25th October
- Year 4-6 Swimming – All week
- HSC Exams – All week
- Friday 25th – Futsal Gala Day
Week 3 (A) 28th October to 1st November
- HSC Exams – All Week
- Year 4 – 6 Swimming ~ Monday 28th & Tuesday 29th
Week 4 (B) 4th to 8th November
- HSC Exams – All Week
- Tuesday 5th – Lion King Musical – 6 pm
- Wednesday 6th – Lion King Musical – 6 pm
- Friday 8th – Year 7 Orientation Day
- Friday 8th – Primary Assembly – 9 am
Week 5 (A) 11th to 15th November
- Wednesday 13th – Year 12 Formal – Clydesdale Casino – 6-9 pm
Week 6 (B) 18th to 22nd November
- Friday 22nd – Move Up Day – K-12
Week 7 (A) 25th to 29th November
- Wednesday 27th – P & F Meeting – 6 pm
Week 8 (B) 2nd to 6th December
Week 9 (A) 9th to 13th December
- Wednesday 11th – Last Day of School
Community Events
Casino
