RUOK? Day and 2025 Student Leaders
This week our Stella community remembered RUOK? Day, a day dedicated to starting meaningful conversations with others. By reaching out and checking in, we can contribute to a mentally healthy and resilient community. The student leaders shared with the student body the fact that in Australia about 43% of people would have experienced a mental health issuing in their life. That equates to 65 staff and 435 students. That statistic should be a call to us all to reach out to others to ensure they are getting the support they need.
At our assembly we also introduced our 2025 Student Leadership Team and presented their badges. Fr John Zhang from St Kieran’s Manly Vale was present to bless the badges and pray for the new student leaders. Current leaders presented the badges to the incoming students. It was a very moving ceremony, and it was wonderful to see the parents and carers of Year 11 and 12 leaders present.
Ms Collins highlighted that sometimes pain is not visible. She outlined some of the invisible illnesses and their impact on people. “Depression is when sadness sticks around too long. And anxiety is when stress overstays its welcome and can freeze people with fear. It can last days … weeks, months… there may not even be a clear reason. These moments can feel so lonely. Can we speak openly about this in the same way as physical injuries? “
“There is no shame in being open and asking for help. If you are feeling low and cannot see a way forward, you are not alone. Stella is such a safe space! Your teachers understand. Your friends are there for you – I see the way you rally around one another so beautifully! When you cannot reach out for help, they can be your voice in those moments. Be brave enough to book an appointment with one of our counsellors, Kylie or Amy … to email your PC teacher or Head of Year to lock in a time to chat, ask your parents to book a GP appointment… even if you don’t know where to start. There are so many trusted adults in this community, and your parents are your greatest allies!”
Thank you, Ms Collins, for sharing your understanding of why we need to remember RUOK? Day.
