Celebrating BodyKind August at NGSC

Throughout August, NGSC is proudly taking part in BodyKind August, joining hundreds of schools across Australia to promote positive body image and encourage kindness towards ourselves and others.

BodyKind August is an annual awareness initiative of the Butterfly Foundation, Australia's national charity for eating disorders and body image. BodyKind encourages us to be kinder to our own bodies and to the bodies of others by:

• Being kind to our own bodies through how we speak about, nourish, nurture and move them.

• Being kind to other people's bodies, both online and face-to-face.

• Celebrating and respecting the diversity and uniqueness of all bodies.

Throughout the month, students will participate in classroom activities using evidence-informed, strengths-based resources provided by Butterfly Foundation. These resources focus on building positive body image and wellbeing.

Each week of BodyKind August explores a different wellbeing theme:

• Week 1: Speak

• Week 2: Nourish

• Week 3: Move

• Week 4: Nurture

To launch the month, students celebrated our Speak theme by wearing odd socks to recognise that our differences make us unique. They also enjoyed spinning the BodyKind Question Wheel, answering questions about positive body image and wellbeing for the chance to win prizes, and writing positive letters to their bodies to acknowledge all the amazing things their bodies help them do every day.

As the month continues, students will take part in a variety of engaging lunchtime activities. During our Nourish week, we will host a soup lunch on Wednesday 12 August, providing an opportunity for students to enjoy a warm meal together while celebrating the importance of nourishing our bodies and connecting as a school community. Our Move and Nurture activities will encourage students to appreciate joyful movement, self-care and kindness towards themselves and others.

BodyKind lunchtime events will be held on Wednesdays throughout August, giving students the opportunity to participate in fun, interactive activities that reinforce each week's theme.

BodyKind August provides our school with a valuable opportunity to foster positive body image, confidence and self-kindness while encouraging families and the wider community to do the same.

For more information and to access helpful resources for parents and carers, visit BodyKind August - Butterfly Foundation.

Proudly supporting Bullying No Way: National Week of Action

This year NGSC will be supporting the Bullying No Way: National Week of Action, 17 to 21 August 2026.

Bullying No Way Week is a commitment being made by thousands of schools and supporters across the country. It provides an opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to bullying prevention. It gives us an opportunity to connect with students, staff and school communities to implement workable solutions to prevent bullying.

The theme for this year's campaign is Small Acts, Big Impact.

It takes a community to address bullying behaviours, within and beyond the school gate.

Students can make a big impact through small acts of kindness and support for others being bullied. Trusted adults are there to guide children and young people as they learn how small, thoughtful actions can create a positive difference and encourage reporting of bullying.

This Bullying No Way Week, we’re encouraging you to embrace the theme Small Acts, Big Impact. Show kindness, support others and take meaningful steps to stand up against bullying.

For more information about Bullying No Way Week and bullying prevention, visit the Bullying No Way website.

Dental Health Week: 3–9 August 2026

Keep your smile healthy!

Dental Health Week is the Australian Dental Association's annual oral health campaign. As a teenager or young adult, looking after your mouth and teeth is an important part of staying healthy.

A healthy smile starts with good daily habits. Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and replace your toothbrush when the bristles become worn. Choose water or plain milk to drink, and enjoy healthy snacks such as cheese, natural yoghurt, fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts and wholegrain bread. Limiting sugary foods, soft drinks and processed foods can also help protect your teeth from tooth decay. If you play sport, wear a professionally fitted mouthguard to protect your teeth from injury.

At Barwon Health all children aged zero to 18 years are eligible for FREE dental care!

You can contact any of the following services to make an appointment:

• Barwon Health North Phone: 03 4215 7240
• Belmont Community Health Centre Phone: 03 4215 6972
• Newcomb Community Health Centre Phone: 03 4215 7620
• Wathaurong Aboriginal Cooperative Phone: 5277 2038 (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders only)