Seasons for Growth

This innovative program is being introduced at Aranmore Catholic College in June 2005 as part of the College's Pastoral Care Program.

Initiated with the support of the Town of Vincent and the North Perth Rotary Club, the program is designed to help young people deal with some of life's big issues.

Lots of young people are trying to work through many changes happening in their lives and heaps of kids are not coping very well, or for some, not coping at all.

Seasons for Growth may be one answer.

Why is is called Seasons for Growth?

Seasons for Growth uses the images of the four seasons-Autumn, Winter, Spring and Summer- to help us understand that life is always changing; that one follows th eother and there are certain things that we can do to accept and deal with the 'seasons' in our lives.

Is Seasons for Growth right for me?

Seasons for Growth is about handling grief. Grief is not just coping with death but all kinds of changes in your life. Things like:

your parents splitting up
having to change homes
getting caught in the middle of your parents' arguments
having to make big decisions
not knowing what the future holds
even very heavy stuff like depression and suicide

We believe that when we are grieving or feel 'at a loss', sometimes we just need a little support and guidance to manage what's happening in you rlife.

The people who have trained with Seasons for Growth can help you to talk about your feelings...they can introduce you to other young people who are experiencing similar issues who can support you through this difficult time.

Who do I talk to?

The Seasons for Growth site coordinator at Aranmore is Ms Janette Connor and Aranmore's Seasons for Growth companions are Mrs Tara Hill, Mr Peter Otten and Mrs Simone Firns. They have done the Seasons for Growth training and are working with lots of young people who face issues just like yours.

When you make contact, you're not locked into something...if you don't want to be part of it that's fine. But hey, give it a try.

Seasons for Growth has worked with and is working with lots of other young people and the chances are that it may help you sort out some of your worries.

What have other young people said?

"This is the first place I have felt safe enough to say how I really feel." 15 year old boy

"We signed an agreement to say that everything was confidential, so you could have trust in other people." 13 year old girl

"Seasons showed me that it was not my fault that dad left us." 11 year old boy

"My friends in the group helped me see what I can do and didn't have to do." 10 year old girl

"It was excellent. I dealt with a lot of stuff that I'd tried to push away." 17 year old girl

Would you like to learn more?

The Seasons for Growth coordinator and companions at Aranmore have put together a powerpoint presentation about Seasons for Growth to provide students and parents with more information. You can read the presentation here.

Aranmore's Seasons for Growth program is kindly supported by:

and the North Perth Rotary Club