In 2015, St Joseph's launched the 'Kids Matter' framework to best meet the needs of our students and wider community through promoting positive wellbeing. Two years ago during mental health month, our school hosted its first 'Wellbeing Fair' and have since continued this bi-annual event for our community.

The ‘Wellbeing Fair’ was aimed at our parent community, where they had the opportunity to explore the variety of local services, organisations and presenters from the Maitland region.

From nutrition, healthy food samples, massage therapy, candles/essential oils, yoga/pilates, kinesiology, natural therapies, relationship counselling, St Vincent De Paul Society, parish connections and outreach groups, parents were well informed and exposed to useful resources within the community.

To provide the best experience for our parents, we thought it was worthwhile holding the fair during mental health month once again.

In today's world, we all have pressures and daily challenges that are in our lives. We wanted to offer our parents the opportunity to find out about some of the worthwhile local services and businesses that are available to support them and their family members in maintaining healthy wellbeing and balance in their lives. 

Many students were involved throughout the afternoon, assisting stall holders with tasks and interacting with the parent community. Students from each class contributed to the fair, creating paper plate mandalas and flower decorations to add a touch of colour to the COLA area.

Principal, Marie Butel-Simoes said, "Sometimes when people are struggling with mental health issues they are not always able to connect with appropriate support in the community. We wanted to help parents to make connections with local community providers in a friendly and safe environment."

A special thanks goes to the following presenters: East Maitland Library, Maitland Family Support, Active8 - Chisholm Region, Feel Good Fitness, Healthy Inspirations, Interrelate, St Vincent DePaul - Ability Links, Organic Feast, Aberglasslyn Natural Therapy, Mindaribba Land Council, Headspace Maitland, Doterra Essential Oils, Sentsy, Nutricity, DARA Van, Nana's Weighted Blankets, Body Sense - Children's Kinesiology Spectrum Health - Nutrition and St Joseph's Community Care.

To find out more about St Joseph's, visit their website.

Photography by Gabrielle Sutherland.

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