Year 7 BodyThink Classes
Issues surrounding image and identity often come to the fore during an individual’s time at school. It is important that the media’s unrealistic projections of beauty and self are able to be analysed and understood by students. In the last few weeks of term, SACS will be running a BodyThink workshop which addresses these issues with all Year 7 students. The programme is run by both Dove and The Butterfly Foundation and has been designed to provide young people with the tools to help them recognise and address low self-esteem and poor body image. These two factors manifest themselves by way of depression, suicide, eating disorders and self harm. The workshops have been run across the country since 2005 and over 60,000 people have taken part. All students have the right to feel comfortable with themselves.
Dove BodyThink workshops will be run by Paula Kotowicz, a trained counsellor who has Bachelor of Applied Science with a major in counselling. Prior to this programme, Paula ran a programme on the eating disorders ward at a prominent private hospital for The Eating Disorders Foundation and provided counselling to both sufferers and families/friends. Prior to this she trained as a ballet dancer at the WA Academy of Performing Arts and this has provided her with a real understanding of the pressure to conform in terms of body size and shape.
The programme will run from Thursday 19 November, which is after all School exams until the end of the year. A letter will be sent home to all Year 7 parents outlining the programme in greater detail. If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to call.
Mrs Tracey Ireland, Girls Coordinator (9286 9657)
